A Day At Hudson River Park

The Hudson River Park
is a green oasis for New York City
families, featuring 550 lush acres, five miles of bike paths and tons of
riverside water fun for kids of all ages. A sunny summer day is the perfect
time to pay a visit to one of the park’s piers, all of which boast a myriad of
outdoor activities, from a flying trapeze to free kayak lessons to bike
rentals.

Some of our favorite destinations at the park include the
playground at Pier 51 (which features an elaborate sprinkler system for hot
days, a pretend boat hull, climbing equipment, slides and more) the Trapeze
School at Pier 41 (kids ages 6 and up can “fly” on New York’s only outdoor
trapeze) and the Chelsea Waterside Park (which features a colorful playground,
dog run, water activities and even umbrellas in the shade for mom and dad.)

We also love The Downtown Boathouse at Pier 40, which offers
kayaking adventures throughout the summer, and even provides lessons with
experienced instructors, life jackets, paddles and kayaks all for free.

On Pier 46, your family can kick back and enjoy “RiverFlicks for
Kids,” in which the park screens family films like “Annie” and “Cloudy with a
Chance of Meatballs,” and can also participate in “Big City Fishing” every
weekend, a free “catch and release” fishing contest for kids ages 5-15.

But don’t take our word for it, explore the park and find
your family’s own favorite spot! Visit hudsonriverpark.org for a complete list
of locations, festivals and action-packed activities, and see below for three
great events happening at the park this summer.

Upcoming Events at The Hudson
River Park

4^th of
July:
Treat your kids to the 4th of July Kid’s Cruise and BBQ, in
which your family can celebrate the holiday aboard a historic riverboat and
partake in activities like face painting and arts and crafts. The event takes
place on Saturday, July 4^th from 2-4
p.m. Tickets can be purchased online and include BBQ lunch; $25 for adults, $10 for
kids (ages 2-12).

Clinton Cove Festival:
Come out to Clinton Cove Park
at 55^th Street
and help celebrate the park’s free annual festival that features kayaking,
field races, arts and crafts and live bluegrass and folk music by the NYC-based
group the Mercantillers. The event takes place on Saturday, July 4^th
from 1-4 p.m.

Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"

Elf the Musical

They'll sing loud for all to hear. You can bring the Christmas cheer. Start decking the halls, people &ndash; it's Elf The Musical! After a decade away, the beloved holiday classic is back on Broadway for a strictly limited run. Whether you&rsquo;re searching for the perfect stocking stuffer or a festive outing for the whole family, this family-friendly show is packed with joy, laughter, and snow-covered magic. A musical comedy adaptation of the hit 2003 film, Elf The Musical follows Buddy the orphan who, after being raised by elves at the North Pole, embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and help the people he meets rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Academy Award&reg; nominee Sean Astin ("Lord of the Rings") is Santa Claus alongside Tony Award&reg; nominee Grey Henson as Buddy, Drama Desk Award nominee Ashley Brown as Emily, and rising star Kayla Davion as Jovie. Plus, keep an eye out for social media celebrity Kalen Allen &ndash; known for his appearances on "The Ellen Show" &ndash; as the hilarious store manager. Called &ldquo;a slickly irresistible and fizzily enjoyable confection of a show&rdquo; (Time Out), this holly-jolly hit is one you won't want to miss. Through January 4 only!

Manhattan Mandarin

Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We look forward to working with you. - Jamie Keyte, Founder