Siobhan Adcock

Latest posts by Siobhan Adcock

Best Things To Do in Aruba with Kids: The Beach and So Much More

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 2:02pm

At less than 70 square miles, Aruba might be a small island, but it packs in a lot of kid-friendly activities for a Caribbean family getaway. Snorkel or splash in the bright blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, explore breathtaking natural parklands, dig in to a wide variety of tasty restaurants and food options, support Aruba’s wildlife sanctuaries, or just stake out a spot on the powdery sand beaches to watch the kids build sandcastles. With its mix of beach beauty and easy-access family attractions—and a relatively protected location south of the main Atlantic hurricane corridor—Aruba is a kid-pleasing choice for a sunny school-break vacation.

Perhaps best of all, Aruba has a well-deserved rep for being one of the friendliest places on Earth, even by popular vacation destination standards. As my awestruck 9-year-old daughter exclaimed, “Everybody is so generous!” (Well, she is from Brooklyn.)

Whether you’ve got an active crew in search of some new adventures, or you’re just looking for a fabulous hotel pool to sink into for a few days, here are the best things to do in Aruba, as well as where to eat and what to see with kids.

Best Things To Do with NYC Kids: October GoList

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Sun, 09/29/2019 - 9:15am

Get your calendars ready: Here are the top things to do with kids in New York City this October, many of which are FREE. Halloween may generate the hoopla, but there are plenty of other must-do activities this month, including a huge pumpkin display on Governors Island, the world's largest Lego art exhibit at the New York Hall of Science, and a tuneful celebration of Sesame Street's 50th anniversary.

The fall culture season kicks into high gear with amazing events and theater. Many annual seasonal favorites also take place in October, including the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine's blessing of the animals and the Little Red Lighthouse Festival—plus the return of Open House New York, which offers a peek inside buildings and sites citywide that are normally closed to the public.

Here's the (Updated!) NYC Public School Calendar for 2019-2020

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 1:00pm

If you've got a child in public school, you live by the school calendar. Many local NYC preschools follow the public school schedule too. The New York City Department of Education's calendar for the 2019-2020 school year is below, and you'll want to bookmark it now for reference—and to help with planning family vacations and school break camp coverage.

As a surprise (and welcome) early holiday present, the Department of Education announced on September 24 that schools will also be closed on Monday, December 23. The previously released version of NYC's school year calendar originally had kids and teachers showing up for a one-day school week on the Monday before Christmas...but happily, that day is now scratched from the official calendar.

With the exception of the occasional unplanned snow day or case of the sniffles, these are all of the dates you can count on your kiddos being out of school during the 2019-2020 school year.

Camp Rockaway Brings Family-Friendly Glamping to Riis Beach

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Thu, 07/18/2019 - 4:00pm

If you love family camping, but don't love the thought of hauling all that gear (or even if you're not a huge fan of camping, but you sure do love the beach) good news: Camp Rockaway has returned for a third season of family-friendly glamping with a side of urban beach. Located in a sandy courtyard behind the historic Jacob Riis Bathhouse, Camp Rockaway offers families a chance to sleep over at at the beach, with comfy tents, queen-sized beds, and hot showers, all just steps from the waves. Read on for a peek inside the tent flaps.

Where to See July 4 Fireworks in and Around Chicago

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Fri, 06/28/2019 - 3:39pm

Every year, the Navy Pier fireworks over the lakefront are a highlight of summer in Chicago. While sparklers light up the night sky over Navy Pier every Wednesday and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the extra-long, super-sized Fourth of July display is one not to miss. With July 4 falling on a Thursday in 2019, you'll want to make plans in advance for how and where your family will catch the big sparkler show. We've rounded up a few of the best ways to watch the Fourth of July fireworks downtown, plus a list of well-worth-the-drive fireworks displays in the near suburbs.

16 Cool Water Playgrounds and Splash Parks for Chicago Kids

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Thu, 05/30/2019 - 10:43am

When summer comes, smart Chicago parents make sure they've always got a sprinkler "go bag" packed and ready in the trunk, stroller, or tote: towel, sunscreen, water shoes, swim diaper (if you've got a really little mermaid), and spare clothes. Because in a city with this many awesome water playgrounds, splash parks, and spraygrounds, it pays to be prepared.

Our favorite water play zones in Chicago and the suburbs feature interactive sprinklers, sprayers, cannons, and gushers so everybody can get good and soaked—and some spots offer extra-wet bonuses like waterslides and pools. Chicago Park District water playgrounds turn on in June and keep the fun flowing through Labor Day weekend, although most water parks in the suburbs open Memorial Day weekend, and a few water parks remain open on weekends through the end of September.

Read on for 16 great water playgrounds that are as wet as they can get.

May GoList: Best Things to Do With NYC Kids

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Sun, 04/28/2019 - 12:00pm

May is beloved in NYC for the return of warm weather, outdoor dining options, and family-centric holidays such as Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekend. And get ready for the unofficial start of summer as Governors Island, city beaches, water parks, and amusement parks all open for the season this month.

There are fairs and festivals everywhere you turn in May, and our GoList includes the top things to do with kids in New York City this month, many of which are FREE. Enjoy no-cost annual favorites such as the New York Dance Parade, Bike Expo New York, and the Urban Wildlife Festival. There's a ton of exciting new spring theater for families, too.

For more activity ideas, see our Event Calendar and our Spring Fun Guide. It's also a great month to check out our NYC Parks & Playgrounds Guide.

Best Playgrounds in Chicago: Destination Play Zones Worth the Trip

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Mon, 04/22/2019 - 8:39am

Chicago families are lucky to have a world-class parks system with hundreds of great playgrounds. Thanks to a city initiative, over 300 playgrounds in Chicago have been refurbished or newly built since 2013, with the goal of ensuring that every Chicago kid has a place to play within a ten-minute walk of home.

But even in a city packed with great parks, some Chicago playgrounds are a cut above the rest. The spots on our best-of list have plenty of space to climb, slide, swing, and play, while also offering something special or unique that makes them worth the trip. Check out our Chicago playground hall of fame, and get out to play at a new-to-you park this weekend.

Siobhan Adcock

Siobhan Adcock

Latest posts by Siobhan Adcock

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