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The Upper West Side is home to some of the best teaching programs in New York, and with it comes one of the best bookstores for little ones. You'll find everything from kids classics to the newest and best titles selected by the store's knowledgeable staff.

If you have a stationery or sticker addict on your hands, they’re going to freak. This Japanese mega-store facing Bryant Park is one of our favorite midtown oases, and a solid option for a quick sushi cafeteria-style lunch. There’s an entire floor dedicated to Japanese manga comic books, a solid selection of design books and international fashion magazines, but the basement is the main draw. There, aisle after aisle is stuffed with an incredible array of Japanese stationery goods—adorable pens, pencils, notebooks, and erasers to last a lifetime.

It's not that the clothes stocked at this subtly other-worldly (and easy to overlook) boutique are necessarily Parisian, but many of the brands—Demylee, Vanessa Bruno, Megan Park, Golden Goose—have that seasonless quality that the French pull off so well. This is not to say that the array isn’t without its wonderful eccentricities, whether it’s a doll-shaped Servane Gaxotte necklace, or a cat-bedecked Tsumori Chisato tunic. But we digress, because the real siren song is the kid’s selection, packed with Bonton pullovers, Anais & I party dresses, and Finger in the Nose jeans. There’s also a handful of toys from iconic brands like Villac.

This under-the-radar Japanese brand puts out all sorts of cool and totally quirky prints and graphics that are both great and at times hilarious. (I.e., the tag in your toddler's pineapple-printed shorts might read: Big Goals Every Day.) The other big appeal is the cut: The pants and jeans in particular are good for skinnier, harder-to-fit babies and kids. There's also a location in the Financial District and Soho.

This mega-pharmacy is so large (15,000 square feet, spread across three floors) it’s actually deemed a department store: Sure, you can drop off a prescription, but most people come here to pick up anything from old-fashioned throat lozenges to Mason Pearson hairbrushes to fancy shampoo and lipstick. The prices fit the setting (it’s just a stone’s throw from The Carlyle), but they have the services to match, from quick delivery, to house accounts, to shipping prescriptions to you anywhere in the world. They also have an excellent toy store named Zittles which consumes the entire third floor, carrying old-fashioned favorites like Barbie, Madame Alexander dolls, and a solid selection of dress up clothes.

Perfect little cashmere cardigans and sweater dresses, slouchy tunic tops, and floral printed camisoles are typical of the Parisian-inflected kids clothing here. Prices are steep, making this a good option for a special gift.

This Brooklyn store is among our very favorite toy shops, and for good reason: Just about everything, from the wooden toys, to the hand-sewn cloth dolls, to the musical instruments and craft kits (of which there are many), is intended to ignite a kid’s imagination. And in keeping with their small, sustainable vibe, they feature the work of many small, local Brooklyn designers.

While its name might suggest that this shop traffics in frothy pastel pink and blue onesies, the colorful shelves suggest otherwise. Sweet William focuses on small, lesser known labels—Molo, Bobo Choses, boy + girl—that are, in their words, environmentally and ethically responsible. It’s all equal parts chic and adorable, from mohair cardigans and fox-emblazoned backpacks, to metallic lace-ups and psychedelic rabbit sweatshirts. In addition to clothing, they offer plenty of wooden toys from archival brands like Persephere & Trylon, as well as colorful Rouxrou blankets. There's a second location in Brooklyn, as well as an outpost in Los Angeles.

This West Village staple—in business since 2002—offers an artful-meets-streamlined aesthetic, meaning that there’s enough exuberance in the clothing picks to appeal to most kids, while the shapes and silhouettes make parents happy. Whether it’s an Imps & Elfs onesie or a Tutu du Monde swan queen tutu, there’s plenty of cuteness to go around, as well as bedding, toys, and furniture. In fact, owner Cristina Villegas offers design services for kids rooms, opening up her rolodex of unique suppliers from around the world.

While take-out from the 1914 original on East Houston is an unparalleled New York City experience, the wonderfully turned-out, old-world café is about a ten minute walk from the mothership, with waits that are two or three times that long. We heartily recommend the classic open-face sandwich, the super heebster nosh with wasabi roe, and matzo ball soup. Dying to try next: Chocolate babka french toast, along with their potato latkes.

