85 Free and Fun Things To Do in NYC with Kids August 2024

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Live at the Archway is Dumbo's signature series that features dynamic musical performances, pop-up galleries, and interactive art experiences in a magical, only-in-Dumbo setting. Photo by Noemie Trusty

NYC empties in August, but free fun abounds for those who stay in town. The lull before back-to-school is anything but dull, and we've found more than 75 fun free August activities in NYC for families, including Summer Streets, which sets kids loose with awesome activities at rest stops along the way, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Fest, and the always-lovely Hindu Lamp Ceremony. Plus, you can play with Mommy Poppins at the South Street Seaport on Saturday, August 17, and end the month love all, when Arthur Ashe Kids' Day returns during US Open Fans Week.

14 Great Ice Cream Shops in NYC for a Cool Summer Treat

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These local scoop shops serve the best ice cream in NYC.

Playgrounds, sprinklers, and cold, sweet ice cream are the perfect antidote to a hot summer day. We've found the best ice cream in NYC and rounded our favorite scoop shops for kids and adults alike.

These spots are destination-worthy and scooping up the best ice cream in NYC. With this list, we're skipping the big-time chains in favor of local purveyors. These NYC ice cream shops source ingredients locally, craft their treats in small batches, and give back to the community and beyond. So, you can feel a little less guilty about suggesting ice cream for lunch...or dinner...again.

Read on for 14 of the best scoop shops for ice cream in NYC and find more cold treats and kid-friendly eats in our NYC Kids Guide to Restaurants.

10 Fun Summer Olympics-Themed Snacks for Kids

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No cooking or decorating required for these easy and cute snacks that kids can make themselves! Photo by Ally Noel

The Summer Olympics are here! The Olympics, be it Summer Olympics or Winter Olympics, are like Christmas or the Super Bowl at my house, where we all gather together to celebrate and watch and cheer. There are so many cool sports to obsess over in the Summer Olympics: gymnastics, swimming, track & field, fencing, basketball, climbing, BMX freestyle, and even breakdancing. There's something for everyone. The only thing that could make it better? Cool snacks.

Here are 10 fun and easy Olympics-themed snacks that kids can help make and will adore devouring.

We also have 15 Ideas for a Fun Winter Olympics Party with Kids, if you're looking for more Olympics fun.

Empire Adventure Park, a Sprawling and High-Tech Indoor Playground, Debuts in Westbury

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Bounce on the sprawling honeycomb trampoline floor, gaining serious air.

Empire Adventure Park is a first-of-its-kind indoor playground in New York that includes a huge trampoline area, obstacle courses, and augmented reality offerings. While I visited with two teen boys, this 35,000-square-foot space in Westbury appeals to toddlers through adults. 

For more on indoor play spaces, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds on Long Island.

20 Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids August 2024

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Bring the whole family to Roswell’s Slip-N-Slide Extravaganza, and go slip-sliding into the school year. Photo by the author

School is starting in Atlanta, but that doesn't mean summer fun is over! August in Atlanta is a great time to enjoy outdoor movies and concerts, summer festivals, and cool events.

August brings fun family events like the Slip-N-Slide Extravaganza in Roswell as well as the Piedmont Park Arts Festival in Midtown. The City of Kennesaw parties with the community at its yummy August event, Pigs and Peaches BBQ Festival, which includes music, a kids' zone, and delicious barbecue. And don't miss one of the most popular events in Atlanta...DRAGON CON kicking off on August 29.

Even as kids head back to school, there's still time for summer fun on the weekends! Check out our list of 43 Ways to Beat the Heat in Atlanta and Free Outdoor Movies in Atlanta for inspiration. 

24 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles August 2024 with Kids

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Triton's Palace. Photo courtesy of Disney The Little Mermaid X CAMP Immersive Experience

Summer is not over yet, and there are so many things to do in a Los Angeles August! It's a great time to enjoy outdoor movies & concerts, summer festivals, and the best beach days.

A Los Angeles August is that crazy time of year when the height of heat and summer fun collides with back-to-school, and parents need to turn the dial up on the end-of-summer fun. Luckily, the events and outings in Los Angeles this month do not disappoint, and there are loads of amazing activities to do before the school bell rings, and many of them are free.

This Los Angeles August sees the return of several favorites, including the Getty Center's Garden Concerts for Kids, the Actors' Gang's wildly creative Shakespeare in the Park for Kids, and the Japanese American National Museum's annual summer celebration, the Natsumatsuri Family Festival.

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in August—there's so much more! When the heat is too much to grin and bear, we've got 77 Places to Beat the Heat in LA. When your credit card says to take it easy, we've got 71 Free Things To Do In Los Angeles This Summer with Kids. And don't forget to check back weekly for our picks for the best things to do in Los Angeles each weekend.

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