Things to do with kids in Ridgewood: Dollar Movies at Atlas Park

Like in past summers, Regal Cinemas is offering dollar movies for kids. This year's collection of G and PG rated films can be conveniently enjoyed by kids in Ridgewood at the Regal Cinema at Atlas Park for only $1.

Are you going to see this years huge blockbuster kids movies? No. But there is a great selection of movies that are playing at 10am on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Both movies play on both days.  It is a great way to beat the heat or even an inexpensive way to get your little ones used to being in a movie theater.

The theaters can get a little crowded, especially if a camp group shows up. So I would suggest getting there a little early. Give yourself time to grab some soda and popcorn (breakfast of champions) and find some good seats. Remember a room full of 200 kids is going to be noisy. 

Highlights this summer include The Lego Movie and How to Train Your Dragon 2.

Tue July 7 & Wed July 8

• Earth to Echo
• Boxtrolls

Tue July 14 & Wed July 15

• Paddington
• Turbo

Tue July 21 & Wed July 22

• Rio 2
• How To Train Your Dragon 2

Tue July 28 & Wed July 29

• Mr. Peabody
• Book of Life

Tue August 4 & Wed August 5

• Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
• Penguins of Madagascar

Tue August 11 & Wed August 12

• Madagascar 3
• Dolphin Tale 2

Tue August 18 & Wed August 19

• Muppets, Most Wanted
• Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Tue August 25 & Wed August 26

• The Lego Movie
• The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

The Parks of Summer 2014 - Mafera Park - "the oval"

There is something to be said about parks in walking distance from your home. I think we have five in reasonable walking distance. But I've always enjoyed discovering new parks in different parts of town. 

If you have ever been a child (or had a child) in the Ridgewood/Glendale area of Queens, you have been to Mafera Park. But you probably knew it as The Oval or Farmers Oval.

I wouldn't call the oval the best park, but there are lots of options. In addition to the regular playground equipment, there is an asphalt field (perfect for bike rides), basketball and handball courts, a big grassy field and a hockey rink. My favorite, and my kids favorite part of the park are the sprinklers. Four spheres aiming at each other shooting water in a soaking spray. To be honest they look like four mini Death Stars. But shooting water at kids, instead of a death ray at Alderaan.

Grand Moff Tarkin: You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration - but don't worry; we will deal with your rebel friends soon enough. 

The drawbacks of this park, are it can get crowded, very crowded, particularly during the summer when waves of kids from the YMCA (down the block) desend upon the park. And most of the play equipment is older, while still safe an upgrade to more modern stuff could breathe some life into this park.

I've lived in this area most of my life, this park has lots of good memories. I've played midnight basketball here with my friends as a teen. Played full 11 on 11 tackle football in the field ( which was mostly dirt back then) until everyone was covered in dust or someone was knocked unconscious. But in pretty sure I never saw a farmer there.

Shade - Lots of trees around the edges.
Water feature - Yes
Bathrooms - yes
Sand - No.
Grass - There is a large multi-sport field which is covered in grass and artificial turf.

The Parks of Summer 2014 - Joseph Devoy Playground

There is something to be said about parks in walking distance from your home. I think we have five in reasonable walking distance. But I've always enjoyed discovering new parks in different parts of town . 

Sometimes simplicity is the best thing. That is why the Joseph Devoy playground in Forest Park (71st and Union Turnpike) is not only one of my kids favorite parks but mine.

Is there a sandbox. No. Water feature. No. Bathroom. No. But what it does have is an element of nature, rolling hills and plenty of swings. Also the ice cream truck never stops by. Which is a good thing.

In the front of the park, which is right near a hiking/ horse trail, there are three climbers, each with increased difficulty, a set of swings and an old fashioned tire swing. As you go up you see baby safety swings and a giant tree house, with monkey bars.  It can be a store or a castle or a spaceship or some combination of all three.

What is nice is the park is fully shaded by trees and the ground is all natural (grass and wood chips), except for an asphalt pathway, which is great for drawing with chalk or riding your scooter way too fast.

My kids and I go to this park in all seasons. The autumn is great because of the giant piles of leaves you can jump into.  And when it was covered in snow this winter the natural contours made for super fun sledding slopes. I'll always have an affinity to this park because my son took his first steps near the twisty slide, that my daughter was trying very hard to climb up.

Shade - Almost completely covered in trees
Water feature - No.
Bathrooms - Not in the park, but there is a Stop N Shop down  the block with facilities.
Sand - No.
Grass - All grass and wood chips.