If you have an American Girl collector on your hands, then, well, this is the mothership. Besides the shop, there’s a hair salon (yep, a hair salon for dolls), a photo studio, and a café, where kids and their dolls can feast together on brunch, tea, lunch, or dinner. Seating times are strict, and reservations are required.

Apart from the tasty Italo-American dishes—homemade spaghetti (kids go nuts for it) and the perfect roast chicken—the music is what really sets this restaurant apart. Colorful old-school boombox prints decorate the walls, and Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, and Dre boom from the speakers, making the meal a good one for a big group (they actually have a private dining room if you're inviting more than ten people), rather than an intimate gathering.

There’s not much to confuse or offend on this un-intimidating, all-American menu. It’s based on comfort food, meaning you’ll find casual basics like great mashed potatoes, pancakes, and pies galore. The no-frills, laid-back atmosphere makes the restaurant kid-friendly, as do sweet offerings, like the homemade pie (they're most famous for key lime).

From June through October, this oyster bar aboard the historic Sherman Zwicker schooner docks at Pier 25 in Tribeca. Under yellow and white stripe canopies, servers in appropriately nautical outfits distribute casual sea-side fare and cocktails from the built-in bar. During weekend days, it’s a fun lobster roll destination with kids, and in the evenings, thanks to a solid list of schooner-themed cocktails and oysters and small plates, it’s a pretty great night out. While the location is a bit remote, it’s still conveniently close to downtown—plus, how cool is it to eat on the water?

For many years Mark Israel’s plain glazed doughnut recipe was enough to draw crowds to this Lower East Side foodie destination, but more recent additions, like Mexican churros, house-made jelly filled doughnuts, and cake doughnuts have made Doughnut Plant legitimately legendary. While you can find Doughnut Plant on the menus of many hotels and restaurants throughout NYC, we like to make an early morning pilgrimage to their original, Grand Street location.

There are few weekend morning activities quite as essential as picking up coffee and bagels at a local neighborhood shop. In the West Village, the place to go is definitely Murray’s, a long-time neighborhood favorite. They offer every conceivable type of schmear, including a great egg salad. There are tables for eating in, though these travel well, making them pretty perfect picnic fare in warmer weather.

We’re big fans of Sunday’s Smorgasburg on Pier 5, where over 70 local food and beverage vendors (like Dough, the ideal doughnut) roll out every Saturday. Situated right on the water facing downtown Manhattan, this is the perfect family pitstop, thanks to plenty of seating and green space.

Go to Junior's for old-fashioned entrees (tuna melts, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken fingers) and legendary cheesecake. (The cheesecake really is where it's at.) There are two city-centric options (one in Times Square, one in Grand Central), but if you have time, head to the original on Flatbush in Brooklyn, which still retains its 1950's aesthetic—red booths and banquettes, formica countertops, old-school uniforms, the works—and its friendly, neighborhood feel.

These Alice in Wonderland–themed spots are pretty cute (there are now three outposts), and they're a great option for mid-afternoon snacks with kids or for throwing a birthday party. Pioneered by Lauren and Haley Fox, these teashops offer perfectly brewed teas, healthy snacks, and prettily arranged sweets—from cupcakes to cookies. There is also a location on the Upper East Side and a to-go spot in Brooklyn.

You wouldn’t know it from the cute, unassuming exterior, but Erin McKenna revolutionized healthy baking (sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s true). Inside the bubble gum pink, ‘50s-inspired interior, you’ll find punk rock girls serving delicious cupcakes, cookies, and pastries, many of which are gluten- and sugar-free.

From October through mid-December, the Carlyle’s legendary Bemelmans Bar—beloved for its wall-to-wall murals painted by Madeline author and illustrator, Ludwig Bemelmans—opens up for afternoon tea and cake for kids. Little ones get to sing Madeline’s songbook along with Tina de Varon at the piano.

