46 Best Things To Do in The Bronx with Kids: Why You Should Visit the Boogie Down
Submitted by Jody Mercier on

When it comes to kid-friendly things to do, the Bronx may be the city's most oft-overlooked borough. After all, when is the last time you visited the Boogie Down with your kids? If you can't remember, we're here to convince you that a visit to this diverse, culturally rich hotbed of activity is in order.
The Bronx overflows with kid-friendly fun from classic kid destinations like the 100-plus-year-old Bronx Zoo to the newly opened Bronx Children's Museum, and we've rounded up 46 fun things to do in the borough. Once you've sampled the fun in the Bronx, check out our top picks for must-do's in Brooklyn, Queens, and all of NYC.
Sky Skate Elevates Winter Fun with Ice Skating Rink at Edge New York
Submitted by Jody Mercier on

When it comes to winter sports, NYC seems to be embroiled in a game of seasonal one-upmanship. There are dueling bumper cars on ice, rooftop ice skating rinks, and even our very own skate-and-play mashup of ice skating and gaming, but Edge New York is elevating winter fun—literally. The sky-high observation deck has just introduced Sky Skate, which allows visitors to glide across the highest ice skating rink in NYC—and the entire Western Hemisphere—as the city buzzes below.
Unlike our favorite seasonal outdoor ice skating rinks, Sky Skate is indoors, so it's an all-weather activity, though you'll want to bring along the hats, scarves, and gloves so you can step outside and take in the open-air observation deck views when you're done.
Milk & Cookies Kids Spa Opens Supersized Location for Pampering, Partying, and Playtime
Submitted by Jody Mercier on

A spa day is always a treat in my book, but I don't usually bring my kids along for the pampering. Sometimes, though, it's nice to play a little role reversal, and that's where Milk & Cookies Kids Spa comes in. The longtime Upper East Side pamper spot recently relocated to Kips Bay, bringing all its spa treatments for Cool Gals and Cool Dudes, plus its trademark post-pampering namesake treat, and even a supersized party room and padded toddler play area.
Following a recent visit with my lucky daughters, we've got the scoop on all the fabulous fun at one of our favorite local Black-owned small businesses.
Bryant Park's Ice Rink Bumper Return MLK Weekend
Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on

Bryant Park's popular ice rink bumper cars are returning to Midtown on Saturday, January 14.
The bumper cars are smashing, crashing, and spinning through Saturday, March 4, 2023. Can't wait to take one for a spin? Read on for all the details, plus how to reserve your spot.
Long Island City Waterfront with Kids: 20 Fun Things To Do
Submitted by Hans Howe-Freiwald on

When I first moved to Long Island City, Queens, back in 2008, it was the perfect place for a bachelor living it up in the city in his mid-20s. It was up-and-coming with indie comedy clubs, late-night hangs, and 2am eggs at the Court Square Diner. Back then, I couldn't fathom that 15 years and 2 kids later, I would return to Long Island City and find it an equally ideal place to raise my kids.
The neighborhood's family-friendly vibes are not unique to those of us who live here. Long Island City has become the ideal hot spot full of things to do morning, noon, and night, thanks in large part to its beautiful waterfront. Hunters Point South Park, known as The Gantry to locals—and instantly recognizable by its iconic Pepsi sign—has grown into New York City kid heaven. Read on for 20 fun things to do on the Long Island City waterfront with kids, and find more fun local neighborhoods and haunts to explore in our NYC Kids Neighborhood Guide.
Mission Trips for Teens: 7 Summer Service Programs That Help Kids Give Back
Submitted by Diana Kim on

If your teen is looking for an enriching summer experience but has aged out of summer camp, embarking on one of these mission trips or service projects for teens could be a good fit. While teens can stick around and enjoy a summer internship in NYC or try to nail down a summer job, these summer service projects offer a different kind of real-world experience that allows kids to travel while giving back.
Each of these summer programs offers a service-oriented experience allowing teens to immerse themselves in a foreign culture while helping local communities and assisting in conservation projects, teaching teens empathy, leadership skills, and cultural appreciation in the process. On many of these mission trips, there's an opportunity to enjoy recreational activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, sightseeing, hiking, and cultural exploration, too.
Ready to explore? Read on for seven orgs offering mission trips for teens and find more teen-approved things to do in our NYC Teens Guide.
Best Off-Broadway Shows for Kids: Affordable Children's Theater in NYC
Submitted by Raven Snook on

Taking kids to a Broadway show is an exciting and memorable experience. It's also a pricey one. That's why it's worth looking beyond Broadway, where you'll find some long-running, kid-friendly shows that are less expensive, more offbeat, but just as special.
From a bubble-filled, surefire toddler hit to a hilarious slapstick comedy to those world-famous blue dudes, there are options for all ages and interests. We've even shared ways you can snag deeply discounted tickets. All of these Off-Broadway productions make great birthday party activities, too.
Visiting Color Factory NYC: Inside Soho's Interactive Art Museum
Submitted by Jody Mercier on

When's the last time you dove into a ball pit filled with half a million sky-blue colored balls or sniffed your way through a color-blocked hallway punctuated by an olfactory overload while noshing on a colorful macaron? If the answer leaves you puzzled, perhaps it's time to trek to Color Factory, Soho's interactive art experience that invites exploration and play.
A one-time pop-up, Color Factory is here to stay and constantly reinventing its 20,000-square-foot space to keep the experience fresh. Following our confetti-filled visit to its Winter Colorland installation, we thought it was time to remind visitors of all the fun inside, which includes infinitely Instagrammable moments, fun lite bites, and tons of colorful displays to explore. It's a perfect spot to brighten up a cold winter's day and has earned its place in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.
