Time Out New York Kids news

One of NYC's most beloved cookie shops is expanding its menu, so get ready to reap all the gooey benefits.  If you can't get enough of Chip NYC's fluffy sweets, you'll be pleased to know that a brand-new ice cream shop is underway in Queens. What better way to welcome the warm weather than this deliciously inviting news?  "It's going to be busy, and summer is coming," the store's manager Vicky Lambropoulou shares. The new spot, which will be located at 341-01 31st Ave in Astoria, is set for a mid-May opening, according to the brand's reps. Make sure to bring your appetite—the store will feature ice cream sandwiches much like its famous gooey cookies. Fingers crossed the blueberry cream cheese cookie makes an appearance in ice cream form (Lambropoulou was unable to release the menu for the shop). When you've had one too many bites, wash down your afternoon snack with a cup of coffee.  But this isn't the only good news to look forward to. Chip NYC will be expanding its menu and its locations. In addition to operating in Queens and the Gansevoort Market in Chelsea, the store will open an additional location in Queens Plaza according to Patch.  Bring on the glass of milk—we're ready to indulge! Chip NYC's flagship store is located at 30-06 34th St, Queens (917-745-0101, chipnewyorkcity.com).  Sign up to receive great Time Out New York Kids deals in your inbox each day. Still hungry? Check out the best outdoor restaurants NYC has to offer now that the nice weather has hit.

Can't decide between an afternoon at the museum or a few hours relaxing in the park? Now you can have the best of both worlds.  After hanging out with the dinos and taking a loop around "Unseen Oceans," you'll be able to enjoy New York in the springtime (now that the weather is finally cooperating) with a quick trip to Theodore Roosevelt Park. The lawn that calls one of NYC's most notable attractions its home—which runs from 77th to 81st Sts between Central Park West and Columbus Ave—was once closed off to visitors. Now, however, the Northwest and Southwest Lawns of the park will be open to the public beginning Memorial Day Weekend, 6 Sq Ft reports.  There's nothing like topping off an educational experience with a little outdoor r&r, so get ready for a full day of NYC fun. The park will be open five days a week from 9am–7pm. Though sports and pets will be prohibited, a bit of greenery in the midst of the Upper West Side is certainly a welcome addition. This initiative is part of Parks Without Borders, which aims to make parks' entrances, edges and adjacent spaces more accessible and inviting to the public. It's going to be a great space to look over the pics you just snapped in front of T-Rex—plus it won't require too much exertion to get there.    The lawn will remain open until Sept 30. We'll see you there!  Sign up to receive great Time Out New York Kids deals in your inbox each day. Looking for more things to do in NYC? We have a few ideas. Why not take the crew

Tracy Morgan is a Brooklynite—and proud of it.  Earlier this week, the fan-favorite comedian returned to his old stomping grounds for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Marcy Park, the playground he and his new TBS series, The Last O.G., donated $215,000 to renovating.  "Brooklyn is proud to welcome back one of its most famous sons, and we're even prouder that he's giving back in a real way to the community that raised him,” Borough President Eric Adams said according to a statement from the NYC Parks Department. “Thanks to Tracy and TBS for making it possible for NYC Parks to refurbish Marcy Playground, a beloved Bedford-Stuyvesant park that was in need of some TLC. Neighborhood investments like these make Brooklyn a better place to raise healthy children and families." Photograph: Courtesy NYC Parks/Malcolm Pinckney The donation contributed to the new asphalt, fresh backboards for the basketball hoops (which include the logo for the show) and a mural from artist Askew One. According to the Parks Department, the grounds were in serious need of a makeover and hadn't received any updates for roughly 10 years. Now, kids can play on the multi-colored surface while taking turns shooting hoops at the sleek backboards.  It was a sentimental throwback for the former SNL star.  “I played on this court as a kid. I actually cut my finger once on a glass bottle here and the blood I spilled on the court was for these kids. This is for Brooklyn. It makes me so happy,” Morgan said at t

