The Bronx

Swimming isn’t just for hotel guests on a sunny afternoon. Believe it or not, NYC is full of outdoor pools that offer that most surreal of summer-in-the-city experiences: the urban pool party. Even better, all city outdoor pools are free—and open through Labor Day. General hours of operation are 11am to 7pm (with a break for pool cleaning between 3pm and 4pm). Check out one of these faves below (call the individual pools for more specific information, or visit nycgovparks.org).

Asser Levy Recreation Center
East 23rd St. & FDR
212-447-2020
Pack some sandwiches and spend the day splashing around this outdoor pool in Kips Bay, which dates from the 1930s. There’s also a wading pool for toddlers. Swim lessons are available to members.

Astoria Pool
Astoria Park, 19th St. at 23rd Drive, Queens
718-626-8620
At 165 feet wide by 330 feet long, this pool — situated on the East River — is the largest in the city and has incredible views of Manhattan’s skyline. Opened by Robert Moses in 1936, the Art Deco pool features vintage details such as mushroom fountains that spray water 25 feet in the air, underwater lighting fixtures, “no water pistols” signs, and wooden changing booths.

Barretto Point Park
Tiffany St. & Viele Ave., Bronx
718-617-2373
The “Floating Pool Lady,” a seven-lane pool on a barge, has parked in Hunts Point this summer. The freshwater pool has a pool house, locker rooms, bathrooms and great views of the NYC waterfront.

Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
1 Clarkson St. (7th Ave. South & Leroy)
212-242-5228
Formerly known as the Carmine Recreation Center, this West Village 100-feet by 50-feet outdoor pool has lap lanes in the deep end and a diving board. Constructed in the 1930s, a large fish mural was added in 1987 by pop-artist Keith Haring. The locals play handball and bocce at the on site courts, and the kids can play at the playground and ball fields.

Hamilton Fish Recreation Center
127 Pitt St. (East Houston & Stanton)
212-387-7687
Built in 1936 and renovated in 1992, this pool was used by the 1952 Olympic team to prepare for the games in Helsinki, Finland. Offers two outdoor pools: a good-sized kiddie pool (2-1/2 feet deep all around) and one for older kids (3-1/2 feet deep all around).

John Jay Pool
77th St. & Cherokee Place
212-794-6566
One of two pools in Manhattan (the other being at Tony Dapolito) that allows diving. The center also houses a snack bar and a small playground with benches.

Sunset Park Recreation Center
7th Ave. at 43rd St., Brooklyn
718-965-6533
Sunset Park sits on the highest point in Brooklyn and offers great views of the Manhattan skyline along with an Olympic-size outdoor pool.

Go
Ezra Jack Keats Storytelling
Gather at the Imagination Playground for stories by the famous children’s author and Brooklyn native — you’ll spot the group at the statues of Peter and Willy, two beloved Keats characters.
When: Sat. 7/2, 2pm; Free.
Where: Prospect Park, Ocean Ave. bet. Parkside Ave. & Lincoln Road, Brooklyn, prospectpark.org.

Hear
Rite of Summer Music Festival
Camp out for the afternoon on family-friendly Governors Island and hear live classical-contemporary music performed by 40 of NYC’s hippest musicians.
When: Sat. 7/2, 1pm & 3pm; Free.
Where: Colonels Row, Governors Island, riteofsummer.com.

Do
SummerStage Family Day
Enjoy bouncy bilingual tunes from Moona Luna, kid-friendly hip-hop by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, defying dance moves by Illstyle & Peace Productions, and storytelling by David Gonzalez and Bill Harley.
When: Sun. 7/3, 3pm; Free.
Where: St. Mary’s Park (St. Mary’s St., St. Anns Ave., East 149th St., Jackson Ave.), Bronx, summerstage.org.

Visit
Mini Golf at Hudson River Park
Tribeca’s Pier 25 got a kid-friendly makeover, with a new 18-hole mini-golf course in time for summer. Play a round of putt-putt, then test out the state-of-the-art playground.
When: 10am-10pm; $5 Adults, $4 Kids per game.
Where: Pier 25 at N. Moore St., Hudson River Park, hudsonriverpark.org.

Happy Father’s Day!

