The 14th Street Y is a Jewish Community Center, but it welcomes members of all faiths. It offers scores of classes, programs, resources, and services - including babysitting for members.

Classes for kids include for kids include art, dance, cooking, martial arts, basketball, tennis, tumbling & gymnastics, kindermusik, ballet, and swimming (ages six months and up).

Birthday parties with a swimming component can be held here, too. Contact 212.780.0800, ext. 252 for details and booking.

There are playgroups for young children and their parents, infant massage classes, Mommy and Me classes, messy play classes, and even Japanese toddler and preschool classes that give kids an early start in learning a new language.

The Afterschool Program provides care for kids ages four to 12 on weekdays from 3pm-6pm. Regularly scheduled activities include swimming, basketball, cooperative games, and art & music. Other activities include snack, homework assistance, and outdoor play. The Afterschool calendar corresponds to that of the Public Schools, but does not meet when schools are open on Jewish Holidays. On school half-days and holidays, extended hours are available.

The 14th Street Y offers a pick-up program from PS 40, PS 19, Immaculate Conception, Children's Workshop, the Earth School, Neighborhood School, Simon Baruch, and the East Village Community School. NEST and PS 110 require an additional transportation fee. Pickup from other neighborhood schools can be arranged with a minimum of three students. Call ext. 258 for details.

The Gani Preschool offers modern, fully equipped classrooms designed to meet the needs of children ages two to five. The large recreation room and rooftop playground give little ones ample opportunity to practice gross motor skills (and play)! Call extension 238 or 266 for details.

Parenting workshops give adults a chance to meet other parents and discuss issues in a friendly community setting.

Summer camps include:

Mini-Camp, for kids ages 17 months to 3.5 years; younger children splash and play in the sprinklers on the rooftop playground and engage in art and music activities. A parent or caregiver must accompany the child at all times. Call extension 240 for details or to register.

On Our Way, for kids ages 2.5 to 3.5 years; a twice-a-week summer program for children who have completed a separated program. Adults and children get together for a half-hour on the rooftop playground for some outdoor fun and water play, then class continues for two hours without adults. Call extension 240 for details or to register.

The New Town Day Camp, for kids ages 3.6 to six years, provides indoor and outdoor play, field trips within the city, art, drama, music, and more. Registration for new families begins in January. Call extension 241 for details or to register.

The New Country Day Camp, for kids ages five to 11, takes kids to the 75-acre Henry Kaufman campgrounds on Staten Island, set with swimming pools, hiking trails, and open meadows. Call extension 248 for details or to register.

Japanese NikoNiko Summer Day Camp, for kids ages three to seven years, emphasizes Japanese conversation and written skills for older children; younger children are exposed to Japanese through songs and play. Call extension 243 for details or to register.

When public schools are closed, Holiday Camp is offered.

74th St MAGIC (Music Art Gymnastic Instruction
Center) offers classes for kids in music, art, and
gymnastics (as the name suggests), but it also offers
instruction in cooking, science, Spanish, and the
performing arts.

MAGIC shares its modern facility with the Epiphany Community Nursery School. It boasts two spacious, well-equipped gyms (with an in-ground trampoline), plus a kitchen, classrooms, rooftop playground, and airy party room.

Classes for infants through 3 years (with adult) range from tumbling and pre-gymnastics to art, movement,
cooking, science, music/art/story time. Almost Preschool classes introduce a child to a preschool environment without separation.

In addition, MAGIC offers two alternative preschool
programs which provide opportunities for children to
experience a preschool environment with gradual separation (if necessary).

Drop-off classes for kids ages three to six years include gymnastics, karate, art, music, cooking, science, performing arts, and Spanish.

Afterschool classes for kids ages six to 14 years include gymnastics, a trampoline fitness class, karate,
cooking, crafts (which includes digital photography,
tie-dye, scrapbooking, and more), drama, and theater
dance.

MAGIC offers 17-week semesters in the Fall and
Winter/Spring, although it accepts registrations
throughout the semester (provided there is room). This
is particularly convenient for parents who could not
register earlier or aren't sure of their child's
schedule or after-school limits until the semester is
underway.

