Sydney Ng

Latest posts by Sydney Ng

NYC's Only Corn Maze and More Fall Fun Await at the Queens County Farm Museum

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 09/13/2022 - 10:54am

The Amazing Maize Maze is waiting to be explored at the Queens County Farm Museum.

There aren't many better ways to get the family excited for the fall in NYC than taking the kids for a tour through a three-acre corn maze in the middle of Queens and letting their imaginations run wild. The Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze is now open for the season, and it's just one of the quintessential fall activities happening at this New York City institution.

The Amazing Maize Maze is the only corn maze in New York City. My family and I have conquered lots of these corn mazes and can happily say the one at the Queens County Farm Museum is just as much fun as its country counterparts. Read on for our tips to make the most of your visit to the Queens County Farm Museum and its corn maze. But no, we aren't giving you the route. You'll still need to figure that out yourself! If you're on the hunt for more seasonal fun, be sure to bookmark our Guide to Fall Fun in NYC.

Visiting Flushing Meadows Corona Park with Kids: 25 Things To Do in Queens' Largest Green Space

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 07/18/2022 - 4:45pm

Enjoy family-friendly programs and explore different aspect of forest life at the Queens Botanical Garden located within Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Photo by Gennessey Palma

Expansive and diverse much like its home borough, a visit to Flushing Meadows Corona Park with kids is arguably the main family attraction in Flushing. With so much to see and do in Flushing Meadows Corona Park with kids—including the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Museum, Queens Zoo, the Queens Botanical Garden, a carousel, an amusement park, and multiple playgrounds, plus the famous Unisphere and mega splash pad at the Fountain of the Fairs—it's more than a single-day excursion.

So bookmark this list of the 25 best things to do in Flushing Meadows Corona Park with kids and pick out a few things to do, then save the rest for next time. My family has explored the park time and again, and there is always something new to see and old favorites to revisit. Find more fun places to romp and explore in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

Visit the High Line With Kids: Top Things To Do

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 05/23/2022 - 4:34pm

The High Line, with its wide pathways and beautiful plantings, is a great place to get away from the buzz of the city streets. Photo by Liz Ligon

A visit to the High Line with kids is a treat for both residents and tourists alike. Like many native New Yorkers, I sometimes get caught up in my daily routine and forget all that this amazing city has to offer families, from unexpected museums to our mega-popular tourist-worthy top attractions that are always crowded, but for good reason. The High Line, a formerly-abandoned track of elevated railway on Manhattan's west side that's found new life as a public park, is one prime example.

Owned by the city, but maintained by the nonprofit Friends of the High Line in coordination with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, the High Line has developed a bit of a reputation as a tourist zone. But a visit to the High Line is well worth braving the crowds. It's both an amazing public art site and a community hub, with wonderful year-round programs for locals—and it's FREE. Plus, its proximity to the Chelsea Market, Hudson Yards, and Little island makes the High Line a perfect spot for a daycation—foodie-worthy snacks included

Here are all the must-see spots for children at this unique outdoor park, plus the kid-friendly High Line events you'll want to add to your family's calendar.

Where to Find Free Classes for Kids in NYC at Stores and Public Spaces

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Thu, 01/13/2022 - 5:07pm

Free hands-on classes and storytimes are offered at the National Museum of the American Indian. Photo courtesy of NMAI

We'll just say it: Raising a kid is expensive. Weekend classes, summer camp, after-school care, sports, dance, and music lessons can add up. And let’s face it, as New Yorkers, we’re most likely paying much more than the average parent. That’s why we’ve rounded up a collection of FREE classes in NYC. These enriching activities lighten the financial load and all occur within free-to-access stores and public places, but there are also plenty of free and low-cost activities inside NYC museums and gardens, which make membership costs worth the splurge.

Read on for our picks for the best FREE classes in NYC and find more enrichment opportunities in our Guide to Classes and Activities for NYC Kids.

The Best Playgrounds in Queens

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 5:27pm

A top Queens playground, Paul Raimonda Playground offers sprinklers, climbing, and shady seating. Photo by author

Although every pocket of Queens has a neighborhood playground, we’ve taken the time to scout the cream of the crop for NYC kids. Whether you're visiting from another borough or just want to explore a new-to-you-neighborhood, here are 12 of our favorite romping spots in Queens, from Astoria to the Rockaways. These parks offer clean, safe equipment with innovative and fun details that go beyond the jungle gyms of the past, like kid-sized Ferris wheels and super cool sprinklers.

Find more playgrounds across the five boroughs in our guide to NYC Parks & Playgrounds.

Queens Zoo: Full of Surprises for Little and Big Kids

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 05/10/2021 - 10:25am

An Andean bear cub gets his bearings on a branch. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher/courtesy of WCS

Tucked inside Queens’ largest park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, is the lovely 18-acre Queens Zoo. Unlike other city zoos (Read: sometimes crowded and overwhelming), families can tour the entire grounds in just a few hours. Take a leisurely loop around the whole complex, and you’ll find eagles, puma, bears, sea lions, coyotes, an aviary filled with exotic birds, and more.

While the Queens Zoo is smaller than its sister zoo in the Bronx, it is definitely worth the trip. Unlike the Bronx Zoo, which can be taxing on little legs, the Queens Zoo is a perfect size. The main zoo runs in a loop, making it easy to see everything without backtracking. Lush greenery and landscaping surround the trail, and there is less travel time between exhibits.

If zoos are high on your to-do list, check out our other borough favorites at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Staten Island Zoo.

25 Things To Do, See & Eat in Chinatown With Kids

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 04/06/2021 - 6:36pm

Tuck into some dim sum at Jing Fong in Chinatown.

At first glance, navigating the street vendors, traffic, and crowds of Canal Street can seem intimidating for families. But with a little planning, Chinatown opens up into a world of wonders. Explore parks, temples, turn-of-the-century architecture, annual festivals and celebrations, and, of course, amazing food in one of NYC's most well-known neighborhoods.

Chinatown is unlike other hot spots in Manhattan. It is a living, breathing neighborhood with a real community and real residents. Although dependent on tourists, Chinatown is unapologetically authentic. Be fearless, kind—particularly now—and patient as you step into this city within a city. Growing up in NYC, I've seen Chinatown evolve yet never change, holding steadfast to traditions while still exploring and innovating. As an adult, I plan to make Chinatown a part of my children's lives for years to come.

Get the insider's scoop on more of NYC's popular neighborhoods, such as Koreatown, with our Neighborhood Guides.

37 Things To Do in NYC This Winter with Your Toddler (Beyond Another Storytime)

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 12/31/2019 - 9:20am

Visit the astonishing world of butterflies at the Butterfly Conservatory at the AMNH. Photo courtesy of the museum

Once the holiday season starts to fade and winter sets in, it's hard not to find yourself in a rut with your little one. We've built this list of 37 things to do with your toddler around New York City that will keep those blizzard blues away, from warm and toasty indoor activities to get-up-and-moving outdoor frolics. Eight of the suggestions are FREE activities.

Everything included below is just the right speed and time commitment for the toddler set—and won't have you dreading another trip wandering around the children's section of B&N, restocking the books as your little one pulls them down one after another!