Submitted by Tara D on
My fifth grader’s class recently went on a field trip to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Dorchester. Although I’ve taken my kids to many Boston museums, we had not visited the JFK Museum before, so I jumped at the chance to chaperone. For parents and educators alike, here is the lowdown on what you need to know when visiting the JFK Library and Museum with kids.
Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on
Imagine walking inside the great, green room in the beloved children's book "Goodnight Moon" where there is a telephone, a red balloon and a picture of the cow jumping over the moon. A room complete with the famous "comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush," allowing you play by the fireplace, lie down in the bed or open a cabinet filled with clocks and wind them all up. Well, at the Connecticut Children's Museum in New Haven, you can.
Submitted by Jody Mercier on
The summer family vacation season is right around the corner, so it's never too early to start dreaming of your escape. Amusement parks, of course, are always top of mind for the kids come summer, so we've trekked up and down the eastern seaboard (virtually, anyway) to find the coolest new theme park attractions set to open this spring and summer.
There's a brand-new thrill ride at Six Flags New England, a pint-sized coaster at Sesame Place, a whole new Toy Story Land in Orlando, and Thomas Town opens near Pittsburgh with plenty of locomotive fun. Read on for more than a dozen new top attractions we're looking forward to checking out at amusement parks spanning from Massachusetts to Florida this summer.
Submitted by Alison Reiser on
While all our favorite indoor destinations remain closed to slow the spread of Covid-19, New Jersey families can head outdoors to nature preserves or bike trails to stay active. Though the state's excellent nature centers are off-limits to the public for now, most of their surrounding trails are open for walks and hikes - as long as everyone maintains social distance.
Until the state's indoor play spaces and museums reopen, consider planning a family visit to one of New Jersey's awesome nature centers, where kids can experience the outdoors and perhaps read up on local habitats through signage posted around buildings.
We've rounded up 10 nature centers where kids can spend some time exploring nature and - when buildings reopen - check out hands-on exhibits and activities that explain our local flora and fauna. Under normal circumstances, most nature centers are open year-round, except for major holidays. For now, please check each center's website for trail accessibility.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
It's no secret that all of us here like "FREE." We're always on the lookout for free activities around NYC, play spaces, and even summer camps. But Luna Park's March 24 opening day event at Coney Island, Brooklyn, makes the four-letter word all the better, as almost all proceeds from donations will serve the Girls Scouts' 6000 troop.
Read on to find out what's included in this almost-FREE day and who you'll be helping with your small donation.
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
Every fall, I face the same dilemma planning my girls’ birthday party. Do I take advantage of the crisp autumn weather with an outdoor venue? Or do I play it safe with something indoors? Planning a party is stressful enough in any season, without the added anxiety over weather. If an outdoor party is what you have in mind, don’t let Mother Nature put a damper on your child’s special day. From nature centers to water parks, the following party venues offer outdoor party options with indoor alternatives.
For even more ideas for fun in our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Guide.
Submitted by Li Starr on
When is an ice cream sandwich more than an ice cream sandwich? Maybe when the Care Bears get involved.
We went to check out NoHo's uber-cool gourmet ice cream sandwich spot, Cream, last week, on a quest to find out just how exceptional an ice cream sandwich can be. Not only did we get a deliciously satisfying answer to that question, we also managed to hit the store the night the Care Bears were there launching their month-long special flavors. We even got to sink our teeth into a new version of the decadent cronut. If you've got a hankering for ice cream (and who doesn't?) coupled with kids who love Care Bears (ditto), you'll want to stop into one of the LA area's three Cream locations before the end of March.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
SpongeBob SquarePants (the cartoon) might be pretty far down on your list a parent-approved media. But SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical just made it to the top of mine. Talented actors, a solid storyline, and insanely imaginative sets—and a complete lack of hokeyness—made this performance a family Broadway standout. You won't find oversized sponge or starfish costumes, but the talent seamlessly translated the characters (none of whom are human) to the stage and easily transported the audience to a quirky and much-loved Bikini Bottom.
Read our review for a sense of what to expect from this infectious performance, or check out our complete Theater Guide for NYC Kids for many more options.
