Reopening NYC: Everything families need to know

If you want to reward the kids, use a little soft power: Make a trip to one of the best soft-serve ice cream spots in NYC when they're behaving well. You can snag a cone for yourself, too.

Who can say no to a double scoop, especially if it's from one of the best ice cream shops in NYC? We have the definitive list of all of the city's must-try spots. Right now, you can't eat your ice cream inside these shops. But you can take your cones to-go, some places have outdoor tables and some even deliver! Call before making a visit, as hours and services are subject to change.

There's no indoor dining in NYC right now, but you can still go to family-friendly restaurants with outdoor spaces and enjoy a meal with the kids. Go ahead and make the most of the season! Always check the restaurant's website or call to get the latest info about openings and hours.

Everybody loves a soda fountain! Part ice cream parlor, part luncheonette, it’s the restaurant a kid would dream up. Unfortunately, there's no indoor eating in NYC right now. But many of the best soda fountains in NYC have to-go service, and outdoor dining. Call or check the soda fountain's website before heading out!

In-store shopping with limited capacity is permitted in NYC, which is great news if you want to go to visit any of the bookstores on our list of the best in NYC for kids. Bring your masks, and be sure to call ahead or check the bookstore's website for policies and regulations. In addition, many bookstores for kids offer curbside pickup and online shopping!

There's no indoor allowed dining right now, but many of the best family restaurants in NYC offer outdoor dining, delivery and take-out. Some are even found on the best streets for outdoor dining in NYC this summer! Be sure to check the restaurant's website or call ahead to get the latest info. Happy feasting!

We scoured the boroughs for the best New York toy store, and one thing's clear: With so many adorable options, it's pretty difficult to choose just one! Many offer in-store shopping at a reduced capacity, and curbside pickup is always an option. Call or check these toy store's websites for the latest info. 

Kids keep growing even when the city slows down, and now that limited in-store shopping is allowed in NYC, you can keep your children looking spiffy by visiting the best kid's clothing stores in New York! Be sure to bring your masks, and call ahead or check the store's website to get the latest on opening hours and operating info.

Picking the perfect family pet can be a painstaking process: How could the kids possibly choose just one? But it's made that much easier thanks to top-notch pet stores in NYC, where you can find happy and healthy puppies, kittens, birds and beyond. Now that NYC allows limited in-store shopping, you can visit one of the best pet stores in the city. Be sure to bring your masks, and call ahead or check the store's website for the latest on shopping policies.

NYC playgrounds are open to the public, provided that kids and their grownups follow best practices: Wash or sanitize your hands before entering and after leaving the play area, keep your social distance and wear a mask when around others.

NYC playgrounds are open to the public, provided that kids and their grownups follow best practices: Wash or sanitize your hands before entering and after leaving the play area, try to keep your social distance and wear a mask if possible when around others.

The best kid-friendly bike trails in NYC are open and available for use.

NYC parks are open to the public, provided that kids and their grownups follow best practices: Wash or sanitize your hands before entering and after leaving the playground, try to keep your social distance and wear a mask when around others. The same holds true for local county and state parks. Note that amenities such as snack bars and bathrooms might be limited or closed.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has decided to open NYC beaches on July 1, 2020. That means you can pack the beach umbrella and slather on the SPF: It's summer, and a trip to one of the best beaches for kids in NYC and beyond guarantee a fun afternoon for the whole family. The sand and the sea are the main draws, but the best beaches for kids in and around NYC have plenty of other activities and amenities the whole family will enjoy. Read more here.

This year, things will look a little different on Governors Island: The facility opened at limited capacity for passive recreational activities like biking, hiking, walking and bird watching on July 15. It's open on weekdays from 10am–6pm and weekends from 10am–7pm. The Trust for Governors Island will offer free ferries to all New York City Housing Authority residents. For the latest information, visit govisland.com.

NYC parks are open to the public, provided that kids and their grownups follow best practices: Wash or sanitize your hands before entering and after leaving the park, keep your social distance and wear a mask when around others.

