Oliver Strand

Although New York City is renowned as a haven for adults, drawing visitors from far and wide to indulge in its world-class museums, exquisite dining and iconic landmarks, it's equally enchanting for kids and families. The city has a wealth of family-friendly attractions, sure to please everyone in the group. Among the top ten things to do in New York with family, options range from kid-friendly Broadway shows and museums to family-oriented eateries and outdoor adventures. There's no shortage of excitement for all ages—even the littlest ones will find delight in the city, with a myriad of toddler-friendly activities to enjoy. Whether you're visiting iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty or exploring serene spots like the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, there's something tailored for families at every turn. These attractions not only entertain but also provide educational experiences suitable for all ages. From the lively shores of Coney Island to the bustling streets of Times Square and beyond, discover these NYC attractions that the whole family will love. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

As peak winter kicks in and the snow piles up, thoughts turn to sledding, snowball fights, snow angels and ice skating. Adventurous crews may head for the hills to ski or snow tube, but there’s no need to venture far for a wintry day out: sledding in NYC can be just as fun. The best sledding hills are right in our own backyard, in the city’s many beautiful parks. There’s nothing better than romping around in freshly fallen snow, running up a hill and sledding right back down. No need to plan a winter weekend getaway, you can make a spur-of-the-moment decision to pack up the family and head out as soon as the flakes start to fall. From Central Park to Prospect Park, here are the best spots for getting your sled on in NYC. So bundle out, get out there and have some fun (just be careful, of course!).

If your kids treat your couch like a jungle gym every time they’re stuck indoors, it’s time to redirect that energy somewhere way more fun. Head to a trampoline park in NYC (or a little further afield) to find the high-flying, bounce-filled adventure that’ll have your little ones flipping—literally. Trampolining isn’t just one of the best indoor activities for kids; it’s the perfect combo of active and entertaining. These spots are on par with indoor amusement parks: they go beyond the basics with features like foam pits, bouncy basketball courts, ropes courses and even ninja-style obstacle setups. Whether your kids are trampoline purists or crave all the extra bells and whistles, they’ll be soaring (and laughing) for hours. So next time outdoor plans like hiking, biking or hitting up a playground aren’t on the table, these bounce-tastic trampoline parks are a guaranteed hit.

Looking for some kid-friendly outdoor fun but the weather is putting a damper on your plans? Take the fun indoors. Options like bowling and go karts are solid picks, but if you’re looking for a full-blown family adventure, these indoor amusement parks in NYC are the place to be. These spots offer endless entertainment for the kids along with food and drinks to keep them fueled for the day. From high-tech mini golf courses to climbing walls and immersive play zones, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re jumping into the action too or kicking back while keeping an eye on the kiddos. Rain or shine, snow or sleet, these indoor amusement parks in NYC and beyond deliver the kind of fun that’ll make the weather outside irrelevant.

It’s officially winter and time to plan some epic seasonal adventures with the kids. Whether it’s a classic snow angel session in Central Park, gliding across one of the city’s iconic ice skating rinks or zooming down neighborhood sledding hills, there’s no shortage of snowy fun to be had in the city. But if your crew is craving a little extra thrill, snow tubing near NYC is where it’s at. New York and surrounding states are packed with tubing spots that’ll satisfy even the most adventurous kiddos. They’ll get a real thrill as they launch down a frosty hill on a giant inflatable tube while you cheer them on—or better yet, hop on one yourself. Most snow tubing parks are located in family-friendly ski resorts, which means you can level up the experience with more winter activities and maybe extend the fun to a winter weekend getaway. So grab your coziest layers, pack the mittens and hit the road to one of these snowy hotspots for an unforgettable day of the best snow tubing near NYC.

What city is more enchanting in the winter than NYC? There’s ice skating, sledding and hot chocolate galore, plus department store decorations and of course the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Sometimes you need to shake things up, however, and these winter getaways from NYC for families are just the thing for a seasonal escape. There are plenty of family winter getaways in New York and beyond that offer a change of pace but with all the season’s charm. Got snow bunnies in the crew? Hit up a family-friendly ski resort for skiing, snowboarding or tubing. If your gang prefers sightseeing over slopes, hop aboard a scenic train ride to admire the frosty landscapes. Nature enthusiasts can cozy up in a family-friendly cabin for some R&R mixed with outdoor adventures. And if the cold’s got you down, no worries—indoor amusement parks and water parks are just a short drive away. So, grab the kids, layer up, and head out for a winter weekend getaway that’ll keep the whole family grinning from ear to ear.

