Lindsey Garland

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to summer camps in NYC Ranging from helping high-functioning kids with learning disabilities and Asperger's to helping those with more serious differences, these special needs camps allow children to play sports, take field trips and enjoy music activities in environments that work within kids' limitations without limiting their potential.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to summer camps in NYC Niche-loving children will have no shortage of camp programs to choose from this year—there are more special interest summer camps for kids in New York City than ever before.Mini fashionistas can use their summer break to learn the ins and outs of the fashion industry while future Top Chef contestants can try their hand at making chocolate. Other special interest summer camps for kids include architecture classes, film-making programs and foreign language session.  

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to summer camps in NYC While older kids may head off to a specialized program or sleepway camp for the summer, the city's youngest children also have plenty of summer camp options. Little ones can choose from a wide variety of summer camps for kids including a number of half day programs at city play spaces like Kidville and Apple Seeds. Another favorite: Preschool camps that offer kids the option to play in rooftop sprinklers, participate in field trips and make crafts.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to summer camps in NYC Middle and high school students who have outgrown finger painting and cheesy games have more mature, challenging summer camp options than ever. At these summer camps for teens, participants can work with their peers to hone their skills in performing arts, science, technology and fashion, or to learn how to become a counselor at a little kids' camp. Looking for a more traditional summer camp? The 92nd Street Y's camps for teens, known as Trailblazers, offer both overnight stints and daytime excursions to amuseument parks and sporting events.

The grilling, music and outdoor fun that define Independence Day in NYC are great, but we all know that they’re just a precursor to the main event—the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks. This year’s show definitely delivered, giving us a pyrotechnic extravaganza over the Hudson that took more than 40,000 fireworks to create. This year’s show was curated by pop superstar Usher, who also mixed an original playlist that was broadcast on Z100 during the celebration. And for the first time, the Empire State Building made its own contribution to the yearly spectacle, putting on an LED light show during the fireworks finale that was synchronized with the colorful explosions. Missed it? No worries—scroll through our photos for a look at some of the city's patriotic families enjoying the jaw-dropping display.

For 36 years, Macy’s has dominated the Independence Day festivities with its Fourth of July fireworks show, but this year, another NYC icon (and one of our favorite family attractions!) is joining in the celebration—the Empire State Building. The skyscraper will contribute an LED light show with its new Tower Lights, which will coordinate with the effects of the fireworks during the finale of the 25-minute show. The lights and fireworks will also be choreographed to a playlist curated by Usher—keep an ear out for a mash-up of Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York and Alicia Keys’s and Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind. So, if you and the family are fighting the crowds to nab a front-seat view of the pyrotechnics this year, don’t forget to look back at the NYC skyline during the finale for a glimpse of the Empire State Building—it shouldn’t be hard to miss!The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks begin at approximately 9:25pm on Thursday, July 4; watch on NBC or listen to the patriotic tunes on Z-100 and 1010 WINS.

At these winter break camps, city kids can rock out, make art, take to the stage or learn to cook. Most off all, though, they'll have a blast during this year's holiday recess. RECOMMENDED: ALL WINTER BREAK ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS Art CMA Winter Art ColonyAt Fine Arts Studio, campers study famous artists and learn techniques of drawing and painting, printmaking and sculpture. When they’ve learned the fundamentals of each, they can pick their favorite medium to pursue an independent art project. At the Winter Animation camp, future filmmakers work together to produce a film medley using stop motion animation. The final product will be posted online on the CMA Blog so the young directors can show off their work to friends and family. Dec 26–28 9am–5pm. Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St between Greenwich and Hudson Sts (212-274-0986, cmany.org). $400. Ages 6 to 12. HIART! HOLIDAY ART CAMPIn each of these three winter sessions, kids explore a variety of art forms including manga drawing, sculpture, painting, paper-making, and bookmaking, each introduced by a teaching artist expert. Campers also go on gallery hops to view other artists’ work. The half day for younger campers requires an adult companion, and the full day session includes free lunch. Dec 17—21, Dec 26–28, Jan 2–4 9:30am—noon (ages 3 to 5) or 9:30am–3pm (ages 5 to 15). 227 W 29th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-209-1552, hiartkids.com). Full day $175 per day, $800 full week. Half day $95 per day, $45

From the city's best new sports hub for little athletes to a beer-garden in Brooklyn that's extremely kid-friendly, our best of 2013 list has something for every New York City family. Read on to see which attractions, birthday party entertainers, restaurants and other things to do in New York City our editors named the best of 2013. Plus, find out who took top honors in our best of 2013 readers' choice poll! 

Whether you've got a household full of natural athletes or your crew is making a New Year's resolution to adopt a healthier lifestyle, exercising as a family is always a good idea. It can be overwhelming to pick the right place for you and your little ones, so we've done the work for you, scouring the city for the top fitness centers, gyms, sports venues and specialty spots that will make this year your healthiest yet. Read on for our family-friendliest picks.