School's Out for Summer! Now What? 9 Cool (and Cheap or FREE) Things to Do with Your Kids if you

Siblings on 4th of July Urban Street Portrait - New York City & Long Island natural light child portrait, Gantry Plazy Long Island City NY - Andreea B. Ballen Photography, NY and Long Island child & family photographer

Hope you all had a fabulous happy 4th of July celebration!!! Fireworks, BBQ watermelon - lots of things to do, see and eat to keep littles happy and entertained.

Stars & Stripes 4th of July child portrait collage - Andreea B. Ballen Photography, Brooklyn New York and Long Island child portrait photographer, on location natural light boutique photography

But now that the fireworks are done and and summer is officially in full swing, what are New York City moms to do to keep the littles occupied (if they are not otherwise engaged in summer camp or going away)? I myself ponder that every year, as my kids are always bored of the 'same old, same old' on those days that I'm too tired to get in a car and scoop them away to the beach or to the mountains. And every year, some of the old NEVER gets old - SCORE for this mama here!

So, if you're like me and like to be on the go to keep kids happy, here's a list of things to do around NYC with your kids (with a focus on Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, but not necessarily all so):

1. Explore and re-discover the Zoos (Bronx, Prospect Park Brooklyn, Queens and Central Park), & the Aquarium in Coney Island

I don't know about your kids, but my kids never get tired of seeing and feeding animals. That's why for us getting a family membership has always been a 'no brainer.' It actually SAVES you money, and gives you the freedom to go as many times for a year as you wish.

YES, you can get in for FREE at the Bronx Zoo on Wednesdays, but expect it to be PACKED more than any other given day. Plus, rides on the Bug Carousel (my kids always insist on riding at least TWICE), cooling off with a 4-D movie, surrounding yourself with butterflies in the Butterfly Garden, admiring the Gorillas in the Congo Forest, making monkey faces to the Monkeys in JungleWorld, feeding the goats and all the cute animals in the Children's Zoo, taking a trip around Asian habitats on the Wild Asia Monorail or simply Shuttling around to spare your tired feet will ADD UP BIG - and really, negate the FREE. You can also get in FREE at the Aquarium Fridays 4-5pm, but again, expect crowds, and limited time while inside. But, it's the perfect time to check out Coney Island and all it has to offer, including roller coasters and adventure rides for all ages in Luna Park.

If you're making a day trip to visit the Zoo in Queens but find that it's not so big and you have lots of energy left to spare (or your littles do), you can also check out the Queens Museum (pay as you wish on any given day) or the New York Hall of Science (Free admission on Fridays from 2–5pm and Sundays from 10–11am) - or simply stroll Flushing Meadow Park and strike a pose by the iconic Flushing Meadow Fountain of the Planets.

Similarly, a day trip to the Prospect Park zoo can be coupled with a Brooklyn Botanic Garden trip (Free admission Tuesdays and Saturdays 10-12; closed Mondays), or a stroll through the gorgeous Prospect Park.

2. Movies! Watch them under the stars

Yes, it was Bucharest Romania and yes, it was the late 70's and early 80's, but one of my fondest memories of summer as a child was going to the summer movie garden and watching movies under the stars. That's why I'm really happy that my Brooklyn NY kiddos, many decades later, have developed a similar fondness, and am thrilled to see so many kid friendly movies playing all summer long around town - including 9 to 5 (moderately kid friendly, depending on your kid's age).

So what are you waiting for? Grab a blanket, a small picnic (or just snacks and water) and an organic bug repellent (or best, make your own), and go fall in love with movies under the stars - now or again. You can leave your wallet at home for this one, as these movies are yours to catch for FREE.

The New York City Parks and Recreation website has compiled a complete listing of kid friendly summer movies (and other activities) that you can sink right into your Google calendar so you don't miss a single night of fun. If your kids are older, your want to expose them to foreign cinema, or would like a night where you leave them with the babysitter, you can check out the

website's complete listing of movies.

In the meantime, for all the French, Francophiles and all French cinema lovers out there, also check out the Films On The Green website with a complete listing of French film gems. Magnifique!

3. Movies! Watch them in the air-conditioned indoors for just $1

This summer, Regal Cinemas has continued offering their Summer Movie Express program in NYC's UA Astoria Kaufman theater, UA Sheepshead Bay Stadium 14 theater, and Staten Island Stadium 16 theater.

