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

Halloween Drive-thrus in the Tri-State Area: Pumpkins, Lights, and Haunted Scenes for 2022

Submitted by Katie Nave on Thu, 10/06/2022 - 4:11pm

Enjoy an elaborate display of intricate, creative hand-carved, and lit pumpkins at Wagner Farm Arboretum's Brite Nites attraction.

With Halloween on the horizon, we’re ready to load up the car and visit a Halloween drive-thru in the tri-state area. Ranging from sweet to spooky, visiting one of these Halloween dive-thru light shows in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut makes for a fun night out that's a bit different from the usual spooky celebrations.

So, don your costumes and hop in the car to visit one of these Halloween drive-thrus nearby. There are plenty of options for ghosts and goblins big and little, from drive-thru jack-o'-lantern displays to truly haunting scenes. We've got more seasonal picks in our Guide to Halloween Fun for Families.

Brooklyn Bridge Park: 35 Top Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Katie Nave on Thu, 05/19/2022 - 8:44pm

Brooklyn Bridge Park is a massive green space that offers tons of family activities—and unbeatable city views. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park

There is no shortage of warm-weather family activities in Brooklyn, but I find myself continuously making the trip to Brooklyn Bridge Park throughout the spring and summer months. Spanning 1.3 miles along the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre waterfront green space promising recreation, sustainability, and environmental exploration. Where else can you fish, roller skate, kayak, barbecue, hit some spectacular playgrounds, catch the ferry to Governors Island, see FREE outdoor movies, explore a sensory labyrinth, or visit an environmental education center? Plus, the Lower Manhattan skyline views never fail to impress.

We've rounded up our favorite things to do in Brooklyn Bridge Park with kids. Looking for more green spaces to explore? Bookmark our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

The World’s Largest Bounce House Returns to Brooklyn This Summer

Submitted by Katie Nave on Mon, 06/21/2021 - 4:34pm

The Big Bounce America lands in Brooklyn this September.

Grab your socks and take your summer to new heights. The Big Bounce America, officially the world’s largest bounce house, is bigger and bouncier than ever and landing back at Brooklyn's Aviator Sports complex during late summer 2021. Read on for the details on this can't miss summer activity because timed-entry sessions are selling quickly.

Top Holiday Toys for Kids' Christmas Wish Lists

Submitted by Katie Nave on Tue, 10/06/2020 - 11:43am

Introduce toddlers to their ABCs with these Lego Duplo alphabet bricks .

We’re all spending more time at home these days, so toys are playing an even more critical role in entertaining, delighting, and educating our kiddos. This holiday season might be a bit quieter, a bit more low-key, but I suspect it makes us all want to spoil our kids as much as possible, surprising them with the perfect holiday and Christmas wish list pick.

We’ve scoured all of the online lists, from Amazon to Scholastic, reviews, and guides to bring you the best of the best holiday toys for the season. These popular items are sure to entertain and win you major points for getting everything on their Christmas wish list and more. We’ve included toys and electronics from favorites like Legos, Barbie, Disney, and even a few new favorites. Go ahead and shop your heart out!

20+ Ruth Bader Ginsburg Children's Books (+ More Women Leaders)

Submitted by Katie Nave on Wed, 09/23/2020 - 10:22am

I Dissent tells the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life in a stunning picture book.

As we continue to honor the remarkable life of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we've compiled a list of our favorite children's books about the great RBG herself and other inspirational women leaders. From board books to teen picks, these tales will empower young people to go after their dreams, fight for equality, and blaze new trails.

It's never too soon to teach children about the legacy of women like Ginsburg, Maya Angelou, Anne Frank, and many, many more. Whether you're a parent wanting to bolster the homeschool library, a teacher, or just looking for gift ideas for the little one in your life, these children's books are sure to teach and inspire minds of all ages. Complete your feminist library with the noteworthy books below.

Virtual Field Trips to NYC's Coolest Kid Spots and Cultural Institutions

Submitted by Katie Nave on Fri, 09/18/2020 - 1:29pm

Miss the thrills? Enjoy Luna Park in Coney Island’s classic coasters from the comfort of home. Photo courtesy of Luna Park

One of the significant perks of raising kids in New York City is the seemingly never-ending number of museums, zoos, aquariums, and other cultural institutions at your doorstep. While many of our favorite cultural spots have begun to reopen, things look a bit different. Whether you're having trouble snagging a ticket to your favorite venue or don't feel comfortable venturing out just yet, we've rounded up 16 virtual field trips to New York City's museums and kid-friendly haunts.

Many of these family-friendly New York City institutions typically welcome families and school groups with kid-friendly, educational programming. They've now shifted their offerings online, allowing visitors to enjoy the sights from home so, if you're looking to mix up your routine, cozy up in your PJs on the sofa and enjoy one of these virtual field trips.

Explore The Nature of Color at the American Museum of Natural History

Submitted by Katie Nave on Tue, 09/08/2020 - 4:03pm

Play with light and color at the American Museum of Natural History's "The Nature of Color," which is newly reopened along with the rest of the museum. Photo by D. Finnin/courtesy AMNH

After a months-long shutdown, the American Museum of Natural History is on the brink of reopening Wednesday, September 9, and its special exhibition hall is aglow with the vibrant The Nature of Color exhibit, which lets visitors explore the role and power of color in the natural world, human cultures, and in our personal lives.

The Nature of Color reveals how color carries information in nature—where organisms use it to find food, ward off predators, and conceal or reveal themselves—and across cultures, where different colors can signal a wide range of meanings, from good luck to power to a sense of urgency.

While museum visitors may be anxious to see the famous dioramas or the towering T. Rex and its prehistoric dinosaur friends, this colorful, rainbow-hued exhibition is destination-worthy on its own, once you've nabbed your (now-required) timed-entry tickets to the museum. Get the details on how to snag your tickets to AMNH and all the other recently reopened, or opening soon, museums here.

Outdoor Art Day Trips Near NYC

Submitted by Katie Nave on Mon, 09/07/2020 - 12:00pm

Jeffrey Gibson; 'Because Once You Enter My House It Becomes Our House;' 2020; Courtesy the Artist; Socrates Sculpture Park; Sikkema Jenkins & Co., NY; Kavi Gupta, Chicago; Roberts Projects, LA; Image by Scott Lynch

If you're looking for an escape and craving a little culture, outdoor sculpture gardens are the perfect destination for the entire family. While New York features some of the world's most famous art museums, many of which have reopened or are doing so soon, the metro area is also home to a diverse array of sculpture exhibits by international contemporary artists. At these outdoor art destinations in the city and nearby, you'll be enchanted by forests, meticulous gardens, and even a labyrinth of stone.

From Midtown Manhattan to the sprawling Hudson River Valley and Long Island's majestic Gold Coast, we've found 11 sculpture gardens and destinations to see outdoor art near New York City. So, spend the day strolling through wide-open spaces, gazing at stunning, larger-than-life sculptures, and breathing the fresh fall air. Pack a picnic and head out to one of these destinations for the perfect fall family day trip.

Find more seasonal fun in our Fall Fun Guide and consider these 30 fall family day trips nearby, too.

Katie Nave

Latest posts by Katie

Pages