Have you ever logged onto the Achievement Reporting and Innovation System (ARIS) to track your child's progress in school? No? Well apparently teachers and principals weren't using it either. So it doesn't come as too great a shock that New York City's online student test score and attendance tracking database is set to be replaced next year by a nearly identical statewide system. The shocking part? ARIS cost $81 million. Imagine what schools could have done with all that money.

More sad news: Upper Manhattan's sole bowling alley, Harlem Lanes, closed its door this past Sunday. It was the least expensive spot to bowl in all of Manhattan, too. This is Harlem's second big loss this summer after Hue-Man bookstore shuttered last week.

Much as we enjoy strolling the High Line, we've heard some families gripe that it's the least kid-friendly park in NYC—after all, there's not one true kids' romping spot. But the plans for the third and final section include a kind of children's playground. No swings or slides here; like the elevated park, it looks to be one of a kind.

Speaking of the High Line, the park recently launched its first-ever outdoor movie series, and all of the flicks were chosen by local teenagers. The final two films are rated PG-13 and good for tweens and up: Reel Steel on Thursday, August 9 and Freedom Writers on Thursday, August 16.

One of our favorite creative destinations, the Children's Museum of the Arts, is raising its admission fee. Starting September 1, entry to CMA will cost $11 per person (as opposed to $10 right now). Still seems like a small price to pay for all the hands-on fun it offers.

Ever wondered what MoMA looks like through kids' eyes? Well, download the new free “MoMA Unadulterated” audio tour from Audio Tour Hack , which is narrated by children ages 3 to 10—or you could just bring your kids to the museum and have them talk the whole time.

The Olympics have been fun to watch, but the Guardian’s Lego recreations of some of the highlights are brilliant and shown without commercial interruptions. Check out the riveting Star Wars-themed fencing semi-final, relive the drama of Phelps versus Lochte and catch the all-around women's gymnastics gold medal performance (without Gabby Douglas, but also sans the caked-on makeup).

Finally, if you're thinking about taking your kids to see the Public Theater's free star-studded revival of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods but worry that it's too mature and long (three hours!), there will be a special kid-friendly matinee on Wednesday, August 22 at 3pm that leaves out all of the dark and scary parts, a.k.a. the entire second act. Of course if you don't mind exposing your kids to the fact that life doesn't always have a happy ending, you could opt to catch the full version, which is playing at Central Park's Delacorte Theater through Saturday, August 25. Visit the website to find out how to snag your no-cost tickets.