Summer Fun Guide for NYC Kids in 2021 | MommyPoppins - Things to do in New York City with Kids

Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley

Swimming Lakes Near NYC for a Family Dip During Summer 2020

Take a dip in the great outdoors at these family-friendly swimming lakes near NYC.

Beat the heat with a visit to a recently reopened NYC outdoor pool. Photo of Hamilton Fish pool by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

50 Top Summer Activities in NYC to Do Before School Starts

Squeeze in some more summer fun before the grind of school starts!

The expansive shoreline at Jacob Riis makes it an ideal beach for social distancing. Photo by Sara M.

NYC Beaches Reopen for Summer 2020 Season

Fourteen miles of NYC shores will open to swimming just in time for the Fourth.

There's plenty for New Yorkers to love on Governors Island. Photo by Julienne Schaer

Governors Island in 2021: Best Things To Do With Kids

Governors Island, the seasonal treat that gets better every year, opens May 1 with tons of fun.

Run through the rainbow-hued arches at Roberto Clemente State Park's sprayground. Photo courtesy of the park

The 25 Best Spraygrounds and Sprinklers for NYC Kids

Hit one of these ultimate NYC spraygrounds with your kids to cool off on hot days.

Brooklyn's Sunset Park Pool is one of 15 public pools set to reopen for summer 2020. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

15 NYC Pools Set to Reopen by August 1 for Summer 2020 Swimming

Get your bathing suits ready. These 15 NYC pools are set to reopen soon.

Enjoy a magical night at the Skyline Drive-In Movie Theater pop-up on the Greenpoint waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Skyline Drive-In

Drive-in Movie Theaters in and around NYC For Summer 2021

Enjoy an old-school movie night at one of these NYC pop-ups or suburban theaters.

Bottle-feed the goats at White Post Farms. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Petting Zoos Near NYC Where Kids Can See Farm Animals

Feed a cow, pet a bunny, or meet friendly goats at one of these nearby petting zoos.

Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun

NYC Summer Camp Guide

Find a great summer camp in NYC for your kid with our guide to nature camps, STEM camps, dance and...

Guests will be able to experience the safari at Six Flags Great Adventure from the privacy and safety of their own vehicles.

The Six Flags Great Adventure Safari Drive-Thru Returns in All Its 1970s Glory

Get ready to take the family car on a safari, through lions and tigers and baboons!

A good book can help kids escape to exciting places this summer, even when stuck at home.

Best New Kids' Books for Summer Reading: Age-by-Age Lists for Preschoolers to Teens

This ultimate 2020 summer reading list has a book for every age and interest.

Even if it's cloudy and raining outside, you can create sunshine and rainbows inside.

50 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

Try one of these boredom-busting activities to turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.

Grab a picnic and head to Owl's Head Park for the lush green grass! Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

10 Underrated NYC Parks to Visit Now

Looking for some fresh air and social distance? Try these off the beaten path picks.

Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley

Swimming Lakes Near NYC for a Family Dip During Summer 2020

Take a dip in the great outdoors at these family-friendly swimming lakes near NYC.

Hudson RiverFlicks Kids. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park

Free Outdoor Movies in NYC This Summer

Get ready for a summer of screenings under the stars with our guide to outdoor movies for kids.

The World's Biggest Bounce House is coming to Brooklyn this summer.

C'mon Summer: 50 Things We Can't Wait to Do This Summer in NYC

Is it summer yet? Our super-fun to-do list can't wait!

Family Amusement Parks & Water Parks Guide

If your idea of a great family vacation is making your kids deliriously happy, then you've come to...

Try soccer, tennis, and more sports for FREE in the city's parks. Photo courtesy of the City Parks Foundation

Free Summer Sports and Outdoor Programs for NYC Kids

We rounded up all the info on FREE sports programs for your kids this summer, from soccer to tennis.

The Floating Pool Lady is permanently docked at Barretto Point Park. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Best Free NYC Swimming Pools for Toddlers and Kids

When summer heat hits, visit one of our favorite FREE city pools to cool down.