While iconic NYC museums like MoMA, the Museum of Natural History, and the Met offer programs geared toward kids, their grown-up atmosphere can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming for little ones. If you’re searching for educational yet entertaining activities to enjoy with your children, kids museums in NYC are the perfect destinations. These spaces feature interactive exhibits where kids can explore, play and learn without the worry of strict gallery rules—or the fear of breaking anything. These museums aren’t just kid-friendly; they’re fantastic spots for the whole family to enjoy together. Plus, they’re ideal for indoor fun on days when the weather refuses to cooperate. For even more hands-on, imaginative play, be sure to explore the city’s creative playgrounds, where innovative designs inspire learning and creativity through active play.

Decades ago, the surest sign that Christmastime had arrived were when the cartoons hit television. Seeing claymation Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown and his sad little tree, even the mean old Grinch, always let you know that merriment, mirth and piles of presents were just around the corner. Things are a bit different in the streaming era, when nothing just magically appears on your TV set. But it is possible to tap back into that feeling of childlike wonder, or at least recreate it for your own kids. Whether it’s new classics like Frozen and Klaus or the timeless tales that have thrilled generations, there’s really no better way to ring in the most wonderful time of the year than with an animated Christmas movie. Here are 21 to queue up and get the whole house in the spirit of the season. Recommended: 🎅 The 50 best Christmas movies of all-time🎄 🐭 The best Disney Christmas movies to stream for the holidays

For adults, Thanksgiving is a day of stress. If you’re hosting, there’s the pressure of pulling off a high-stakes feast and the annoyance of forcing conversation with the relatives you spend the rest of the year avoiding. But for kids, it rules quite hard. No school, no real obligations, a televised parade in the morning and an all-you-can-eat home-cooked buffet at night. What’s not to love? In between the aforementioned parade and the annual stuffing of the face, though, there’s typically a lot of downtime. Why not fill those hours with a movie or three? Sure, the canon of Thanksgiving movies is not nearly as bountiful as Christmas movies, but these 12 should keep the wee ones distracted as you rush to get the turkey carved and drown out Uncle Jimmy’s rantings. RECOMMENDED: 🦃 The 20 best Thanksgiving movies for your post-feast viewing📚 The best Thanksgiving books for kids🎄 The 50 best Christmas movies of all-time🎃 The best Halloween movies of all-time

¡Haz que cada noche se convierta en noche de películas con los mejores filmes de Disney de todos los tiempos! No importa si eres más de los clásicos como Pinocho, Dumbo y 101 Dálmatas o de películas más recientes como Intensamente 2, Un Mundo extraño y La Dama y el Vagabundo ¡en esta lista lo tenemos todo! Así que prepara los snacks, acomódate bien en tu sillón, apaga las luces y que empiece la magia del cine desde la comodidad de tu casa y en compañía de toda tu familia.  También te puede interesar. 10 lugares para visitar con niños en otoño.

Kids today will never understand what it was like to not have every cartoon you could possibly want to watch available directly at their fingertips. In the pre-streaming days, children – and, by proxy, their parents – were effectively in thrall to whatever happened to be on Nickelodeon, Fox Kids or Disney Channel at any given moment. Most of the time, it was something loud, obnoxious and more interested in selling a toy than keeping your little one entertained. It’s much different now, and probably for the better. Today, parents can pick and choose what to put in their children’s eyeballs. Of course, the deluge of choice can also lead to feeling overwhelmed. So let us give you a hand. These are 31 of the best cartoons for kids currently streaming. Recommended: ✍ The 100 best animated movies of all-time👪 The best family movies of all time to stream👶 The best movies for toddlers

Whether by choice or cultural osmosis, if you’re alive today, you grew up on Disney. The House of Mouse is simply inescapable. Whether that’s good or bad is up for debate. What’s indisputable is that the country more or less invented modern animation in the United States, and has produced some of the greatest family films of all-time, from the 1940s all the way up to right now. Of course, you don’t become an entertainment monolith without producing a lot of crud along the way. The company’s long history is marked with crazy-high peaks and some very low valleys - after all, there’s a reason Disney has gone through several ‘renaissance’ periods. Nearly all of it is available on the treasure trove of Disney+, but that hardly means you can pick a flick at random and know you’re getting something of quality. To help you separate the classics from the direct-to-video cash-ins, we swan-dived into the catalogue a la Scrooge McDuck and rounded up 50 can’t-miss picks for your family movie night. From the Golden Age to the Renaissance to Pixar, these are the absolute best Disney movies ever. Recommended: ✍ The 100 best animated films of all-time👪 The 50 best kids movies to watch as a family🤣 The best family comedy movies

Since 2014, Teens Take The Met! has welcomed youngsters from across the city for a night of entertainment. This year the party is going online with a virtual Teens Take the Met! on Friday, Nov 6 from 3-8pm on Instagram. The lineup for this all-day celebration includes art making, games, music and so much more. Ages 13–18. 

