Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC Now

Kids will be wowed by the delicious all-you-can-eat spread at 02 Korean BBQ.

New York City kids live in one of the culinary capitals of the universe—and fortunately for all of us parents, some of the best new restaurants in our food-obsessed city are totally family-friendly. Whether you're headed out for a special celebratory meal as a family, eating out after a long day of family fun exploring NYC's museums and neighborhoods, or just need a break from cooking, here are some the of hottest NYC restaurants to check out with the kids. 

Best Montgomery County Parks and Playgrounds

Montgomery County has an abundance of family-friendly events and activities sure to keep the entire family busy and learning all year round. Across the county there are many beautiful parks, creative playgrounds and play spaces, and walking trails that can be enjoyed by residents and non-residents alike. We've rounded up some of our favorite parks and playgrounds in the area. Whether you live there, or your visiting for a day, there are plenty of great places to play!

Too hot, cold, or wet to play outside? Check out our favorite indoor play spaces in Montgomery County.

Mind-Bending Museum of Illusions Opens in Chelsea

Dance to your heart's content in The Shadow Room.

New York City doesn't lack for fabulous museums or Instagrammable-popups but put them together and you'll come close to the brand new Museum of Illusions, opening today in Chelsea.

Equal parts trippy, mind-bending fun house and educational wonderland, the museum is home to more than 70 exhibits that will trick your senses, force you to question your perceptions and look at the whole space from a different perspective. Modeled after the original location in Zagreb, Croatia, the New York location is the first installation of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.

Best Family Theater in NYC This Fall

See Super! The Musical at the FringeJR Festival. Photo courtesy of the Maryland Ensemble Theater

Autumn marks the start of a new theater season, but you don't need to shell out big bucks on Broadway shows to give your kids a memorable live entertainment experience in NYC. In fact, this fall boasts more high-quality theater productions for young audiences than ever—so many in fact, we have a whopping 25 picks, and that's after whittling down the contenders.

Preschoolers will be excited for the return of old friends Pete the Cat and Angelina Ballerina, plus the debut of a new show based on a Laurie Berkner song. Older kids will be inspired by That Inventions Show, the interactive improv piece Show Up, Kids!, and the immersive Gumshoe, which takes place throughout the 125-year-old Henry Street Settlement. There's also funky fare for tweens at Lincoln Center and the New Victory Theater, plus everyone in your family can enjoy the Big Apple Circus. Best of all, many of our picks are $25 or less per ticket.

Indoor Play Spaces for Babies and Toddlers in Chester County

There's only so much time a parent can spend inside the house if they don't want the kids to completely lose their minds. That's when a little socialization and a change of scenery is a great idea! While a trip to the local park or library for story time can be great, there are a few ways to change it up with other indoor play spaces. Our list of indoor play areas in Chester County is here to help. Be sure to also check out our roundups of indoor play spots for little ones in BucksMontgomery, and Delaware Counties as well as Philadelphia.

Interactive “Crash, Splash, or Moo!” Invites Young Readers to Play Along

My daughter and I have read Bob Shea’s brand new Crash, Splash, or Moo! so many times now that I’m pretty sure I could transcribe it here from memory. But instead of giving away the much-anticipated outcomes of the interactive book that plays out like a totally wacky quiz show, I’ll tell you why it’s quickly become “The Song that Never Ends” delivered in book form to our household.

Maker Spaces for Drop-In Creator Fun with NYC Kids

At NYSCI Maker Space, use real tools to make real things and re-use everyday materials in exciting ways.

The maker movement is alive and well in NYC, annually bringing one of our favorite festivals, Maker Faire, to the New York Hall of Science.

But what to do with your inventive child the other 51 weekends of the year? Of course there are after-school classesbirthday parties, and summer camp options, but for drop-in, one-off workshops and tinkering sessions? Not as many. Still, we've dug in and rounded up nine NYC maker spaces offering chances for year-round STEM-inspired making, building, and creating, from robots to 3D printing and creative coding.

If you're looking for a longer-term commitment, check out our STEM Guide to read up on all the options for maker-inspired camps, classes, and DIY fun.

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