Rosalind Muggeridge

Rosalind Muggeridge spent 10 years working at non-profit museums in London and NYC before transitioning to freelance writing after having kids. She spent 4 years as the events editor at NY Metro Parents. A long-time Brooklyn resident, Rosalind and her family love calling the borough home.

Latest posts by Rosalind

Best Summer Activities for Preschoolers in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Thu, 07/07/2022 - 5:40pm

Suzi Shelton performs during the Hudson RiverKids series in Chelsea. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park

The days are (finally) starting to feel like summer, and if you have a little one to entertain, we're guessing you'll appreciate this roundup of the best summer activities for preschoolers in NYC. From FREE concerts and festivals, to NYC's best swimming pools, and more, these are the best things to do with preschoolers in NYC this summer.

With this list of summer activities for preschoolers, you’ll find yourself wanting to skip vacation in favor of staying in town to take advantage of the fun things to do NYC has to offer. Best of all? Many of the summer events are FREE.

Be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide for NYC Kids for more things to do for kids at every age and stage across NYC's five boroughs.

Best Golf Summer Camps and Lessons for Kids in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Wed, 04/27/2022 - 10:44am

Swing into action with a golf summer camp at Chelsea Piers. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Piers

Have a budding golf pro at home? It should come as no surprise that New York City is home to a handful of stellar golf summer camps—many taught by world-class golf professionals. All of the golf summer camps feature on-course golf training. We've also found some high-tech golf simulators in the city that offer junior golf lessons. Kids as young as age 5—whether they're beginners or seasoned golfers—can take advantage of these golf summer camps and golf classes in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

For more summer camps in New York City, including free and cheap summer camps for NYC Kids and free summer sports programming, be sure to bookmark our NYC Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and neighborhood.

Visit Book Off, Daiso, and More at Expanded Japan Village in Industry City, Brooklyn

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Tue, 03/22/2022 - 10:31am

Head upstairs at Japan Village to see the new space and shop retailers like Book Off, Daiso, and more.

If you've visited Sunset Park's Industry City lately, you're probably already familiar with the multi-use complex's many family-friendly offerings, including public art installations like The Pool, a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink, and tons of family-friendly shops and delicious food options. Now there's another great reason to gather up the family and head over to Industry City: the expansion of its Japan Village, which includes the addition of The Loft, housing a Book Off book store and an outpost of Japan's uber-popular retail chain, Daiso.

ArtRink Brings Rooftop Ice Skating to the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Tue, 12/14/2021 - 6:45pm

You can now glide your way across the Brooklyn Children's Museum's roof thanks to the opening of its new exhibit, ArtRink. Photo by Winston Williams

If you're looking for a cool new outing, bundle up and head over to the Brooklyn Children Museum's new rooftop ArtRink, which transforms the space into an art-filled winter wonderland. The 3,200-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink is the main attraction on the museum's newly bedecked rooftop, which also features interactive art installations and plenty of places to cozy up—all under the sparkling lights of a giant rooftop canopy.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Shines Brightly With Lightscape

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Wed, 11/24/2021 - 3:30pm

Winter Cathedral is but one of the stunning sights you'll encounter at Lightscape, the new installation at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo by Richard Haughton for Sony Music

If you're looking for the perfect holiday family outing, search no further: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden's after-dark, immersive display Lightscape does not disappoint. You'll want to snag tickets now for this glittering holiday lights display and prepare yourself to be wowed.

Hanukkah Celebrations and Menorah Lightings in NYC in 2021

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Mon, 11/15/2021 - 5:46pm

Take the rink with a life-sized dreidel at Hanukkah on Ice in Central Park. Photo courtesy of Chabad Lubavitch

New York City knows how to celebrate the holidays, and Hanukkah (or Chanukah—did you know there are more than 20 different spelling variations?) is no exception. The first night of the Festival of Lights arrives on Sunday, November 28, and no matter how you spell it, we've rounded up a whole bunch of ways to celebrate Hanukkah. As a bonus: Many of the events are FREE.

Of note this year is the Jewish Children's Museum's Hanukkah Family Fest and Hanukkah under the Stars. There are also the annual mainstays, from The Largest Menorah Lighting in Brooklyn to Hanukkah on Ice. Find more seasonal celebrations in our Guide to Christmas and Hanukkah for NYC families.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: 8 Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Thu, 04/08/2021 - 6:47pm

Spring may be the most colorful season at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, but it's worth a visit anytime of the year.

Since its founding in 1910, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has provided a welcome respite to concrete-weary city dwellers. It was a dismal day when the garden closed its doors for a few months in 2020, but like many local institutions, it's happily reopened and is gearing up for its most vibrant season of the year.

Though Prospect Park is affectionately known as "Brooklyn's backyard," my family and I have also spent many hours—in all seasons—at the BBG, exploring the winding paths, whiling away an afternoon underneath the dreamy cherry trees, and watching the turtles sunning themselves in the Japanese Pond.

Read on to learn about our favorite things to do in this beautiful urban garden, which is truly one of our favorite places in NYC.

Cross-Country Skiing Near NYC: Where to Hit the Trails With Kids

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Mon, 02/08/2021 - 5:33pm

Cross-country skiing is easily accessible from NYC.

Although NYC is close to plenty of downhill skiing options, cross-country skiing is also a fun option with kids. Also known as Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing is a great winter sport for families. Children as young as 5 can ski alone, and parents can tow tots in a sled or carry them in a backpack while on the trails. You can't do that while swooshing down a mountain!

While cross-country skiing is nowhere near as dangerous or as expensive as downhill skiing, the tricky thing is finding snow and equipment. Unlike downhill ski resorts, most cross-country trails aren't in the business of making their own snow so you're going to have to wait for the white stuff before you can get out there. Getting outfitted with XC skis is relatively inexpensive comparend to downhill, but unless you want to purchase kits for your growing children, you also need to find a spot that offers children's gear rental. Your best bet is a Nordic Ski Center that offers trails and rentals.

Here are our favorite spots where families can enjoy cross-country skiing, and most are less than a 2-hour drive from New York City. But conditions and offerings change, so call ahead to make sure they have both snow and ski rentals in your sizes.

Find more fun seasonal activities in our Snow Sports Guide.

Rosalind Muggeridge

Latest posts by Rosalind

Pages