Having fun at Pier 25 Sprinkler Playground
A full list of Hudson River Play areas here.
We also still love to do this at the river.
Scooting all over town on Mini Micro Scooter
Girlfriends and bubble parties in the courtyard.
And when it’s REALLY hot… these work too.
Magic days of summer. Winding trails and hidden gems. Deep forest discoveries. Waterfalls and a secret swimming hole. Simple pleasures and child-like wonder all around.
This was our day today after faint recollection lead us on a little treasure hunt. To a secret place tucked away but oh so close (who knew this was only a few miles from the house we go to every weekend?). We felt like we were worlds away from everything.
I’ve always been a big fan of Ikea, and these days I am an even bigger fan since it’s a totally fun day trip that involves land and sea. Aria and I set out early and “hiked” our way down to Pier 11 (just south of South Street Seaport) to catch the first Ikea Shuttle. The boat ride is only $5 and in fact can be free if you remember to give them your receipt at the register when you purchase (I never do). It’s something fun and different for the littles, and along the way you’ll get to enjoy great views that many tourists pay for (Brooklyn Bridge, Governor’s Island, and a distant Statue of Liberty.
I not only love that Ikea has great space saving stuff and clean minimalistic furniture (look forward to my post on why I prefer my Ikea crib over the stokke we paid 8x as much for), but every time I go I seem to find fun stuff for Aria. She’s totally in this phase of wanting to drink from my glass (her dad taught her how to drink from a glass– much to my chagrin) so I picked up a few fun plastic kid cups, some colorful bowls, and some mini fun plastic wine glasses and cups which I think might be designed as a toy, but she totally was totally diggin them (not to mention drinking from them tonight).
A friend mom of mine also directed me to these paper rolls they sell that are perfect to roll out across the table and let them go at it. Aria is in this coloring phase since each time she uses the potty she’s rewarded with a new crayon, and, since she’s getting good, the paper was a great find.
I also love ikea too because they are SO family friendly. The stores have a fun little play room by the cafes, changing tables and free diapers in the bathrooms, free coffee when you have a Family Card, and inexpensive kid’s meals plus some healthy options like organic yogurt and organic apple slices (I’m still keeping mac and cheese and chicken fingers off limits while I can!)
BACK ON LAND….
When we got back off the boat in NYC, we wandered a bit and found a great new (well, “new” to this West Village mom who doesn’t get down that way) roof/ lounge area on Pier 15 . It boasts lounge chairs and grassy areas and amazing views of the East River.
There also is the See/Change Festival going on this summer on Fulton Street — with pop up stores, cultural happenings and free outdoor movies and events all summer (not necessarily kid oriented).
I also walked by the most amazing playground just across form the seaport (one block south on John St). It was called Imagination Playground, and if I wasn’t running late for an appointment we easily could have spent the day there. We will be back!
Mommyhood: Take 1 