Diana Kim

Latest posts by Diana Kim

NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 1:25pm

Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier

NYC is notoriously expensive, but there are plenty of cheap things to do if you know where to look. We've done the legwork to bring you our best NYC money-saving tips, including how to save on everything from museum outings to Broadway tickets, kid gear, and where to score the best cheap eats.

Whether you're a local or a tourist visiting the Big Apple, here are our top tips for cheap things to do in NYC. If that's not enough, we've got an entire list of 100 FREE things to do in NYC with kids, and our Guide to Free, Fun Things To Do in NYC contains more parent-tested tips, tricks, and outings. While there's no doubt New York is an expensive place, there are also lots of free and cheap activities if you know where to look, and that's where this list of 42 cheap things to do in NYC comes in.

Mission Trips for Teens: 7 Summer Service Programs That Help Kids Give Back

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 4:58pm

Visions Service Adventures leads mission trips for teens to a variety of locations.

If your teen is looking for an enriching summer experience but has aged out of summer camp, embarking on one of these mission trips or service projects for teens could be a good fit. While teens can stick around and enjoy a summer internship in NYC or try to nail down a summer job, these summer service projects offer a different kind of real-world experience that allows kids to travel while giving back.

Each of these summer programs offers a service-oriented experience allowing teens to immerse themselves in a foreign culture while helping local communities and assisting in conservation projects, teaching teens empathy, leadership skills, and cultural appreciation in the process. On many of these mission trips, there's an opportunity to enjoy recreational activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, sightseeing, hiking, and cultural exploration, too.

Ready to explore? Read on for seven orgs offering mission trips for teens and find more teen-approved things to do in our NYC Teens Guide.

City Point Brooklyn and DeKalb Market Hall: Where to Eat, Shop, and Play with Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 11/08/2022 - 3:52pm

City Point Brooklyn's outpost of CAMP hosts Cosmic Camp, which allows families to tackle an intergalactic adventure. Photo by author

The City Point Brooklyn complex has so much to offer families. It's a dining, shopping, and entertainment destination with offerings for all ages. Parents can appreciate the convenience of Target and Trader Joe’s, while specialty retailers cater to unique interests, and the whole family can enjoy the sleek dine-in movie theater and the vast DeKalb Market Hall, one of our favorite local food halls in NYC, with its delicious offerings from dozens of vendors.

We've rounded up the best things to do with kids at City Point Brooklyn below. You can find even more things to do nearby in our roundup of family-friendly destinations in Fort Green and Clinton Hill.

KPOP the Musical Brings Full-Scale K-pop Concert to Broadway Stage

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 11/08/2022 - 10:00am

Go behind the scenes with fictional K-pop stars during KPOP the musical on Broadway. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Editor's note: KPOP the musical plays its final Broadway performance on Sunday, December 11, 2022.
If your kids are fans of K-pop, you won't want to miss seeing KPOP the musical, an original production that's landed on Broadway and our list of the best Broadway shows to see with kids this season. Starring current and former K-pop stars, KPOP the musical is a lively and energetic show that will have you dancing in your seats.

Fresh off a viewing of KPOP the musical with my 12-year-old daughter and her friends, here's what you need to know about bringing your kids to this new Broadway show. Find more great productions for all ages in our Guide to Children's Theater and Shows in NYC.

Visiting the Whitney Museum in NYC with Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 10/18/2022 - 4:59pm

The Whitney Museum of American Art covers decades of contemporary work from American artists.

There's no shortage of art museums in New York City, but the Whitney Museum of American Art is the only one devoted to showcasing contemporary American art. While displaying the works of many well-established American artists, the Whitney Museum is unique in its dedication to presenting the works of living artists whose works often contains social messages.

The Whitney Museum in NYC is a must-see for families and kids to learn about important artists making their mark in the present day. Since modern art can be a bit intimidating even for grown-ups, we've gathered our top tips for a family-friendly outing to this unique museum and our favorite kids' activities to enjoy while you're there.

Read on for our top tips for visiting the Whitney Museum in NYC, and find all our top culture spots for kids in our New York City Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits Guide.

Best Observation Decks in NYC for Kids and Families

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 10/13/2022 - 4:00pm

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt's observation deck in NYC brings the stunning skyline views inside. Photo by the author

New Yorkers and tourists alike love a view, and when it comes to finding an observation deck in NYC to take in the sights, there are five to choose from. Each offers breathtaking views of the iconic New York City skyline.

From Lower Manhattan's One World Observatory to the classic experience at Midtown's Empire State Building and the awesome inside-out immersion of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, how do you choose which observation deck in NYC to visit?

We've done the legwork for you, visiting each of NYC's iconic observation decks, and detailing the experiences so you can choose the best observation deck in NYC for you and your family. Take heart, though, no matter which NYC observation deck you choose, there's no bad view in sight.

19 Special Needs Programs in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 09/26/2022 - 4:56pm

The Adaptive Climbing Group introduces kids of all ages to the adventure of rock climbing with its unique special needs program. Photo courtesy of the group

Finding the right special needs program for your child can be a challenge. Whether your child has a developmental challenge, disability, or disorder, it's important to find appropriate special needs programs that can accommodate their unique needs. Luckily, there are several special needs programs in NYC for children of every ability and interest.

We've rounded up 19 special needs programs in New York City. When reaching out to these venues, don't forget to ask about special needs summer camps and holiday mini camps. Many of these special needs programs offer them, too.

You can find more special needs programs for kids, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our New York City Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests. Bookmark our Special Needs Guide for more special needs programs in NYC, including sensory gyms, support groups, and sensory activities.

Top Magicians, Magic Shops, and Magic Shows in NYC

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 09/22/2022 - 11:14am

The Brooklyn Magic Shop hosts classes, camps, and private birthday parties with Apolino the Magician. Photo by the author

Kids love all things magic, and parents can find a handful of magicians, magic shows, and magic shops in NYC. At these mystifying destinations, kids can attend magic shows in NYC staged by world-class magicians, plus stock up on all the tricks of the trade, and even enroll in a magic class to learn the craft themselves.

From Abracadabra to The Brooklyn Magic Shop and beyond, read on for the best magic shops in NYC, plus our favorite magic classes and New York City magic shows, then marvel when your kid learns to perform unbelievable sleight of hand tricks that'll leave you amazed. Find more offbeat classes for kids in our New York City Classes for Kids Guide.