Best New Summer Day Camps for NYC Kids 2014

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Winter is the season for sledding, skiing and summer camp stress. There are so many unique and enriching programs to choose from in NYC, it's difficult to know where to send your child for the best summer experience, especially when there are new programs popping up every year.

To help you make an informed decision about the new camps on the block, we've rounded up 10 of the most promising programs set to debut this summer. Some are brand-new, others are places that are significantly expanding their already awesome offerings. (We also included a couple of camps that have been around for a few years but were under our radar and are worth highlighting.) At these notable new summer day camps, kids can study STEM concepts, design robots and motorized gizmos, hone their artistic skills, learn to skateboard and more. And the options run the gamut from preschoolers to teens.

Be sure to check out our Summer Camp Guide for info on lots of other programs in NYC as well as sleepaway options. We even have a Camp Directory, which allows you to search for programs by interest, age and area.

Kids Crafts: Sharpie Tie Dye Tees

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Having a kids' tie dye party is lots of fun, but, admittedly, it can make a bit of a mess. This short-cut tie dye technique not only makes designing tee shirts fun and easy, but adds an element of science for kids to learn. We all think of Sharpie markers as permanent, but this technique uses a solvent (rubbing alcohol) to move the color molecules to make pretty tie dye designs.

6 Indoor Birthday Party Places for Active Kids South of Boston

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Looking for a place to hold a kid’s birthday party south of Boston? We continue our series of indoor birthday party places for active kids with six different types of parties on the South Shore - gymnastics, dance, rock climbing, swimming, open play, and skating - that all allow kids to stay active and have fun in a safe, indoors environment.

And as with any party that is not held in your home, they all offer advantages like plenty of space, no weather worries, no mess to clean up afterwards, and minimal preparation required for parents. Read on for details about 6 indoor birthday party places south of Boston to consider. Please check out our Birthday Party Guide for more places to have a kid’s birthday party in MA, including our roundup of indoor birthday party places for active kids in Boston.

Where Aspiring Ice Hockey Stars Can Learn to Play in Westchester

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At the 2006 games, 15 year old Valentina Bettarini broke world records by being the youngest Olympic hockey player, male or female, that the sport had ever seen. That means that today's 7 year olds already have a shot at Olympic gold in the 2022 competition. Set them on the right course early with a good ice hockey program.

Earlier this week, we let you know about the many places around Westchester where kids can learn figure skating. If hockey's more your thing, try out one of the beginner, intermediate or advanced ice hockey programs offered by these Westchester ice rinks.

The Rivertowns With Kids: 40 Things To Do

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Stretching from southern tip of Westchester and up to the small town of Beacon, a string of small villages, towns and cities dot the eastern shore of the Hudson River. These villages, collectively known as the Rivertowns, are some of the county's most charming and picturesque places to live and visit. In February we'll be taking a closer look at this combined area, including the villages of Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown, Ossining, Croton-on-Hudson and the small city of Peekskill (Yonkers, we'll get you next time!). Originally home to the Lenepe of the Algonquien Tribe, the Rivertown area was first settled by the Dutch in the 1600s. For such a small area, the Rivertowns have played a tremendous role in the history of both New York State and the nation as a whole. 

Today these towns remain connected by far more than their shared past. For starters, there's the MetroNorth Railroad's Hudson Line which stops in each of the Rivertowns, making for easy day-trips into and out of New York City. By car, New York Route 9 runs right straight from Hastings to Peekskill and (without stops or traffic) takes less than 45 minutes. For a more outdoorsy travel experience, there is the Old Croton Aqueduct State Park. Following the path of the Old Croton Aqueduct, which brought water down from Westchester County to Manhattan from 1842 until 1965, this walking/jogging/biking/XC skiing path stretches over 26 miles and winds through all of the villages listed above. And there is, of course, the majestic Hudson River with marinas and docks all along the way.

This month we'll look at all the Rivertowns have to offer Westchester families. We've already highlighted some of the best coffee shops in the Rivertowns; now we're rounding up the top things to do in the area. Read on for 40 ideas for experiencing the Rivertowns with kids!

10 Activities for Long Island Kids During Presidents Week

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As if Long Island kids haven't had plenty of time off due to the snow, they now have a week-long break coming up. For those of us not lucky enough to be flying off to a tropical location--or enrolling them in a Winter Break Camp--it might be hard to find ways to keep them occupied during the vacation. So here's a quick list of 10 fun activities to fight off boredom and keep everyone happy. And don't forget to also check out our Inside Activity Guide and Long Island Events Calendar for more events. Enjoy!

Lake Placid with Kids: 20 Things to Do on A Winter Family Vacation

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If you are looking for a winter getaway that offers a variety of outdoor activities, Lake Placid is an excellent option.  Though famed for twice hosting the Winter Olympics, you don’t need to be a super athlete to have a great time. Nestled high in the Adirondack Mountains, this scenic town offers lots of frosty family adventures plus some low-impact and arts-oriented choices.  It is located a five hour drive from New York City, and a bit closer to Boston, so East Coast families can get here without too much hassle.  Though called Lake Placid, beautiful Mirror Lake is actually the village centerpiece and a bustling hotspot even on the most frigid days. Here are 20 fun things to do with kids in Lake Placid this winter.

This Week, February Break Fun, Free Indoor Places to Go with NYC Kids, Last-Minute Midwinter Break Travel Deals

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The Presidents' Day holiday weekend and midwinter break are the big to-dos across all of our sites. Here in NYC, we rounded up 30 things to do over February break and inexpensive but enriching vacation camps, plus our Winter Fun Guide is packed with lots of other awesome options. If you're looking to get away for a day or two, our regional sites have posts about the best things to do over break in New Jersey, Long Island and Westchester.

Does this never-ending winter have you dreaming of cozier (or at least less snowy) climes? Our Travel site has a list of last-minute midwinter break deals, including three in Florida that are looking pretty tempting right about now. That's assuming you can get a flight out, but perhaps the fantasy is enough to keep you warm.

If you find yourself stuck at home during part of the break, our fun and easy WeeWork projects are great boredom busters. In fact, if you do any of our WeeWork activities, snap a pic, share it on social media and you just may win tickets to Baby Loves Disco. Get all the details on our giveaway page.

Whatever you do over midwinter recess, we hope you have fun, and stay safe and warm! Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

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