The Children's Museum of the Arts in SoHo will Zoom into your home—literally. CMA Live! is a series of online interactive activities that let kids join Zoom meetings and take part in sing-alongs, create their own artworks, explore creative movement and much more. There are new events every day of the week. Some classes are free, while others require a fee; registration is a must for all events. This month, expect a sculpture class, Thanksgiving centerpiece class and more! All ages.

This annual bash is one of Brooklyn's hippest Halloween hangs. This year, it's going virtual. Costumed cuties can participate in a costume contest, let a magician wow them with neat tricks, sit in for stories, boogey at the digital dance party and more. Ages 4–12.

Once only accessible through web cam, "Spineless" is finally open at the New York Aquarium for in-person viewing. Park-goers can learn all about lagoon jellies, Pacific octopi and other backbone-lacking invertebrates that call the ocean home. All ages.

This twilight parade of handmade paper lanterns, which is going digital for its ninth anniversary, is a gorgeous welcome to fall. Every year, more than 50 creatures and shapes are created by members of the community. From Sept 17–19, at home lantern kits will be distributed at a socially-distanced pick-up location outside of Miller Theatre at Columbia University. This year's theme is inspired by the Langston Hughes poem "Harlem Night Song." A few weeks later, the lanterns are in a glowing procession that starts in Morningside Park and winds its way up to Columbia. On Oct 26 at 7pm, you can watch the parade video online and see the creations come to life. However, Morningside Lights is magical even if you're just a spectator. All ages.

Do dinosaurs like to play in the surf? Kiddie music superstar Laurie Berkner of "We Are the Dinosaurs" fame will answer that question with her Dinosaur Beach Party, a live online concert on Sunday, August 9 at 5pm. The interactive event includes crafts in the virtual lobby before and after the show! Get your tickets online. Ages 6 and under.

Get your origami on with Folding Fridays from MoMATH, the National Museum of Mathematics. Origami expert Kathleen Sheridan will lead a class every Friday at 3pm, teaching you the ancient art of paper folding—and the mathematics behind those elegant forms. Ages 7 and up.

The New York City Ballet is providing free access workshops via Zoom for children with disabilities ages 4-12—all you have to do is register. The 45-minute workshops are held every Wednesday at noon through August 19. Every session includes a warm-up followed by choreography inspired by some of the ballet's most celebrated performances. There is also a class for teens and adults with disabilities ages 13 and up. Ages 4-12.

BCM+You lets you enjoy activities from the Brooklyn Children's Museum in your home for free. The dozens of hands-on art activities and up-tempo movement exercises you'll find online will help you make this a crafty, upbeat time for your kids. All ages.

The New York Transit Museum has taken Transit Tots online! Now your little ones can listen to stories, create crafts and play transportation-themed games at home. New videos are posted every Tuesday and Thursday. Ages 2 to 5.

The American Museum of Natural History is hosting a day of live online events that highlight NASA's upcoming mission to Mars. On Wednesday, July 29, MarsFest at Home will feature a special edition of the Museum’s Scientists at Home program, a live guided virtual flight with Caltech professor and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Research Scientist Bethany L. Ehlmann, a space comedy jam and more. All ages. 

Dessert Goals is going online this year with Digital Dessert Goals, a two-day interactive event on July 31 and August 1 that will include live panels, baking demos, dessert happy hour, a morning fitness class and other family-friendly activities. Participants include Buttery Popcorn Co., Gracie Baked, Illuminatea, Insomnia Cookies, Little Red Kitchen Treats and more. Tickets are available here. All ages.