You can access the Big Apple's family-friendly fishing spots, from catch-and-release freshwater ponds and lakes in city parks to the waterfront piers that draw serious anglers. However, the catch-and-release programs from NY Parks are suspended—you'll have to supply your own gear. Note that fishing is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and anybody 16 and older must have a fishing license—even in Central Park or Prospect Park.

Amusement parks in New York State, including Luna Park in Coney Island, Victorian Gardens in Central Park, Adventureland in Farmingdale and Fantasy Forest in Queens have postponed their opening, with new dates to be determined.

Water parks in New York State, including Splish Splash in Long Island, have postponed their opening, with new dates to be determined. 

Governor Cuomo made New York City farmers markets an essential business in the city while the entire state went on pause back in March. As a result, the show has gone on for many markets across the boroughs, including the beloved year-round markets that New Yorkers flock to in Union Square and Grand Army Plaza. Many open-air farmers markets remain open to provide New Yorkers with fresh goods from regional farmers, fishers and bakers. Now, to make shopping for fresh produce and goods at your favorite market even easier, greenmarkets are allowing folks to preorder goods online for market pickup. GrowNYC, the group behind popular farmers markets like Union Square, Tompkins Square, Tribeca, Grand Army Plaza, Fort Greene Park, Forest Hills among many others, has a google doc on their website where shoppers can browse vendors. There, New Yorkers can find vendors in alphabetical order, with a column sharing which are allowing for preorders. As some NYC markets have had to limit the number of customers shopping at any given time to allow for safe social distancing, lines have formed down the block. This pickup option could relieve stress this summer for both shoppers and staff as people can more quickly get their orders and head out.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams proposed that schools push back opening until October for elementary school, and January for middle and high school. Read the full story here.

Mayor Bill de Blasio recently addressed one of the biggest concerns of NYC families: "Will schools reopen in September?" The answer? Yes and no. The Mayor revealed that the fall term will be a mix of remote and in-person learning, and parents will also have the option to enroll their children solely in remote learning if they so choose. Read the full story here.

Although there are plenty of uncertainties surrounding the return to school this fall, one thing is clear: Remote learning won't be phased out any time soon. Recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed that NYC schools will have a mix of online and in-person learning come September. There are various scheduling possibilities, and one is that families can opt go 100% remote if you apply by August 7. Read the full story here.

New Yorkers can't stop thinking about September and what it will look like for their children. On July 8, Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed that NYC Schools will implement a mix of remote and in-person learning for the 2020-2021 academic year. As he outlined what this new norm would likely entail, he said, "Things can change along the way." Schools will reopen if a region is in Phase 4 & daily infection rate remains below 5% (14-day avg). Schools will close if the regional infection rate is greater than 9% (7-day avg) after August 1. Read the full story here.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that NYC will provide free daycare to 100,000 students in the fall. The no-cost childcare is a part of the city's plan to reopen public schools in September. Because NYC school buildings will reopen with reduced capacity, classes will follow a "blended learning" model with a mixture of in-person and remote learning. The free daycare is designed to help households fill the gaps left by blended learning. According to a statement issued by the Mayor's office,"the City's childcare options will provide relief for families who cannot stay home or find alternate care for their children on days they are not in school buildings." Read more here.

We'll help you stay on top of what's going on with NYC Schools during the new academic year with the latest on closings, at-home learning, grading policy, graduation and other changes implemented by the Governor, Mayor and Chancellor. Read the most recent updates here.

Mayor Bill de Blasio that day camps and child care centers in NYC could reopen starting Monday, July 13. All day camps and child care programs must adhere to the state guidelines that mandate masks for adults, and regulate the number of children allowed in a room. Read the full story here.

This back-to-school season is more nerve-wracking than usual.   If you—like thousands of other parents—are wondering what is in store for your kids this September, now is the time to gather questions: The NYC DOE will host a digital, citywide information session on Thursday, July 16 at 6:30pm. Read the full story here.