See
The Berenstain Bears Live
The beloved bear family from the children’s books comes to life in Family Matters, an original new musical full of singing and dancing about Bear Country.
When: Sat. & Sun., 6/18 & 6/19, 1:30pm & 3pm; Free with museum admission.
Where: The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo, Fordham Road & Bronx River Parkway, 718-367-1010, bronxzoo.com.

Hear
Story Pirates and Moey’s Music Party
Moey, called “the pied piper in pink” brings her top mommy-rated performance to the Williamsburg Waterfront, along with entertaining kiddie tale-tellers the Story Pirates.
When: Sun. 6/19, 1pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Williamsburg Waterfront, between N. Seventh & N. Eighth St., Brooklyn, aeglive.com.

Go
Kool Jazzy Dads
In honor of Father’s Day, kids and dads can listen to cool tunes together. Let little ones decorate a tie to give as a special gift.
When: Sun. 6/19, 2:30pm; Ages 5 and under; Free with museum admission.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Brooklyn, 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

Do
Kids on the Scene Origami Workshop
Artist Ben Friesen teaches kids how to fold paper into Central Park-inspired works of art, like flowers, insects and animals.
When: Sun. 6/19, 11am-12pm; Ages 5+; Free.
Where: Tavern on the Green, inside Central Park at 67th St., 212-874-7874, nycgovparks.org.

Eat
Father’s Day BBQ
While Mother’s Day means brunch, Father’s Day is all about the barbecue. Treat dad to a special menu of Memphis-style ribs, hand-sliced brisket and fried chicken.
When: Sun. 6/19, starting at 12pm.
Where: Southern Hospitality, 1460 2nd Ave. (bet. 76th & 77th St.), 212-265-1001, southernhospitalitybbq.com.

Back in 2000, we had the Big Apple CowParade. Five years later, the fluttering, orange fabric panels of The Gates took over Central Park. This summer, we’ve got pianos …

Make Music
Play Me, I’m Yours
Sixty pianos are stationed around NYC for your fingertips. British artist Luke Jerram and the non-profit arts group Sing for Hope comprise the team responsible for bringing the installation “Play Me, I’m Yours” to the city. (It’s being presented simultaneously in London.) On his Web site, Jerram writes that the purpose of this public art project is “to provoke people into engaging, activating and claiming ownership of their urban landscape” and to serve as a “catalyst for conversation.” The street pianos can be played by anyone who happens upon them. And you will notice them. With their bold colors and whimsical designs, the embellished pianos are the works of established as well as up-and-coming artists. The one pictured above was painted by Sophie Matisse, Henri’s grand-daughter.
When: Now through 7/5, 9am-10pm daily. (All ages)
Where: Check the maps at streetpianos.com. The pianos are located in all five boroughs. Some of the places you’ll find street pianos are: Lincoln Center (4 pianos), Madison Square Park, Central Park, Times Square, Chelsea, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Coney Island boardwalk.

Go
CBS Radio Expo
Junior can grab free autographs from Darryl Strawberry, John Starks, Harry Carson and other local celeb athletes. The expo will feature performances by Kat DeLuna, Macy Gray, Kris Allen and Eddie Money. Also on the itinerary: face painting, balloons, a US Army football toss, Speed Pitch, DJ Hero, Dance Dance Revolution plus more.
When: Sat., 6/26, 9am-5pm. $5 per ticket (free for kids under 4). Purchase tickets at cbsradioexpo.com or on Saturday at the stadium.
Where: Yankee Stadium, One E. 161st. St, the Bronx.

Do
Clifford’s Annual Beach Festival
Join the big red dog at The Scholastic Store for conga lines, the limbo and craft-making with sand.
When: Sat., 6/26 at 3pm. (All ages)
Where: The Scholastic Store, 557 B’way (bet. Prince and Spring Sts.). Stroller entrance is at 130 Mercer St.

Try
Learn to Ride - Kids
Bike New York
Bike New York, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging bike riding and bike safety, is offering free lessons in Prospect Heights this weekend. (check bikenewyork.com for a full schedule of lessons throughout the city through September) Junior can learn the cycling basics, and you don’t have to run behind the bike! (This is the group that organizes the TD Bank 5 Boro Bike Tour.)
When: Sun., 6/27, noon-3pm. Free. Pre-register at bikenewyork.com. (Ages 5 and up).
You’ll need to bring a bike and helmet. If rain’s in the forecast, call Bike New York’s weather hotline at 212 932 2453 x115 for class status updates.
Where: Vanderbilt and St. Marks Aves.

