Parents rejoice! iKidNY ($2.99) is a handheld encyclopedia of venues in New York City that are kid friendly, which is especially helpful for geeky mommies or moms (and even dads) on the go. Got a 2-year-old who needs some playtime but it’s raining? Check out the “indoor activities” option, then narrow down to the neighborhood in Manhattan (and even in the southwest Bronx for parents like me, in addition to Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens) to find the places most suitable for your child.
iKidNY also features outdoor activities (primarily playgrounds), restaurants that are kid-friendly and public locations with changing tables, since you most likely will need to change your child if you choose to venture out into the streets of New York for a long fun-filled day. I also really appreciated the “subway elevators” feature, showing you exactly which subway stops are stroller-accessible. Let me put it this way: on Tuesday night, I’m going to have a real hard time going up the stairs with baby and stroller in tow. (There’s no alternative either.)
Each location features a map (using Google Maps, pinpointing your location and showing it in relation to the specific venue you’re seeking out) and lets you “favorite” frequently-visted items. You can also get directions, also using Google Maps.
I really like iKidNY. It’s usability is simple and it gives you clear-cut locations to choose from. It’s got no frills, just a ton of resourceful data, and is a real easy-to-use app.