It’s really all about the frozen hot chocolate here, to the extent that we can’t really vouch for many of the other offerings on the menu. We do know that Serendipity 3 (named for its three founders, not three outposts) came into its own as a coffee shop. Nowadays, it offers a dense menu of classics (both savory and sweet), though kids really do freak out for the hot chocolate. Reservations suggested.

In the last few years, Westvilles have popped up all over Manhattan, which is probably a good thing since the original West Village outpost was way too tiny. You’ll find every variation of comfort food, from mac and cheese to the hot dogs that made them famous. Beyond myriad toppings and preparations, they offer vegan dogs, too. The South Village outpost is very close to the Children’s Museum of the Arts, and there are also locations in Chelsea near the Highline, and in the East Village.

Open since the end of the 19th-century, this world-class zoo—at 265 acres, one of the largest on the globe—is home to animals from the far reaches of the planet, including several endangered species and many now thriving rescues. While the idea of keeping animals in captivity can be troubling, we take comfort in the almost true to life quality of the animal's habitats, and the fact that the zoo contributes to important research and the protection of wild animals.

It would be impossible not to include Central Park—New York's most coveted green space and, in many ways, what the rest of the city orbits around. Stretching 2.5 miles from 59th to 110th Street, it offers a mix of open lawns, wooded paths, water, and formal gardens. See the iconic landmarks at least once: the cinematic Bethesda Terrace and fountain, Belvedere Castle, and The Lake—which is most memorably experienced by rowboat (rentable onsite). Seasonal moments make it worth returning to, from ice skating at Wollman Rink to Shakespeare in the Park at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater. But the real appeal is in the in-between: long walks around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir with its uninterrupted skyline views, quieter shaded paths that feel removed from the city, and the simple act of finding a bench or patch of grass to sit with a coffee. For kids, the Central Park Zoo, the petting-friendly Tisch Children's Zoo, and numerous playgrounds make for an enjoyable afternoon outdoors.

Imagination Playground, designed by David Rockwell, is one of the city's most deluxe parks for little ones, with an enormous sand-pit, Rockwell's own system of big blue blocks for kids, and plenty of water and sprinklers. It goes without saying, but you'll want to pack a change of clothes since they can't resist getting wet.

Located in the northern-most area of Battery Park City with direct views of the Hudson, this is one of the best parks in the city, with several play structures for different age groups, a water area, and a sand pit. Kids can also climb and interact with the playful Tom Otterness sculptures installed throughout the park.

Mini-golf, beach volleyball, a skate park, and a huge play structure are just the beginning at this Hudson River-adjacent park. There are also loads of water features (bring a change of clothes), swings, and climbing walls—and it’s all adjacent to Tribeca and Battery Park City, meaning there are tons of options when everyone get hungry.

Granted, this stretch is as touristy as it gets, but it’s a great day’s outing with kids. Skip the shops, and head to the South Street Seaport Museum, where you get to climb aboard several historic ships, including the Pioneer, an authentic 19th-century schooner which hosts rides from May through October. (Don't miss Bowne & Co., an old-world print shop, which is attached to the South Street Seaport Museum.)

This excellent neighborhood park—smack in the middle of Tribeca—feels like its own world. The edge is lined with trees, which gives it a veil of privacy and makes the play areas, water fountains, and jungle gyms feel like they're in a not-in-the-middle-of-a-city place.

Situated on a pier along the Hudson River, this gigantic sporting complex operates out of the "if you build it, they will come" mindset. And it’s true: Here, you’ll find year-round ice skating, a rock climbing wall, gymnastics, soccer, a driving range, and more, all situated under one sprawling roof.

Catering to serious climbers and novices alike, this massive, technicolored climbing space in Gowanus hosts casual climb sessions, lessons for kids, and serious team training. With several walls, it’s roomy enough to accommodate larger groups and families. It’s a great resource in the winter, when it’s far too cold to exercise outdoors. Also, they're open until midnight.

