Yuliya Geikhman

Yuliya Geikhman is a freelance writer and parent based in NYC. She's been writing professionally since 2009 and editing since 2018 and has a degree in English education that's gathering dust in a drawer.

Latest posts by Yuliya

29 Cool Things To Do on February Winter Break in NYC

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Sun, 01/18/2026 - 7:24am

Slip, slide, smash, and crash during a ride on the Bryant Park Bumper Cars on Ice. Photo by Jody Mercier

For many families, February's midwinter break is a great time to slow down and create some special memories. The NYC public school winter break runs from Monday, February 16-Friday, February 20, 2026. It's sandwiched between two weekends, which means you've got nine days to fill with kid-friendly fun! To help you make the most of the February midwinter break in NYC, we've rounded up 32 things to do with kids in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Lucky for us, NYC museums, outdoor ice skating rinks, and playgrounds make for fun any-day destinations. The extra days off are also a perfect opportunity to book a getaway, and we've got picks for budget-minded escapes, family-friendly Catskills resorts, and the best things to do in the Adirondack Mountains if you're looking to get out of town.

What to Do in Brooklyn’s Chinatown with Kids: Food, Parks, and Local Tips

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 12:10pm

The tchotchkes and souvenirs along Brooklyn's Chinatown strip cater more to locals than tourists. Photo by the author

When you think of New York's Chinatown, you're probably thinking of the one on Canal Street in Manhattan. In fact, there are a few places around NYC where Chinese communities gather, from Main Street in Flushing, Queens to Brooklyn's Avenue U in Sheepshead and 86th Street in Bensonhurst. But one of the best NYC Chinatowns to visit with kids can be found in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, which stretches down 8th Avenue from roughly 40th to 65th Streets. There are plenty of things to do and eat with kids in this corner of Sunset Park's Chinatown, making it worth a visit for families.

39 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Sun, 01/04/2026 - 7:45am

Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys "R" Us at Macy's. Photo by Jody Mercier

Fun, free indoor places to play in NYC are always a welcome diversion in our book, particularly when we're staring down another long northeastern winter. Entertaining the kids during this extended, chilly season isn't easy or cheap. We went hunting for free indoor places to play, fueled by our desire to escape our cramped New York City apartments. If your kids—like ours!—are bouncing off the walls and your wallet is screaming for a break after a holiday spending spree, we've got you covered. Check out our list of tried-and-tested free indoor places to play in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx for culture, fun, games, or just a much-needed change of scenery.

For more great, free indoor places to play, check out our NYC Kids' Guide to Free Fun, which is loaded with more ideas, outings, and parent-tested tips to save a buck.

Tokyo Family Travel Guide: Best Hotels, Day Trips, and Top Things to Do with Kids in Tokyo, Japan

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Sat, 12/13/2025 - 12:00pm

Kids will love the energy of Tokyo! Photo by the author

Tokyo, Japan, is an incredible travel destination for families. It's beautiful, very different from the West, has great food and attractions, and is an amazing experience that I recommend everyone try at least once in their life.

But it can also be incredibly overwhelming to plan a trip to Tokyo with kids. Make this guide your one-stop resource for everything you need to know to plan the perfect Tokyo vacation. From top Tokyo family resorts and kid-friendly restaurants in Tokyo to the best things to do in Tokyo with kids, you'll find it all below!

Looking for more places to visit overseas? Our International Family Travel Guide has some great suggestions, from 50 fun things to do in Paris with kids to our guide to visiting Seoul, South Kora.

Have You Seen the Whimsical, Kid-Designed Playground at PS 197?

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Tue, 11/18/2025 - 4:21pm

PS 197's new playground is a big improvement from its prior asphalt look. Photo courtesy of Trust for Public Land

Playgrounds are an important part of the fabric of NYC—and no one knows that better than the kids. That's why my daughter and I are so excited about the brand-new playground at Brooklyn's PS 197—aka her old school, Kings Highway Academy. What was once a large, gray blacktop with a small, faded jungle gym in one corner has had new life breathed into it with a much-needed upgrade that's colorful, varied, and, endearingly, designed by the kids of PS 197.

With these improvements, I could easily classify it as one of NYC's best playgrounds. Gone are the days my daughter and her classmates endured of having to make up games to play in the wide empty space, or hiding fence posts during attempted games of hide and seek. This bright new spot is a perfect place for a midday escape, and even better: Outside of school hours, it's open to the public.

Catch All the Fun at The Poké Court, Chelsea’s Pokémon-Themed Store and Play Spot

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Tue, 11/11/2025 - 12:50pm

The Poké Court staff helps fans choose cards for their collections with concierge-level service. Photo by the author

Pokémon-loving New Yorkers have something new to be excited about: A brand-new store has opened to the public, where Poké fans, young and old, can get their fix. Poké Court just opened a 2,000-square-foot flagship store in the Meatpacking District, and it's stocked with goodies for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and beyond.

As a lifelong fan of the franchise (currently working my way through Pokémon Legends: Z-A), I stopped by to check out what the new store has to offer for adults and kids, and it seems destined for a place on our list of NYC stores where you can play for free.

NYC Kids’ Guide to Family-Friendly Volunteer Activities Year-Round

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Mon, 11/10/2025 - 1:07pm

NYC families can deliver fresh meals—and smiles—by volunteering with City Meals on Wheels. Photo courtesy of Citymeals on Wheels

Volunteering is a great way to teach children about the importance of helping others and a nice way to give back to your community and those who need it. There are many family-friendly volunteering opportunities in NYC, and many can be performed year-round.

We've compiled some of these family volunteer activities in NYC below, including ways to give back with a local community org or from the comfort of your own home. We've got picks for families who want to fight food insecurity, help beautify the city, and even make some new furry friends. In addition to the information below, we also have an entire post on Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities that you can explore this holiday season.

NYC's Coolest Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out in 2025

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Fri, 10/24/2025 - 9:45am

Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden

Whether you're a New York City resident or planning an epic Christmas in NYC itinerary, there are so many holiday and Christmas events in New York City that it's never too early to get a jump-start on planning your holiday season must-do's.

In fact, many Christmas events in NYC are already selling tickets—and fast! So act now to ensure you've secured your seats and reservations to these family-friendly holiday happenings in NYC.

The holiday season is big business in NYC, whether you're looking for a hotel with a view of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or booking tickets to a beloved annual show like the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, read on for our top picks for Christmas events you need to book now, and find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC.

Yuliya Geikhman

Latest posts by Yuliya

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