June 2021 Update: While NeON Summer was a 2020 initiative, you can find out more NeON programs—including both free and paid opportunities—at the official NeON Site. You can also check out a digital magazine put together by last year's participants here! This summer, the Big Apple will pay young New Yorkers to learn online. Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced NeON Summer, a new initiative that will enroll 2,700 youth in six weeks of online instruction that will help build skills, focus career goals ad express creativity. Participating New Yorkers will receive a stipend, and could earn up to $1,200. Only certain New Yorkers are eligible. NeON Summer is open to young people ages 14-24 who live in the seven Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) communities of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, East New York, Harlem, Jamaica, North Staten Island and the South Bronx; who live in the 27 hardest-hit COVID-19 communities; or who live anywhere in New York City and are on probation. The program helps offset the lack of opportunity available to some young New Yorkers. Applications from those living in NeON communities and the hardest-hit COVID-19 communities are due June 15. The online programs will be run by community-based organizations that specialize in mentorship, cultural, arts programming, mental health and wellness services. According to the city, NeON Summer is "designed to strengthen social, civic, and leadership abilities."  NeON Summer will help fill the gap left by the

Update: Culture Pass will resume free admission to these 25 NYC attractions beginning Nov 1.  Why use Culture Pass? It's like having a free membership to New York City. The lineup includes everything from the Intrepid, to the recently-expanded MoMA, to the New York Botanical Garden, to the New York Transit Museum to other amazing family attractions. Not only will you find international headliners such as the Museum of Natural History and the Met, you’ll see local gems such as the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning and the Wyckoff House Museum.   Many of the best kids museums in NYC participate, including the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Children’s Museum of the Arts and the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling. Others have great family programs, including the Jewish Museum, the Museum of Arts and Design, the Museum of the City of New York, the New-York Historical Society, Wave Hill and the Whitney Museum of American Art. (You'll find a full list below.) If you haven’t used Culture Pass: Don’t worry—it’s easy to register and take advantage of the fun things to do with kids in NYC. All you need is a valid library card from the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library or Queens Public Library with an active PIN and to be 13 or older. That’s it. No library card? No sweat: Go online or visit any branch, and you can get one for free in a couple of minutes. Now you’re ready to take advantage of one of the major perks of

Update: "Additional programs are opening every week across the City to provide supervised learning and enrichment activities for young people who can’t be at home or in school. We will continue adding seats on a rolling basis throughout the fall, eventually reaching 100,000 young people by December,”  Mark Zustovich, spokesman, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) said. As of the week of Oct 12, 18,515 students on the roster for all Learning Bridges programming, including early childhood and K-8. Seats are being added every week, and the NYC DOE expects to serve 100,000 children by December. You can learn more online.  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. Students will be in classrooms 2-3 days per week, and stay at home 2-3 days per week—if NYC meets the benchmarks set by Governor Andrew Cuomo.  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." Students in 3K-8th grade enrolled in the progra

How do you talk about racial unrest, protests and news reports with your children?   We're here to help you navigate these sensitive subjects. Whether you already brought up these topics in a family meeting or you decided that now is the time to address these issues, we found books, essays, videos and websites that can lead you through discussions that are careful, thoughtful and age-appropriate. Books and essays • Books about race that celebrate diversity There are many fantastic children's books that will help your kids address these issues as they arise. They include AntiRacist Baby, a forthcoming board book for kids 3 and under; Hands Up!, a joyful picture book for ages 4–8 and New Kid, a Newbery-winning graphic novel for ages 8–12, among others. Some of these books can be downloaded for free on SimplyE, the e-reader from the New York Public Library. • "Talking to Kids About George Floyd" This short essay from the nonprofit Child Mind Institute is essential reading. It suggests we don't avoid the subject, be calm and factual, listen to our kids and let them ask questions—and be honest when we don't know the answer.   • Helping Children Cope with Crisis  This activity book from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development can be downloaded for free.  • The Conscious Kid  This book subscription service is for kids ages 3 and under, and readers ages 4–8. It highlights works from underrepresented groups.  Online Resources • Embrace Race Dedicated to rai

New York City continues to reopen, but it's not always clear what families can and cannot do. Parents and kids can go to a playground and spend time running around at one of the 50 best in NYC. Families can eat outside and enjoy a meal at one of our favorite outdoor restaurants. But as for a visit to one of the best kids' museums in NYC, that's more complicated.  While some locations have announced opening plans, others will remain closed for the immediate future. Here is our guide to the reopening plans of kids' museums in NYC. Be sure to check back regularly for updates.  American Museum of Natural History Members will be able to visit beginning Sept 2 and the general public will be able to visit beginning Sept 9. Learn more about its opening and new safety features. Brooklyn Children's Museum  BCM will reopen on Oct 10. Advanced registration is recommended, as only a limited number of tickets will be sold at the front desk. Learn more on brooklynkids.org.   Photograph: Courtesy Wendy Connett   Children's Museum of the Arts CMANY won't reopen its doors in 2021. Learn more about its virtual programming online.  Children's Museum of Manhattan CMOM is reopening for members on Oct 1 and to the general public on Oct 16. Timed tickets are required. Learn more online. Jewish Children's Museum JCM will reopen on Aug 24 with limited capacity. Advanced registration is required.  Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum The Intrepid will reopen Sept 25 at limited capacity. Advanced regi