If you ask Williamsburg mom Jenna "JD" Dosch, it's equally important for moms and dads to have a great time. Enter Little People Party, the company Dosch co-founded alongside her husband, Andy Shaw.  This "pop-up tot" party, which sets up shop at The Backyard in Brooklyn, offers the chance for kiddies to run wild on the astroturf field playing games while parents kick back and socialize...with a little booze.  "The kids are just a front," Dosch jokes. After taking her children to play dates, she and other parents oftentimes found themselves needing a little get-together of their own. With Little People Party, there's a happy medium.  "There was just something missing," she says about a pre Little People Party world.  While tykes ages six months to 3 years—who require adult supervision—are enjoying themselves, Little People Party eliminates the need for an adult-only playdate following the original one for kiddies. If you can watch your children having a ball while sipping on a brew with new friends, why not? "It's wonderful to meet people I wouldn't normally meet," Dosch adds.  For those skeptics who aren't quite convinced, give it a whirl.  "When people come in for the first time, they think it's just an added bonus," Dosch says of the bar. "Then it kind of clicks for them. You just gotta try it." Although the reception from parents in the neighborhood has been positive and moms and dads continue to grow their network of friends, this kid-friendly boozy play space is o

Students can protest, but it may cost them.  A second nationwide walkout in response to the Parkland, Florida, shooting is to take place on Apr 20—the anniversary of the Columbine tragedy—and NYC participants could face consequences for missing class. According to Patch, the Department of Education spokeswoman Miranda Barbot said that schools will be treating the occasion the way they do a normal day, which means those who are not present for at least one class will be marked as absent.  “We support student participation in civic engagement and advocacy, and encourage schools to facilitate opportunities for respectful discussions on current events. We are aware of the planned full-day walkout and schools will follow standard attendance policies,” Barbot said in a statement provided to Time Out New York Kids.  When the Mar 14 walkout took place, then-chancellor Carmen Fariña released a statement about the event, part of which read, "If your child is planning to participate, please notify your school by following your school’s regular attendance protocol. For middle and high school students, walking out for 17 minutes and returning to school will be considered cutting class, not an absence. Students will not face consequences beyond a notation in their student attendance record and a conversation with an administrator. Please be aware that regular classroom schedules will continue as usual." It appears plenty are willing to make the sacrifice, though. In an ef

It's safe to say that it's been a busy year for NYC public schools.  In addition to the typical events—camp planning, pre-k registration, snow days—the department of education named a new chancellor (but not without a bit of confusion first). Students became increasingly vocal on the issue of gun violence and new anti-bullying measures have been addressed. A lot has happened, and it's time to voice your concerns.  The final day to submit your 2018 NYC School Survey is fast approaching (Apr 20), and it's your opportunity share your thoughts on topics such as instruction, safety and family engagement. Parents, students in grades 6–12 and educators are invited to voice their opinion, so don't miss the opportunity.  So how do you get the ball rolling? Check out your unique access code, which you can find on the bottom right of the NYC DOE paper-based surveys. Once you have that, you'll be able to head online to complete the survey. If you can't find your access code, don't sweat it: You can call 877-819-2363 or use the code look-up tool to get the goods. Simple as that!  So mark you calendars and set aside a few minutes—time's almost up.  Looking for family-friendly activities? NYC has plenty of great offerings that will please even the pickiest members of your clan. Why not check out the best kids bowling, stop by an awesome kids playground when the nice weather hits or spend the weekend checking different family attractions off your list.  Sign up to receive great Time Ou

Taking a tot to La bohème or Carmen is pretty ambitious, but if you're anxious to expose your kiddies to the NYC art scene, you'll have to take baby steps—literally.  Thanks to BambinO, a masterpiece from Scottish Opera, Improbable theatre company and Manchester International Festival, NYC's babies and toddlers will be able to enjoy an opera exclusively for them.  “In the Met’s never-ending quest to develop audiences of the future, we’ve decided to start at the very beginning,” the institution's general manager, Peter Gelb, said in a statement. “This should be a formative experience for the infants of NYC.” The interactive show, which is meant for toddlers who range from six months to 18 months old, focuses on a bird named Uccellina (soprano Charlotte Hoather) who stumbles upon a golden egg. When it hatches and reveals baby chick Pulcino (baritone Timothy Connor), he immediately considers Uccellina his mama. During the 40-minute show, youngsters will be exposed to their relationship, and ultimately, their separation.  Though trips to the opera for adults can be costly, BambinO is free. However, reservations are required by emailing bambinoRSVP@metopera.org. At this point in time, this is a wait-list only event. The performance dates are as follows: Monday, Apr 30 at 2pm Tuesday, May 1 at 10am and 2pm Wednesday, May 2 at 10am and 2pm Thursday, May 3 at 10am and 2pm Friday, May 4 at 10am and 2pm Saturday, May 5 at 9:45am Enjoy the show!  There

