We've written about sensory activities before, and while there are plenty of things your kids can do at home, sometimes you want an expert to address certain issues. That's when you might need a sensory gym, one of those highly specialized (and fun) spaces where occupational and physical therapists help kids. Children work on gross and fine motor skills, core strength, neurodevelopmental delays, balance, coordination, and sensory integration, but the activities are usually so engaging they just think they're having a great time.

Finding a sensory gym that's a good fit for your child can be a challenge. Once you do, snagging a great therapist and a decent time slot usually involves multiple wait lists (and relentlessly checking in on those wait lists) and a willingness to remain flexible about scheduling. Fortunately for Brooklyn families, the borough has a number of well-equipped sensory gyms staffed by accomplished therapists.

Trying to navigate NYC's special education services and programs? Check out our Special Needs Guide for NYC families.

More and more studies are showing how important the role of play is in early childhood learning. Kids develop important social and cognitive skills from play, and become more self-confident and emotionally mature when allowed to learn by playing. Finding a daycare that goes beyond simply watching your kid, and fosters this independence and imporant early learning skill isn't always easy. We've rounded up a few great daycares (some of which also have preschools) where your child will love to learn while they play.

As a child and teenager, I spent one week every summer out in Amagansett with my family; digging my toes in the sand, catching some (cold!) waves with my boogie board and driving into Montauk with my parents and siblings for some ice cream. However, one thing I will never forget about heading to the East End is the long drive--sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic is never fun. I'd stare out the window and repeatedly ask my dad, "Are we there yet?" Well, karma has arrived in the form of my own kid, who sits in the back asking me that same question over and over. Luckily, there are some great shops, attractions and places of interest to see while heading east, which makes for some nice family-friendly pit-stops to break up the monotony of that long stretch of highway called the Long Island Expressway. Check out these boredom busters and actually enjoy the ride!

FDR looms large in many Americans' minds as the man who led the country through the Great Depression and the only president to serve three terms. For New Yorkers, the legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the nation's 32nd president, is perhaps even more pervasive.

He was born in Dutchess County's Hyde Park and his family was deeply connected to the Hudson Valley. He served in the New York State Senate and later as the governor of the state before ascending to the White House. Today, the area boasts several historic Roosevelt sites that help introduce visitors to our longest-serving president and First Lady Eleanor, including the FDR Presidential Library and Museum and the Franklin Roosevelt Park. Even a number of NYC sites carry his name. Time for a visit to Roosevelt Island?

A visit to Hyde Park, though, is a unique educational opportunity for children and parents—and don't count out a visit with young children. The shady grounds of the various Roosevelt sites offer plenty of room to romp in the fresh air. How to see it all, you ask? On the Roosevelt Ride, of course! This efficient shuttle takes visitors on a tour of the most important historic Roosevelt sites in and around Hyde Park—for FREE. We've got the scoop on catching the Roosevelt Ride as well as details on sites along the route, all adding up to a car-free, family-friendly day trip that’s heavy on history with a side helping of nature.

Craft ice cream is all the rage across NYC, including in Queens, where new independent ice cream shops have opened and old favorites test out new ingredients like pretzel cones and exotic flavors. In the diverse borough of Queens, you'll find Peruvian-inspired cones at Creme & Sugar, all the fixings at NYC-fave Ample Hills, vintage appeal at Eddie's Sweet Shop, and even the trendy Thai-style rolled ice cream at the brand-new Snow Story shop.

So check out some of these Queens hot spots—or, shall we say, cold spots—to satisfy your sweet teeth before summer winds down.

We spend a lot of time helping you find the most affordable fun in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley, but we also know you and your kids deserve a splurge every now and then. If you’re looking to feel like a VIP, check out some of these local family-friendly splurges that are worth the extra price. Big bonus: Many of these high-end excursions are still cheaper than your run-of-the-mill equivalents in the city. 

Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest and greatest children’s activities in our area!

As if there were not already enough reasons to love Mystic, a new tea house opened in town, bringing with it some British deliciousness and an atmosphere sure to please any Alice in Wonderland fan – or anyone looking for a few sweet bites and a comforting cup of tea.

Long Island is definitely an expensive place to live, so when parents find ways to save money on their kids’ activities and experiences (or even better, do them for free), we jump at it. But there are a few things to do this summer that are worth that extra splurge. And for more ideas on what to do before school is back in session, check out our Summer Fun Guide.