MAGIC also offers two-week mini-sessions during the Summer, which is a great way to sample a class or
customize a schedule that works with the family
vacation plans.

MAGIC's Summer Days Camp for kids ages two-and-a-hald to six years also runs in convenient two-week sessions from early-June through late-August.

And birthday party options include gymnastics,
arts & crafts, music & movement, cooking, or a popular mini-preschool party. MAGIC can customize a birthday party (or other special occasion) to meet a child's specific interests and a parent's specific needs.

Universally revered as the Y to beat all Y's, the 92nd Street Y has so many classes and services it would take years to list them all. Best of all, there's no membership; virtually everything is available on an a-la-carte basis. (A few Y programs offer membership options, but those programs are open to everyone.)

Programs for parents and children include family swim and swim classes, Toddler/Parent Get-Togethers, on-site babysitting at $11/hour, art or music study for kids, and a terrific array of lectures (including a series on Parenting) and performances (including concerts for families).

A nationwide model, the Y Parenting Center serves as a resource for New York families and caregivers of all kinds, including single moms and dads, step-parents, adopting parents, and others. It offers information, support, and a variety of activities and programs for parents and children. A new initiative called 92nd Street Y Wonderplay: Early Childhood Learning provides an umbrella for all the programs that the Y offers for children ages five and under (and their parents), and can be found on the Y's website.

Classes for little and big kids at the 92nd Street Y include Art: sculpture and pottery, printmaking, cartooning, metalwork and jewelry, painting, drawing, and mixed media; Dance: modern, tap, jazz, ballet, flamenco, swing, and creative - plus five kids' dance troupes (ballet, modern, tap, jazz-funk, and lindy-hop); Music: composition, theory, guitar, piano, voice, violin, viola, cello, bass, trumpet, oboe, clarinet, flute, saxophone, bassoon, and percussion; Sports and Fitness: gymnastics, yoga, kickboxing, tennis, and team sports (soccer, volleyball, basketball, football, softball, and hockey), as well as beginner basketball lessons and non-competitive sports classes (for those who aren't yet ready for team play).

Classes are open to kids from the ages of three to 16.

School vacation camps are offered for kids ages five to 13, and are generally open from 8:30am to 5:30pm during public school holidays.

The Y offers 12 summer camp programs, both day camps and sleepaways, for kids ranging in age from three to 18. Most of the programs take place at the Y's Rockland County campgrounds; day campers are picked up from various points in Manhattan and travel the short 40-minute distance in air-conditioned buses with counselor escorts on board and singing and games along the way. Call 212.415.5573 for more information.

The 92nd Street Y's Afterschool Program offers over 15 community service programs for middle and high school kids. Students can mentor younger children, help homeless New Yorkers affected by AIDS/HIV, cook for and feed the hungry, and lead other kids in sports or art activities. Many activities are open to all participants, while some, including tutoring and visits with senior citizens, are intended for high school students.

Most programs run Monday through Friday with an 8-week trimester commitment required, and credit awarded at the end of the trimester. A one-Sunday-a-month program is also available. For more information call the Teen Center at 212.415.5604 or email teens@92y.org.

The Noar Afterschool Center offers kids in grades K-6 a variety of enrichment options - including classes in gymnastics, swimming, dance, music, art, and cooking - to which they are accompanied by counselors. When children are not participating in a class, they are able to relax and play games with friends and counselors in the Playgroup room, which serves as their "home base."

Programs are organized by grade level, snacks are supplied, and children may attend anywhere from one to five days a week. Children also have the option of taking any of the many classes for children offered by the Y. Private music lessons can also be arranged.

For an additional fee, the Y offers a transportation service that escorts children to the Y from several area schools, either by van or by staff "walkers" (depending on the distance). For more information about Noar, call 212.415.5624.

A plethora of party possibilities preside at the 92nd Street Y. You provide the food, decorations and goodies; the Y provides staff, equipment, invitations, party favors, tables, and chairs. All parties run for two hours and prices include 1/2 hour prep time in the party room before the guests arrive. Possibilities include:

Gymnastic Parties can be put together for kids between the ages of two and 12 for up to 18 guests. Two instructors are included. The price increases, of course, as you add guests to the list, for 25-36 children (four instructors are included in that price). You also get to use the very cool GymMaze play structure, with a spiral slide, ball pool, spider net, and more. Call 212.415.5710, ext 1.

