Last Minute Staycations: Kid Friendly Activities (For Cheap!)

With the countdown to schools all across NYC opening for yet another school year, now more than ever is the time to start compiling the list of last minute things to do with the kids for the rest of the dog days of summer. The greatest thing about New York is the LARGE amount of free or close-to-free events that are happening throughout their vacation!

Some places are New York staples, like the Bronx Zoo, http://www.bronxzoo.com , but did you know that Wednesdays are their "Pay What You Wish" day? If you have a vacation day from work or school, spend some time with the kids, with more money in your pocket! (Wednesdays, 10am-5:30pm.). The Brooklyn Children's Museum http://www.brooklynkids.org/ offer a free day during the week (Wednesdays, 2-5pm.), as does the Staten Island Zoo http://www.statenislandzoo.org/ (Wednesdays, 2-4:45pm.) and the Children's Museum of Manhattan http://www.cmom.org/ (First Friday of Every Month, 5-8pm) Other places that include "Pay What You Wish" days are The New York Aquarium http://www.nyaquarium.com/ (Fridays, 3-5pm.)


Don't have time to day off during the week? Meet Cool Culture. http://www.coolculture.org/ Founded in 1999, Cool Culture helps 50,000 income-eligible families access and enjoy NYC's world-class cultural institutions for free, providing children with learning experiences that improve literacy and learning. With partnerships with over 90 cultural institutions like El Museo del Barrio, The Jewish Museum and the Guggenheim, Cool Culture offers members free and unlimited general admission to all that sign up.

You can always count on the Big Apple to bring the kids plenty of things to do for free. Every weekend, the options are limitless with the amount of activities the family can do! There is Family Camping http://www.nycgovparks.org/  where kids can experience overnight camping with Urban Park rangers in city green spaces, including Fort Greene and Central Park. Your kids love theater? Introduce them to Madison Square Kids http://www.madisonsquarepark.org/ (Hurry up though, because the series ends Aug. 12!).

Others include Word for Word for Kids, http://www.bryantpark.org/ that feature magic shows, a visit with Curious George and more (June 19-August 21) and Movies with a View http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/ , where kids are greeting with a dj spinning tunes and their favorite movies (including Pixar's Monsters vs. Aliens) on Pier 31. (July 8-September 2).

Hungry after hitting up all these fun and free places, there are several places in the tri-state area that are offering free meals to kids! Places like Barrio http://www.barriofoods.com/ offer children under 12, one free kid's meal (with the purchase of each adult entree, minimum $12) on Tuesdays from 3–10pm: Kids can order quesadillas, mini tacos stuffed with short ribs, roasted pork or market fish and topped with avocado slices. New Orleans' themed Bourbon Street http://www.bourbonstreetny.com/. are free for kids all Sunday. (Children under age 12 get one free kids’ meal with each adult entrée purchased.) For the picky eaters, they offer chicken fingers, burgers or pasta but for the more adventureous mini 'foodie', they can enjoy fares like blackened shrimp or salmon, pasta jambalaya, with chicken or shrimp.*

There is so much more for kids to enjoy for the rest of the summer and you be rest assured that She's So New York will be keeping you informed. Did we miss anything? Let us and our readers know! Maybe you might see us at one of these events!

info provided by Time Out Magazine