Sydney Ng

Latest posts by Sydney Ng

Twirling Teacups Ride Debuts at Fantasy Forest in Queens

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 1:20pm

Our favorite Queens amusement park just added a new ride for kids and toddlers. Hold on to your hats, the Twirling Teacups have arrived at Fantasy Forest, the mini kiddie theme park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

Debuted to the public on April 22, 2017, the spinning and rotating giant teacups promise to leave families dizzy for more.

Find more amusement and water park fun in our Theme Parks Guide.

12 Mother’s Day Brunch Spots in Queens

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 11:20am

Just as its population is diverse, so are options for Mother’s Day brunch in Queens. It’s mom's special day, and she'll want to relax with family, sip a mimosa and eat great food knowing that spills won't be met with rolling eyes. So we’ve curated this family-friendly list of brunch options in the borough, offering inventive twists on traditional favorites. Don’t worry, omelets and French toast still are represented.

Check out our suggestions for how to spend the rest of your 2017 Mother's Day in NYC, or peruse Brooklyn or Manhattan brunch options if you're thinking of hopping boroughs.

Great Ethnic Eats at Queens Crossing Mall: Ramen, Dumplings

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Wed, 04/12/2017 - 11:00am

Curry, dim sum, ramen, tofu, ice cream, bubble tea—sometimes you have to head to a place that satisfies everyone’s appetite. My family and I always vote for a trip to the Queens Crossing Mall–a gem in the center of bustling Flushing that offers a diverse selection of Asian foods and pretty shops.

The Geekery HQ: A Board Game Treasure Trove in Queens

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Mon, 03/13/2017 - 12:07pm

In 2017, nerd = cool. Game boards and tabletop gaming seem to be at an all-time high. When I was a young adult, I would have done anything to have a place like The Geekery HQ in my neighborhood. Where was it in 1997? Combining games, communal play and collectibles, The Geekery HQ in Astoria is a haven for tweens and teens with a penchant for Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), Magic the Gathering (MTG) and all things geeky.

Tea and Treats at Flushing's Rose House with Queens Kids

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 03/07/2017 - 3:00pm

Flushing has many unsung treasures, but one of the neighborhood’s best-kept secrets is Rose House inside the Queens Crossing Mall. Queens residents no longer have to travel into Manhattan and battle the crowds for a fancy afternoon tea and treats date with their little ones. Families can enjoy a tower of sweets, a warm cup of brisk black tea, and classical music inside this colonial-inspired teahouse.

Enjoy a Lunar New Year Feast at These NYC Chinese Restaurants

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Fri, 01/20/2017 - 10:00am

Lunar New Year is one of the most important traditional holidays on the Chinese calendar, and what better way to ring in any new year than by feasting. Whether it’s a tradition in your home or not, while you’re enjoying the firecrackers and parades make sure you take time to eat at some of New York City's best purveyors of Chinese food. And when we say time, we mean a few hours.

Banquet dinners can consist of six to 12 courses. Every dish has symbolic significance: fish increases prosperity, noodles bring longevity, and dumplings promise wealth. My family, including my 1-year-old, love a good, traditional, carb-coma banquet. Four generations around one table, red envelopes being passed with love, and hours to spare on course after course? Now that’s how to celebrate the New Year.

Book your own adventurous feast with the kids at one of these celebrated locations in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Flushing, Queens, and Manhattan's Chinatown, or just stop in for a traditional Lunar New Year snack or dessert. And don’t end the party at the dinner table. Lunar New Year in New York City is jammed with amazing parades and activities for the kiddies as well.

City Owlets: LIC's Newest Play Space for Tots and Preschoolers

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Wed, 01/11/2017 - 11:30am

New year, new indoor place space in Queens! City Owlets is Long Island City's newest hot spot for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. My 1-year-old and I were delighted with the space, which just opened on Jackson Avenue after months of development.

It features a pint-sized play cafe and market, sensory wall, costumes, classes, birthday parties, and so much more, including perks for grown-ups. Part of a growing trend of "play cafes," such as Good Day Play Cafe, which opened last year in Bayside, Queens, Sunnyside Plays in Queens, and The Coop in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, there's a full espresso and snacks menu for parents (and kids) to enjoy. A welcome addition to the neighborhood, City Owlets is a definite go-to for curing cabin fever with fuss-free play and enrichment.

Find more Queens play spaces in our article on the top gyms and kiddie drop-in spots around the borough. Looks like we'll be adding one more to it!

11 Queens Hot Chocolate Spots to Sample with the Kids

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 12/20/2016 - 9:00am

While it might not have $12 blossoming marshmallow hot chocolates or frozen hot chocolate served in 40-ounce bowls, Queens still knows hot chocolate. In the city's most diverse borough, it's not about the gimmicks, but the ingredients: cream, steamed milk, syrup, cocoa, shredded chocolate, maybe some whipped cream. Those are the tools in Queens' hot chocolate arsenal.

My 4-year-old is starting his hot chocolate journey this year, among other amazing holiday activities—and winter fun. Whether Belgian, French, or Mexican, that dark brew of sweet and bitter warmth is a staple of any childhood memory. We're building those memories one cup at a time as lights twinkle in the shop windows and the scent of snow creeps into the air.

Start your child's holiday cheer by visiting one of these Queens locations, but you might also consider a quick trip to these spots in Brooklyn or Manhattan, especially if you're killing time over a school holiday.

Find more great NYC eats in our Family Restaurant Guide.