Sports Parties are recommended for kids between the ages of five and 12, or kids ages 13 to 18, for up to 21 guests (two instructors), and (at a higher fee) for up to 35 guests (three instructors). The kids get exclusive use of the 2,500 square-foot gymnasium, and can play basketball, soccer, floor hockey or other games. Call 212.415.5710, ext 2.

Pool Parties are perfect for kids between the ages of six and 12, or teens, for up to 15 guests (one instructor/one lifeguard) or for up to 30 guests (two instructors/one lifeguard). The kids get exclusive use of part of the pool, and can either have a free swim or the Y can organize games and activities. Call 212.415.5718, ex 4.

Super Soccer Stars parties are available, too. Call 212.877.7171 for pricing, or visit www.supersoccerstars.com.

And finally, Y Village Parties take place in Rockland County at one of the 92nd Street Y's campsites, for up to 12 children, or, at a higher rate, as many as 35 children. The Y offers cake, drinks and various activities, including rock climbing, ceramics, and karaoke. For an additional fee, the Y will arrange transportation from the city. Call 845.357.0532.

You can see how it all makes us dizzy.

Call for information, prices, and schedules, and be sure to check out the Y's beautiful, informative website.

Facilities at Alfred Smith include a gym, a computer resource center, fitness and game rooms, an athletic field, an outdoor basketball court, and two handball courts. There is also a picnic area with five grills and five picnic tables (including two handicap accessible tables).

Programs include karate for kids, beginner's computer classes, instructional basketball for youths and adult basketball, an afterschool program, cooking classes for youths, badminton, accessories for girls, volleyball, Young Explorers, ping pong, and Wise Girls by Planned Parenthood.

Aqua Skills swimming lessons are conducted by a former Romanian Olympic swimmer and associates, and include water aerobics for all ages.

Classes are open to beginners through advanced swimmers, and both private and group lessons are available for children and adults.

Though it isn't as extensive as Chelsea Piers, Asphalt Green has some wonderful programs for kids, and a great community spirit. The pool and aquatics programs have been named "Best of..." year after year, and with good reason.

If you just need a place to swim, without taking classes, you can drop by the Green, and pay $35/adult, $20 senior, and $7/child. Membership (see below) is recommended if you think you'll visit often. Pool drop-in is not available Mon-Fri 3pm-8pm.

Swim Programs begin at four months, and include beginner through advanced classes. Lifeguard training classes are available for youth ages 15 and up.

Private and semi-private lessons are also available, as are Youth with Disabilities classes. Expect to pay approximately $300 for 10 classes, and $435 for 15 classes. Class prices vary depending on age and expertise. Call the Green for more information.

Youth Sports Programs include soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, gymnastics, karate, pre-K classes, as well as sport-specific training.

Private lessons are available for kids starting a new sport or looking to take their sport to the next level. Sessions are available with certified Master Coaches.

Asphalt Green also takes some of the panic out of impending school vacations with holiday camps and summer camp programs. Call to register.

Party options at the Green include Swim parties (for kids ages five and up, $685 for a maximum of 20 children ages five to six, or 25 children over seven), gymnastics parties ($600), sports parties (for kids ages three to six, $575), and karate parties ($590).

Several membership possibilities exist for Asphalt Green?s 50-meter Olympic Pool and duplex Fitness Center: Gold ($1,500/year), Gym ($1,125/year), Swim ($1,125/year), or Day ($1,000/year). One-month trial memberships are also available for $150/month.

Facilities at Asser Levy include indoor and outdoor pools, an Arts and Crafts room, an outdoor basketball court with adjustable hoops, and a playground designed to accomodate all ages.

The indoor pool, one of New York's finest, boasts a gorgeous marble fountain shaped like a dolphin and a giant, and newly restored skylights. The outdoor pool, open from the beginning of July through Labor Day weekend, isn't nearly as nice, but it's a serviceable choice on a hot day.

