The best things to do in NYC with kids April 2020

Too soon to daydream about warm afternoons on the Coney Island Boardwalk? Never!  Undoubtedly intending to cure our winter blues, Luna Park revealed on Instagram that it will kickstart its new season on Apr 4, 2020—an announcement that typically doesn't come until later in the year. Regardless, we gladly welcome this exciting news about one of our favorite kids' amusement parks, even if we're still bundled up in winter garb. Even better news? This year marks Luna Park's 10th anniversary, and the family attraction promises a ton of surprises are in store for its visitors. The exciting, albeit cryptic, remark definitely has us looking forward to the spring. 

We can't wait to see "Worlds Beyond Earth," the new show that will premiere at the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History on Jan 21. It celebrates the Age of Exploration we're living in right now—humans have only made it as far as the moon, but we have sent out probes and spacecraft to collect data and send it back to Earth. Think about it: Robotic explorers have been to the surface of the moon, and documented the icy and volcanically active surface of Jupiter's moon Io, and observed the showers of liquid methane on Saturn’s moon Titan. "Worlds Beyond Earth" transports you to the far corners of our solar system and beyond with detailed scenes drawn from scientific data. Plus, it's narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o—the cosmos never sounded so good. This is the first new show to run at the Hayden Planetarium since Dark Universe," narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, premiered in 2013. "Dark Universe" is familiar to many NYC kids—and parents. After all, a visit to the AMNH is one of the best winter activities for kids around, and one of the best indoor activities for kids you can do in NYC.

Ready to hang 10 on the halfpipe?  Vans just opened a new indoor skate park in Brooklyn, and it's the perfect place for wannabe Tony Hawks to work on their moves. Bushwick's coolest new attraction, Space 198 (198 Randolph St), allows athletes of all ages and skill levels to test out ramps, ledges and other skate-worthy concrete features. Plus, it makes for a great winter activity for kids.  Photograph: Courtesy Vans OH: Did we mention it's free?! All that's required is to RSVP online. 
The sessions are as follows:  Thursdays: 2–4pm, 4:30–6:30pm, 7–9pm Fridays: 2–4pm, 4:30–6:30pm, 7–9pm Weekends: Noon–2pm (Kids session ages 6–12), 2:30–4:30pm, 5–7pm, 7:30–9:30pm.