Katie Nave

Katie Nave is a writer living in Brooklyn, New York with her wild child daughter and a menagerie of pets. Her writing has been featured in Glamour, Business Insider, and the GoldieBlox YouTube Channel. She has served as a producer for the National Women’s March and the digital lead for the non-profit organization Girls Inc. You can follow her Instagram (@kathryn.e.nave) for a mix of activism, parenting missteps, anxious musings, and hamster photos.

Latest posts by Katie

Best Corn Mazes near NYC for Families

Submitted by Katie Nave on Tue, 09/19/2023 - 5:41pm

The whole family can get in on the corn maze fun at Outhouse Orchards. Photo by Sara Marentette

Navigating the twists and turns of a corn maze is a perfect fall outing for adventurous NYC families. But with dozens of corn mazes near NYC scattered throughout the rural parts of the tri-state area, the real challenge is deciding which one to visit.

While my family loves our annual corn maze trip to the Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze because of its proximity and kid-friendly size, there are plenty of corn mazes near NYC for families looking to get out of the city for an authentic country experience.

Here, we've compiled a list of almost two dozen of the area's best corn mazes—most within 90 minutes of NYC. Find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Farms and Pick-Your-Own Fun near New York City.

Best Pumpkin Patches near NYC for Families

Submitted by Katie Nave on Sun, 09/17/2023 - 11:18am

Pluck a perfect pumpkin from the pumpkin patch at Alstede Farm in New Jersey. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

These local pumpkin patches make for a perfect fall day trip. Since we can't fight the arrival of the Halloween season, we might as well celebrate it. And what's the holiday without a perfect pumpkin plucked from the vine at one of these pumpkin patches near NYC?

Sure, you can grab a pumpkin from the local farmers market, grocery store, or one of the pumpkin patches in New York City, but for a more immersive experience, head to the country and visit one of these family-friendly pumpkin patches near NYC.

In addition to pumpkin picking, many of these local farms and orchards in the Hudson Valley, on Long Island, and in New Jersey offer additional activities for kids, including hayrides, corn mazes, and apple picking, too.

These 12 pumpkin patches near NYC are all about an hour from Midtown Manhattan by car. We even found a few reachable via public transportation. You can find even more options in our Guide to Farms and Pick-Your-Own Fun near NYC and find plenty of New York City Halloween activities in our New York City Halloween Guide.

Best Blueberry Picking near NYC: Favorite Farms and Festivals

Submitted by Katie Nave on Sun, 07/02/2023 - 10:08am

Bishop's Orchards is a gorgeous spot for blueberry picking near NYC with kids.

Blueberry picking near NYC begins in July, and juicy blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are usually in season through the end of August. Some farms even have a second crop of raspberries that ripen later in the summer. So, if you missed the short but sweet strawberry picking season and can't wait for peach picking come August, now is a good time for your family to plan an outing to go blueberry picking near NYC.

Read on for the lowdown on 11 farms for blueberry picking near NYC. These tri-state area farms are all less than 2 hours from NYC and include one accessible by mass transit. We're also including our helpful been-there-done-that blueberry-picking tips. Check out our comprehensive Guide to Pick-Your-Own Farms for everything from peaches to flowers and veggies.

Target's Car Seat Trade-in Returns: Get the 2023 Details

Submitted by Katie Nave on Mon, 04/03/2023 - 10:50am

Ready to upgrade your car seat? Target's trade-in event is back!

Is it time to toss or upgrade your child's car seat? Beginning on April 16, 2023, Target will recycle your expired, damaged, or just yucky goldfish-crusted and stained one and help you to save on a new model through its popular car seat trade-in event. Whether you're expecting a new baby, or simply sizing up, read on for all the details on this year's trade-in program.

For more ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, and all around be good to Mother Nature, check out our Earth Kids Guide and sign up for the Earth Kids newsletter.

Registration Opens for Free Spring Swimming Lessons in NYC

Submitted by Katie Nave on Tue, 03/07/2023 - 10:12am

Kids can learn to swim for free through the NYC Parks Department.

The NYC Parks Department's FREE swimming lessons have returned from a prolonged pandemic hiatus, and we have the details to get you—and your child—back in the pool. These FREE swimming lessons require entering an online lottery for each session, which run year-round in spring, summer, fall, and winter. The FREE spring swimming lessons are on the horizon, and the lottery registration for these swim classes is open through noon on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Read on for the details on where to swim for FREE, or check our directory of paid kids' swim classes, and mommy-and-me swim lessons for babies and toddlers.

Best Things To Do in NYC with the Grandparents

Submitted by Katie Nave on Sun, 03/05/2023 - 8:09am

Next time grandma and grandpa visit, take a stroll through Central Park. Photo courtesy of Central Park Conservancy

Searching for things to do when the grandparents visit? We're here to help. After all, no matter what you call grandma and grandpa, their visit means it's time to lay out the red carpet with picks for fun all-ages activities in NYC.

While snagging one of these over-the-top treats might be atop your kids' wish list of things to do with the grandparents, we've got plenty of other picks to spend a day showing off New York City to your very special visitors. Our top picks for things to do with visiting grandparents in NYC includes delving into history by visiting museums and other enriching destinations that highlight a variety of cultures, interests, and time periods, including the immigrant experiences so many American families share.

Whether your kids' grandparents drop by all the time or are only able to visit once in a while, the next time they ask what to do with the kids, suggest one of these meaningful things to do in NYC and help the generations find common ground while having fun.

Free Turkeys in NYC: Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaways in 2022

Submitted by Katie Nave on Mon, 10/31/2022 - 4:33pm

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, and while the holiday is usually filled with over-the-top spreads and indulgent dinners, we know many local families are struggling and could use the help of one of these local organizations offering a free turkey in NYC. Inflation, job loss, mounting debt, and worse, have left many New Yorkers facing food insecurity. With that in mind, we've rounded up 13 local organizations that are stepping up to make sure all who need help filling their tables or getting a hot meal this Thanksgiving can. From free turkey giveaways to take-out options and low-cost holiday meals, here's where to get help this holiday season.

If you're fortunate enough to have a full pantry and pocketbook, consider donating to one of these exceptional organizations to help others across the city, and put the "thanks" in Thanksgiving by lending a hand at one of these local Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities. You can find more ways to spend the day in our New York City Thanksgiving Guide.

Halloween Drive-thrus in the Tri-State Area: Pumpkins, Lights, and Haunted Scenes for 2022

Submitted by Katie Nave on Thu, 10/06/2022 - 4:11pm

Enjoy an elaborate display of intricate, creative hand-carved, and lit pumpkins at Wagner Farm Arboretum's Brite Nites attraction.

With Halloween on the horizon, we’re ready to load up the car and visit a Halloween drive-thru in the tri-state area. Ranging from sweet to spooky, visiting one of these Halloween dive-thru light shows in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut makes for a fun night out that's a bit different from the usual spooky celebrations.

So, don your costumes and hop in the car to visit one of these Halloween drive-thrus nearby. There are plenty of options for ghosts and goblins big and little, from drive-thru jack-o'-lantern displays to truly haunting scenes. We've got more seasonal picks in our Guide to Halloween Fun for Families.