Classes are offered in swimming, martial arts, and guitar, among other choices. Call the center for a brochure, which changes frequently.

Recreational options at Barretto Point Park - located on the East River waterfront - include basketball courts, fishing, kayak/canoe launch sites, playgrounds, and volleyball courts.

During the summer, the Floating Pool Lady a seven-lane swimming pool on a barge, anchors on the river and provides free swimming classes for children ages 1-1/2 to 16 every weekday from 8am-11am. The pool is open for recreational swim daily, from the end of June to September 1, from 11am-7pm.

Gym Kids is a progressive gymnastics program specially designed for children ages eight months to eight years. A different obstacle course is presented each week to to offer kids an array of challenging adventures in body awareness and the mastery of basic gymnastic skills.

Lessons are age- and skill-appropriate, and class size ensures a full 50 minutes of movement education and plenty of attention to individual needs.

All Instructors are KAT accredited and Safety Certified by USA Gymnastics.

The Bed-Stuy YMCA branch offers a plethora of family programs and classes in its state-of-the-art facility.

Day camps and sleep-away camps upstate for older kids are available, as well as a variety of early childhood, youth and teen programs, and swimming lessons.

Nature fans and young ecologists can have a great time visiting these two Central Park institutions.

A favorite spot for bird watching, the Castle is also one of the Park's information hubs, and is home to the Henry Luce Nature Observatory. Activities and tours are frequently run for children, and you'll find some hands-on exhibits relating to the Castle's long history as a data-gathering outpost for the US Weather Bureau. Check our calendar for listings.

Also at Belvedere Castle, the Central Park Conservancy lends Park users a free backpack containing binoculars, a guidebook, maps, and sketching materials for bird watching in the Ramble or other locations in the Park. Two pieces of ID are required, and users must be 6 or older - an adult must accompany children under 12 years of age. Call 212.772.0210 to reserve.

Be sure to climb the narrow stone staircase two flights to the top - the view is magnificent, particularly in spring and autumn.

Turtle Pond runs below the Castle, and besides being home-base for tons of turtles, it shelters frogs, fish, and waterfowl. Once in a while, you might even spot a huge blue heron fishing in the pond. Since the pond is designated as a quiet zone, this is a nice peaceful place to sit with a very young child and commune with nature.

Big Apple Rhythmics offers rhythmic gymnastic classes for all levels, and a Summer Rhythmic Dance Academy for girls ages four to 16.

Bija offers movement classes for children ages one year and up.

Classes include expressive dance, ballet, hip-hop, yoga, and acro-tumbling.

Bija also offers a summer camp program for children ages four to eight. A half day program for preschoolers runs from 9am-12n. Older kids (ages five to eight) attend from 9am-3:30pm. Visit the website for more information and upcoming camp dates.

Weekend birthday parties are available for children ages one and up, with themes that range from yoga to hip hop. Fees start at $350 for 15 children.

Bounce U is a climate-controlled bounce arena featuring multiple rooms of arcade games and interactive, inflatable play equipment including slides, a rock climbing wall, basketball, boxing, and more.

Birthday party packages are available.

The Bronx Equestrian Center is a full service equestrian facility located in Pelham Bay Park. Western and English styles of riding are available for all levels of experience and interest.

The Center offers trail rides, lessons, and pony rides. Ponies are available for hire, and can be transported to other city locations for birthday parties and fund raisers.

The Center has a summer riding program and a year-round Saturday morning program (weather permitting) from 9:30am to 12:30pm for kids ages seven to 16. The program includes a riding lesson and/or trail ride and a grooming class, and kids learn basic horse care.

A party room is also available for birthday parties at the stable.

Discount group rates and barn tours are available, as are hayrides.

Trail riders have to be at least 4-1/2 feet tall, and if they are under 18 they must be accompanied by an adult.

Bronx House Community Center is a Jewish Community Center that welcomes all races and religions.

Its facilities include a heated indoor pool; a fitness center; sports programs for kids (soccer, baseball, and basketball); day camps in the summer and on school vacation days for kids in Kindergarten through 10th grade; theater, dance, and music classes; an afterschool latchkey program (grades K-7; available Mon-Fri 3pm-6:30pm); tween and teen centers; a universal pre-K; a Parent-Toddler Center; and more are all on site!

