Prospect Park

Play Cafes in Brooklyn and Queens: Play Spaces for Kids, Coffee for Grownups

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Sun, 02/03/2019 - 11:05am

If you're looking for a new spot to grab your morning coffee or merely want to enjoy brunch in peace, these kid-friendly play cafes can't be beat. At these Brooklyn and Queens cafes you will find a welcoming environment, great food, and a caffeine jolt, as well as dedicated and safe play areas for your kids. Several of them are actually play spaces first, and cafes second.

So turn your meal into a play date with a friend, or just sit back and take some well-deserved breathing space. Either way, both you and your kids are sure to have a good time.

Check out our NYC Restaurant Guide for more great eateries, or our Play Spaces Guide for more romper rooms.

New Year's Eve Fireworks in NYC and More 2019 Family Celebrations

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 12/23/2018 - 10:15am

There are plenty of ways to ring in 2019 in New York City. We've rounded up the city's best family-friendly options from daytime celebrations for wee ones to Brooklyn fireworks and FREE bike rides to swanky (and admittedly expensive) Times Square parties.

However you welcome the New Year, we hope it's a blast. You can find even more seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide, and more fun things to do with kids on school break.

Nitehawk Cinema Opens in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Wed, 12/19/2018 - 10:02am

This week marks the much-anticipated opening of the dine-in movie theater Nitehawk Cinema in Park Slope, in the old Pavilion Theater space near Prospect Park. It's no exaggeration to say that parents (and kids) in the neighborhood are over the moon. With the closing of the Pavilion in 2016, Brooklyn's most family-friendly neighborhood has been without a movie theater for several years, and the Nitehawk brings not just first-run and independent films but also a tasty menu to a much-loved landmark location. For a peek inside the handsomely restored space and the scoop on coming attractions, read on.

Best Places to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween with NYC Kids

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 10/21/2018 - 12:00pm

One of my favorite childhood memories from growing up in NYC was Halloween in Greenwich Village. Back then, the Village Halloween Parade was just a couple hundred artists and others who marched through the neighborhood. Afterward, we would trick-or-treat up and down the brownstone blocks. Everyone was friendly, and we would come home with our shopping bags completely filled. It was magical.

Although the parade and Greenwich Village have changed a lot since then, your kids can still enjoy that kind of thrilling trick-or-treat experience in many New York City neighborhoods. Which neighborhood is the best for Halloween trick-or-treating depends on who you ask. New Yorkers love to bicker over the best coffee shops, the best (and worst) train lines, and yes, the best places to take their kids on Halloween. We also love to find that secret gem.

So we asked our astute readers and collected recommendations from our parent-driven NYC staff over many, many years to bring you a list of our favorite trick-or-treating spots so you'll know where to bring your kids this October 31.

Join one of the local Halloween parades and then go trick-or-treating throughout the community with local families. Or hit one of the neighborhoods or streets listed below: We have a slew of spots to try in all five boroughs. For more seasonal fun, check out our jam-packed Halloween Guide, showcasing FREE events, haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and more.

9 Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks to Visit with Kids in NYC

Submitted by Angela Johnson on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 4:40pm

Now that the beaches are closed for the season, it's time to bundle up and sharpen those ice skates. Many of New York City's outdoor rinks are open for family fall, er, winter fun.

Whether you prefer an iconic New York City destination like the ice rink at Rockefeller Center or something off the beaten path like Lasker Rink, the city offers plenty of options for beginner and experienced skaters alike — there’s even a FREE skate spot. And if it ever gets too cold to glide outside, you can always hit one of NYC's indoor ice skating rinks.

Haunted Halloween Houses and Not-Too-Spooky Walks for NYC Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 10/04/2018 - 2:10pm

Looking for a not-too-scary Halloween fright for the kids? A tricked-out haunted house or slightly spooky Halloween trail just might be the right kind of boo for you.

Haunted houses long have been a popular suburban Halloween staple—Long Island and Westchester have dozens. And while NYC has several spooky haunted houses of its own, including Blood Manor, most are definitely grown-ups only. There are, however, a handful of haunted houses in New York City that offer gentler Halloween chills for families.

You're sure to find spooky, family-friendly attractions at pretty much every Halloween festival and fall fair. But we're skipping those to tell you about the best of the city's more elaborate and kid-friendly haunted houses and other spooky attractions for kids this year. Read on for the scoop—and heed the age warnings. While grade-school kids can attend most of these, not all are suitable for preschoolers.

Harvest Fests, Pumpkin Patches, and Hayrides Right Here in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Fri, 09/14/2018 - 12:00pm

If you think you need to head out to the 'burbs for an authentic fall harvest experience, we've got good news: You can pick the perfect pumpkin, go on a hayride, meet farm animals, and even get lost in a massive corn maze right here in NYC.

So if you're looking to skip the car rental, hop onto the subway instead to head out to these fall harvest festivals and pumpkin patches, all located within the five boroughs. Looking for more fall fun? Check out our NYC Fall Fun Guide for the best of the season.

The Best Zoos and Aquariums in NYC

Submitted by Louise Finnell on Thu, 08/02/2018 - 4:00pm

Ever think you would spot a seal in Manhattan, or a giraffe in The Bronx? Did you ever hope you'd be surrounded by sharks at Coney Island? New York city zoos offer families the chance to get up close and personal with animals from all over the world. Each borough boasts its own unique zoo experience. Whether your children are big or small, there is a zoo somewhere in NYC suited to their age, interests and attention span. Best of all, access to these creatures doesn't have to break the bank. Free admission can be as easy as picking the right afternoon to visit. Check out our insider tips for making the most of New York City's zoos.

Prospect Park in Brooklyn: 25 Best Things to Do with Kids

Submitted by Mariko Zapf on Mon, 07/30/2018 - 12:00pm

Prospect Park, a 585-acre oasis adjacent to Park Slope in Brooklyn, is home to the borough’s only forest, plus bird life galore, roller skating, biking, picnicking, sledding...You name it, Prospect Park's got it. When people ask if we have a backyard, my nature-loving son immediately exclaims, “Yes, it’s called Prospect Park!” For kids growing up in Brooklyn, it truly feels like an extension of home, a haven that satisfies our need for fresh air and fun, year-round.

Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the same duo who designed Manhattan’s Central Park, and many consider Prospect Park their crowning achievement. Whether you want to hike, skate, boat, catch a concert, learn about nature, or just hit an awesome playground or splash pad for a few hours, Prospect Park welcomes you with green space aplenty.

Though the park offers countless activities and experiences all year long, this curated list of the top 25 things to do in Prospect Park with children showcases our true favorites.

9 Play Fountains Where NYC Kids Can Get Totally Soaked

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 07/08/2018 - 12:10pm

While all three of my kids love to go for a dip, heading to one of NYC's public pools requires advance planning and me donning a bathing suit. Often, our summer fun is more spontaneous. For those hot summer days when we're out and about or need a last-minute distraction, I keep this list of play fountains in the back of my mind.

A more immersive experience than standard sprinkler parks, these play fountains feature shallow pools of water for wading, plus jets shooting H₂O sky high. They're the perfect place for kids to frolic and get completely doused without mommy having to go all in—literally. Best of all? They're all completely FREE.

Here are nine fun play fountains in NYC where kids can get absolutely soaked. Most opened for the season over Memorial Day weekend, though some start flowing earlier if temperatures hit 80 degrees.