Katie Nave

Katie Nave is a writer living in Brooklyn, New York with her wild child daughter and a menagerie of pets. Her writing has been featured in Glamour, Business Insider, and the GoldieBlox YouTube Channel. She has served as a producer for the National Women’s March and the digital lead for the non-profit organization Girls Inc. You can follow her Instagram (@kathryn.e.nave) for a mix of activism, parenting missteps, anxious musings, and hamster photos.

Latest posts by Katie

Lincoln Center with Kids: 15 Fun & Mostly Free Things to Do

Submitted by Katie Nave on Mon, 12/03/2018 - 3:48pm

The David Rubenstein Atrium hosts a variety of free events for kids.

Lincoln Center, the grand performing arts mecca on Manhattan's Upper West Side, may seem out of reach to many. Prices for the fancy, high-culture shows are beyond most family budgets, but that shouldn't keep you away. From watching the iconic fountain dance to rooting out hidden gem performances that cost little-to-nothing, Lincoln Center is a rich cultural destination you don't need to be rich to enjoy. Here are our top 15 FREE or low-cost things to do with kids at Lincoln Center.

Interactive Mickey Mouse Pop-Up Museum Lands in NYC

Submitted by Katie Nave on Wed, 11/21/2018 - 10:00am

The neon "Hello Mickey" room is colorful greeting.

Attention, Disney fans: Celebrate Mickey’s 90th birthday at at the latest family pop-up to hit New York City. From his humble beginnings in “Steamboat Willie” to the cultural icon that we all know and love today, Mickey Mouse gets the full biographical treatment in a museum experience that offers a little something for everyone.

Located near NYC's High Line, Mickey: The True Original Exhibition celebrates 90 years of Mickey Mouse’s influence on art and pop culture. The 16,000 square-foot exhibition features classic memorabilia for all the nostalgic feels, plus contemporary work from popular artists. We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the pop-up, immersive museum celebrating Disney’s most beloved character.

Kids Wear PJs and Join the Fun at New Family Show "Pillowland"

Submitted by Katie Nave on Mon, 11/12/2018 - 10:00am

Put on your coziest pajamas and head to Tribeca for New York City Children’s Theater’s production of Pillowland.

Put on your coziest pajamas and head to Tribeca, because New York City Children’s Theater’s production of Pillowland is now showing. One of our top fall family theater picks for 2018, the city’s latest interactive family play is based on the hit song by beloved kid rocker Laurie Berkner. If you've never taken your preschooler to a show, Pillowland is a sweet introduction to the magic of live theater.

Four New Indoor Play Spaces to Try This Season in NYC

Submitted by Katie Nave on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 10:07am

Kanga's Indoor Playspace is a massive space that's fun for kids of all ages.

You’re faced with another chilly, dreary, rainy day and your kids are climbing the apartment walls. You’ve done all of the fun seasonal activities and the playgrounds are out of the question. That's when NYC's indoor play spaces can be real lifesavers. We're always on the hunt for the latest and greatest indoor play spaces, and a handful of new spots have opened up this year that are definitely worth the trip. Pack your socks, because here's the scoop on four new spots where the kids can get all of their energy out—and you can regain your sanity (and even have a cup of coffee).

TapeScape Opens at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Submitted by Katie Nave on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:00am

Part exhibit, part playground, TapeScape features climbing tunnels with spirals of LED lights.

As the weather cools and those freezing playground slides become less appealing, we’re all scrambling for indoor activities to keep our little ones entertained. Luckily, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum has added another family-friendly NYC activity to the to-do list.

TapeScape, open now through December 30, 2018, is an explorable structure made from scaffolding and 480 rolls of packing tape. My daughter and I had the pleasure of visiting the museum’s newest exhibit and it’s exactly as promised. We loved climbing through the tens of thousands of feet of clear tape that is intricately woven around a metal frame. There are many tunnels and passageways to explore, which inspired my three year-old's sense of adventure. She even asked if we could replicate the structure in our own kitchen. Uh, no.

Pop-Up Museum for Dogs and Dog Lovers Opens in NYC

Submitted by Katie Nave on Wed, 10/03/2018 - 10:01am

Who's a good boy? Doggos live their best lives in this fun, toy-filled new space.

Raising kids in New York City isn’t without challenges, but it’s certainly never dull. Each weekend, we have the luxury of choosing between a variety of playgrounds, museums, and events—and lately, it seems like the city has been awash in Instagrammable popups. In the past six months alone, new museums and experiences devoted to dreams, candy, color, tea, and even optical illusions have opened here.

But it's New York, which means there's always room for one more cool thing to do. Since my family is always on the hunt for dog-friendly activities, we were excited to check out Human’s Best Friend, a new pop-up experience for dogs and the people who love them, located in the West Village. Read on for an inside look at NYC's latest pop-up for pooches—and their paparazzi.

Best Brooklyn Storytimes for Kids and Babies

Submitted by Katie Nave on Thu, 09/13/2018 - 4:00pm

Books are Magic has weekend story times as well as visiting author story times.

Neighborhood story hours for preschoolers and babies abound in Brooklyn, providing a fun, no-fuss outing, especially on cold or rainy days. Most storytimes are free (or cheap), and many venues offer additional kid activities before or after the reading, including plenty of book-browsing, so the fun can continue even when storytime ends.

Read on for our top picks for read-along sessions in Brooklyn at libraries, bookstores, and other tot spots, and find more story hours at these Manhattan spots.

Girl Power: Classes, Camps, and Workshops Just for Girls in NYC

Submitted by Katie Nave on Tue, 08/28/2018 - 10:00am

Karma Yoga teaches girls to tap into their strengths. Photo by Luke Volpe

One of my greatest priorities in raising a young girl is to give her a strong foundation, so that she has a positive self-image and feels empowered to be herself. Part of that work involves seeking out girls-only spaces across the city where she feels heard, valued, and has the opportunity to meet strong-minded, brilliant female role models.

There are more than enough opportunities to keep kiddos busy in the city, but girls-focused programs are specifically designed to allow girls to explore their world freely. From STEM to sports, many of these programs are run by women who, of course, know what it’s like to be a young girl coming into her own.

We've rounded up our favorite activities, camps, and programs that pack major girl power. Be sure to click through to the listings for all the details, including times, locations and recommended ages. You can search through dozens of classes by type or location in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings as well.