Mid-Island

9 Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks to Visit with Kids in NYC

Submitted by Katie Nave Freeman on Sun, 10/20/2019 - 11:00am

Time to bundle up and sharpen those ice skates: Many of New York City's outdoor rinks open in October 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 the rink at Riverbank State Park, the city offers plenty of options for beginners 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.

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

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 9:00am

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.

Best Carousels in NYC: 13 Merry-Go-Rounds City Kids Love

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 11:30am

There's something wonderfully nostalgic about kids getting a thrill from a ride on a carousel. It's the simplest of amusement park attractions, and there are more than a dozen merry-go-rounds in New York City alone. It's easy to stumble upon them on your next park outing.

Each city carousel offers a unique spin on this traditional kiddie ride, from harbor views to a ride inside an iridescent fish. We've rounded up the best merry-go-rounds in all five boroughs.

Enjoy Free Family Camping in NYC Parks with Urban Park Rangers

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Mon, 05/06/2019 - 3:20pm

Contrary to what you might think, you don't need to invest in expensive equipment or even leave New York City to pitch a tent and camp. The Urban Park Rangers offer FREE overnight family camping in city parks at select times and locations throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Bonus: They bring almost everything you need for a night spent under the stars, including the tent!

The annual program kicks off a little before Memorial Day and runs through September, and although it's FREE, advance registration is required for all campouts. Read on to find out how to snag a spot at one of these cool camping trips—including some signup periods that open this week!

10 Budget-Friendly Staten Island Birthday Party Spots for Kids

Submitted by charlotte on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 8:30am

Although we have a ton of ideas for kids' birthday parties for every budget in New York City, celebrations in Manhattan or Brooklyn typically cost more than they do in other boroughs, especially when compared to Staten Island. You might not already know it unless you live on Staten Island, but this borough offers a ton of great, affordable birthday party options—ice skating, roller skating, bowling, museums, park and zoo parties, and even a few surprises.

If you're not a Staten Island resident, getting to the island for a party may take a little more effort and planning to schlep a group of kids on the ferry (which will probably be totally cool to them, by the way) or by car, but with the cash you'll save, it just might be worth it. And if you do live on Staten Island, read on for a few ideas to bookmark for your next birthday party.

14 Best Things to Do in Staten Island's Greenbelt with NYC Kids

Submitted by Louise Finnell on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 4:07pm

At 2,800 acres, Staten Island’s Greenbelt is one of the largest public parks in New York City. Like Central Park in Manhattan, Brooklyn's Prospect Park, the Bronx's Pelham Bay Park, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, the Greenbelt is considered one of NYC's flagship green spaces. However, it's actually several parks linked together in Staten Island’s interior, including the popular Willowbrook Park, home to the Carousel for All Children, the wild High Rock Park, and Bloodroot Valley named for its large population of signature flowers.

The Greenbelt makes for a great staycation destination for NYC families. It's jam-packed with attractions, including 30 miles of groomed hiking trails, a nature center, a recreation center, a public golf course, a merry-go-round, barbecue grills, a lake for fishing, a living history museum, and playgrounds. It's also filled with a wide variety of plants, flowers, and wildlife, such as Great Blue Herons, muskrats, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, frogs and turtles. It's possible to see most of the Greenbelt's big attractions on foot in one day, but it's more relaxing to choose one area to explore at your leisure. Here are our top 14 things to do in the Greenbelt with kids.

Best Summer Festivals and Fairs for NYC Families in July

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Mon, 06/25/2018 - 12:15pm

So far this summer, we've posted FREE outdoor movie screenings, FREE kayaking, and FREE things to do every day with kids in New York City. Now we're rounding up our favorite and (mostly) FREE family festivals and city street fairs going on in the month of July.

Two of our favorite annual fests take place this month: the big Bastille Day street fair on the Upper East Side, and City of Water Day at South Street Seaport and other locations around town. But that's just the beginning. We've rounded up lots of other options, including Come Out & Play Family Day and Back to the Beach in Staten island.

So go grab your calendar (and check ours frequently)! Here are the best sizzling summer fests for New York City families.

Summer Camps for Kids with Special Needs in the NYC area

Submitted by Blythe on Fri, 01/12/2018 - 8:00am

It's tough to find the right summer camp for any kid. But if your child has special needs, like autism or ADHD, sensory-motor challenges, social anxiety, or learning differences, choosing a program can be especially nerve-racking: we want our kids to enjoy a traditional summer-camp experience, complete with swimming and lanyards and new friendships, while also receiving the kind of individual attention they need and with the option to avoid activities that might cause undue stress.

We've rounded up a number of camps favored by NYC families for their kids with disabilities or other challenges. Camps outside of New York City and on Staten Island provide bussing, so don't be discouraged by the seemingly far-flung locations: it can be especially therapeutic for kids to get out of the city for the summer.

While most of these camps cater exclusively to special-needs children, other traditional summer camps often offer inclusion programs for those with mild special needs (a few are mentioned below). Please consult our Summer Camp Guide for NYC Kids for a list of our favorite summer camps across the city to see if there are any that might work for your child.

Hockey and Ice Skating Summer Camps for NYC Kids

Submitted by Alina Adams on Mon, 01/09/2017 - 9:00am

When considering athletic camps for summertime fun, swimming, baseball, tennis, and outdoor team sports come to mind first, but if your kids prefer their summer vacation served ice cold it's totally doable in NYC even when the temperatures are well above freezing. Four of our city's wonderful indoor ice-skating rinks offer figure skating or ice hockey summer camps for your budding Michelle Kwan or Wayne Gretzky.

22 Free Outdoor Kids' Concerts in NYC This August

Submitted by Raven Snook on Sun, 07/31/2016 - 3:30pm

NYC's FREE summer concert season comes to its annual close in August, but it goes out with a bang. We've rounded up more nearly two dozen no-cost shows for families and kids that are worth the time, energy, and travel.

Since most of these performances take place in parks and playgrounds, you can make a day of it by packing a picnic and soaking up some complimentary culture.