The larger-than-life spinning tops of “Los Trompos” are headed to Damrosch Park for our Big Umbrella Festival! Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center

Big Umbrella Festival, Earthfest, Babytopia & More Things To Do this Weekend in NYC with Kids

Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents will host their second annual BABYTOPIA on Saturday, April 5.

BABYTOPIA Returns in April with Big Fun for Young Families

The Macy's Flower Show is one of the most colorful destinations in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier

Easter Egg Hunts and More Best Things To Do in NYC April 2025 with Kids

Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun

GUIDE

NYC Summer Camp Guide

The Queens County Farm Museum hosts a massive Barnyard Egg Hunt complete with with Whiskers the Bunny photo-ops. Photo courtesy of the museum

22 Best Easter Egg Hunts in New York City

Hop the ferry to Governors Island to explore all the island has to offer. Photo by Diana Kim

Spring Day Trips from NYC for Families

Celebrate the end of Ramadan with music, dance, food, and family-friendly activities at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Photo by Winston Williams /courtesy of Brooklyn Children’s Museum!

21 Best Spring Festivals and Fairs in NYC this April for Families

Enjoy a tropical spring break daycation with a trip to DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Photo by the author

Spring Break 2025: 49 Fun Things To Do in NYC

Visit DC in the spring for warm temps and maybe even cherry blossoms. Photo by m01229 via Flickr

Cheap Spring Break Trips for Family Vacations

Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.

24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC

Celebrate all things Irish at St. Patrick's Day Parades all across NYC this month. Photo by Jody Mercier

Free Activities for Kids in March 2025: 46 Things To Do in NYC

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

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

Teens have the opportunity to explore arts careers and institutions with Whitney Museum Youth Insights Program. Photo by Diana Kim

Teens Can Apply Now for Summer Internships in NYC

The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader

Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State

Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin

Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families

The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!

Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids

GUIDE

Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC

Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys

27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier

100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids

The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.

Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025

Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum

GUIDE

Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC

Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.

Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love

Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop

GUIDE

Guide to NYC Classes for Kids

Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep

Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier

47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day

For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier

Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly

Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier

25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More

The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH

Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC

GUIDE

Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC

Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.

Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids

Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.

Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC

See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo

100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up

Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier

3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier

NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families

These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.

75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier

Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids

Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette

Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects

No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird

40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now

65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age

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

GUIDE

Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids

Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander

67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home

Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

GUIDE

Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide

GUIDE

Crafts for Kids: Thousands of Craft Ideas

Country Day Camps Right Outside of New York City

New York City's YMCA offers a day camp and sleepaway camp just 90 miles from the city, plus 70 camp sites across the boroughs.

2/25/19 - By Jessica Laird

There's certainly no shortage of much-loved day camps right here in NYC, but did you know your kid could be boarding an air-conditioned bus to a right-outside-the-city summer oasis?

From sprawling campgrounds and top-notch athletic facilities to outdoor adventures and classic activities like canoeing and archery, these day camps from our partners offer amenities and activities that are tough to come by in our wonderful but admittedly crowded city. And as if that isn't reason enough to trade a humid crosstown hike or a stifling subway ride for door-to-door bus service, many of the camps also provide on-site lunch, healthy snacks, and even towel service. Did we mention these tried-and-true traditional summer programs have been adored by families across the tri-state area for decades?

Read on for some of the best country day camp options right near New York City, or check out our New York City Camp Guide for even more ideas.