Jordana Drell

Jordana Drell is a freelance Product Lead specializing in educational games who has previously worked for Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon. Passionate about emerging tech and finding things to do with her family, Jordana lives in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn with her husband, daughters, and Bernedoodle, Foam.

Latest posts by Jordana

Tech-Powered Quests Fuel Fun at New Brooklyn Play Space CREA Interactivity

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 01/23/2025 - 12:06pm

CREA's interactive games draw kids into a world of fun.

If you—or your kids!—think you've outgrown indoor play spaces, we found an out-of-the-ordinary new indoor play destination to change your mind. CREA Interactivity is a tech-enabled, multimedia play space for kids unlike any we've ever visited.

Step inside to experience a futuristic obstacle course that gets kids running, jumping, and climbing with obstacles designed to breed collaboration. With activities geared toward kids ages 3-12, it’s perfect for mixed-aged siblings and the best part is, it’s not for parents. So, plan to drop your kids off and enjoy the amenities and attractions in Industry City while they play.

Brooklyn Children's Museum Turns NYC Eyesore Into a Magical Playground for Kids

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Mon, 01/06/2025 - 12:32pm

Experience In the Works to see how the city’s everyday structures can become spaces for discovery and play.

Like many other New Yorkers, I’ve always viewed scaffolding is a nuisance, but the always enchanting Brooklyn Children's Museum has managed to change my perception of this omnipresent piece of city architecture with its magical, playful, new exhibit In the Works.

This one-of-a-kind installation—that mimics the ubiquitious sidewalk structures familiar to many a New Yorker—is a dream come true for little explorers, offering endless opportunities to climb, slide, crawl, and interact with the city in totally unexpected ways. Read on for our take on this fun, new exhibit that's a great way to beat the cold-weather blues, and find more indoor places to play in our NYC Kids Guide to Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones.

This New Brooklyn Climbing Gym Will Have the Whole Family Hooked

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 12/26/2024 - 10:00am

Parents stuck inside with stir-crazy kids, take note: I can’t rave enough about HAPIK—the brand new climbing gym that just opened at Brooklyn's Industry City. It’s hard to find an activity that appeals to my teen and 6 year old, but HAPIK climbing gym fit the bill. Even I put on a harness and took advantage of this fun family outing that left us pining for a return trip.

HAPIK's location in the amenity- and activity-packed Industry City makes it an awesome daycation destination. After we climbed, we loved perusing the cozy displays in the courtyards and refueled at Burger Joint. It’s a perfect family outing.

Read on for the full scoop on this awesome new indoor climbing gym and find more places to climb in our roundup of kid-friendly climbing gyms in NYC.

Spectacularly Decorated Holiday Pop-ups and Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 12/05/2024 - 5:19pm

Oscar Wilde offers a Victorian-era Christmas vibe and plenty of ambiance for a seasonal meal out.

Nothing is better than the twinkle of lights during the holidays, and these family-friendly restaurants in NYC really glow with seasonal splendor. They make for a perfect destination on a cold winter night. No matter which holiday your family celebrates, lean into the enchantment of one of these over-the-top holiday pop-ups and restaurants in NYC, where festive decorations turn dining into a full-on celebration.

Visitors are greeted by jaw-dropping displays—think towering Christmas trees, Instagram-worthy photo-ops, and extravagant winter wonderlands—that transport diners into a magical holiday world. Whether you're seeking an immersive experience complete with themed cocktails and holiday-inspired dishes, or just looking to soak in the festive cheer, these family-friendly restaurants and holiday pop-ups in NYC offer the perfect blend of seasonal spirit and culinary delight.

Keep reading for our picks for the best over-the-top holiday-decorated dining spots, and find more holiday bucket list ideas on our list of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in New York City for Kids.

Horizon of Khufu Takes Visitors on a Ancient Egypt Adventure at New Midtown VR Space

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 10/31/2024 - 12:00pm

Travel back in time at the Horizon of Khufu experience.

Step into the wonders of ancient Egypt without leaving New York City through the ultimate VR experience at Horizon of Khufu. This newly opened, free-roaming, VR experience is the first-of-its-kind in NYC. The experience transports families 4,500 years back in time to explore the enchanting world of pyramids, mummification, and the legendary King Khufu himself.

I absolutely loved experiencing this VR adventure with my family—read on to discover what it’s like to traverse time and space in the heart of NYC. For more virtual reality experiences in NYC check out our roundup of the best virtual reality experiences in NYC.

Best Farms with Family Entertainment near NYC

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Fri, 09/06/2024 - 8:55am

Harbes Farm offers a slew of kid-friendly attractions, including the speedy goat mountain slides. Photo by Jennifer Voit

There's no better way to welcome fall than with a visit to one of these farms near NYC that are chock full of kid-friendly activities. From our favorite farms near NYC for picking pumpkins and exploring corn mazes to getting hands-on with farm animals and savoring fresh apple cider, these local farms offer a wealth of get-out-of-the-city adventures.

Prepare to discover the cozy, seasonal delights and unique experiences that make a visit to these farms in New Jersey, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley a favorite family outing. If you are looking for even more farms to explore this season, check out our top picks for action-packed farms in New Jersey and activity-filled Hudson Valley farms.

Get Your Groove on at Xanadu the Wild New Bushwick Roller Rink that's an All-Ages Party

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 09/05/2024 - 2:01pm

Xanadu's all-ages skate parties are a perfect old-school outing with kids.

Get your roller skating groove on at Xanadu, a new roller skating hot spot with an old-school vibe that’s just opened in Bushwick, Brooklyn. With a mix of retro disco, hip-hop, and pop being spun, plus flashing lights and a classic roller skating rink setup, it marries a throwback experience with a modern club vibe.

This vibrant space brings plenty of kid-pleasing fun and is sure to become a neighborhood go-to whether you want to roller skate in NYC or just find your groove. So, get glammed up, don your neon, and check out what’s rolling at Xanadu. Find more roller skating rinks in NYC on our roundup of 13 family-friendly NYC roller rinks.

Unique Behind-the-Scenes Tours in NYC for Families

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Tue, 08/20/2024 - 12:00pm

A visit to the Museum of Broadway highlights props, costumes, and personalities who make the Great White Way shine.

There are tons of wonderful tours in New York City that give families an unforgettable experience. But, who doesn’t love to peek behind the curtain for an inside scoop? From stepping into famous pizza kitchens to exclusive looks behind the scenes of a favorite Broadway show, these behind-the-scenes tours in NYC offer a treasure trove of adventures to spark curiosity and excitement, while giving you and your kids some street cred!

So, grab your calendar and start planning an adventure to one of these behind-the-scenes New York City tours. We've got more splurge-worthy experiences for families on this list of over-the-top NYC experiences for kids.

Jordana Drell

Latest posts by Jordana

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