Allison Steinberg

Kid-Friendly Waterfront Restaurants in NYC for Dinner With a View

Submitted by Allison Steinberg on Fri, 07/23/2021 - 12:40pm

Head to Time Out Market for Fornino's delicious pizza and a lovely view of Manhattan from the Brooklyn waterfront. Photo courtesy of Fornino

After a day of running around in the hot city sun, we're all craving that cool breeze off the water. What better way to end a day full of play at a waterfront playground than with a delicious meal at one of NYC's many waterfront restaurants? Whether you're facing the East River, the Hudson, or one of the many basins and other bodies of water that feed the mighty rivers and ocean that outline our great city, there are plenty of places to get dinner with a view.

Once you've tried out these picks, check out Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants for more options citywide.

Cool Public Art to See in NYC with Kids This Summer

Submitted by Allison Steinberg on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 10:00am

The Nautilus is an interactive public artwork that invites you to do something unexpected: Touch the art. Photo by Janet Bloom

Summer in the city means endless outdoor fun, countless street festivals, and some pretty rad splash pads. But summer also brings some seriously cool public art to the streets of NYC, making it easy to sneak some culture into a day of play. Check out our roundup of some of the many free art exhibits around town and dazzle your kids with colorful displays that also just happen to flex those left-brain creative muscles. And be sure to follow us on Instagram if you don't already—we're always finding new exhibits, pop-ups, and interactive installations to explore with kids.

Where to Take Fitness Classes With Your Big Kids in NYC

Submitted by Allison Steinberg on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 10:00am

Get climbing together at a Generations Climbing class at Everyday Athlete. Photo courtesy of EA

Baby and me exercise classes for everything from swimming to yoga are practically a rite of passage for NYC families. And as your baby grows up, there are tons of popular drop-off and drop-in classes for busy toddlers and preschoolers—introducing little kids to dance, gymnastics, and beyond. But what about when your kids age out of baby-and-me classes and play gyms?

The good news is, there are lots of fitness classes you can take with your older kids in NYC. And what better way to bond with your child than to take a class together, and get healthier at the same time? It's a win-win. Check out these destinations that allow you to get active and let your kid tow along for the fun and exercise.

Best NYC Experiences to Give Your Kids Instead of Birthday Presents

Submitted by Allison Steinberg on Mon, 06/03/2019 - 4:04pm

Make a special trip to Coney Island for food, rides, and of course the beach! Photo courtesy of Luna Park

How many Legos do you need to step on before you realize your kid probably doesn’t need another toy for their birthday? It’s not an existential question as much as it is a practical one. If your little one has already accumulated as many material goods as they could ever need or want (thanks, Grandma), try a different tack for birthday gift-giving this year. Why not pick a cool experience instead of a toy this birthday?

Raising kids in the best city on the planet has its advantages, and there's no shortage of meaningful "experience gifts" to choose from for your city kid. Check out these birthday-worthy NYC experiences that range from totally free to a bit of splurge—and surprise your child with a fabulous birthday experience that is sure to be fun for them, and you too!

New York City Libraries with Great Play Spaces and Children's Rooms

Submitted by Allison Steinberg on Mon, 04/29/2019 - 10:01am

Children and their parents have fun exploring the Children's Library Discovery Center at the Queens Library. Photo courtesy of the library

It’s too cold or rainy to play outside and the kids are bouncing off the walls. What to do? Don’t feel like spending money to take the kids to an indoor play activity? The best default option, hands-down, is the library. Your kid can never finish reading all the books available, and many libraries also have children’s rooms and activities. And not only is a trip to the library an always-FREE activity, your library card gets you free access to more than 40 other institutions around NYC. To mix things up, venture beyond your own local library to these gems that have some of the best children’s play spaces in the city.

Allison Steinberg

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