Although not as well known as Governors Island, Randall's Island also offers seasonal fun like concerts, car-free biking, mini golf and great picnic spots. This summer there will be two additional ways to access the isle: the pedestrian footbridge at 103rd Street, which is set to reopen on June 2, and weekend ferry service provided by New York Water Taxi from the Upper East Side. Rates are still being worked out.

You may have seedy memories of the defunct Chinatown Fair Video Arcade on Mott Street (it was famous for having a live chicken that played tic-tac-toe) but it has reopened and is cleaned up and catering to kids. We’ll take the scent of diapers over chicken poop any day.

Next time you’re strolling through the Bronx Zoo with the kiddos, make sure you seek out the trio of recently hatched Black-Necked Swan Cygnets. All together now: Awww!

We have a number of sad closings to report. The Upper West Side location of make-your-own-book chain Scribble Press will shut its doors on May 29. On the bright side, the Upper East Side outpost plans to expand its studio space and add a party room. Update: Sadly, Scribble Press has closed all of its retail locations as of 2013.

Two popular Harlem businesses are also saying goodbye. Vegan restaurant Strictly Roots, which served awesome veggie burgers for more than two decades, shuttered last week. Meanwhile tot spot Little Gym of Harlem, which made our list of best places to take kids classes in Harlem, is set to close this Sunday, May 20.

And here's one to make tourists weep: First Mars 2112 imploded and now kitschy horror-themed restaurant Jekyll & Hyde in Midtown has died. Wonder if the Ninja restaurant feels threatened.

The one-room schoolhouse will be resurrected in Brooklyn this fall. Students at the single room Brooklyn Apple Academy in Prospect Lefferts Gardens will be building catapults, writing puppet shows and other creative activities. No word yet on covered wagon parking rates.

Speaking of things that make us question what year it is, The New York Times is running a series of articles examining the racial divide in our city's schools. NYC public schools are some of the most segregated in the country, and this profile of a Brooklyn charter school with no Caucasian kids examines how that affects the students. So much for living in a post-racial society.

Do you need a really good laugh? Then ring up the babysitter: One of our favorite family comedy performance troupes, the Story Pirates, is hosting its annual adults-only benefit at the Times Center on Saturday, May 19 with special guests John Oliver and Kristen Schaal from The Daily Show.