This summer spend time together as a family forming new memories by enjoying each others’ company. When a child in a family becomes ill most people typically realize how precious small moments are. Friends of Karen is a great resource for families offering financial and emotional support, but there are additional resources throughout the community that families can utilize to help make memories. It can be stressful to find activities for kids and families to enjoy during the hectic and financially strained time when a child is ill. We have compiled a list of resources for families to use to find fun, low cost entertainment this summer.

Take some time to explore the resources available to you and your family in order to enjoy a fun memorable summer!
 
State and City Parks
Parks offer a ton of program for FREE. Check out their websites for workshops and events.
  • NYC parks offer FREE programs everyday during the summer. Their Kids in Motion program leads 4-7 hours of organized sports, games and fitness programs at playgrounds and parks. There are also swim programs instructing kids for free at local pools. In addition the Recreation Centers offer computer programs and fitness groups. nycgovparks.org/events/kids
  • New York Parks offer workshops that teach about camping, bird watching and fishing!
    parks.ny.gov/events
  • New Jersey State Parks have announced that this summer all entries will be FREE! So take a step back in time and visit some historical sites or climb the stairs in a lighthouse.
    njfamily.com/visit-njs-state-parks/ 
Libraries
Libraries are a great resource for programs and museum passes. Remember you don’t usually need to be a member of a library to join their activities. Also many libraries offer summer reading programs for kids, which keeps them motivated when is school is out. Libraries offer prizes for reading and typically a fun event at the end of summer to celebrate their success.
 
Museum Passes
Many libraries now offer museums passes for free to patrons and their families (typically up to  6 people) You reserve the museum pass online and pick it up at the library and then visit the museum for FREE! Go visit the Long Island Children’s Museum, NY Aquarium, Natural History Museum and more
 
Nature Preserves
Do you like animals? Wonder how things grow? Or find bugs interesting? Learn more about wildlife by visiting a nature preserve. Some preserves charge for entry into the museum but most are free to visit the grounds and explore outside., several offer workshops as well. 
  • Suffolk- Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve - A small zoo like experience, where you can see tigers, buffalo and bears for FREE
  • Connecticut- Greenwich Audubon Center- Up for some birdwatching? Search and learn about the various birds this center protects.
  • NYC- Van Cortlandt Nature Center- This center is located in the Bronx and offers hiking trail over various rock formations and the classes to learn about various wildlife.

Outdoor Movies, Concerts and Shows
Watching a movie from the couch is boring, watching one from the car or picnic blanket or towels on the sand is way cooler. So many towns offer outdoor movies now... check out these websites to find some local to you. Besides movies many locations have stages where you can see various family friendly concerts and shows.

Outdoor Fun
Remember memories are formed by being together.  Spend time with family exploring a new town, engaging in a new activity or learning a new skill.

  • Westchester- Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway -Every Sunday they shutdown 13 miles of roadway to cars for pedestrian usage from Westchester County Center to Yonkers. Bring bikes, scooters and skates to explore the open road.
  • Westchester - Farm Trail - From Sleepy Hollow to North Salem this route connects 13 farms and offers opportunities to meet the animals, learn about Maple Syrup and do farm chores.
  • Westchester- Mario Cuomo Bridge Walkway - Get out and get some fresh air and experience new views. The 3.6 mile bridge crosses over the Hudson River and is a great experience for all to have.
  • NYC- Alley Pond Adventure Course - You want to climb high in Queens? Check out the adventure course on the ground of Alley Pond State Park. Every Sunday the open the challenge course for people to try climbing for Free.
  • Long Island - Nassau County Museum of Art -The museum has an outdoor sculpture park with more than 50 pieces. Go check out the nature trails as well.
  • Connecticut- Lavender Pond Farm – This 25 acre farm of lavender plants has a labyrinth, fairy houses and a pond to explore.
  • NYC- New York Junior Tennis Community Tennis Program – This organization offers free tennis lessons throughout the summer in various locations.
  • NYC- Brooklyn Bridge Boathouse- Kayak off the coast of Brooklyn for Free! Every Sunday to organization offers free rentals of kayaks.
 
Additional Websites to check out! 

 

Photo by Hector Argüello Canals on Unsplash