Set up a picnic in one of the huge meadows at Central Park. Photo by Jody Mercier

10 of Our Favorite NYC Picnic Spots With Built-in Entertainment

Take lunch or dinner outside with the kids at one of these great spots for spreading a picnic...

Preschoolers can bounce the day away at The Big Bounce America. Photo courtesy of The Big Bounce America

Best Summer Events for NYC Preschoolers

Sprinklers, kites, art, and dance parties: Your preschooler's summer guide.

Bishop's Orchards is a gorgeous spot for berry picking while staying socially distant.

Where to Pick Your Own Blueberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries Near NYC in 2020

It's berry picking season, and these farms are the cream of the crop.

Six Flags Great Adventure makes for an action-packed day of amusement park fun.

Best Amusement Parks Near NYC Reachable by Public Transportation

Car-free New Yorkers can reach these theme parks by bus or train.

NYC Beaches, Pools, and Water Parks Guide

Water parks, swimming pools, sprinklers and beaches—there are lots of ways to cool off in New York...

Take the ferry (free at certain times) to Governors Island for family activities all summer. Photo by Matt Nighswander

50 Free Things To Do with Toddlers This Summer in NYC

Bookmark this list of free events and fun ideas for your toddler this summer in NYC.

Kids can join parents in kayaks at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo courtesy the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse

Free Kayaking, Canoeing, and Rowboat Options in New York City

Check out these 11 spots where you can kayak, row, or canoe this summer—all for FREE.

See fireworks after listening to a free New York Philharmonic outdoor concert. Photo courtesy of the Philharmonic

When to Catch Fireworks Shows Across NYC This Summer (Other Than July 4)

It doesn't need to be the Fourth of July to see fireworks in NYC.

Visit the rides along the Coney Island boardwalk. Photo by Julienne Schaer for NYCgo

Best Things to Do in Coney Island With Kids: Luna Park, Aquarium, Beach, Mermaids

There's always something to do on Coney Island in the summer.

Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide

NYC is a big concrete jungle, yes, but we've also got almost 30,000 acres of parkland. From grand...

Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC. Photo: Shutterstock

Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids

Find a great weekend getaway from NYC for the whole family with this guide to the best day trips...

Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide

The East End encompasses the Hamptons and the North Fork, both wonderful places to spend relaxing...

Top Things to Do with Kids this Summer in NYC

Enjoy a magical night at the Skyline Drive-In Movie Theater pop-up on the Greenpoint waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Skyline Drive-In

Drive-in Movie Theaters in and around NYC For Summer 2021

Enjoy an old-school movie night at one of these NYC pop-ups or suburban theaters. READ MORE

Bishop's Orchards is a gorgeous spot for berry picking while staying socially distant.

Where to Pick Your Own Blueberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries Near NYC in 2020

It's berry picking season, and these farms are the cream of the crop. READ MORE

Explore the enchanted gardens at Wave HIll, which plans to reopen soon. Photo courtesy of Wave Hill

25 Outdoor Adventures for NYC Kids to Enjoy in Summer 2020

Getting back to nature, even in the city, isn't hard if you know where to look. READ MORE

Beat the heat with a visit to a recently reopened NYC outdoor pool. Photo of Hamilton Fish pool by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

50 Top Summer Activities in NYC to Do Before School Starts

Squeeze in some more summer fun before the grind of school starts!READ MORE

Non-Stop Outdoor Fun

Brooklyn's Sunset Park Pool is one of 15 public pools set to reopen for summer 2020. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

15 NYC Pools Set to Reopen by August 1 for Summer 2020 Swimming

Get your bathing suits ready. These 15 NYC pools are set to reopen soon. READ MORE

Enjoy the wide-open spaces of Governors Island's 172-acres of parkland beginning Wednesday, July 15. Photo by Julienne Schaer/courtesy of The Trust for Governors Island

Governors Island Reopens July 15 for Summer 2020 Fun

Make your ferry reservation now because Governors Island is reopening. READ MORE

The expansive shoreline at Jacob Riis makes it an ideal beach for social distancing. Photo by Sara M.