Will schools open in September?  This simple question has become one of the most contested issues in NYC this summer. Earlier this month, Mayor Bill de Blasio released plans for schools to reopen as scheduled on Sept 10 with blended learning, a mix of remote and in-person instruction. Governor Andrew Cuomo responded with an update on the academic year by outlining the state's "data-driven guidance for reopening schools." Now, some NYC officials are considering a delayed start to the new year.  Public Advocate Jumaane Williams just proposed that schools push back opening until October for elementary school, and January for middle and high school. He addresses issues that currently remain uncertain, including:   • Setting a budget to make possible any necessary infrastructure changes • Conducting a childcare survey to gauge needs • Engaging a reopening task force driven by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene   By framing school reopening a health issue, rather than primarily an economic or political issue, Williams echoes City Council member and Education Chair Mark Treyger, who tweeted that the "school year should begin later in the fall to allow for DOE & schools to fully plan and program a safe reopening." THREAD: Here’s the 411 on my School Reopening Plan: - School year should begin later in the fall to allow for DOE & schools to fully plan and program a safe reopening- Prioritize access to in-person instruction for younger students, students w

Good news for families with STEAM-minded kids: The GIANT Room, the maker space and gallery in Chelsea, will reopen in August. When the innovation hub opened last year, it was an immediate hit with creative thinkers ages 3–12 excited to work with 3-D printers, painting spaces, laser cutters and other innovative tools that engage curious minds. We can attest that visiting the GIANT Room is one of the best things to do with kids in NYC—it's up there with treating everybody to a cone of the best soft-serve spots in the city. The GIANT Room will reopen on Thursday, August 6 with "Futurescaping," an installation by artist Lexy Ho-Tai that features a utopian world called "Kookerville" made from found and recycled materials. The virtual gallery opening will include a puppet-making workshop and will take place online via Zoom. (RSVP here to attend the free event.)   Photograph: Courtesy GIANT Room   Visitors can stop by the GIANT Room on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am–4pm to see the installation, pick up free activities and purchase STEAM kits designed by the staff. More free online workshops will take place in the coming weeks. In addition, families or pods can book a private session and have the entire GIANT Room to themselves. Two-hour private sessions are held Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and cost $500 for up to six children and two adults. You'll get to use all of the GIANT Room's tools and maker spaces, and the team will structure activities and workshops based on your int

NYC might be reopening, but many families are still left wondering what they can and cannot do with their children. Even though we're deep into the season, parents are asking "Is summer camp canceled?"  Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that day camps and child care can reopen under strict new guidelines. While some camps have reopened with those limitations in mind, others opted for a virtual experience that will let your little one enjoy learning with other kids (and goofing off over Zoom!) while staying safe at home. We tracked programs from our 2020 camp issue and other popular offerings that NYC families love, and complied their latest lineups here, including schedules and pricing. Summer isn't over yet! There's still plenty of time for (virtual) camp fun. Read on for more info and check back frequently, as we'll be updating this page regularly.  92Y 92 Y Virtual Camp Live is open to ages 5–13 and runs until  August 21 with full and half days available. Activities run the gamut from Zumba and cooking to STEM and filmmaking. One week is $250, one week half-days are $175 and drop-ins are $40. Register online.  American Museum of Natural History Online Camp The virtual summer camp from the AMNH uses online learning to spark thought-provoking hands-on investigations, and includes guided virtual tours of Museum exhibits. The camps are divided into grades 2-3, 4-6 and 6-9. Camps for grades 2-3 include Key to the Kingdoms of Life and Planetary Power, while grades 4-6 can get geo