Photo credit: Luke Jerram

New York City may have 8 million plus people, but it can still feel pretty lonely here come late December. As friends flee the city for fabulous (and envy-worthy), vacation hot spots, many of us are stuck in our perennially overheated apartments sans any real direction for the holiday season. A prescription for cabin fever if ever there was one.

But you’ve got plenty of options around town for breaking up your family’s holi-daze over the holidays. (And we’re not suggesting you go anywhere near the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.) In addition to the Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA (for kids who can handle the quirky eeriness of the guy who brought us The Nightmare Before Christmas), Kandinsky retrospective at the Guggenheim and the Sesame Street exhibition at Brooklyn Public Library, all ongoing exhibits, you’ve got:

The Jewish Museum’s Holiday Season Family Activities
Starting on Thur. 12/24 and running on 12/27-12/29 as well as 12/31, the museum will host an afternoon drop-in art workshop. Kids ages 3 and up can create a mixed media collage related to the theme of light. December 25th is “A Family Celebration” with a full day of activities, including an art workshop inspired by the museum’s current Man Ray exhibit, a Metropolitan Klezmer concert plus a “Strike a Surreal Pose” photo booth, again inspired by the Man Ray exhibit. Mon. 12/28 and Tue. 12/29 are Family Film Days. The museum will show classic family films and TV episodes from its National Jewish Archive of Broadcasting. Look for Maurice Sendak’s Really Rosie plus The Muppet Show.
Check thejewishmuseum.org for times. All activities are free with museum admission.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. @ 92nd St., 212-423-3200.

Kwanzaa Celebration
American Museum of Natural History
African dance, live musical performances and traditional crafts are all part of AMNH’s celebration of the seven principles of Kwanzaa on Sun. 12/27, noon-5pm. A Kwanzaa Marketplace, with vendors, visual artists and craftspeople, will be set up on the Mezzanine Level of the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. The Museum Food Court will be serving special Kwanzaa foods. Plus check out AMNH’s origami holiday tree, which has been a tradition for the past 30 years. Volunteers began folding the 500 creations displayed on the tree back in July! Activities are free with the price of admission.
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th St. (Milstein Hall of Ocean Life), amnh.org.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s World of Celebrations
The annual winter recess festival runs Thu. 12/24-Sun. 1/3, not including Christmas and New Year’s Day. Think Mayan hot chocolate and gingerbread cookie decorating. The museum hosts educational/ arts ‘n’ crafts sessions focusing on Kwanzaa, New Year’s Day and the annual Camel Festival in Bikaner, India. Free with the price of admission. Visit brooklynkids.org for details.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., 718-735-4400.

Giggle Sale
Why not throw in a little shopping! Markdowns of 15-75% have already begun on clothing, gear, decor and bedding. Sale standouts: strollers by Phil & Teds and Stokke plus Fleurville diaper bags. The sale is both online and at Giggle’s brick-and-mortar stores.
Soho - 120 Wooster (bet. Prince and Spring Sts.)
UES - 1033 Lex. Ave. @ 74th St.

Thomas the Tank Engine
at The New York Botanical Garden
Starting Sat. 1/2, kids can meet Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt, become certified as honorary engineers and take home temporary tattoos, stickers and coloring sheets. Tickets are free with the price of admission but are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. While you’re there, check out Gingerbread Town. And if you’re even thinking about going to the Holiday Train Show, get tickets now.
Outside the Arthur and Janet Ross Gallery, New York Botanical Garden, 200th St. and Kazimiroff Blvd. nybg.org. (Runs through Sun. 1/10)

Happy Holidays!

Photo credit: AMNH

The butterflies are back in town as is Harold and a certain-colored crayon. The Shake Shack goes Bavarian while an African folktale goes hip-hop. Plus Boo at the Zoo for you.

