5 Brooklyn Adventures Perfect for Preschoolers

It's all smiles at Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by Megan Newhart

A New York City day with a preschooler is likely to be full of adventure and excitement, but those short attention spans can be downright exhausting. Thankfully, the borough of Brooklyn is filled with non-stop kid fun, even for the most rambunctious little ones.

Of course, there's no shortage of fantastic zoos and gardens, museums, and playgrounds for spending a day out and about in the city, but we've developed five parent-tested, Brooklyn-based itineraries that are perfectly tailored to the younger crowd. 

Summer Camps with Availability for Westchester Kids

The Nature Place Day Camp is one of several that still have openings for summer 2019! Photo courtesy of the camp

Summer vacation may be staring you in the face, but there's no need to panic—we've rounded up several day camps that still have spots for Westchester kids. Whether you're looking for a camp for your preschooler, tween, or teenager, you'll find it here! And to make your life even easier, many of these camps offer door-to-door transportation. Sign up for the whole summer, or just one week, depending on the camp and your needs. (After all, you might want to leave time to work your way through all the activities in our Summer Fun Guide.)

You can find even more camps in our Summer Camp Guide for Westchester Kids, and in our Westchester Summer Camp Directory.

4th of July Fireworks Cruises and Boat Rides for Families in LA and OC

Fireworks over Long Beach. Photo courtesy of the Queen Mary

We landlubbers love our fireworks, don't we? Well, if you think the view from the shore is stunning, try witnessing the pyrotechnics spectacle from a boat. That's a holiday memory your kiddos won't soon forget. Several small cruise boats and ships set sail this Independence Day, with 2-3 hour tours to delight you and your first mates. Snuggle on deck under a blanket and watch the sky come alive as the water sparkles below. Read on to find a boat leaving a port near you.

Great Connecticut Beaches for Toddlers: Gentle Surf, Playgrounds, and More

Kids wait for the tide to go out for critter catching at Hammonasset Beach State Park.

Parenthood may have put an end to lazy lounging in the sun, but visiting a great Connecticut beach with a curious, playful toddler or preschooler in tow is a whole new kind of fun. What makes a good beach or lake experience with a little one? These tot- and mom-approved spots have features like bathrooms, concessions, gentle (or no) surf, tide pools, or spraygrounds that allow for more independent exploration with fewer meltdowns. Just pack some toys, sunscreen, and your patience, and your bound for a fun beach day.

Best 4th of July Fireworks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Celebrate the 4th of July at West Point with the Army's oldest band. Photo courtesy of West Point

The 4th of July means summer fun, barbecues, and, of course, stunning pyrotechnics. We’ve identified Westchester area Fourth of July fireworks displays over the course of an entire week (the benefit of Independence Day falling on a Wednesday!) along with lots of added attractions—a carnival, a fair, concerts, sports, bouncy houses, a parade, and other perks.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the famous Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular in NYC is best visited strategically, and we have the best spots to watch with your family; there’s also a show-stopping fireworks display that’s less frenetic over the bridge in Jersey City, which also features a full agenda of fun. Try these non-fireworks Fourth of July activities with kids before the show to get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Looking for more seasonal spectacles? Check out our guide to summer festivals and fairs in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Be sure to keep tabs on our Event Calendar, and sign up for our newsletters to stay on top of our frequent updates and announcements!

10 Heart-Pumping, Thrill-Seeking Activities for NYC Kids

It's all thrills and challenges at Brooklyn Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Zoo

I've got three kids with three decidedly different personalities. Even though my youngest is just a toddler, it's clear she's a daredevil at heart, never content to sit still for long and always looking for a challenge sure to scare me. She's already got me thinking of activities to thrill her spirit—safely of course. If you've got a like-minded child who refuses to keep her feet on the ground and operates at hyper-speed, New York City is filled with activities to satisfy young thrill seekers, from rock climbing to surfing to trapeze and more. Read on for 10 activities that will get kids' hearts (and yours!) pumping.

Nature Programs for NYC Toddlers and Preschoolers

Kids discover how animals interact with the world around them thanks to hands-on exploration at the Central Park Zoo.

When your city kid has exhausted every museumshow, and playground option in town, it’s nice to be able to get a dose of nature thanks to NYC’s array of zoos, gardens, and parks. And for nature-loving, dirt-loving, mud-loving, bug-loving city kids, the good news is there's no shortage of programming for toddlers and preschoolers in each borough. 

We've rounded up our top places in New York City where your toddler or preschooler can marvel at, learn about, and connect with nature. See our guides for even more camps and classes aimed at toddlers and preschoolers.

24 Summer Camp Snacks for Kids That Aren't Boring

These apple donuts are adorably delicious and a sweet camp treat.

Packing for summer camp means gathering up the towels, swimsuits, water bottles—labeling everything!—and finally, ensuring your kid has a healthy snack to power them through an action-packed day.

After a year of making school lunches for kids, it might feel overwhelming to come up with creative summer camp snacks, especially if you have a picky eater who turns up their nose at the likes of a cheese stick or tube of yogurt. So we came up with two dozen camp snack foods to woo both kids and parents with cooling, energizing, and (mostly) healthy snacks.

We separated the list into four handy sections: high-protein snacks, fruit snacks, no-refrigeration required, and allergy-aware and nut-free snacks for kids. Some might be more suited to a post-camp nosh but most can be packed up and sent out the door to summer camp with your kid.

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