CHILDREN IN NEW YORK CITY

Free Arts for Abused Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to bring the healing powers of the arts into the lives of abused, neglected and at risk children and their families.

Trail Blazers facilitates the development of values and life skills essential for productive citizenship in inner-city youngsters through outdoor experiential education, year-round mentoring and leadership training

Programs such as pee wee basketball, gymnastics, jujitsu, swimming and a co-op nursery school are offered.

Karate, Praying Mantis Kung-Fu, and dance classes for children.

Day-camps, swimming, Seido karate, basketball and soccer are a few of the programs offered.

This is also a toy store. You can eat and play at the same time.

Food is served family-stlye and the portions are huge so make sure the kids split the meals.

Renowned Midtown deli serving super sized sandwiches and other deli delights. A great NY experience.

Overlooks the Hudson River which provides some nice sunsets while you dine. Kids' menu $4

Large portions. Lots of fun.

Large portions and very affordable.

Seltzer from a fountain and chocolate syrup made from scratch.

Great bar. Continental/American cuisine. Outdoor dining during the summer

Old fashioned shop with pastries and other sweets.

Upper East side "Pig Heaven" known for its Cantonese-style roast suckling pig and little piggy decor. Popular among neighborhood adults and kids.

Lite popovers and great strawberry butter are the main attractions here. Always a favorite with children.

East Side cafe/toy store specializing in desserts, ice cream and frozen hot chocolate

Child-friendly place with deep-dish pizzas and cute desserts which kids love.

Great for ages 4 to 12 years.

$10 for a single dance class; annual registration card for $15. The Dance Troupe is a traveling company whose schedule & performance locations can be found on their website.

Saturdays Alive series which are priced right and enjoyable performances. They also offer shows for 3 to 5 year olds.

This is exceptional for kids ages 3 to 9.

Classic tales presented by Miss Majesty's Lollipop Playhouse. Audience participation comedies. Kids love it.

Tickets cost up to $6.

Kids doing comedy once a month at Caroline's Comedy Club. Auditions are necessary. Kids ages 8 to 15.

Performances include music, dance, drama, circus and puppetry. Affordable prices.

Saturday and Sunday matinees and nighttime performances Thursday to Saturday.

Company of adults who create and perform original theater for children ages 4 through 9: short plays, rousing songs, freewheeling dances

This award-winning theatre company specializes in children's programs. They utilize live theatre, puppetry and music.

Symphony Space offers a wide variety of performances from world music & symphonies to short story readings by film & stage stars. Schedule of Performances

The shows keep 3 year olds and up enthralled. One hour skits with music.

Theater group performs musical versions of classic children's stories. Good for ages 5 and up.

Matinees start at 1pm or 3pm. Great for ages 4 and up.

The center is composed of two theaters. Theater 1 seats a little over 900 people and Theater 2 seats about 250.

Wynton Marsalis performs at these concerts three times a year, usually November, January and March.

Performed on Saturday mornings and last about 1 & 1/2 hours. Ages 5 and up.

Four Saturday afternoons of music for youngsters, preceded by an hour of musical activities.

These concerts involve the kids. They can bring instruments and play jazz arrangements. Usually held in March or September.

The holiday concerts are given on six Saturdays a year. There is a workshop before each concert which involves the children and sparks interest.

The Metropolitan Opera Company sponsors operas for kids, entertaining and in English, in different spots around the city. There is also a cast party following the performance where kids can enjoy cookies, punch and the performers.

A tape of the music is sent out in advance so your young ones can be familiar with the music at the concert. Given in a classic brownstone.

There's also "Lolli-Pop" concerts for the 3-5 age range. Audience participation is encouraged.

Performed in about an hour and the price is reasonable. There is a fun workshop before the concert.

They preform between 1pm and 6pm at the Bethesda Fountain.

This center stages creative puppet shows for kids ages 3 and up.

This is a marionette show held in the party room at Ray's Pizza. Performed by a former opera singer with the New York City Opera.

A bright indoor playspace with a sandbox and lots of little areas to have fun in.Admission $4.50 per person.

A hands-on communication technology and entertainment museum for all ages. Admission is always free!

This Central Park theater is a great backdrop for a puppet show. The shows feature life-size marionettes, beautiful costumes and sets. The weekend shows are crowded and sold-out.

1908 merry-go-round is a classic. There is even a vintage calliope. For the younger set, there are horses that don't go up and down and swan cars.

Motion-simulation includes a roller-coaster ride, a submarine chase, an intergalactic flight, and a ski-and-snowboard ride. Admission $6 for one ride, $8 for 2 rides, $10 for 3 ride, $12 for 4 rides.

Website has info on their sightseeing cruises, evening sunset cruises, music cruises, speedboat rides & private parties.

The double-decker "hop on and hop off" buses are a good way to see the city at your own pace.

A zany fast-paced (but you never leave your seat) virtual tour of NYC.

Sparkling boats leave here for a 90 minute tour of the major sights of the city. Less crowded than the ferry and more comfortable.

NYC's own funicular (cable car) from 59th Street and 1st Ave up over the East River down to Roosevelt Island. Fun.

Take a free, 25-minute tour of New York Harbor onboard the Staten Island Ferry. Open to pedestrians and bicyclists, the ferry departs at Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan and passes the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and other harbor sights on its way to Staten Island's St. George Ferry Terminal.

This speedboat will thrill you up New York Harbor at 45 mph every hours on the quarter (11:15 am-7:15 pm, June - October)

The American Folk Art Museum celebrates the contributions of folk art to the enduring culture of America, highlighting the expressive qualities of items as simple as a quilt. The collection also includes 18th and 19th century paintings and handcrafted items form American history.

The oldest museum for kids in the nation, fun! educational, cool parts, gadgets, playful exhibits, etc! $4 Admission; Free for members & children under 1.

Four stories of hands-on instructional & fun toys, games & demonstrations. A delight for kids of all ages when it is not crowded.

Admission is just a donation on Wednesday from 17-19, otherwise it's $5. Rated best by NY Mag 4/24/00.

The Cloisters is made up of a historic building and its cloistered gardens; Take a guided tour and discover the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Inside visitors will see sculpture, tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, gold and silver work, stained glass and more. Lectures and programs are held on Saturdays, and music concerts are presented in the 12th-century Fuentiduena Chapel.

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum is the only museum in the country devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. A Smithsonian Institution facility, the museum features collections that include drawings, prints and graphic design; product design and decorative arts; textiles; and wallcoverings. Click here for a Location.

Publishing magnate, Malcolm Forbes collected toy boats, toy soldiers, monopoly games, medals and trophies, presidential papers, and lavishly decorated Faberge eggs. They're all on display here. Free admission.

One of the most successful ships in US histry is now one of the most unique attractions in New York City. Exhibits include military artifacts and installations on current events, plus two flight simulator rides. There are more than 25 aircraft on the deck of the carrier Intrepid; the USS Growler, a guided missile submarine; and the British Airways Concorde, the world's fastest supersonic jet. Click here to see a picture. Click here for a Location