New York City

Top Inclusive Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC

Submitted by Rachel King on

The Play Lab is a valuable resource for young families to socialize, learn, and play.

New York City is home to tons of fun indoor playgrounds, but finding a play space where every child feels welcome isn’t always easy. Many indoor playgrounds cater to a narrow set of needs, leaving some kids without a comfortable place to play.

Fortunately, New York City has a growing number of inclusive play spaces designed for all abilities. These locations focus on accessibility, sensory-friendly features, and adaptable activities. We're listing our favorite inclusive indoor playgrounds and play spaces in NYC below. You can find more options in our Guide to Indoor Fun in NYC.

Free Gear-Packed Baby Boxes Coming to an NYC Hospital Near You Later this Year

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

Launching later this year, NYC Baby Boxes will be distributed to every family delivering babies at four public hospitals.

When it comes to welcoming a new bundle of joy in NYC, it's no secret that a little one needs tons of gear, but a new initiative is set to put infant-supply-stocked NYC Baby Boxes in the hands of new parents at some local hospitals.

Read on for more details on this program and find more need-to-know info for new parents in our NYC Baby Guide, which includes our top picks for the city's best baby stores, plus 20 things to do before your baby turns 1, and more parent-tested tips for those early days with wee New Yorkers.

First-Timer Sleepaway Summer Camps near NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on

First-time sleepaway campers at Lohikan will participate in water activities and enjoy a fun in nature. Photo courtesy of the camp

Many NYC kids spend most of their summer break at sleepaway camp, but if you've got a first-timer, these starter sleepaway camps near NYC all offer shorter summer camp sessions geared toward younger children. For those who have a new (or extra-nervous) camper at home, we've rounded up the best one- and two-week starter sleepaway camps near NYC.

These starter sleepaway camps near NYC all have specific sessions aimed at first-time campers from ages 6-12 years old, ensuring that rookie campers have an amazing first-time sleepaway camp experience. Find all our top picks for sleepaway camps in the Northeast in our Summer Camp Guide for NYC Kids, and be sure to search our Camp Directory for more options. You can search by age, interest, or summer camp type.

Top Kid-Friendly Science Museums in New York City

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on

Kid can immerse themselves in the Connected Worlds Exhibit at the New York Hall of Science. Photo by David Handschuh

Curious kids and budding scientists have so many options when it comes to science museums for kids in New York City. From the well-known American Museum of Natural History to smaller museums with interactive science exhibits for kids, there are tons of spots for toddlers through teens to get scientific in New York City. Whether they're into ecology or archaeology, there are plenty of educational activities for kids in NYC. We've rounded up the best science museums for kids in New York City that the whole family can enjoy together.

Get more great geeky inspiration in our Guide to Science Experiences for Kids and find more cool children's museums in NYC in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits.

STEM Summer Camps in NYC: Robots, Coding, and More Tech Fun

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

From coding and robotics to art and design, Snapology's diverse range of programs caters to every child’s interests. Photo courtesy of Snapology

NYC kids who are itching for the school year to end so they can devote more time to STEM are in luck. We've rounded up the best STEM summer camps in New York City. Most of these STEM summer camps in NYC offer hands-on building, coding, 3D printing, and robotics. We've also found a few that bring art and sports into the summer camp mix.

Read on for our picks for the best STEM summer camps in NYC. You can find more summer camps in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx, including our picks for the top summer camps in NYC for tweens and teens, in our NYC Kids Guide to Summer Camp and NYC Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps in NYC by type, age, and neighborhood. 

31 Things To Do with Preschoolers in NYC Before They Turn 5

Submitted by Kelly O on

Introduce your preschooler to art in a laid back way at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, which is stunning in any season. Photo by Jody Mercier

If you've got a little one at home, we've found the best things to do with preschoolers in NYC. Read on for our top picks for little-kid fun.

New York City doesn't lack awesome family events and institutions, but as a mom of two children under the age of 5, I'm always on the hunt for new ideas. These early years are fleeting, and I want to create lasting memories—within budgetary reason—manageable enough for little kids who sometimes still need a nap and a sippy cup.

So, inspired by our roundup of 100 things to do with kids in NYC before they grow up, we came up with this list of 31 things to do with preschoolers in NYC before they turn 5 and head to kindergarten. A few of our selections are well-known favorites with specific under-the-radar attractions perfect for preschoolers, while others are more off the beaten path, but all are things we've enjoyed doing with our own preschoolers or aspire to try soon! Find more ideas in our Guide to NYC for Preschoolers.

St. Patrick's Day Parades and More Best Things To Do in NYC March 2025 with Kids

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

Shake off the winter blues and douse your family in the colors of spring at the Holi Celebration at the South Street Seaport. Photo by Mike Szpot

Whether you're turning green for St. Patrick's Day or taking a deep dive into Women's History Month, March in NYC is paradise for kids. Here are our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in New York City this month.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue puts the "march" into March, the NY International Children's Film Fest takes kids' movies up a notch, and super shows for kids this month include A Year with Frog and Toad and Song of the North! Plus Kids' Night on Broadway takes centerstage next week!

We're also inviting all of you to join us at our FREE CAMPTOPIA event Sunday, March 9, where we'll have tons of fun and summer camp resources.

Best Preschool Summer Camps in NYC

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on

Stay cool in the summer sun at the JCC summer camp in Manhattan. Photo courtesy of the JCC

Finding a summer camp in NYC that's a good fit for a first-time, preschool-age camper can be downright nerve-racking. You want their initial NYC summer camp experience to be fun, safe, and memorable, but not over-stimulating or overwhelming. With so many high-quality summer day camps in NYC for preschoolers, it's hard to figure out which one to choose.

Through the years, we've compiled this list of kid-tested, parent-approved summer camps for preschoolers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Best of all, many of these preschool summer camps grow with your child, accepting kids in elementary school and beyond.

For all our top summer camp picks, including free and cheap summer camps, sports summer camps, and more, visit our Summer Camp Guide for NYC Kids. You can also bookmark our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps in NYC by borough, interest, and age.

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