Catch a variety of patriotic concerts in the heart of Time Square as part of the Fleet Week festivities. Photo by US Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Clay/courtesy of the US Navy
Memorial Day Weekend 2024 in NYC: Fleet Week and More To Do in NYC with Kids
The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Top Splash Pads and Sprinkler Parks in NYC for Kids
The USS Bataan is set to sail into New York Harbor for Fleet Week 2024. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bradley Rickard
Guide to Fleet Week 2024 with Kids: Salute the Sailors, Tour the Ships, and More Fun for Families
GUIDE
Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide
A Class Act NY serves up summer training in musical theater, on-camera acting, dramatic arts, and voice-over in Midtown Manhattan.
Top Broadway School for Kids and Teens Has Select Summer Camp Spots Available
Strawberry picking at Bishop Farms makes for a sweet day trip.
Strawberry Picking near NYC and Summer Strawberry Festivals
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
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
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
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
Join the BAM DanceAfrica Community Workshop for fun-filled, interactive instruction. Photo courtesy of BAM
58 Best Free Things To Do in NYC this May with Kids
The Beam offers an unobstructed look at the panorama of the city below.
Ride the Beam and Enjoy the Views at Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Brooklyn Bridge Park invites visitors to celebrate spring with its Sound & Color Festival on Saturday, May 18. Photo by John Eng
29 Best Things To Do in NYC May 2024 with Kids
Hop the ferry to Governors Island to explore all the island has to offer. Photo by Diana Kim
33 Spring Staycations and Spring Day Trips from NYC for Families
The Japan Day Parade marches down the west side on Saturday, May 11. Photo by Masaki Hori 2024. Photo
Best Family Festivals and Street Fairs in NYC this May
The stunning tulip blossoms spread out row-by-row in every direction at Holland Ridge Farms. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Beautiful Flower Farms near NYC for Pick-Your-Own Blooms
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
Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
21 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
43 Things To Do on a Rainy Day Indoors in NYC
Kids can climb the walls—and more—at the Play Lab, one of our top picks for the best indoor playgrounds in Brooklyn.
Best Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Brooklyn for Kids
Take to the skies on Legoland New York's new Minifigure Skyflyer. Rendering courtesy of the resort
From Six Flags to Legoland: Top Attractions Coming Soon
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
101 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
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
DOROT's Manhattan Teen Internship Program pairs teens with older adults in need of companionship and aid.
Teens Can Apply Now for Summer Internships in NYC
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
NYC school kids head back to school on Thursday, September 7, 2023, according to the newly released NYC public school calendar. Photo by Al De Ingeniis
2023-24 NYC Public School Calendar: New Holidays, Plus 2024 & 2025 Calendars
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Big-name Broadway shows like &Juliet come at a premium prices, but there are ways to save on Broadway tickets. Photo by Aka NYC.
Discount Broadway Tickets: Six Ways to Save Big on Broadway Shows
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
The Brooklyn Museum is a premier art museum, with floors of treasures and outdoor art, too.
Brooklyn Museum Guide For Kids - Everything You Need to Know Before Your Family Visit
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
Enjoy a wild visit to the Philadelphia Zoo during a weekend getaway to the City of Brotherly Love. Photo courtesy of the zoo
13 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
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
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
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Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
26 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
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
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
Top Attractions in NYC: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones in NYC
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
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
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
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Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting.
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
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Boredom Busters for Kids

This Week: Labor Day Weekend Travel Deals, Apple Picking Near NYC, Last-Chance Summer Fun

8/23/12 - By Raven Snook

The end of summer always makes me feel like we're racing against the clock. My daughter and I have been running all over town enjoying last-chance summer fun like hitting local beaches and pools, and checking out soon-to-close exhibits and public art displays, like the awesome interactive Pet Sounds in Madison Square Park. (That's my kid in the photo, caressing one of the installation's funky blobs to make it vibrate and "sing.")

Lots of families are heading out of town for these last few weeks of the season. Our Travel site has a roundup of Labor Day travel deals and a list of the best things to do in Richmond, Virginia. Of course you don't have to stray too far from NYC to leave the urban jungle behind: Our Long Island site has a post about all the family fun to be had in Riverhead and over in New Jersey we've got the scoop on things to do with kids in Jersey City. Plus we rounded up 11 pick-your-own apple farms near NYC, all about an hour or less away.

We continue to add to our Back-to-School Guide. New this week: Five creative school lunches and four expert tips to start off the school year successfully.

Here's what else we shared this week on our NYC site.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Department of Education has made changes to its Gifted and Talented test that are important to know about, especially if you plan to prep.

We recently overhauled our Classes Guide and added a bunch of new posts, including a list of inexpensive kids' dance classes in NYC.

In honor of the back-to-school season, this month's NYPL post features children's books about going to school to help ease the transition.

Our month-long focus on Long Island City ended with a trip to the nabe's three big art spots: MoMA PS1, the Noguchi Museum and Socrates Sculpture Park.

The end of summer means apple picking season is near. Find out where to pick-your-own apples close to NYC.

For once there's nothing but good news in our biweekly links roundup, including details about new water-conserving sprinklers, a new Upper West Side candy store with wine, Wi-Fi and a stroller valet and the Soho MoMA Design Store's awesome new children's section.

Best bets for the weekend include Arthur Ashe Kids' Day in Queens, J&R Jr.'s Kids Music Fest in the Financial District and Brooklyn's Brighton Jubilee Festival.