Sydney Ng

Latest posts by Sydney Ng

Where to Find Free Classes for Kids in NYC at Stores and Public Spaces

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Thu, 01/13/2022 - 5:07pm

Free hands-on classes and storytimes are offered at the National Museum of the American Indian. Photo courtesy of NMAI

We'll just say it: Raising a kid is expensive. Weekend classes, summer camp, after-school care, sports, dance, and music lessons can add up. And let’s face it, as New Yorkers, we’re most likely paying much more than the average parent. That’s why we’ve rounded up a collection of FREE classes in NYC. These enriching activities lighten the financial load and all occur within free-to-access stores and public places, but there are also plenty of free and low-cost activities inside NYC museums and gardens, which make membership costs worth the splurge.

Read on for our picks for the best FREE classes in NYC and find more enrichment opportunities in our Guide to Classes and Activities for NYC Kids.

NYC's Only Corn Maze and More Fall Fun Await at the Queens Farm Museum

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Thu, 09/09/2021 - 10:52am

The Amazing Maize Maze is waiting to be explored at the Queens County Farm Museum.

There aren't many better ways to get the family excited for the fall in NYC than taking the kids for a tour through a 3-acre corn maze in the middle of Queens and letting their imaginations run wild. The Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze opens for the season Friday, September 17, and it's just one of the quintessential fall activities happening at this New York City institution.

The Amazing Maize Maze is the only corn maze in the city. My family and I have conquered lots of these mazes and can happily say the one at the Queens County Farm Museum is just as much fun as its country counterparts. Read on for our tips to make the most of your visit to the farm and the corn maze. But no, we aren't giving you the route. You'll still need to figure that out yourself!

The Best Playgrounds in Queens

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 5:27pm

A top Queens playground, Paul Raimonda Playground offers sprinklers, climbing, and shady seating. Photo by author

Although every pocket of Queens has a neighborhood playground, we’ve taken the time to scout the cream of the crop for NYC kids. Whether you're visiting from another borough or just want to explore a new-to-you-neighborhood, here are 12 of our favorite romping spots in Queens, from Astoria to the Rockaways. These parks offer clean, safe equipment with innovative and fun details that go beyond the jungle gyms of the past, like kid-sized Ferris wheels and super cool sprinklers.

Find more playgrounds across the five boroughs in our guide to NYC Parks & Playgrounds.

Queens Zoo: Full of Surprises for Little and Big Kids

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 05/10/2021 - 10:25am

An Andean bear cub gets his bearings on a branch. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher/courtesy of WCS

Tucked inside Queens’ largest park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, is the lovely 18-acre Queens Zoo. Unlike other city zoos (Read: sometimes crowded and overwhelming), families can tour the entire grounds in just a few hours. Take a leisurely loop around the whole complex, and you’ll find eagles, puma, bears, sea lions, coyotes, an aviary filled with exotic birds, and more.

While the Queens Zoo is smaller than its sister zoo in the Bronx, it is definitely worth the trip. Unlike the Bronx Zoo, which can be taxing on little legs, the Queens Zoo is a perfect size. The main zoo runs in a loop, making it easy to see everything without backtracking. Lush greenery and landscaping surround the trail, and there is less travel time between exhibits.

If zoos are high on your to-do list, check out our other borough favorites at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Staten Island Zoo.

25 Things to Do, See & Eat in Chinatown With Kids

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 04/06/2021 - 6:36pm

Tuck into some dim sum at Jing Fong in Chinatown.

At first glance, navigating the street vendors, traffic, and crowds of Canal Street can seem intimidating for families. But with a little planning, Chinatown opens up into a world of wonders. Explore parks, temples, turn-of-the-century architecture, annual festivals and celebrations, and, of course, amazing food in one of NYC's most well-known neighborhoods.

Chinatown is unlike other hot spots in Manhattan. It is a living, breathing neighborhood with a real community and real residents. Although dependent on tourists, Chinatown is unapologetically authentic. Be fearless, kind—particularly now—and patient as you step into this city within a city. Growing up in NYC, I've seen Chinatown evolve yet never change, holding steadfast to traditions while still exploring and innovating. As an adult, I plan to make Chinatown a part of my children's lives for years to come.

Get the insider's scoop on more of NYC's popular neighborhoods, such as Koreatown, with our Neighborhood Guides.

37 Things To Do in NYC This Winter with Your Toddler (Beyond Another Storytime)

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 12/31/2019 - 9:20am

Visit the astonishing world of butterflies at the Butterfly Conservatory at the AMNH. Photo courtesy of the museum

Once the holiday season starts to fade and winter sets in, it's hard not to find yourself in a rut with your little one. We've built this list of 37 things to do with your toddler around New York City that will keep those blizzard blues away, from warm and toasty indoor activities to get-up-and-moving outdoor frolics. Eight of the suggestions are FREE activities.

Everything included below is just the right speed and time commitment for the toddler set—and won't have you dreading another trip wandering around the children's section of B&N, restocking the books as your little one pulls them down one after another!

6 Things To Love about The Museum of the Moving Image

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 9:30am

Kids will be thrilled to explore this hand-on museum. Photo by Thanassi Karageorgiou

The Museum of the Moving Image is one of Astoria's hidden gems. Situated right next to Kaufman Studios—the home of Sesame Street and nearly a century of film and television history—the museum features an amazing permanent exhibit as well as an ever-changing roster of special exhibitions, series, and events, including family movie showings and film series. There's something for every age range, making it one of our top NYC museums to visit with kids, and a favorite go-to spot for my Queens family.

Read on for details on what to see at the Museum of the Moving Image, plus other useful tips for making the most of your visit with kids, including the best time to visit, and the scoop on family programming.

5 Kid-Friendly Urban Farms Right Here in New York City

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 08/12/2019 - 12:15pm

Harlem Grown. Photo courtesy of the farm

Times—and the food industry—have changed from when I was a kid. In the 1980s, everything we ate came from the freezer section, cans, and boxes. Microwaves were hot kitchen appliances. I didn't even know what an unpicked strawberry looked like or what type of plant blueberries grew on. Trees, maybe? Now, knowing where your food comes from, understanding sustainability, and eating local are all hot topics that parents are passionate about. New York City offers plenty of farmers' markets, gardens, and parks to get close to nature. But did you know there are plenty of farms, too?

We've compiled a list of open-to-the-public farms within NYC that all deserve a visit. Each one has a special and interesting hook. Make sure to check seasonal hours/days-of-operation before you travel.

If you really want that full country vibe, you can always head out to the nearby farms of Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester for pick-your-own apples, tractor rides, and petting zoos.

Sydney Ng

Latest posts by Sydney Ng

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