Originally installed in 1922 in Youngstown, Ohio, Jane and David Walentas bought the dilapidated carousel at auction in the 80s, before turning their attention to meticulously restoring it (Jane went so far as to scrape the layers of paint off with an Exacto knife, so she could color-match the artist’s original intentions). The carousel and its 48 horses are pristine now, and housed in a fitting all-glass, Jean Nouvel-designed pavilion. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of green space nearby to make a full day out of it.

Sure, it’s not officially in Manhattan, but this amazing science center is just a short train trip or drive away. Beyond boasting the largest IMAX dome in the states, there’s a Tesla coil lightning show, an outdoor obstacle course that mimics the way wildlife moves through nature, and the Touch Tunnel, where kids grope and crawl their way through a pitch black space.

This beloved institution—reigning supreme on NYC’s Upper East Side—has been shepherding millions through its halls since 1880. You’ll find some of the art world’s most iconic pieces, as well as important artifacts from ancient to modern times. It’s also home to the Egyptian Temple of Dendur, which dates back to 15 BC.

While the name might invoke childhood memories of fear and loathing for the subject, this super interactive museum might inspire an affection for math. It revolves around hands-on rides and activities that employ mathematical concepts to function—a tricycle with square wheels that rolls across a track, a chair that drifts across a pool of acorn shapes—meaning that a few hours spent here will be both fun and insightful.

Just across the street from Central Park, this sprawling space—established in 1869—is home to more than 32 million specimens: Enormous dinosaur fossils, a stampede of elephants in the main hall, and a host of gorgeous dioramas are just the start.

CMA is one of those spots that doesn’t hold any punches: Here, kids are introduced to heady tropes in contemporary art from portraiture, to process, to language, through kid-accessible exhibits featuring works by Ed Ruscha, Jenny Holzer, and more. In addition, their classes and after school programs are some of the best in the city. Check the website for the day's activity, as many are free and offsite.

This interactive museum touches on everything from the science of sleep to jazz. During warmer months, there’s also an outside water park, where kids can sail boats and study erosion through sand. With 38,000 square feet, there’s plenty to keep little ones occupied.

This exuberant Firmdale Hotels offering is sort of the perfect mix of over-the-top design flourishes and straight-up excellent hospitality, which makes it an instant hit for kids. Dotted with dog statues and bright colors, the rooms are fun, rather than stuffy, and there are lots of considerations for little ones: Adjoining rooms, cots, pint-sized bathrobes, a kid’s menu, plus babysitting service. There's also an on-site screening room.

Since its original owners first broke ground on the building in 1907, The Plaza, with its opulent décor, luxe suites, and location right along the edge of Central Park, has been a monumental presence in the city. F. Scott Fitzgerald (a regular himself) staged Gatsby’s confrontation with Tom Buchanan in a Plaza suite, Frank Lloyd Wright famously lived there for several years while he oversaw the construction of the Guggenheim Museum, and, of course, there’s Eloise (she has her own suite which regularly hosts elaborate birthday sleepovers and such). All of the rooms—and some phenomenal suites—have been recently updated to reflect a more current, but no less classic, point of view. And for those looking for a trip back in time, tea at The Palm Court is where you want to be.

Danny Meyer does a lot right at his burger chain, evidenced be the long lines at all the outposts. While we’ll always prefer the original kiosk in Madison Square Park, there’s a convenient location across from the Natural History Museum on the Upper West Side, as well as one near all the Pier 25 action in Battery Park City. We’re big fans because the meat in Meyer’s burgers and dogs is completely antibiotic- and hormone-free, as is the dairy in the shakes and custards. It’s also reliably delicious.

They brew Intelligentsia coffee here, and make a mean macchiato, though it's their work with a chai (and alternative milks) that is really winning hearts across the city. They also serve insane donuts.

There’s no lack of gelato shops in NYC, though this one is probably the best of the bunch. Handmade the Italian way, using strictly natural, seasonal ingredients, the gelato here is just sweet and creamy enough that it doesn’t feel overly heavy. The permanent location inside Chelsea Market is always a good bet, while the summer pop-up by the High Line is ideally located for grabbing a scoop or three before a stroll.

