Rockaway Beach is home to soft sand and formidable Atlantic Ocean waves—it's the only shore in NYC where you're allowed to surf. Although this area was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy, the boardwalk and Rockaway Park have been renovated with amazing playgrounds and water play areas. It's a perfect spot for a beachy daycation and much closer to home for locals than The Hamptons.

Read on for all you need to know about spending a day at Rockaway Beach with kids. Beyond the basics—sand! surf!—we've outlined need-to-know info like how to get to Rockaway Beach and the best things to do when you arrive at this NYC summer favorite. Find more local beaches to explore in our Guide to NYC Beaches, Pools, and Water Parks.

After my daughter was born, our mommy-and-me classes were a bright spot in the middle of some of the longest days. Not only did our yoga class help me regain my strength, it was also a place where I could form lasting bonds with other new parents in the city. Having a self-care routine proved essential for me after becoming a new mama—and my daughter seemed to enjoy the atmosphere, too.

The beauty of good postnatal mommy-and-me classes is that instructors have designed workouts just for postpartum bodies, plus they understand if you or your little one are having a challenging day. Mommy-and-me classes should be a judgment-free, safe zone for you and your baby.

Here are places and programs that regularly offer mommy-and-me exercise classes in New York City. As with any new exercise program, check with your doctor for the go-ahead. For more classes, check out our NYC Classes Guide for Kids or search our classes directory to find programs by age, interest, and borough from the Bronx to Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.

Sometimes the best NYC playgrounds are hidden in plain sight and at Ravenswood Playground in Astoria, Queens this is certainly the case.

If you are looking for a new playground that doesn’t disappoint, look no further than this NYC playground. While Astoria has always had a great history of parks and playgrounds, with the most well-known being its namesake Astoria Park, Ravenswood Playground is the new park on the block, and it’s not messing around. Read on for the highlights of this new romping spot, which made our list of the new NYC playground we couldn't wait to visit, and find all our top NYC playground picks in our Parks and Playgrounds Guide for NYC Kids.

Now that outdoor dining season is upon us, you'll be pleased to know Brooklyn boasts its share of restaurants with outdoor seating that go far behind simple sidewalk tables. We know parents are looking for more spacious outdoor dining at restaurants with patios, a backyard, picnic tables, and sometimes even a bit of grass!

Just in time for summer, we've rounded up our favorite restaurants for outdoor dining in Brooklyn. These family-friendly restaurants feature ample outdoor space, serve delicious food, and welcome families with children. If you're in the mood for variety, we've included a mix of cuisines: Japanese, Mexican, Cuban, southern comfort, and, of course, pizza, barbecue, and new American.

Headed to Brooklyn from a neighboring area? Browse our Brooklyn Kids Guide to take full advantage of the borough while you're there, or peruse our NYC Restaurant Guide for more family-friendly eats.

These aquariums near NYC make for a fun under-the-sea day trip destination where families can see colorful fish up close, be entertained by a variety of undersea animals, and get a kick out of interactive exhibits, feedings, and shows.

There are a number of great aquariums within an easy day trip from the tri-state area, so the next time your kids request a trip to the aquarium, consider visiting one of these regional picks, which each offer a truly unique undersea experience. At these local aquariums in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, you can see everything from Beluga whales at the Mystic Aquarium to the East Coast's largest collection of sharks at the Adventure Aquarium.

Find more day trip-worthy destinations in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways and find all our top picks for animal fun in our Guide to Local Zoos and Gardens.

While New York City is home to some of the world's most popular tourist attractions for kids, it's also full of secret spots and hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. That's part of the charm and fun of living in a city like New York. We've rounded up 24 secret spots in NYC that kids will love. From secret gardens to waterfall tunnels, kids get a kick out of discovering these under-the-radar attractions.

Looking for more off-the-beaten path attractions to explore? Check out our roundups of the coolest secret gardens in NYC and our top picks for underrated parks you must visit this season. Of course, we've got to picks for popular tourist spots in our NYC Visitors Guide for Families, too.

A ride on one of these carousels in NYC makes for a wonderfully nostalgic outing. It's the simplest of amusement park attractions, and there are more than a dozen merry-go-rounds in New York City alone. It's easy to stumble upon them on your next park outing if you know where to look.

Each of these New York City carousels offers a unique spin on this traditional kiddie ride, from harbor views to a ride inside an iridescent fish. We've rounded up the best merry-go-rounds in all five boroughs. Find more rides, games, and entertainment in our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks in NYC.