Birthday partiers can celebrate in the pool on Sundays, from 1pm-2pm. The party includes an hour in the pool, with lifeguard on duty, for up to 15 kids, plus an hour in a party room. The fee is $200 for members; $250 for non-members. Call extension 232 to schedule.

Family Membership is $600/year.

Bronx House Community Center is a Jewish Community Center that welcomes all races and religions.

Its facilities include a heated indoor pool; a fitness center; sports programs for kids (soccer, baseball, and basketball); day camps in the summer and on school vacation days for kids in Kindergarten through 10th grade; theater, dance, and music classes; an afterschool latchkey program (grades K-7; available Mon-Fri 3pm-6:30pm); tween and teen centers; a universal pre-K; a Parent-Toddler Center; and more are all on site!

Birthday partiers can celebrate in the pool on Sundays, from 1pm-2pm. The party includes an hour in the pool, with lifeguard on duty, for up to 15 kids, plus an hour in a party room. The fee is $200 for members; $250 for non-members. Call extension 232 to schedule.

Family Membership is $600/year.

Bronx House Community Center is a Jewish Community Center that welcomes all races and religions.

Its facilities include a heated indoor pool; a fitness center; sports programs for kids (soccer, baseball, and basketball); day camps in the summer and on school vacation days for kids in Kindergarten through 10th grade; theater, dance, and music classes; an afterschool latchkey program (grades K-7; available Mon-Fri 3pm-6:30pm); tween and teen centers; a universal pre-K; a Parent-Toddler Center; and more are all on site!

Birthday partiers can celebrate in the pool on Sundays, from 1pm-2pm. The party includes an hour in the pool, with lifeguard on duty, for up to 15 kids, plus an hour in a party room. The fee is $200 for members; $250 for non-members. Call extension 232 to schedule.

Family Membership is $600/year.

Bronx House Community Center is a Jewish Community Center that welcomes all races and religions.

Its facilities include a heated indoor pool; a fitness center; sports programs for kids (soccer, baseball, and basketball); day camps in the summer and on school vacation days for kids in Kindergarten through 10th grade; theater, dance, and music classes; an afterschool latchkey program (grades K-7; available Mon-Fri 3pm-6:30pm); tween and teen centers; a universal pre-K; a Parent-Toddler Center; and more are all on site!

Birthday partiers can celebrate in the pool on Sundays, from 1pm-2pm. The party includes an hour in the pool, with lifeguard on duty, for up to 15 kids, plus an hour in a party room. The fee is $200 for members; $250 for non-members. Call extension 232 to schedule.

Family Membership is $600/year.

In service to the community for 112 years, and occupying a beautiful six-acre waterfront site, the Bronx YMCA offers a number of helpful and fun programs for kids.

Afterschool programming is available at PS 96, PS 71, PS 97, PS 105, PS 106 and PS 108 and kids are happily occupied until 6pm. Afterschool is also offered on half days.

Swim lessons begin at 18 months and continue through adulthood. Lessons are paid for eight classes at a time, with each class running about 50 minutes.

Junior Knicks Basketball is designed for kids ages six-18, divided into age-appropriate groups.

Teen Lite Nights give teens a safe environment wherein they can hang out and participate in board games, ping pong, card games and basketball on Fridays between 5pm and 9:45pm.

Leaders Club allows kids 12-18 to participate in community activist work, where they'll learn to set and achieve personal goals, learn life skills and feel good about volunteering.

Youth and Government in a national YMCA teen (13-18) program which involves thousands of kids each year in state-organized model government programs.

Holiday Camp is offered during public school breaks (February and April). Registration begins January 2.

The outdoor pools and picnic area are open to members between Memorial Day and Labor Day on the weekends and weeknights during July and August.

Founded in 2006, the Brooklyn Crescents Lacrosse Club aims to spread the game of lacrosse to youth in the Brooklyn community. The founders and coaches are all ex-collegiate lacrosse players who share a love of the sport.

