Great Party Spots in Brooklyn for Baby's First Birthday

Enjoy kid-friendly games at Monkey Do Yoga, or opt to just rent the space.

Let’s face it: Your baby's first birthday isn’t just about celebrating the start of toddlerhood. It’s about acknowledging the fact that you’re still standing after a whole year of parenting, even if you can’t remember the last time you slept!

At this age, the kids in attendance probably won't be running in circles (in fact, many of them might not be walking), so you don't need as much space as you will in a few years, and there’s a good chance that your guest list is heavy on the grown-ups. We've already rounded up great best first birthday spots in Manhattan, and now we've put together a list of top Brooklyn baby-friendly first birthday bash spots that adults and kids will appreciate.

Looking for more party-perfect ideas? Take a look at these Brooklyn gym parties, or visit our handy Party Guide and Directory to find entertainers and more.​​

Free Public Art Around Boston that Will Blow Your Kids' Minds

Inspired by the movements of schools of fish, this outdoor sculpture moves with the seaside winds in New Bedford. Photo courtesy of Poetic Kinetics

Boston has long been home to some of the best museums in the world, showcasing art from around the world. Recently, the city has acquired an extensive collection of free public art where families can get up close and personal with installations of all kinds. Some of these exhibits are permanent, while others are currently on view. Outdoors, outsized, and often interactive, these works of art are especially appealing to kids.

Here are some of our favorite artsy destinations for a family day trip, along with spots to eat or play nearby. For more artsy outdoor fun, open year-round, check out the deCordova Sculpture Museum in Lincoln. And be prepared: If your kids are anything like ours, the kitchen table will be covered in recycle bin scraps and glue for the next month or two. 

Destination Playground: East 110th Street Playground Is a Central Park Gem

The tire swings at the East 110th Street Playground in Central Park are worth a twirl.

As a Harlemite, the northern edge of Central Park has always held a special place in my heart. It's a little off the beaten path, far from the tourist draws in Midtown, but it's still teeming with activity and attractions, including one of our very favorite playgrounds, the East 110th Street Playground. This playground, which was completely rebuilt in 2013, is a prime romping spot for school-age kids, whether they are uptown residents or visitors to this scenic edge of the park.

Weekend Fun: Country Fairs, Dragon Boats, and Oysterfest

Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards

What's your favorite part of a country fair? Is it the animals? The music? The carnival rides? The fried dough? All this and more is on offer at the array of country fairs happening this weekend all over Connecticut, from Bridgewater to Wolcott to Hamburg. If you're interested in more celebrations, check out the Oyster Festival in Milford or the Dragon Boat Festival in Hartford. 

If you're in the mood for some more easygoing fun, catch your breath at the Dinosaur State Park Day or the Summer Starts Planetarium Shows at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford. Or, maybe check off one of your summer bucket list items with a stop by the Voluntown Farmers Market on Sunday.

For the latest and best family-friendly goings on around the state, keep checking in on our frequently updated events calendar and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Have a great weekend!

Things to Do This Weekend With Chicago Kids: Air and Water Show, Bit Bash, Summer Fests

The Golden Knights will thrill at the Chicago Air and Water Show. Photo courtesy of the Chicago DCASE

Look to the skies: The Chicago Air and Water Show returns this weekend with incredible displays of aerial skill. You can also look to the screens, as The Museum of Science and Industry hosts Bit Bash, where kids (and adults) can play dozens of cutting edge games as part of this weekend-long festival of technology and art.

On Saturday, Girls Who Code hosts a free workshop for middle school aged girls interested in digital design, with hands-on activities and plenty of experts on hand to inspire. Kids can also work side by side with professionals at the Chicago Philharmonic's Side by Side concert, where musicians from the award-winning orchestra play and rehearse with students and community members.

Kid-friendly street festivals and block parties around town this weekend include Pilsen Fest, Edison Park Fest, the Glenwod Ave Arts Fest in Rogers Park, and the South Shore Summer Festival, each with tasty food, performances, and plenty of kid-friendly action. And if you've ever wondered what a million-dollar penny looks like, one will be on view at this weekend's World's Fair of Money at Rosemont.

Our summer bucket list of things to do before school starts has even more ideas, and the event calendar is packed with performances, exhibits, and festivals for making the most of your summer. Have a great weekend!

Free Admission to NYC Museums on Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is one of over 20 NYC institutions offering free admission on Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. Photo courtesy of the Intrepid

The best way to see some of this fall's best museum exhibits for kids? Why, for free, of course. On Saturday, September 21, 2019, hundreds of museums and cultural institutions across the country will be offering free admission, including more than 20 spots right here in New York City as part of Smithsonian Magazine's annual Museum Day, and passes are available to download starting this week, on August 15.

In addition to a handful of big institutions, such as the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, there are lots of cool, off-the-beaten-path places participating, like the Museum of the Dog. Museum Day is the perfect time to check out a new-to-you museum or visit an old standby for at no cost. We've got the scoop on which museums are offering free admission and how to get your tickets for Museum Day.

5 Kid-Friendly Urban Farms Right Here in New York City

Harlem Grown. Photo courtesy of the farm

Times—and the food industry—have changed from when I was a kid. In the 1980s, everything we ate came from the freezer section, cans, and boxes. Microwaves were hot kitchen appliances. I didn't even know what an unpicked strawberry looked like or what type of plant blueberries grew on. Trees, maybe? Now, knowing where your food comes from, understanding sustainability, and eating local are all hot topics that parents are passionate about. New York City offers plenty of farmers' markets, gardens, and parks to get close to nature. But did you know there are plenty of farms, too?

We've compiled a list of open-to-the-public farms within NYC that all deserve a visit. Each one has a special and interesting hook. Make sure to check seasonal hours/days-of-operation before you travel. 

If you really want that full country vibe, you can always head out to the nearby farms of Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester for pick-your-own apples, tractor rides, and petting zoos.

The New Jurassic World Ride at Universal: Is It As Good As Jurassic Park?

Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood

A year without the Jurassic Park ride was like... a year without being splashed by dinosaurs. This summer's relaunch of the favorite Universal Studios ride was eagerly anticipated, though truth be told some of us who were big fans of the old ride were also just a little bit wary. Would Jurassic World: The Ride live up to its Jurassic predecessor? Or would it become just another virtual reality replacement of a classic analog adventure? It's a relief to be able to report that Jurassic World remains one of the best reasons to visit Universal Studios—and that Universal really did find ways to make our favorite ride even better.

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