queens with
KIDS
Spring into Queens with Your Kids, It’s Bursting with Fun and Kosher Food Esti Berkowitz of www.primetimeparenting.com
line as their name listing — this symbol indicates that the institution participates in the ACM Reciprocal Network. If you have family that you plan to visit out of town, this could be very useful. These participating museums will get you 50% off general admission for up to six (6) people. The list of museums participating in the network may change, so please call the museum you plan to visit ahead of time and to verify their participation in the ACM Reciprocal Network. The New York Hall of Science presents 450 exhibits, demonstrations and design spaces that explain science, technology, engineering
This spring, there are even more reasons for families to visit Queens.
and math. A visit to NYSCI is a hands-on, energetic educational
A few kid friendly kosher finds have populated the area. Sure, it
experience where you can indulge your curiosity and nurture your
is fun (or maybe not) packing up the coolers with plenty of kosher
creativity. I can’t even tell you how many hours we spent in the
snacks in tow. In fact, we have this packing business down to a sci-
Preschool Place when my kids were toddlers. This area is closed-
ence by now. Before we go anywhere, our trusty “kosher Coleman
off and gated. Parents can sit and schmooze while kids play. This
cooler” is stocked with enough food to feed a couple of extra kids.
is especially nice on the hot days ahead, it is comfortably air condi-
While it is always important to plan ahead, especially with us kosher
tioned!
food families, I was excited to hear that The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) has a new café at its location. Delish by Amerivents
Not far from the NYSCI is the Queens Zoo. While the membership
will provide NYSCI patrons with healthy food options, environmen-
card for the NYSCI won’t be able to get you into the Queens Zoo
tally friendly packaging, and educational programs centered around
for free, a premium membership ($189) will get you free entry into
nutrition. The menu will have plenty of grab-and-go food made with
the Queens Zoo as well as the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, New
healthy and locally sourced ingredients that are freshly prepared.
York Aquarium, and the Prospect Park Zoo. The Queens Zoo is
Kosher, vegetarian, and gluten free options will be available. Cutlery
one of our favorite places. The last time we were there, we found the
and serving products will be compostable.
kosher vending machine near the sea lions. We also love the petting zoo, Migration Playground, and the Discovery Center. Not far from
Delish by Amerivents will also include an education component
the Queens Zoo is one of the best parks in Queens, the Playground
that will correspond with the menu. Food-related events will occur
for All Children. There are lovely sprinklers, plenty of swings, and
periodically throughout the year and will include programs such as
jungle gyms to keep your kids active for hours. Even in the heat of
food demos, chef visits, and nutrition workshops. If you haven’t had
the summer, we were able to find some shade under the trees and
the NYSCI on your spring exploration agenda, check out nysci.org/
make a nice picnic there.
visit/events for information. There is free admission from September through June, on Fridays, 2 – 5 pm; Sundays, 10 – 11 am. Free
If you are not too worn out after your visit to either the NYSCI,
hours are suspended in July, August and September 22. If you do
Queens Zoo, or Playground for All Children, you must take a ride
decide to purchase a premium membership from the NYSCI, you
over to Berrylicious. Grab some delicious frozen kosher yogurt and
will be a part of the ACM Reciprocal Program (ACM). In other
add some toppings. Located at 6948 Main Street, Flushing, NY 11367.
words, you will have access to a voluntary network of ACM mem-
There are flavors in parve, chalav yisroel, and “sugar free.” Your kids
ber museums open across the U.S. and Canada that reciprocate
will love it here, and you will too. Ask to taste a flavor, or two, you will
discounted admission to one anothers’ members that hold premium
want to make a trip back there again and again. If you visit the area
family memberships. That is nearly 200 museums! Not sure if the
anytime soon, give a shout out to @primetimeparent, we might be
museum you want to visit is included? No problem, you can use
there too!
the ACM’s Find a Children’s Museum online search pages, you will see that some museums have a red R button on the same parallel
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