We're so fortunate to live in a city that offers an incredible array of activities for kids, but sometimes I fret over the disconnect from nature. I want my kids to be as comfortable in the country as they are in the urban jungle, so we're always looking for ways to get out of our comfort zone. Enter these petting zoos near NYC where you can meet some furry friends.

While we love heading to the local NYC zoos and aquarium, and even get hands-on at their mini petting zoos, there's something particularly special about enjoying animals in an authentic farm setting, so without further ado, here's where to find an amazing petting zoo near NYC for serious face time with adorable animals. Get ready to load up the family for a day of donkey petting, goat bottle-feedings, and sheep shearing.

Find more farm fun for any season on our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms Near New York City.

Finding a playground in New York City is not a difficult task. My toddler is always yelling, “keep your eyes peeled for a playground,” when we are out running errands, and she finds one in every neighborhood. But, finding a just-right playground or tot lot where she can play safely is another story. These 15+ toddler playgrounds in Manhattan are all made for little ones to explore.

These toddler playgrounds are almost guaranteed to leave little ones speechless and provide hours of entertainment. These tot lots are destination-worthy, so build an outing around them! Find more fun places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in New York City and plan a Brooklyn daycation with your tot in tow to check out one of these top toddler playgrounds in the borough.

They roar, brandish their teeth, and swing their tails and claws at you, but these prehistoric giants can't hurt anyone. They’re all part of the Dinosaur Safari at the Bronx Zoo, which opened on Monday, April 11, just in time to land on our list of the top things to do during spring break.

If you visited the last Dinosaur Safari at the Bronx Zoo, take note: The wagon ride has been replaced with a walk-through experience, following a trail through a prehistoric-themed display featuring 52 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs. Read on for all the details on this fun revamped attraction for kids at the Bronx Zoo, including how to get tickets and must-know tips for families.

When it comes time to groom or get glammed up, a trip to the nail salon may be in order. At these local kid-friendly nail salons, children can enjoy getting pampered—or you can enjoy a mommy-and-me mani alongside them. These 14 local nail salons in NYC all offer parent-approved perks, like organic nail polishes, and kid-friendly draws, like nail art designs cool enough for big kids. Some of them are open for walk-in services, while others are party places only. We've even found a salon that brings a mobile spa party right to your front door for your next celebration.

One sure-fire way to ensure your kids don't tire too early while enjoying a full day out and about in the city is to fill them full of pasta, pizza, and gelato. There is no better place to do this and see a small slice of old Manhattan than in Little Italy. While Mulberry Street teems with old-school Italian spots, we've done our best to round up the best restaurants in Little Italy, NYC serving kid-friendly fare. And if you can't decide on just one, the good news is they're all close by, lying between Hester and Broome Streets, so you can make a multi-course meal out of your visit to this classic NYC enclave.

Find more family-friendly places to eat in our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC.

Spring has sprung in NYC. The daffodils are blooming, and it’s about time to soak in the beauty of the gorgeous cherry blossoms. It's also time to celebrate the return of the New York Restoration Project's (NYRP) popular FREE tree giveaway program. This year, 2,000 native species trees will be distributed to local NYC residents and the best part is, they're all FREE!

After a 2-year pandemic-induced pause, NYRP has reinstated its tree giveaway program and is distributing FREE trees across all five NYC boroughs. Read on for details on these green giveaways and learn how to complete the required registration to get your own arbor. Find more ideas for a greener planet in our new Earth Kids Guide.

New York City has opened applications for its Summer STEM Matters NYC program, which includes FREE STEAM summer camps for elementary school students and hands-on internships and classes for high schoolers. Don't delay: Applications for all programs are due Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The popular annual summer day camps are available to NYC kids entering kindergarten through ninth grade in September. Students entering grades 10-12 can apply for STEM courses and internships.

The programs occur at more than a dozen popular NYC institutions known for STEAM programming, including popular family-friendly spots like the Bronx Zoo, the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, the Queens Botanical Garden, and more museums, gardens, zoos, and maker spaces. Public, charter, and home school students in NYC may all apply.

Read on for all the details on the STEM Matters NYC program. Find more summer camps in New York City, including our picks for free and affordable summer camps, in our Summer Camp Guide and Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and neighborhood.