New Adventure Playground Lets Kids Saw, Hammer, and Build

Ever since I read The Atlantic's article about "adventure playgrounds" a few years back, I've been obsessed with bringing my now-ten-year-old daughter to one. Like many school-age children, she lost interest in slides, swings, and climbing structures around the third grade, but kids won't find any equipment like that in the just-opened play:groundNYC on Governors Island. In fact, they won't find any traditional play equipment at all! But they will discover enticing piles of junk (wooden planks, old tires, broken treadmills and strollers, crutches, even a toilet seat) and tools (saws, hammers, and nails) that they can do anything they want with—the only limitation is their imagination. Perhaps the best part (at least from a child's perspective): No parents are allowed.

Freaked out yet? Don't be. The founders of this amazing, 15,000-square-foot, FREE outdoor creative space are mostly NYC parents with young children, and they've put a lot of thought, time, and money into it. And it's FREE to play, of course!

More Father’s Day Fun: Ways To Celebrate Dad in Lower Hudson Valley

As Father’s Day approaches, our attention turns to the guy who helps make it all happen. We recently shared our top ways to celebrate Father's Day in Westchester. Now we're heading across the river to highlight more ideas for honoring dads.

We've compiled a range of activities to help you plan a great day, no matter what the man's into—from sports to outdoor fun, and everything in between. If you're coming from Westchester, these events are worth the drive! Looking for more activities? Consult our Event Calendar. 

30 Things to Do with Kids in the Bronx this Summer

There's more to the Bronx than Yankee Stadium. NYC's northernmost borough is home to a melting pot of cultures, a vibrant art and music scene that includes the birthplace of hip-hop, and more green space than any other borough. Not to mention bragging rights for the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, and NYC's largest park.

Bronxites have much to be proud of, with historic treasures such as Bartow-Pell Mansion and Poe Cottage, access to the Bronx River for canoeing and rowing, countless cultural destinations and of course, Yankee Stadium. With so many places and activities to experience, the Bronx is a great destination for families.

This summer is a great time to get to know the borough better and experience its great outdoor fun, festivals, art and more. Read on for 30 things to do this summer with kids in the Bronx, many of which have been tried and approved by this Bronx mom and her three Bronx-born kids.

Lincoln Center with Kids: 10 Fun & Mostly Free Things to Do at the Performing Arts Complex

Lincoln Center, the grand performing arts mecca on Manhattan's Upper West Side may seem out of reach to many. Prices for the fancy, high-culture shows are beyond family budgets, but that shouldn't keep you away. From watching the iconic fountain dance to rooting out hidden gem performances which cost little-to-nothing, Lincoln Center is a rich cultural destination you don't need to be rich to enjoy. Here are our top 10 FREE and cheap things to do with kids at Lincoln Center.

10 Splurgy Things Boston Dads Want to Do for Father's Day

Unlike Mother's Day, Father's Day doesn't come with the expectations or pressure, so it's easier to celebrate the old man without suffering a brain cramp. 

I once had a boss who told me all he wanted for Father's Day was to drink a glass of Scotch, smoke a cigar, and be left alone. He had young twins, so I couldn't disagree with him, but I'll choose the higher road by suggesting 10 splurges families might consider for Dad on his special day.

25 Reasons to Visit Woods Hole With Kids

Cape Cod is a great destination for families—its beaches, bike paths and classic charm make it a quintessential summer getaway. Off the beaten path on the Cape, you’ll find Woods Hole, a tiny village near Falmouth that straddles Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. The town may be small, but it's absolutely packed with fun activities for families. Below you’ll find 25 of the best reasons to visit Woods Hole with kids.

Pick-Your-Own Strawberry Farms in Connecticut

Right now, strawberry picking is just getting under way, but don't hesitate: on some farms the picking season lasts just a few weeks. Happy picking, and baking, and eating!  Not only is picking your own fruit a fun family activity, it's also a great way to teach children about where their food comes from and to engage them in its preparation process. For more pick-your-own options check out our posts about strawberry picking in Hartford County and blueberry picking farms.

Dinosaurs in Orange County: 5 Spots for Dino-Loving Kids

Are Jurassic World, Dinosaur Train, and Dino Dan playing on an endless loop in your home? Does your 4-year-old frequently reference the differences between a Stegosaurus and a Brachiosaurus without batting an eye? Have you often found yourself in heated discussions at the dinner table about whether or not an Apatosaurus would, in fact, eat all of his vegetables?

If this sounds like your family, why not encourage your budding paleontologist to embrace his current obsession by walking (or playing!) with dinosaurs? Orange County has a plethora of places to take Cretaceous-crazed kids to fuel all of their prehistoric passions.

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