Fees for boys and girls in grades three to eight include outdoor practices from April through June, at least seven spring season games (played in New York, New Jersey, and surrounding areas), at least one overnight trip in the spring (may involve additional costs for hotel, transportation, and food), mouthguard, and a team jersey/t-shirt.

Brooklyn Fencing Center teaches the art of sword play to kids ages seven and up.

A summer camp program is offered during the months of July and August.

Fencing birthday parties feature a 50-minute introduction to fencing and are available on Saturdays after 2:30pm and on some Sundays. The cost is $225 for up to 10 children and $10 per child after that, up to 20 kids total. The foam sabers the kids use during the lesson are for sale as a party favor - at a fee of $9 each.

The Brooklyn Patriots Soccer Club (BPSC) is a community-based youth soccer organization open to kids of every level and background. The Club combines a strong intramural program with highly competitive travel teams.

The Brooklyn Patriots Soccer Club (BPSC) is a community-based youth soccer organization open to kids of every level and background. The Club combines a strong intramural program with highly competitive travel teams.

Brownsville Recreation Center, known initially as the Brownsville Boys' Club, first opened in 1953.

Facilities include an indoor rollerblading court, a handball court, an indoor pool, a gymnasium, a playground, a fitness room, a performance space, and a computer resource center.

Free swimming lessons are offered several times a year. Check the website for registration dates.

BumbleBee Tennis offers tennis programs for adults and children, including a Tiny Tennis Pro-Gram (for ages three to six), and the Aces Tennis Program (ages seven to 18, broken up into groups). The SoHo and Lower East Side locations are indoors; the venue at Columbus Circle is outdoors.

BumbleBee Tennis offers tennis programs for adults and children, including a Tiny Tennis Pro-Gram (for ages three to six), and the Aces Tennis Program (ages seven to 18, broken up into groups). The SoHo and Lower East Side locations are indoors; the venue at Columbus Circle is outdoors.

Carlos Oliveira Soccer Academy offers year round soccer programs designed to give children the opportunity to learn the basics of soccer and improve their skill levels.

Boys and girls hone technique and tactics as well as the fundamentals of team play. Small groups practice dribbling, passing, shooting, and trapping and develop playmaking and field sense.

Soccer birthday parties cost $400 for up to 20 kids; $15 for each additional child. COSA provides a coach who leads soccer games and drills for 90 minutes. A rental fee is added for parties held indoors.

CATS (short for Children's Athletic Training School) is based on a "play with a purpose" philosophy and provides sports training experience in which good sportsmanship and fair play are stressed and rewarded.

CATS starts young - one year olds and their caregivers can take 45-minute classes - and continues through to the age of five, gradually increasing time and activities. Six to ten year olds can take one-hour classes in tennis, baseball, basketball, martial arts, or soccer.

CATS also offers dance classes in ballet, tap, and jazz/hip hop.

Summer camp for three to six year olds provides backyard or roof water play, sports galore, and martial arts. Dance also has a performance camp.

CATS (short for Children's Athletic Training School) is based on a "play with a purpose" philosophy and provides sports training experience in which good sportsmanship and fair play are stressed and rewarded.

CATS starts young - one year olds and their caregivers can take 45-minute classes - and continues through to the age of five, gradually increasing time and activities. Six to ten year olds can take one-hour classes in tennis, baseball, basketball, martial arts, or soccer.

CATS also offers dance classes in ballet, tap, and jazz/hip hop.

Summer camp for three to six year olds provides backyard or roof water play, sports galore, and martial arts. Dance also has a performance camp.

CATS (short for Children's Athletic Training School) is based on a "play with a purpose" philosophy and provides sports training experience in which good sportsmanship and fair play are stressed and rewarded.

CATS starts young - one year olds and their caregivers can take 45-minute classes - and continues through to the age of five, gradually increasing time and activities. Six to ten year olds can take one-hour classes in tennis, baseball, basketball, martial arts, or soccer.

CATS also offers dance classes in ballet, tap, and jazz/hip hop.

Summer camp for three to six year olds provides backyard or roof water play, sports galore, and martial arts. Dance also has a performance camp.