Brentwood Art Center’s classes cater to all kinds of artistic interest, from drawing techniques to comic book illustration. This summer, they’ve moved their popular art camp online. Options span learning the fundamentals of watercolors and pastels and the art of collage to fun painting and drawing classes for kids. All of this artsy activity for kids as young as five happens on Zoom. Choose whatever session suits your child and register online. For something special, the Art Center offers private tutorials across most mediums, which could be a smart solution for a virtual birthday party.

Is your family part of the 2020 class of new pet owners? If you have a new furry family member, are begged daily to adopt one by a persistent child, or simply have an animal-loving kid, PetSpace Kids Camp Online is the perfect combination of education and cuteness. A mix of games, activities, and demonstrations teach campers about grooming, animal behavior, nutrition, and more. There are plenty of virtual animal encounters, too. If a full week isn’t your jam, PetSpace also has a weekly Paws and Pages virtual story time and animal encounter, along with other online programming.

Indagare is known for curating the most adventurous trips in the travel biz, and this summer, the kids are getting a taste of Indagare-style globetrotting—from home. Camp Indagare ticks every summer camp box and then some, but online. Depending on the week’s programming, there are pizza-making classes, virtual expert-led tours through the Egyptian pyramids, painting lessons, wildlife photography classes, virtual safari drives led by real guides out in the bush, and even Greek mythology 101 live from an expert in Athens. The next camp takes place August 17 through the 21st, and there are two enrollment options: the Explorer program is $275 for complete access to all ten classes and the Adventurer option is the pay-per-class choice at $30 a pop. While the kids are occupied by, say, a savanna’s roaring lions, the grown-ups can do the adult iteration of armchair travel with Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley’s new wanderlust-y podcast, Global Conversations.

Summer 2020’s stay-at-home orders can’t crush the spirit of Camp Lightbulb’s #rainbowtribe. The camp for LGBTQ+ kids typically has outposts in LA, NYC, and Provincetown, Massachusetts, all summer long. This year, it’s gone virtual. The weeklong themed camps are just as packed with activities, including short-movie making, music videos, and learning about LGBTQ+ history, intersectionality, and activism. If full days of camp don’t work with your family’s schedule, Camp Lightbulb also has free Instagram Live yoga and virtual events to keep kids connected and offer them a chance to make new friends while staying safe.

A social club for kids is a cute idea—but a social club for kids growing up bilingual (and their families) is brilliant—and much-needed in Los Angeles. Founder Lizet Alvarez wanted to create a community to support Spanish learning and a dual-language lifestyle for her own chiquitos.

For the stir-crazy, Frost Science is open for visits with limited ticketing and masks required, but where the museum shines this summer is with virtual camps and online content. If you’re looking for something to keep kids engaged—and out of the way—for a few hours a day at home, check out the virtual camps for kids in pre-K to fifth grade (August themes include weather and engineering). For shorter projects, check out Frost Science @ Home for activity toolkits that use free science apps and household items, live cams, behind-the-scenes online tours, and thirty-minute virtual science demonstrations. This site is a good one to keep bookmarked in case you’re homeschooling come fall and need a fresh take on science class (virtual demonstrations are STEM-focused and aligned with science learning standards).

For the virtual-camp inclined, Growing Gardens offers three ways to get kids excited about the natural world, all designed to keep them engaged for about four hours a day. Full Farmer camp pairs virtual programming with materials parents can pick up from the farm before the weeklong session begins (good for locals); Rustic Gardener sets parents up with the same programming and a supply list to prep before camp begins; and Bare Soil is a just-as-fun way to follow past curricula and spread the lessons and activities out over a longer time frame. Camp is led by Growing Gardens’ environmental educators, who have video calls with campers and supplement by video-based activities like crafts centered around gardening and growing, snack recipes, and games kids can get their families involved in. Image courtesy of Paul Hanaoka.

