Siobhan Adcock

Latest posts by Siobhan Adcock

The NYC Public School Calendar for 2019-2020 Is Here

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 9:00am

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 was (finally!) just released, and you'll want to bookmark it now, for next year's family vacation plans and, if you're really on the ball, to help with advance planning for school break camp coverage.

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.

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.

April GoList: Best Things To Do with NYC Kids

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Sun, 03/31/2019 - 10:30am

Spring festivities are kicking into high gear, so get your calendars ready! We've rounded up the best things to do in New York City with kids in April—many of them FREE.

Families can finally get outdoors: Don't miss the annual Children’s Carnival at the Queens County Farm Museum, the spectacular Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival, the Brooklyn Folk Festival, Street Games in East Harlem, and Sakura Matsuri in Brooklyn and more bloom sightings.

If you're looking for a few more indoor activities (Northeast weather is unpredictable in April), EarthFest at the American Museum of Natural History features an incredible lineup of performances and parties, and there are a number of can't-miss children's shows this spring, including a page-to-stage adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, and the further adventures of the four-legged heroes of Nick Jr.'s Paw Patrol.

For more outing ideas, see our Event Calendar, our list of FREE events in NYC in April, and our Spring Break Guide. And get a jump on planning the summer school break with our Summer Camp Guide, which includes FREE and low-cost camps as well as brand-new camps for the 2019 season.

40 Things to Do With Chicago Kids Over Spring Break

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Thu, 03/28/2019 - 10:37am

The week of April 14 through April 20, 2019 is Spring Break for Chicago public schools that follow the CPS calendar, and there’s plenty to do around town for Chicago families enjoying a spring staycation. Our list of 40 fun things to do over spring break includes special events and exhibitions (cough, Star Wars, cough), kid-friendly concerts and performances, and over a dozen ideas for ways to get outside and explore the outdoors in our city in a garden. Best of all: Most of these activities are FREE or low-cost!

18 Things to Do With Kids in Industry City, Brooklyn

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Tue, 03/12/2019 - 4:00pm

Located within a former industrial storage complex along the waterfront in Sunset Park, Industry City has evolved over the past decade into something of a cultural and foodie hub. The eight formerly derelict city-block-sized buildings, running from 33rd to 37th Streets between Second and Third Avenues, are now home to artist studios, work spaces, great shopping, art exhibitions, a chocolate factory, a Brooklyn Nets training facility, an international food hall, and even a roller rink.

During the week, the courtyards and restaurants in Industry City tend to be ruled by the young workers who report to various offices and work spaces in the complex. But weekends bring an influx of shoppers, food-lovers, and young families for a unique mix of tastes, sights, art, and family programming. Hands down, it’s one of our favorite places to spend a summer weekend morning or a rainy winter afternoon. Read on for ways to make the most of a trip to Industry City with kids.

When Kids Get in Free at Chicago Museums, Zoos, and Parks

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Tue, 03/12/2019 - 10:58am

Chicago's museums, zoos, and parks rank among the best in the country—and lucky for busy, cash-strapped parents, many museums, zoos, gardens, and cultural institutions offer FREE or reduced admission at least once a month. Plus, many of the "grown-up" museums let kids in for free year-round, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, and most of the big institutions, including the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and the Field Museum, host popular free days just for Illinois residents throughout the year.

It can be hard to keep track of when and where these freebies are available, so we've compiled a list of reduced or FREE admission days and times at favorite Chicago cultural spots from the Art Institute to the Museum of Science and Industry.

15 Best Indoor Birthday Party Spots for Chicago Kids

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Tue, 02/26/2019 - 5:02pm

Chicago doesn’t lack for indoor fun zones for kids, and when it comes to indoor birthday party places, there are so many awesome options you’ll never have to celebrate in the same spot twice. From bounce houses to cooking classes to climbing walls and beyond, here are the best ways to celebrate a birthday indoors in Chicago.

March GoList: Best Things to Do with NYC Kids This Month

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Sun, 02/24/2019 - 10:30am

It's hard to believe March has arrived, bringing with it signs of spring all around New York City, from budding daffodils to outdoor play. Our overflowing events calendar makes it easy for you to hit all the best spring-inspired events, including the Macy's Flower Show, girl-powered ways to celebrate Women's History Month, and of course St. Patrick's Day parades and children's activities as the city turns green March 17.

We've rounded up over a dozen must-hit happenings in our GoList, including the innovative Tilt Festival, the return of Pip's Island, and the opening of the fearsome new T.Rex exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History. We're also celebrating Dr. Seuss on March 2 with nearly two dozen wacky activities.

Don't forget to get a jump on spring break planning with our Getaways and Day Trips Guide, as well as our roundup on Spring Break Camps for NYC Kids. Grab early bird summer camp rates by perusing the rest of our Summer Camp Guide, which includes FREE camps and brand-new ones for the 2019 season.

Now get your calendars ready! Here are the top things to do with kids in New York City this March.

Siobhan Adcock

Siobhan Adcock

Latest posts by Siobhan Adcock

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