NYC Beaches Reopen for Summer 2020 Season

Fourteen miles of NYC shores will open to swimming just in time for the Fourth. READ MORE

Run through the rainbow-hued arches at Roberto Clemente State Park's sprayground. Photo courtesy of the park

The 25 Best Spraygrounds and Sprinklers for NYC Kids

Hit one of these ultimate NYC spraygrounds with your kids to cool off on hot days. READ MORE

Three acres of new parkland debuted last week at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 2 Uplands.

Pier 2 Uplands Debuts at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Explore 3 acres of brand new parkland at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 2 Uplands. READ MORE

Photo courtesy of Twig and Lens for Hike it Baby

20 Easy (But Gorgeous) Hiking Trails To Do with Kids and Babies

These family-friendly hiking trails will take your kids from Mt. Rainier to the swamps of Florida.READ MORE

Family Fun This Summer in NYC

Three cheers for boozy whipped coffee (and frozen hot chocolate for them).

5 Fun Mocktail Recipes for Kids Celebrations

Mocktails to welcome in the new year.READ MORE

This patriotic pop is bursting with watermelon, coconut, and raspberry flavors. Photo by Mommy Poppins

8 Fun Popsicle Recipes to Make with Kids

Make frozen treats inspired by July 4th, cake batter, hot cocoa and more.READ MORE

Learn how to make homemade ice cream for a tasty activity with the kids!

How to Make Ice Cream At Home in 5 Easy Steps

Whip up homemade ice cream in a bag or a mason jar!READ MORE

A cheap roll of tinfoil, an incline of some sort, and water is all you need for a tinfoil river. Photo by Ally Noel

25+ Water Games for Kids To Play All Summer Long

Splish-splash! We've got 25+ fun water games to try with the kids. READ MORE

A good book can help kids escape to exciting places this summer, even when stuck at home.

Best New Kids' Books for Summer Reading: Age-by-Age Lists for Preschoolers to Teens

This ultimate 2020 summer reading list has a book for every age and interest. READ MORE

Make a small business by opening a lemonade stand.

Ultimate Summer Play List: 100 Fun Activities for Kids

Get the summer fun started with 100 (mostly) FREE ways to pack more play into your day.READ MORE

Day Trips and Summer Travel

Take a leisurely familly hike at Rockefeller State Park. Photo by Sara M

17 Day Trips Near NYC for Summer 2020 Adventures

Craving a summer day trip? Here are our top family-friendly picks.READ MORE

Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC. Photo: Shutterstock

Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids

Find a great weekend getaway from NYC for the whole family with this guide to the best day trips...READ MORE

Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley

Swimming Lakes Near NYC for a Family Dip During Summer 2020

Take a dip in the great outdoors at these family-friendly swimming lakes near NYC. READ MORE

Hike Champlain Mountain in Acadia National Park for majestic views. Photo courtesy Maine Office of Tourism

Epic East Coast Road Trip Ideas for Summer 2020

Load up the car and hit the road for these fun destinations. READ MORE

Bring your babes to Long Beach Island. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Best Jersey Shore Beaches for Families: Sandy Hook to Cape May

The Jersey Shore boasts some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. Here are the best. READ MORE

Robert Moses State Park is a popular beach for Long Island families. Photo courtesy of Long Island State Parks

The Best Beaches for Families on Long Island

From Nassau to Suffolk and the East End, these LI beaches offer the best family amenities. READ MORE

Archives

How to Enjoy NYC Beaches, the Jersey Shore, and More Summer Haunts in 2021

Here's what you need to know for beach trips near and far this summer. READ MORE

Best Amusement Parks Near NYC Reachable by Public Transportation

Car-free New Yorkers can reach these theme parks by bus or train. READ MORE

Outdoor Restaurants in Brooklyn With Kid-Friendly Backyards and Patios

We've rounded up our favorite Brooklyn eateries with space for alfresco meals. READ MORE

Best Things to Do in Coney Island With Kids: Luna Park, Aquarium, Beach, Mermaids

There's always something to do on Coney Island in the summer. READ MORE

Best Carousels in NYC: 13 Merry-Go-Rounds City Kids Love

Take a spin on one of these carousels located in the five boroughs. READ MORE

Harry Potter New York Sets June 2021 Opening

If we could wave our wand, we'd make this debut come sooner! READ MORE

Summer Activities