While the physical Kidspace property is closed due to current restrictions, the seriously robust online offering makes this temporary loss easier to handle. Kidspace-at-Home has a full online roster of creative programming tailored around arts-and-crafts, science, and animals for all age groups. The art projects are especially well conceived and involve the bits and pieces you probably already have at home: painting rocks from the garden, making rainbow popsicles to slurp outside, even homemade slime (parents, don’t panic—it’s an easy-to-contain mix of corn starch, dish soap, water, and food coloring).

Learn how to pipe a buttercream rosette, smoosh icing over sponge, and make shell shapes under the watchful Zoom eye of NY Cake Academy instructors. The best part of this clever program is that once you’re registered, the academy mails you a full kit of everything you might need, saving you the hassle of finding (and going to the store and buying) a pastry bag or that offset spatula you swear you own but can never find. Set your kid up in the kitchen with their kit, hit play, and leave them to it for an hour.

Teacher, educator mentor, and curriculum designer Agata Young’s UK-based sensory learning center offers weekly sensory learning classes on YouTube, as well as a library of content on Facebook. While the classes are designed for babies up to thirteen months, sensory learning is all about exploring colors, textures, sound, and movement (and developing critical pathways in the brain), so it’s easy to get older kids involved, too. While you’re gathering the recommended props for a class, have toddlers pick out their own toys to use while following along.

The Broad's modern and contemporary art collection is vast—what you see on any particular visit represents only a smidge of the total collection. Luckily, they're constantly rotating pieces in and out of the museum, and the gallery looks a little different every time you go. You can solidly expect to see Warhols, Basquiats, Harings, and Lichtensteins, and surely some massive Jeff Koons balloon sculptures. Admission is free, and the museum releases a limited number of same-day tickets, but it's best to book in advance. If you'd like to see the museum's special exhibitions, you'll need to book a timed-entry ticket for a fee.

Kids are tiny balls of energy. Yoga burns energy. Put the two together and you have Shorty Yoga. We love this cute but not cutesy space, with its La Colombe cappuccinos, free Wi-Fi, and stellar range of classes for littles of every age.

Flip your vacation on its head and give the kids a fun, safe camping experience without the sweaty sleeping bags and failed campfire. Nestled in a secluded corner of Dos Pueblos orchid farm, with easy beach access, Camp’d Out’s location gets campsite views right, but also sets you up with queen beds, lightweight linens, lanterns, umbrellas, chairs, and a shared bathroom. While smaller families will fit in one tent, there’s also a three-tent setup available for groups of up to ten.

First, pick a ceramic item to paint: It’s not just cups and plates here; there are also have figurines of dinosaurs, mermaids, and pets. The helpful and socially distant staff is on hand to supply paints, stencils, and sponges to make the plain white ceramics your own, no matter your painting skill. When you’re done, they take your work, glaze it, and fire it for you to collect a few days later. But these days we prefer the at-home option. For a special occasion, the team will set up at your home (ideally in the yard) for some messy, artsy fun. Otherwise, there’s an incredible Zoom option, where an experienced teacher will lead your child (or gang of kids) through a ceramic painting how-to. All instructions and a list of materials needed are emailed ahead of time.

This kids’ gym offers gymnastics classes for a range of age groups—beginning with the Jump Starters class for twelve-month-olds and expanding into more-advanced courses for tweens up to twelve. With current COVID restrictions in place, Dan the Man has gone virtual with a series of instructor-led warm-ups, gymnastics, and movement classes for children, from toddlers to kids ages five and older. Set up a cushioned space, press play, and let them work off their energy in the safety of home.

JAG Gym pays an incredible amount of care and attention to its students, and the range of classes tailored to different ages and skill levels proves it. The gym is strictly following CDC guidelines, and thanks to an expansive space, social distancing is easy. Class sizes have been reduced, and all staffers wear face coverings and undergo daily temperature checks. Throughout the summer and into the fall, JAG is running its usual volume of gymnastics classes, plus full- and half-day camps for children five and up.

When the Los Angeles sunshine starts to feel a little too hot, Pickwick Ice Center is an oasis of cool indoor activity.

This ranch, built in 1941 by famous horseman Egon Merz, is where Elizabeth Taylor trained for her role in National Velvet. Classes specializing in hunting, jumping, and dressage are available alongside general riding lessons. To enroll your child or book a session, the quickest way to get up-to-date programming is by contacting the ranch on WhatsApp at 310.503.6789.