For nine weeks this summertime starting July 4th, Tuesday and Wednesday movies at 10am are just $1, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the Will Roger's Institute. Did I mention it's a DOUBLE feature? So whether it's a rainy day, a day too hot not to be in air conditioning, or you just want to fill up your morning until you hit the nearest pool or beach, go check out some fun recently in theaters (or classic hits) movies.

4. Get WET - Jump into a Pool

Say you just took in a $1 movie in Astoria (see #3 above) and want the fun to continue locally: why not jump in and cool off at Astoria Park Pool (just make sure to bring a combination lock with you, and bathing suits, but leave the floaties at home)? Admission is FREE and pool is open 11am - 7pm (closed 3-4pm).

Don't know how to swim but want to learn - for free? There are sessions throughout the summer where you can learn to swim for free at NYC park pools - just enter the lottery for the sessions that are still open for the year.

Other awesome pools around town via the New York City Parks can be found via a complete listing from the NYC park website. Or, check out TimeOut NY Kids or MommyPoppins.com for more suggestions in your neighborhood.

For Brooklyn moms like myself, be sure to check out:

The Pop Up Pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park by Pier 2 is a great one, offering 45 minute sessions for 10am to 6pm. If the session is too short (or the line is too long - capacity is 60!) and you want to stick around, there is a plethora of things to do with kids big and small, including walking up on the Brooklyn Bridge, riding the Jane Carousel, go to the insanely awesome Pier 6 playground and get wet in the Water Lab sprinklers.

McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg Brooklyn is another great swimming hole. Get there earlier rather than later to skip the crowds.

5. Go Bowling with Kids Bowl Free!

Through one of my fabulous mama friends in Astoria, I recently found out about this awesome program via KidsBowlFree.com - where registered kids get to bowl FREE for two games ALL SUMMER LONG. Just pay the cost of shoe rental (or bring your own). And, with the Family Pass , you pay a one time small fee where up to 4 adults can also enjoy the two games with the kids. Strike and score!

6. Spend your day at the Museum

With the New York City ID card, you and your little ones can enjoy many museums around town for FREE for one year. But did you also know that if you're a New Yorker, most museums are 'Pay As You Wish' or FREE on all days anyway?

That's great news if you're into say, modern art but are neither into shelling out $25 for admission every week (kids under 16 are free) at the MoMa, nor want to be crowded in during their FREE hours Fridays 4-8pm. Speaking of FREE and MoMa and kids, though, check out their awesome Family Art Workshop. While at the MoMa on any given day with your little ones, be sure to also check out the interactive way of experiencing exhibits via Art Lab . At the Queens PS1 MoMa, enjoy free or pay as you wish admission on any given day.

Check out all the great museums around town - there are so many you may do one a week this summer and still not hit them all! Just make sure not to miss the gorgeous trip into the past (and with a gorgeous view of the Hudson), The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park.

7. Walk the High Line

Whether you are going uptown and make your start of this gorgeous elevated garden while in the Meat Packing District, or going downtown and make your start from the 7 train's newly extended last stop at 10th avenue and 42nd street Hudson Yards, you will not want to miss seeing (or revisiting) this beautiful oasis in Manhattan's West Side. Take a leisurely stroll, catch up on the art exhibits or the impromptu shows, or check out their family activities. Don't forget to pack your sunscreen (and a camera!). Good eats (including ice-cream) are to be found along the way, or just pack a light picnic.

8. Play:Ground Adventure on Governor's Island

Does your kid revel in imagination play, or do you want her or him to? If you yourself are adventurous enough to allow your kids to play freely with nails and hammers and the like, to build and destroy at will, then take the ferry and head on over to Governor's Island's Play:Ground weekends 12-4. Appropriate for kids 6-17, this is a play haven for the adventurous kids and parents - and waivers do need to be signed for each child. If you have littles 5 and under, then head on over the more appropriate Family play area.

9. Alley Pond Park Adventure Course - Zip Line, Climb and Balance your way into Adventure

If your kids are 8 and older and crave more adventure still, be sure to check out the Alley Pond Park Adventure Course in Queens. Adventurers and families can play FREE Sundays from 9:30 - 1, but one MUST pre-register for July and August activities. The course includes zip lining, rope balancing, climbing and more, and lasts for 2 hours while accommodating a wide range of abilities. It's super FUN and also challenging. Not for the faint of heart.

So, happy summer! Enjoy it to the max.

And as always, should you be looking for an awesome kids photographer in Brooklyn, children's photographer in New York city or child photographer in Long Island to capture your summer memories and love and turn these memories into heirloom books, albums, framed professional prints and more, look no further than Andreea B. Ballen Photography. Contact us today to reserve your session.