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Queens Party Places: 33 Top Spots for Kids' Birthdays

Submitted by Kelly O on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 11:30am

We've profiled cool NYC party places in the past, but there are so many awesome birthday spots in good old Queens alone that it deserves a post of its own.

These Queens birthday party places cater to all kinds of kids, from active to artsy to animal lovers. As a Queens mom with two children, I've been to many of these spots personally. You can find additional birthday inspiration in our NYC Party Guide.

Crafts for Kids in Queens: 9 Awesome Drop-in Art Spots for Families

Submitted by Kelly O on Wed, 03/13/2019 - 11:00am

Despite NYC's long list of great indoor play options, sometimes kids want to do more than just run and jump around. An art project is a great way to spend a winter or spring afternoon, when the usual roster of play spaces, kiddie gyms and museums is feeling a bit tired. Get busy at a local drop-in art studio to pass some indoor time. Kids can get their hands dirty doing pottery, painting, collage and more.

For drop-in art studios and kids' craft spots, Queens is a worthy rival to Brooklyn and Manhattan. From museums with regular family art programs to places to paint plaster to FREE workshops at the Queens Library, here are nine spots where kids of all ages can flex their creative muscles.

9 Top Sports Camps for NYC Kids

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 03/11/2019 - 12:00pm

Got a tot who loves to tumble? A teen who dreams of being a basketball hall-of-famer? Or maybe your high-energy kid just never stops moving?

Not only can New York City kids choose from a number of day camps that have their athleticism in mind—offering karate, tennis, soccer, beach volleyball, parkour, gymnastics, horseback riding, and so much more—but the facilities are mind-blowing. You'll find rock climbing walls and driving ranges, indoor ice rinks and outdoor ball fields, 50-meter Olympic size pools and state-of-the-art sports complexes. Oh, and it doesn't stop with athletics at these summer programs. When campers aren't flexing their muscles, they can participate in activities like cooking classes, science experiments, drum circles, magic shows, and regular field trips.

12 Favorite Baby and Toddler Classes in Queens

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Mon, 02/25/2019 - 8:00am

Searching for an engaging baby and me class in Queens to take with your infant, crawler, or toddler? This diverse and ever-changing NYC borough offers up plenty of options for the littlest ones including music, art, movement, and even science.

We've rounded up a dozen of the most popular and unique baby and toddler classes in Queens, including an outdoor nature program and an infant movement session. If you call Queens home, check out these classes, and find one that works best for you (or your caretaker) and your child. And don't forget to check out the other drop-in play spaces in this family-friendly borough.

Need more inspiration? Check out our NYC Baby Guide or directory of classes across NYC.

Get Out and Drop In! Best Queens Play Spaces and Gyms for Kids

Submitted by Kelly O on Wed, 02/13/2019 - 9:15am

From Queens' formerly industrial waterfront to deep in the borough, family-friendly spots and amenities are on the upswing. There are wide-open spaces to run with abandon, playgrounds aplenty, and indoor play spaces with open play hours are strong in number: In fact, Queens has more indoor play zones than Manhattan and is gaining on Brooklyn.

We found 20+ indoor romping locations in the borough that offer drop-in sessions open to the public (no membership required). Bonus: All of these spots host birthday parties, too, and most are much more affordable than their Manhattan competitors.

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.

The Most Spectacular Holiday Light Displays in NYC

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 3:40pm

Every year it seems holiday light installations in New York City get more elaborate, making a visit to the top displays a must-do seasonal activity. These days there are even tour buses that will take you to some of the neighborhoods decked out for the season.

We've rounded up some of the best holiday displays in NYC. Some of these attractions are in the more far-flung stretches of the city such as Pelham Gardens in the Bronx, Dyker Heights in Brooklyn and Jamaica Estates in Queens, and there's even one spot on Staten Island. All are definitely worth the trip. We can vouch for it!

So start your own holiday tradition this year by checking out these spectacular sights when dusk hits. Find more seasonal fun, including more holiday lights, such as Midtown's holiday store windows, in our NYC Holiday Fun Guide.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC Now

Submitted by Amy Meader on Thu, 09/20/2018 - 4:00pm

New York City kids live in one of the culinary capitals of the universe—and fortunately for all of us parents, some of the best new restaurants in our food-obsessed city are totally family-friendly. Whether you're headed out for a special celebratory meal as a family, eating out after a long day of family fun exploring NYC's museums and neighborhoods, or just need a break from cooking, here are some the of hottest NYC restaurants to check out with the kids.

Basketball Classes and Lessons for NYC Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Fri, 07/06/2018 - 12:00pm

Baseball may be our national pastime, but drop by any of NYC's parks and it seems like basketball is the local favorite.

In New York City, there are many basketball programs that teach kids the basics in friendly, non-competitive environments. They differ from basketball leagues, which assume players are ready for full-on competition. With these intro-to-basketball classes, kids learn the rules and fundamentals, and work up to one-on-one or small-team play.

Here are 15 basketball programs for kids in NYC, along with info on where to find one-off FREE clinics. You can find more posts about kids' sports classes in our Classes Guide and class directory.

Family Restaurants in NYC with Fun Things for Kids to Do and See

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 06/04/2018 - 5:00pm

If you're anything like me, a meal out with the family is a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, a restaurant will give you the night off from cooking and cleaning; on the other hand, you're forced to navigate menus with your preschooler's finicky eating habits top of mind, and constantly reminding your older kids not to fill up on soda. Parents might feel they're spending more time scolding and discussing what proper table manners look like than relaxing and enjoying their meal.

What to do? Even with the myriad family-friendly restaurants across NYC, sometimes the key is to find more than just a menu filled with tasty, kid-friendly options to get you through a night out with your sanity intact. Outdoor dining is one option, while play cafes are another. But we've also rounded up 10 NYC restaurants that serve kid-friendly eats alongside extra special fun things for kids to do and see. The kid-pleasing entertainment ranges from ninjas to video games.