Horseback riding is the perfect socially distanced outdoor activity. Sure, you can drive to the base of the Hollywood sign, but why not ride a horse around it instead? Located in Griffith Park, Sunset Ranch leads one- or two-hour trail rides, offering unparalleled vistas of Hollywood and the Los Angeles sprawl—at dusk, this experience is pure magic for kids with later bedtimes. All riders maintain a six-foot distance, and the ranch is open for riding parties starting at $100 a person.

COVID-19 update: Email to arrange a one-on-one class.

Forty minutes north of Los Angeles, this animal rescue and educational center has switched up its tour program and is now offering a drive-through experience that takes kids (and their chauffeurs) on a behind-the-scenes farm tour. Four-legged residents include cows, pigs, donkeys, sheep, emus, horses, chickens, and more. After their epic drive-through day trip, kids can check in with the animals on The Gentle Barn’s livestreams—and even sponsor an animal or send them some hay. The Gentle Barn also offers personalized virtual tours for a fun surprise without leaving home.

If you’ve got a little one obsessed with ice hockey, look no further: There are plenty of free skate and mini hockey league options here—and this is where the LA Kings (and their rivals) practice. Under current restrictions, locker rooms are closed, so ensure that your kid arrives dressed for skating with a mask on under their helmet. For children used to skating or ice hockey, you can reserve ice space, which is a fun (small) birthday or Saturday afternoon activity. The rink runs a series of day camps and activities, all of which need to be booked in advance. Click here for the full calendar.

Bring little kids for a weekend matinee or let teens do their own thing later in the evening (and rest easy—masks are required any time you leave the car and spaces are set six feet apart). This may be the perfect summer 2020 activity—the film curation is on point, social distancing is enforced, and snacks are (safely) for sale. Pro tip: Buy tickets online, but get there early, as spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

COVID-19 update: Open for small group socially distant classes outdoors and virtual sessions.

The museum’s virtual camp program is broken up into two options: Adventures in Science (for elementary school students) and Middle School Institutes (for middle school and junior high students). Weeklong sessions for younger children revolve around themes like Key to the Kingdoms of Life and Building Biodiversity. Meanwhile, older campers will dig into more advanced programming, like Coding Climbing Change. Each day lasts four hours, with a mix of live, educator-led discussion, guest scientist talks, animal encounters, and peeks behind the scenes at the museum, plus offline activities kids can work through on their own or with the support of an on-call educator. A fantastic way to support both your child’s interest in STEM and a museum losing IRL visitor support this summer.

Bridgehampton’s family-focused library has gone all in on online programming. From classic story time to Toddlers’ Twist and Shout to movie nights, there’s a packed schedule with plenty of recurring events to work into kids’ weekly schedules. For older children and teens, there are Netflix watch parties and virtual college prep sessions, not to mention conversational Spanish classes. And if you’re looking to get some fresh air and a change of scenery, the library yard is open to the public for socially distanced strolling. In the library yard, masks are required, and social distancing precautions are in place. The library building is open by appointment only—call for an appointment and fill out this form. Image courtesy of Jerry Wang.

Much of Chelsea Piers is closed this summer, but the golfing range is in full...swing with an excellent day camp for kids ages six to twelve. There’s a weekly camp option running into September or full- or half-day sessions for kids looking to work on their swing over the Hudson. (There are both a sibling and multiweek discount on offer.) Camp days run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are broken into blocks with regular handwashing breaks in between, and all coaches are PGA-certified.

This one goes out to all the teens enduring a cooped-up summer with few options for socializing. The movies here start late, giving older kids an opportunity to do something special that keeps them socially distanced at the same time. Set some ground rules, decide whether or not it’s okay to hit the on-site food trucks, and send them off to catch a movie that, let’s be honest, will likely not be the one you approved. Bonus points for killer views of the Manhattan skyline.

