To be honest, August in the city can sometimes get very quiet and slow, and finding activities to do with your kids can be hard. However, there are actually lots of fun, #FabuLyss, family-friendly attractions all over the city throughout the month of August that your kids will absolutely love! Don’t let the heat get to you — make sure to check out some of my August FabuLyss finds.
Did you know that Hudson on Sailing offers public sailing on the Hudson River from now until Thanksgiving? It offers lessons, excursions, group outings, memberships, and, best of all, youth programs! There are so many activities that your children can do, so go ahead and check it out! (hudsonsailing.org/youth-programs/).
Don’t want to spend too much money on activities? There are also tons of free attractions in New York throughout the month of August! You can bike or stroll with your family through Park Avenue at Summer Streets on Aug. 2, 9, and 16 from 7 am to 1 pm. There are tons of fun attractions including; mini-golf, live music, picnics and so much more! (www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/route/route.shtml).
Do your kids love movies? Then the Bryant Park Film Festival is a great activity for them and you! It runs every Monday until Aug. 18 and you can catch “The Karate Kid” on Monday, Aug. 4 with your kids (bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/filmfestival.html).
You can also pass by the playground in Madison Square Park (Madison Avenue at between E. 23rd and E. 26th streets) for storytime and fun craft projects every Wednesday all the way through October. There is gorgeous artwork displayed along with live music and great food for you and your family to enjoy! (www.madisonsquarepark.org/tag/reading-rangers).
Go ahead and practice your swing at the brand-new Bryant Park Putting Green, which is open everyday until September. It is a great activity for a son and father, or you can just have a friendly (or not so friendly) competition between your family and friends! (www.bryantpark.org/things-to-do/the_green.html).
The High Line is also offering free stargazing with astronomers every Tuesday night throughout the summer! After admiring the stars you can go have dinner and dessert with your family at the amazing restaurants all along the High Line. (www.thehighline.org/events/free/2014/6/every-tuesday-stargazing-on-the-high-line
Also, if you’d like to get out of the city for a weekend or two, there are so many fun activities that you and your family can do in the Hamptons. From horseback riding (www.deephollowranch.com/), to surfing there are so many outdoor activities just within a two-hour drive!
August is the last month of summer, so make it fun for your family, whether it’s going sailing, taking a stroll through the Summer Streets on Park Avenue, or hanging out at one of the many beautiful beaches, you and your family will have an amazing time! Before we know it, September will be here and the kids will be back in school. Make August a month to make lots of lasting summer memories.
Lyss Stern is the founder of DivaLysscious Moms (www.divamoms.com).
