Submitted by cristin on
Watching a movie on the big screen isn't the only way to beat the heat and to entertain the kids in the summer. For those who want to cool off inside, but also want to get the kids' blood pumping a little, take advantage of one of the bowling programs offered to kids this summer in bowling centers throughout Long Island.
Submitted by Kelly O on
New York City is home to plenty of kid-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating. But sometimes you're looking for more than ambiance—you want a place to eat where the kids can run around, too. Sure you could pack a picnic and hit one of NYC's fabulous parks. But there are also family-friendly restaurants that have big backyards where kids can roam relatively free.
We found five eateries with spacious outdoor areas that are truly family-friendly during the day (and sometimes at night). Some even have cool extras like live bands, kids' crafts and entertainment, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. No need to tell the kids to use their inside voices: Here are five restaurants where you can eat and play outside in NYC.
Submitted by KristinB on
It's 10am, and it's already insufferably hot outside. The kids have abandoned the back yard and are now climbing the walls, bored stiff by their "rainy day" (or should we say "indoor day") toys. What's a parent to do? If you live much east of the 405 like I do, then you have a love/hate relationship with the beach. I'm a lover at heart, but after a few continuous days of schlepping cross-town, my family and I have had it with the coast. We need other ways to get out of the home in our own sweltering neck of the woods - ways that aren't compromised by a random Sig Alert. Is our only option the nearest overly-crowded, overly-chlorinated public pool? No!
Submitted by Natalie Silverstein on
Movies and television are fine sometimes, but nothing beats live theater to spark young imaginations and to keep children mesmerized. With several top notch theater companies in the Hamptons and North Fork, there's no need to drive all the way into Manhattan to take kids to a show. From Kid Fest productions at Guild Hall in East Hampton, to national touring companies at the Westhampton Performing Arts Center, to the North Fork Community Theater, here are our top picks for live children's theater.
Submitted by Laura J on
We’re halfway through July, which means the dogs days of summer are quickly approaching (and may already be here, judging by the temperature). To beat the heat and humidity (and keep your sanity), check out one of the special exhibits at a local museum. You know we love The Morris Museum and Liberty Science Center and their summer exhibits Mega Model Trains and Grossology will keep your little ones entertained while you stay cool!
Submitted by Pam Hegner on
Nothing says summer in America quite like sharing a baseball game with your child. However the thought of taking little ones to Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium is a little daunting for your patience and your wallet. According to a Team Marketing Report survey, the cost for a family of four to attend a Red Sox game including parking, food, drink, and souvenirs is just under $340. That is a chunk of change not many families can afford for one night of entertainment. Luckily here in CT, you can get a taste of the big leagues for much less without sitting in Boston traffic! The New Britain Rock Cats are the Minnesota Twins' Double-A affiliate. For more minor league baseball fun check out this post.
Submitted by Raven Snook on
With the city constantly texting me about heat and air quality advisories, I'm starting to feel like I have a second overbearing mother. (For the record, my mom still calls me on an almost daily basis to ask if my daughter and I are dressed appropriately for the weather.) My family and I have been attempting to keep cool by trying some of the picks in our Water Fun Guide like great public pools and popular water-filled playgrounds. If you just can't bear to be outside, our Inside Activity Guide has many fun indoor options including drop-in play spaces, and there are lots of kid-friendly exhibits in our Museum Guide.
For the most part though, we haven't let the high temperatures slow us down. This week we explored a couple of new must-experience summer attractions: the Bronx Zoo's awesome Dinosaur Safari and the absolutely magical Fête Paradiso on Governors Island. Meanwhile our Long Island peeps put together a list of the top 25 things to do on the North Fork with kids, our Connecticut bloggers shared the best places to go blueberry picking in New Haven County and New Jersey highlighted the state's best water parks and offbeat summer festivals, including next weekend's Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Warren County Farmers' Fair.
And don't forget to enter our current giveaway, which is aimed at kids and parents: a pair of OnBroadway Performing Arts Training Program master classes for four (two children and two adults). We think moms and dads deserve to win something, too.
Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:
Submitted by Anna Fader on
Famous for beautiful pink sand beaches, Bermuda offers family beach vacations with less travel and expense than the Caribbean. Only 2 hours from NYC, flights can cost as little as half the price of Caribbean destinations. It's an easy getaway that is often overlooked by time-strapped families. A trip to Bermuda includes stunning beaches, laid-back island hospitality and the fun of being in a foreign country, in this case a British Territory. Beach season in Bermuda is from April through October, so it's not a beachy winter destination, but it's great in the summer since temperatures top out in the mid-eighties. One drawback of Bermuda's Britishness is that they drive on the left side of the road and restrict foreigners from renting cars. You can rent mopeds, but that's not a great solution for families. So, although there is very good public transportation and taxis are available, it's much easier to stay in a resort with facilities and access to activities than to do it on your own with a cottage rental. The Fairmont Southhampton is a smart choice for family vacations because it offers access to the best Bermuda beaches as well as easy transit to other fun destinations in Bermuda. Check out my slideshow of the Fairmont and what I learned during my stay.