UPDATE: After a hectic spring, Pasta Louise will open on July 27, offering limited take-out dishes before graduating to full meals in a few weeks when restrictions lift.  View this post on Instagram 🎉🎉JULY 27🎉🎉 . . A little over a week! We’ll be starting out with coffee, ice cream, egg sandwiches, banana bread, beer and wine... and moving toward full on meals in the next couple of weeks! I’ll be posting every day til opening, introducing you to our amazing staff and giving you a peak at our products! A post shared by Pasta Louise | BKLYN (@pastalouise) on Jul 18, 2020 at 1:40pm PDT   If the stars align—and the contractors keep to their schedules—Allison Arevalo will open Pasta Louise in Park Slope (803 8th Ave) in late May. Arevalo is a prophet of pasta, the chef and author behind Homeroom, a mac-and-cheese restaurant in Oakland, CA, and Pasta Friday, a weekly meal that became a community-building event—and a cookbook! As Sophia Loren once said, "Everything you see I owe to spaghetti.” When Arevalo moved back to New York with her family, she decided to open the kind of family-friendly where she would want to go: A fun restaurant that lets kids be kids, and that lets adults eat and drink like adults. Pasta Louise will give back to Brooklyn with the Pasta Rose Scholarship, which will be awarded to college-bound high school students who have lost a parent to cancer. What more could you want from great family restaurants in NYC?  Photograph: Courtesy Sara

UPDATE: The Strand's UWS location will open at 11am on Wednesday, July 15. The store will be open Tuesday–Sunday from 11am–6pm. Learn more on the bookstore's website.  The reports of print's death have been greatly exaggerated: The Strand Bookstore, the legendary literary emporium, will open a second location on the Upper West Side at 450 Columbus Ave by the end of March 2020. The Strand is taking over the space formerly occupied by Book Culture, which will continue to operate three locations in New York. The 12-year lease begins next week. The Strand will start renovating the store immediately, and the signature apple-red awning should be up before too long. Photograph: Courtesy the Strand Bookstore Take note that this is going to be a mini-Strand, with a main floor clocking in at 3500 square-feet—this will be fairly intimate, with the scale and the character of a neighborhood bookstore. Good news for families: There will be a children's section, with weekend storytime just like at the flagship Strand close to Union Square, which is one of the best storytime for kids locations in New York City. Times for the new locale have yet to be revealed.  So, get ready to welcome the Strand when it opens. Browse our newly updated list of the 101 best books for kids of all ages, and make a list of the books you want to get for your kids, and to give away—books make for perfect birthday presents! The timing couldn't be better. When April showers come to town, this new location of the S

UPDATE: Mayor Bill de Blasio that day camps and child care centers in NYC can reopen on Monday, July 13. All day camps and child care programs must adhere to the state guidelines outlined below.  Big news for families in New York: Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that child care and day camps may reopen provided that they follow a strict set of guidelines. It's just the latest major announcement from Albany that will shape what families in NYC can and cannot do right now. In recent days, Governor Cuomo issued a statement that allows playgrounds to reopen, but made the decision that sleepaway camp must remain closed. In other words: Your children are allowed to spend time outside and play with other kids, but they must be placed in small groups that don't change every day, and they must follow social distance rules. The rules issued by New York State for day camp and child care facilities include: • Staff must wear a face mask at all times when with children; masks should be provided by the employer at no cost • Hand sanitizer must be available in all common areas • Staff and children groups will be stable, and ideally stay the same whenever and wherever possible • Group size must be limited to no more than 10 children; different groups of children should have no contact or minimal contact with one another or use spaces at the same time • Physical activities should have little or no physical contact, such as hiking and running • Field trips are discouraged, as are any activitie

Update from the NYPL: As part of New York City’s reopening, The New York Public Library is beginning the careful, phased process of returning limited service to its physical locations. Starting on Monday, July 13, we will begin by offering grab-and-go service at eight library locations. At each of these locations, patrons will be able to access a limited area for returns and to pick up materials that they’ve reserved. Patrons can start placing holds on physical materials via our online catalog starting on Monday, July 6 in advance of the reopening, or via phone starting July 13. The New York Public Library turns 125 on Saturday, and it’s celebrating the big 1-2-5 by giving a gift to the children of New York by releasing a list titled “125 Kids Books We Love.”  The list was put together by expert librarians, and only includes books for readers ages 12 and under published after May 23, 1895—the day of the library system’s incorporation. Most of the titles on the list can be borrowed online using SimplyE, the free e-reader from the NYPL—the libraries might be closed for now, but your little reader can access each and every one of these amazing books from home. “125 Kids Books We Love” isn’t a best-of list (we took care of that for you with the 101 best books for kids of all ages), and it isn’t a rundown of the library’s most popular books (the NYPL already revealed the top checkouts of all time). Instead, the “125 Kids Books We Love” is a giant bear hug of a list that helps you