Go
The Butterfly Conservatory:
Butterflies Alive in Winter
Twelve years ago, The American Museum of Natural History held what was supposed to be a one-time event featuring fluttering members of the Order Lepidoptera. The exhibit proved to be so popular that AMNH has hosted an annual exhibition of live butterflies ever since, explains Hazel Davies, Manager of Living Exhibits at the museum. The Conservatory’s butterflies hail from farms in Florida, Costa Rica, Kenya, Malaysia, Ecuador and Thailand. Because the butterflies typically live only two-three weeks, the museum receives about 500 pupae (AKA replacement butterflies) per week, via DHL and FedEx no less, during the run of the exhibit. They’re released into the vivarium once they emerge. Note: dress (undress) appropriately. It’s 80 degrees inside the vivarium with 75% humidity.
When: Starts Sat. 10/10 and runs through 5/31/10. (Open daily 10am-5:45pm). Time-specific tix for exhibit include general admission: $24 adults, $18 seniors/students, $14 children (2-12). Available online at amnh.org.
Where: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St.

See
Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth
The Hip-Hop Theater Festival brings us a modern adaptation of classic African folklore. The plot: Zomo must perform three tasks before he can receive the ultimate power from The Sky God. Set in NYC, the story leads to the celebration of hip-hop culture.
When: Fri., 10/9 at 3pm; Sat., 10/10 at 3pm; Sun., 10/11 at 1pm. $20 per ticket, available at theatermania.com. (Ages 4 and up)
Where: Ohio Theater, 66 Wooster St., bet. Spring and Broome Sts.

Eat
Shacktoberfest
The Shake Shack is honoring Oktoberfest with specials inspired by the Bavarian festival. Think sausages done Shake Shack style, Apple-Strudel- and German-Chocolate-Cake-flavored Concretes (a super dense custard shake) plus seasonal beers. The Shack’s signature burgers and fries, plus all other items on the regular menu, are also available for your consumption.
When: Now through Sun., 10/11; 11am-11pm. shakeshack.com.
Where: Madison Square Park- SE corner of Mad. Sq. Pk, near Madison Ave & E. 23rd St.
UWS - 366 Columbus Ave. at 77th St.

Do
Boo at the Zoo
For the next four weekends, the Bronx Zoo is going all out for Halloween with the Haunted Safari, mask making from recycled materials, a hay maze, bats and cats, plus more. Kids ages 3-12 who come in a wildlife costume are admitted free with an adult who is paying a full-priced admission.
When: 10/10-10/12, 10/17-10/18, 10/24-10/25 and 10/31-11/1. Check bronxzoo.com for specific activity times.
Where: Bronx Zoo, Fordham Rd. and Bronx River Parkway.

Watch
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
As part of its 2009-2010 Target Family Fun series, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts presents The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon, based on the book series by Crockett Johnson. The Enchantment Theatre Company’s production features life-size puppets, music, masks and magic.
When: Sun., 10/11 at 2pm. Runs approx. 50 minutes. $6 per ticket. Available online at brooklyncenteronline.org or by calling (718) 951-4500. (Ages 5 and up.)
Where: Brooklyn Ctr for the Performing Arts, Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College, 2900 Campus Rd. & Hillel Place (1 block west of “The Junction.”)

Photo credit (Butterfly): AMNH\D.Finnin.

Mondays used to mean packing your tot off to preschool and enjoying a few precious hours of free time. Now that it’s summer, Monday means scrounging to line up another week’s worth of activities to keep him entertained. July 4th just ended, and you’re already at a loss. (Sure, Petland is kind of like an air-conditioned zoo/aquarium, but the cashiers are starting to give you dirty looks.)

Thankfully, this particular Monday brings sweet relief for kiddies spending summer in the city. The Police Athletic League has opened more than 100 safe-play sites throughout the five boroughs, closing off streets to create open spaces where children can enjoy outdoor games, make new friends from the neighborhood, and splash around in the open fire hydrants. There’s also a supervised day camp program, so you can take off for errands or just a little “me” time.

Unlike the water park or the museum, the play sites are free (aside from a nominal sign-up fee), so you can go up to five days a week. An array of classic street games and other activities keep the days from feeling redundant: double-dutch, hopscotch, music and dance, street hockey, basketball, and arts and crafts projects. There’s even a mobile library where kids can borrow books.

Sign up by visiting your local PAL summer play street. And save the next Petland excursion for Saturday.

Visit palnyc.org.