This Sagaponack gem, along with its sister organization The Green School, is offering safe, socially distanced versions of watersports and pony camps, plus boat charters, riding lessons, and other activities on the farm. Camp sizes are limited, watersports are taught with no contact, masks are required, and all equipment is fully sanitized between uses. The Art Farm is also a great place for a memorable summer birthday celebration—get the family and a few close friends together for a private day at the farm learning the ropes and spending time with the animals.

The New York Botanical Garden is one of the most expansive—and immersive—green spaces in the city. Spanning 250 acres in the Bronx, it's the perfect place to go when you want to be fully outside and feel like you've actually left the city. It brings together formal gardens, curated plant collections, and a 50-acre old-growth forest—the last of its kind in New York. At its center is the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, a landmark glasshouse with climate-specific environments and rotating exhibitions often worth the trip alone.

For parents looking for a camp experience that keeps kids in a fixed group for a full week (versus one-day-at-a-time camps, where new kids may participate each day), Ajax has five-day camp programs for ages six through fifteen. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure situation: Each day kids are presented with around twenty of the camp’s hundreds of activities—think paddleboards, rafting, archery, animal experiences, cooking adventures—and encouraged to participate in what interests them most. If your goal is to keep the kids occupied for one day, check out their laser tag, rafting, and horseback riding day trips.

Big mountain adventure is up and running in Aspen this year, with program modifications for safety. Kids from three to fifteen years old can pop into camp for the day for age-appropriate activities like biking, fishing, rock climbing, arts and crafts—even an alpine coaster. Two- and three-day camps focused on science and rocket building are available through August, and for parents who prefer to pull together their own group of kids, there are full- and half-day private camp options. Also clutch for family time on the mountain: drive-in movie nights at Buttermilk Mountain and exploring the ropes course at Lost Forest. Image courtesy of Greg Rosenke.

Kids Ranch Grand Adventure Camp caters to kids between the ages of three and twelve, and the best thing about it—other than your kiddo coming home happily exhausted—is that you can purchase a single day if you’re visiting or a discounted ten-day pass if you’re on an extended trip. This camp is a tiny thrill-seeker’s dream: bungee trampoline, climbing, gondola rides, and water fun are among the rotating activities. Every Thursday, campers hike to the top of the mountain for lunch. Private guides are also available to take small groups biking, hiking, and hitting the climbing wall. Face coverings are required, only attending kids and staff are allowed in the camp facilities, and activity and lunch tables have been reconfigured for social distancing. And for parents: Outdoor yoga classes and other grown-up activities are also on this year at Teton Village. Image courtesy of Rafaela Biazi.

The Teton Junior Science School is an education camp focused on science, creativity, and nature play for grades one through four. Each session is five days of fun and learning led by passionate educators on the 900-acre campus. The school also offers private tours of Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, and it offers online classes for elementary- and middle-school kids that cover ecological, cultural, and economic topics (current offerings include Health, Not Hunger and Poverty and Wealth).

Camp at Craft Haus means a full week of mixed-media exploration: clay, mosaic making, painting, and more, with a different theme each week. Class sizes are limited, temperatures are checked before camp starts each day, and instructors wear masks (children are not required to, though it’s recommended). But what we really love are the Art-to-Go kits—a genius way to keep kids busy in your own backyard. Let your budding artist pick a project from the shop, choose colors, and then have the goods delivered locally or opt for contactless pickup at the store.

Satisfy young adventurers and appease older kids and teens craving an adrenaline rush with an afternoon on the water. Jupiter Outdoor Center will deliver canoes and kayaks and take your crew on a tour of Jupiter Inlet to check out alligators, turtles, bald eagles, and fish while staying cool. (This also makes a great fun, safe, and socially distanced summer birthday party.)

Get the kids in the water for a full day of camp, or go all in on a weeklong program. Either way, Viking keeps the student-to-master-shredder ratio at seven campers per instructor and is following CDC safety protocols all summer. Children as young as five are welcome to join camp sessions, and kids and teens who have outgrown the basics can opt for advanced coaching, or get together in a small group for private lessons—all set on the white-sand shores between Miami and West Palm Beach.