Our TravelBugs city guides will give you 5 fun activities for your kids when they’re visiting the major cities of the world - with or without you hanging around. Dip your kids in the local culture and have them make memories they’ll never forget.
1. Art Lab at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art)
Kids would happily stay here all day, getting messy with clay, painting, reading books, working construction toys, watching movies and taking part in interactive ipad art activities. They can even create their own sculptures to take home or have them mounted to display in the studio. (moma.org)
2. Creatively Wild Art Studio
Located in the Dumbo district under the Brooklyn Bridge, Creatively Wild is an art, dance and music studio that runs one hour classes, half day and full day camps for toddlers, kids and teens. Tiny tots can get messy with a range of art materials and techniques and teens can get creative with manga illustration, mixed media and cartooning. Parent or guardian attendance is optional, though drop-off is encouraged – which gives you the chance to have lunch at Cecconi’s nearby, wander over the Brooklyn Bridge or take the Manhattan-bound ferry to the Lower East Side. (creativelywildartstudio.com)
This indoor play space for kids (6 months – 6 years) is ideal during the baking hot summer or bitterly cold winter months. You’ll find a huge jumperoo, fireman poles, an alcove nook with magnets, building blocks, climbing nets and big and small slides – all to encourage movement and imaginative play. There are yoga, music, art and language classes and drop-off is an option. It’s located in Dumbo, between the steps for the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge pass. While you’re there, take the kids on Jane’s Carousel, a traditional carousel with restored horses that’s a much-loved feature of the area. (recessdumbo.com)Â
4. Nitehawk Cinema
This tableside service dine-in cinema in Williamsburg screens new or kids films on selected Saturday mornings for budding cinephiles. Tuck into a Lil’Hawk brunch menu of breakfast corn dogs with maple syrup, fried chicken tenders, scrambled eggs and really tasty popcorn - all in the knowledge that if your kid decides to run amok they won’t throw you out. (nitehawkcinema.com)
Set in a scenic spot on the Hudson River, Chelsea Piers is a Manhattan sports complex that covers it all: baseball, bowling, ice-skating, rock climbing, football and teen parkour are just some of the drop-in classes on offer. Toddlers also get in on the action with open play in a colourful state-of-the-art toddler gym. (chelseapiers.com)
Make your trip easy peasy with these TravelBug recommended resources:
Don’t take all the clobber with you when you can hire it on the ground during your stay. Grannys Rental will drop off all the gear you need, from monitors, gates and high chairs to car seats and buggies (grannysrental.com)
Get picked up from the airport by a car company that provides baby, toddler or booster car seats. Try Elite (eliteny.com) or First Corporate Sedans (fcsny.com)
Mommy Poppins is a great local knowledge website with daily activity suggestions and information on kids' Broadway shows, special events and museums, indoor play areas and urban water parks - a godsend in the hot summer. (mommypoppins.com)