NYC students refuse to be silenced.  In an effort to see stricter gun laws in the U.S., roughly 6,000 students in the city from institutions such as Stuyvesant High School, The Beacon School, BARD Manhattan, among others, will participate in a second walkout on Friday, Apr 20 at noon in Washington Square Park. They'll join forces with other schools across the country. This comes in the wake of the Mar 14 walkout in response to the horrific shooting in Parkland, Florida that left 17 people dead.  Between these NYC protests and the national March for Our Lives movement, it's clear young citizens are becoming involved and taking a stand to fight for their beliefs. Just take a look at the organizer behind the NYC walkout, 16-year-old Arielle Geismar, co-founder of New York City Says Enough. The group is attempting to become a 501c organization and exceeded its $7,000 goal to raise funds for the Apr 20 walkout.    "I and so many other people my age are ready for change, and will not stop until we get it," she says. "We are no longer accepting responses from politicians that include 'in the future' or 'soon.' We are planning to file for incorporation for 501c4 status. Becoming official and being able to have a public statement on politicians we support is extremely important. This rally is the next step from the March 14 walkouts. In March, we mourn, and in April, we act." The walkout, which will take place on the anniversary of the Columbine tragedy, will include survivor

LEGO bricks are the toys that needs no introduction. For 60 years, they've been the building blocks of childhood fun and creativity (see what we did there?). In order to celebrate this milestone, the Scandinavia House will feature a new exhibit, "LEGO Bricks: A Celebration." Get ready for an experience like no other.  When children aren't wandering their way through 30,000 loose LEGO bricks in the interactive play zone, they can admire sculptures and mosaics by Brooklyn-based artist Sean Kenney (and perhaps feel inspired to create their own masterpiece). Kenney, whose traveling exhibit "Nature Connects" has made its rounds throughout the U.S., is pretty much the Picasso of LEGO creations, and his work will certainly entertain visitors of all ages.  Photograph: Courtesy Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America "I've always been a huge fan of LEGO toys, ever since I was a little kid," the artist tells Time Out New York Kids. "I think they reflect my personality well—I am structured and organized and logical, but I am also rather silly and love to laugh. What better medium than a primary-colored children's toy based on straight lines, rules, and math?" Photograph: Courtesy Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America The exhibit will kick off on Apr 28 and run through Aug 4. To ring in the occasion, there will be a party starting at 3pm on Apr 28 that will feature live music, snacks and of course, fun ways to play. Considering these little blocks are a ke

Feel like unleashing your spooky side? Not to worry, Morticia Addams enthusiasts, you and your newborn can take a nice long stroll among the dead thanks to this new tour (just make sure your best black attire is ready).  The Park Slope Parents Association partnered with Green-Wood Cemetery for a different type of mommy-and-me outing: a 45-minute walk through its historic grounds. New parents who can't quite cover the venue by lugging their child's stroller on and off a tour bus can now take in Brooklyn's past on foot. Save the playspaces for another time—you and your mini-me have a lot of ground to cover (literally).  It might seem a bit eccentric—considering Green-Wood is now home to the newly reopened Morbid Anatomy Museum—but this tour is actually a great way to take in the sites of Brooklyn people do not normally experience (think of it as a trip to see an exhibit rather than a haunted house). Parents might be in favor of visiting grave sites of famous figures such as soda fountain creator, John Matthews, but kiddies will definitely enjoy a walk past the cemetery’s koi pond and other animal-related pitstops. Yes, it's certainly a new way to spend an afternoon, but when rounds on jungle gym at your local play area become redundant, you'll need a way to spice things up. Those interested in taking a step back in time are required to register with the online group before participating in the Apr 24 tour, which begins at 10:20am and costs $10. Please note that this event is