Sona Charaipotra

Latest posts by Sona Charaipotra

Sensory-Friendly Museum and Cultural Programs in NYC for Special Needs Kids and Families

Submitted by Sona Charaipotra on Mon, 06/30/2025 - 12:12pm

Members of The Discovery Squad at AMNH get hands-on time in the Discovery Room. Photo by Jody Mercier

New York City is one of the most bustling places in the world, which can make outings with any child tough, but things get particularly tricky for parents of kids on the autism spectrum, who might worry about overstimulation in even the most kid-friendly settings. That’s why many museums and cultural centers have created comfortable, sensory-friendly, safe spaces for families with special needs to explore, often in tandem with educators and specialists.

We’ve gathered up the best of the bunch, from programs at The Met and Intrepid Museum to an after-school Subway Sleuths program, as well as several FREE options. Peruse our NYC Special Needs Guide for more helpful tips and local programs.

Grand Central's Most Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Submitted by Sona Charaipotra on Fri, 11/10/2017 - 4:30pm

Whether you’re catching a train, taking in the neighborhood sights, or simply exploring Grand Central Terminal with your kids, hunger will inevitably beckon. You can find plenty of high-end options in the vicinity for the business set, but unearthing fun and easy kid-friendly eats can be more of a challenge. No worries—we've rounded up several great options for dining with kids, from fun and fancy to cheap and easy.

10 Science Classes for NYC Kids That Are Actually Fun

Submitted by Sona Charaipotra on Sat, 07/15/2017 - 5:00pm

With Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement last year that New York City schools must focus on a strong STEM track over the next decade, including computer science, it’s no surprise that enrichment classes have popped up all over the city – from the Y After School Academy (offered at most local branches of the YMCA) to the American Museum of Natural History. But these 10 awesome options up the fun factor with quirky takes on science and technology, which means your kids will be hooked from the start.

Find more STEM classes in our NYC directory.

6 Awesome Artists for a Craftacular Birthday Party

Submitted by Sona Charaipotra on Fri, 02/03/2017 - 11:00am

You know the drill: You're planning a NYC birthday party, and the kids are all over the clowns, magicians, and balloon-benders. They’re all creators these days, and they want hands-on fun with a definite takeaway at the end. That means two hours of running around for parents, right?

Or you can just hire someone to do the heavy lifting for you. You’ll end up a hero if you stick with any of these six awesome arts-and-crafts-inspired party people—all of whom bring supplies, set things up at your apartment or rented space, get crafty with the kids, and clean up for you. It is as amazing as it sounds.

Luminaries Returns to Light Up Brookfield Place this Winter

Submitted by Sona Charaipotra on Sat, 10/22/2016 - 11:10am

Looking for a new take on holiday lights displays this year? Head to Battery Park where The Luminaries once again lights up Brookfield Place in a seasonal art display with a decidedly downtown feel.

A canopy of 650 gorgeous lanterns bathes Brookfield's glass-enclosed, Christmas-spirited Winter Garden in a glow of lights as families and holiday shoppers gather below. Adding an interactive element to the display, kids can control the lights via the installation's multiple Wish Stations—and each interaction equals a donation to the GRAMMY in the Schools music education program.

Find Special Needs Parent Groups Online and in New York City

Submitted by Sona Charaipotra on Sun, 03/13/2016 - 10:00am

For parents’ of kids with special-needs, sometimes it helps to know you’re not alone and to talk to someone else who gets it. But finding support from parents who know what you’re going through can fall to the bottom of a long to-do list. We’ve gathered some of the best support resources—both online and in-person—for parents of New York City kids with special needs.

5 Time (and Energy) Saving Services for NYC Parents

Submitted by Sona Charaipotra on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 12:00pm

All parents are busy, but there’s something about parenting in New York City that makes things feel even more hectic. Luckily, there are plenty of city-founded family-friendly services here to take some of the load off from an online baby gear subscription service to a class sampling "passport" to a family meal-delivery service.

We’ve rounded up five newcomers, all founded here in NYC, to help you to start crossing things off your to-do list now.

Poconos Family Getaway: Split Rock Resort and Jack Frost Mtn

Submitted by Sona Charaipotra on Tue, 02/16/2016 - 10:15am

If you can’t escape the snow this winter, you might as well enjoy it—and there’s no better way than skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing in the Poconos.

At Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, deep in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, the emphasis is squarely on family. Amenities such as an arcade, movie theater, indoor heated pool and indoor water park up the fun factor exponentially.

And all less than two hours from New York City? We had to get the scoop on this family getaway. Here’s our parent (and kids) review, and things to know before you go.

Latest posts by Sona Charaipotra

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