Sports

Massive Sports Dome and Entertainment Complex Coming to Jackson, NJ

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Mon, 04/15/2019 - 12:15pm

Athletes, sports fans, and gaming enthusiasts will soon have a state-of-the-art facility where all their interests come together in one location in Jackson, NJ.

Already a popular destination thanks to Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor, the Ocean County township will be home to Adventure Crossing USA, a massive sports dome and entertainment center, which will include indoor and outdoor multi-sport turf fields; hard courts for basketball, volleyball, and futsal; and a baseball and softball training facility; along with a sprawling, Jersey Shore–themed arcade, indoor go-kart racing, a multi-level laser tag experience, and much more.

Where Kids Can Learn How to Ride a Horse Around Houston

Submitted by Ashley Jones on Mon, 04/08/2019 - 3:59pm

We live in Houston, home to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the largest livestock show and rodeo in the world. After seeing all of the cowboys and cowboys riding at the rodeo, your little cowgirl or cowboy may be begging to learn how to ride a horse. Luckily, multiple facilities in the greater Houston area offer horseback riding lessons. While horseback riding lessons can be pricey, the bond created between your child and their horse can prove to be priceless. Kids will learn skills like responsibility, accountability, and patience through learning how to ride a horse.

8 Free New York City Skateboard Parks

Submitted by Desiree on Wed, 04/03/2019 - 9:00am

Skateboarding is one of the few sports actually designed for urban spaces, which may be why NYC kids love it so much. Skating uses the city environment as the stage for its tricks, but finding a safe place to skate can be tough. Skate parks provide a perfectly designed place to practice those skateboarding fakie flips and to grab some air. These spots in and near New York City are great for beginners and seasoned skateboarders alike. (Sometimes you'll also spy inline skaters or BMX bikers.)

All these skate parks put safety first. Athletes must wear helmets, kneepads and elbow pads, and kids under age 18 are also required to put on wrist guards. That said, most skate parks are unsupervised and have an enter-at-your-own-risk policy. Some even require parents to sign waivers for their children. So be safe, and enjoy the spring weather! For more outdoor sports and kid-friendly fun, see our guide to NYC's best parks and playgrounds.

Best Summer Horse Riding Camps around Los Angeles and Orange County

Submitted by Martha Hall on Wed, 04/03/2019 - 6:00am

It's hard to believe that only a few decades ago many LA kids could pat and even ride horses in their own neighborhoods. My friend who hails from Brentwood remembers feeding carrots to front yard horses just blocks from the now bustling and trendy San Vicente Blvd. Wouldn't that be nice? If you have a little rider-wanna-be but no riding ring next door, don't despair: there are many horseback riding summer camps with lessons for kids right around the corner.

Along with our recommendations for the LA area's best art camps, classic outdoor summer camps, and science camps, we offer our picks for LA and Orange County's best summer horse riding camps. Be sure to check our camp guide for more camp ideas!

14 Miniature Golf Courses for NYC Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Tue, 04/02/2019 - 1:30pm

For many families, mini golf is a quintessential spring and summer activity that they look forward to every year. My son loves it, so we've tried just about every putt-putt course in the tristate area.

While there are plenty of courses on Long Island and in New Jersey, you don't need to head out of town. There are currently more than a dozen places to play mini golf right here in New York City. And as sports go, it's typically fairly inexpensive—often as little as $5 a round for kids. Another bonus is that it's one of those rare activities that parents and kids can play together. You can even host a birthday party at most of these spots.

Read on to find out where to play mini golf with the kids in the city, and I'll see you on the green!

Ski Free All Spring with the 2019 Ikon Pass - And Save $100 on Kids’ Passes

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 03/05/2019 - 9:00am

If you hit the slopes at least one week a year, a ski pass can mean serious savings for your family. Ikon Pass is an annual ski pass that gives you access to over 30 skiing and snowboarding destinations across 12 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 4 continents. And even better, if you buy your pass now, you get this year’s spring skiing for free!

While you might think of skiing as a quintessential winter activity, the higher temps, longer days, and shorter chairlift waits make spring break the perfect time for a family ski trip. Whether you're a bunch of black diamond die-hards or some of your gang's still all about the bunny hill, an Ikon Pass will definitely help you make the most of spring on the slopes—and since the pass for the 19/20 season literally just went on sale, you can use it for the rest of this season, as well as all of next year.

Roller Skating Rinks for Kids in NYC and the 'Burbs

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/04/2019 - 3:05pm

All city dwellers seem to go crazy for ice skating season, but once the ice thaws and spring is upon us, where's a skater to go? It's time to introduce the kids to the old-school art of roller skating at one of these rinks within city limits and just beyond.

In addition to retro skating fun, many of these spots offer extras, including arcade games, bounce houses, and party packages. So lace up your skates and get moving at these rinks!

Go-Kart and Slot Car Racing Destinations for LI Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 10:45am

Want to go for a spin? Then check out one of Long Island’s go-kart or slot car tracks.

Parents of kids who love being in the driver’s seat will love what these high-speed destinations offer. Inexpensive and thrilling, they’re ideal for kids who refuse to take a back seat to anyone. Gentlemen (and ladies), start your engines.

For more indoor fun, see our guide to play spaces and fun zones. If your kids prefer to pedal, our guide to Long Island biking trails offers great rides in Nassau, Suffolk, and the East End.