When does the city turn on the sprinklers in NYC parks? That's a question we get asked every year as the weather starts to heat up. It's getting to be that time when going to the playground can pretty much guarantee getting wet. All of those sprinklers, fountains, rivers and other cool water features will be spouting soon.

In fact, we were surprised to find the water already on one hot day recently at our favorite play spot. I had no towel or change of clothes for my son, but try explaining that to a 1-and-a-half-year-old. Now, it's no big deal for kids to play in their diapers, really. But to spare you having to strap a soaking wet toddler into a stroller, as I did, here is some information that can help prepare you for sprinkler season!

Once the water's a-flowing, here are some favorite water playgrounds and splashpads in NYC where you can have buckets of fun. Find more seasonal activities in our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide!

When the folks behind the over-the-top Park Slope Holiday Light Spectacular attraction create a miniature golf course, it is best to drop everything and go. Like the incredible light-and-theater productions the pair mounted on a Brooklyn brownstone in years past, the brand-new pirate-themed Shipwrecked Miniature Golf is unlike any other mini golf course you may have experienced in the past.  

You won't be golfing holes with spinning windmills here. Instead, expect a cool neon light show, NYC-themed rooms, tropical island backdrops and an overall kid-friendly, interactive experience at this 18-hole course. The indoor (ha, ha rain!) 11,000-square-foot Shipwrecked Miniature Golf opened in Red Hook, Brooklyn in late April, and takes inspiration from its waterfront neighborhood of choice. Of course, I had to make the trek out with my family to check it out. Read on for our full review of this new kid sports and fun play zone.

Looking for more mini golf? We recently rounded up 11 of the city's top spots, just in time for spring. Many are outdoor venues, so open seasonally only.

“Mommy, how do the flowers know it’s time to wake up?” Celebrating the change of seasons with preschoolers is so much fun! Experiencing life through their eyes is magical- everything is so fresh and new! One of the best parts about living in New England is we get to celebrate all four seasons, but nothing is more magical than the arrival of spring.  Whether you want to enjoy the countryside of Litchfield County or hiking through Fairfield County, here are some more of our tried and true preschool activities for spring. 

Living in a city as diverse as New York means that many services are right at our fingertips, including expert physical, occupational, sensory and speech therapists who specialize in children. Whether your child is facing a lifetime of therapy due to disability, or is working to overcome a developmental delay or other issue, the city's sensory gyms and therapists can help.

Manhattan has a bunch of amazing sensory gyms that offer fun, safe environments for children to work on their core strength, balance, fine motor skills, language, sensory integration, behavior, attention and social interaction skills. The bad news? There are so many options that picking the best sensory gym for your child’s particular needs may feel like finding a needle in a haystack. We've rounded up nine top gyms to get you started. This list is by no means comprehensive, but as the mom to a tween with special needs who's been to quite a few of these spots, I believe these nine are a great place to start.

Check out our special needs and disability guide for more crucial info on resources and services for NYC families.

Club Med invented the all-inclusive resort, so it’s no surprise that it offers some of the most popular family-friendly resort destinations in the Caribbean, as well as around the world. The all-inclusive resort has become so preferred by families, and the competition so fierce, that resorts keep upping the ante to make their experiences more and more enticing. That’s a big win for families, who get to enjoy the ever-increasing amenities of these resorts. Club Med is meeting the challenge with the relaunch of its all-inclusive family resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with cool circus experiences and boutique-hotel styling. I was invited to check it out and was wowed by the new offerings. 

Parents tired of hearing the kids whine, "But I can't see!" at every show take note: no boosters are needed at NoFit State Circus' immersive spectacle Bianco. That's because there are no seats and all of the action takes place high up in the air. Set in a sci-fi-looking, 10,000-square-foot big top pitched directly under Brooklyn Bridge Park's namesake structure, Bianco is a rare all-ages show presented by lauded avant-garde performing arts center St. Ann's Warehouse.

While you and your kids are most likely familiar with all of the skills on display—juggling, acrobatics, tumbling, and a variety of aerial acts—you probably haven't experienced them in such an exhilarating and intimate environment. The athletic cast and crew bound through the audience, hooting, hollering and often shoving their way to center tent, where they perform their feats with glee and little clothing. But don't worry: though there's a sexy, party vibe and many exposed six-packs, it's a strictly G-rated affair.

For families who prefer edgy and scrappy neo-circus troupes to the slick razzle-dazzle of Ringling Bros. or Cirque du Soleil, Bianco is a heart-pumping thrill. But there are some important things to know before you bring the kids—you may not need to worry about them running away with this circus, but they could very easily get lost in it.

Dig your hands into the soil of the Earth and learn how to grow your own food. Teaching children at a young age how to cultivate food is a priceless ability. These farms, garden clubs and museums across Long Island have everything you need to get started, so head out with your little seedling and plant some fun. And for more outside activities, check out our Spring Fun Guide.

One of the perks of living in a big city is being able to leave the car at home and get around via public transportation instead. Whether you take the T's Green, Blue, Orange or Red Lines, there are plenty of fun stops to make along the way, especially with kids in tow. On the Red Line you can do everything from bask in nature and tour some of Boston’s most historic sites to visit several terrific museums. Here’s what we recommend for making the most of taking your kids on the Red Line.