7 Tips Where to Spend an Indoor Pool Day with your Family

One of our favorite activities in Germany during winter, when it is cold and wet outside, was to enjoy the wet inside and to go to either an adventure pool or a regular “Schwimmbad” in town.

Well, now in New York we have found that this is not so easy to do. But there are some secret and not so secret tricks how you can still have a great bathing day!

1. Use the “Day Pass” for a hotel with indoor pool
Yes, that really works! New York has so many hotels and many of the hotels also have a fitness area with a pool facility. These pools are of course not adventure pools with slides etc. but definitely worth a visit if the children want to splash around and the adults want to enjoy a little peace and quiet or even a wellness treatment.

Where? Brooklyn – Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
Midtown – Park Hyatt New York
Downtown – Four Seasons Hotel Downtown
How much? between 30$-40$

2. Asphalt Green – UES
This swimming pool reminds us very much of the municipal “Schwimmbäder” in Germany, with diving boards and long laps. Here you can also buy a “Day Pass” for 35$. There are also regular swimming lessons in this swimming pool. Just make sure that you visit during the “family recreational swim schedule”.

3. Sportspark Roosevelt Island
This pool is similar to the Asphalt Green, except that it is much cheaper. Family passes are only $10 and a child admission is only $2. Attention: Also here there are fixed swimming times for the public.

4. Pools in Recreation Centers
Many public recreation centers also have an indoor pool. Attention: You have to become a member of the recreation centers. A membership gives you the opportunity to visit any recreation center in NYC. You get access to many swimming pools and other exciting activities (e.g. swimming lessons). A membership is free for children and for adults it costs $150 per year.

5. Camp Olympia Family Swim 
This is also a cheap way ($7 per person) for the whole family to go splashing around in Brooklyn. Attention: The Family Swim times are unfortunately very short – but sometimes an hour is enough to get the energy out.

6. Adventure pools like Great Wolf Lodge, Camelback Resorts, Kalahari or Coco Key
If you want to plan a whole weekend of action, book a getaway at the Great Wolf Lodge. This is a real adventure pool where no child will be bored. Unfortunately there is no Daily Pass and you have to book a night at the hotel. We have been there before and wrote down our experience here.

Coco Key has two locations that are also easily accessible from NYC (NJ and Connecticut). The good thing is that Coco Key has day passes available. You have to be careful though: We don’t think it’s worth it for the really young kids. We have been there before and tested the swimming pool. Read more here.

7. The new one! 
Kartrite resort & indoor waterpark has opened its doors in 2019. It is New York’s Biggest Waterpark and you have the possibility to either take a weekend getaway or just buy a day pass

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Snow in the City

Snow days are quite normal in the USA, but what do they mean, what do I do with my children on such a day and how do I catch up the missed classes? We will answer these questions and give you a few tips on what activities you can do with your children if the weather forecast predicts a snow day.

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Why we can compare “Credit” in the US with the chicken and the egg problem

One of life’s greatest mysteries is what came first: the chicken or the egg? Unfortunately, this same problem can be applied to credit in the US because if you don’t have a credit history, it’s tough to be given a line of credit. But how can you get credit history if you haven’t had any experience using credit before? Read on to find out how to navigate the complicated world of getting credit in the US without having credit in the US.

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YouTV | How to Watch German Films and TV Classics at Christmas Time

What would Christmas be without fairy tales – they belong to the Christmas season, like the Advent calendar, Christmas cookies or the festively decorated Christmas tree. Whether they are new films or old productions from DDR times – the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in particular are still very popular. If you also want to watch German films and TV classics while living abroad – especially at Christmas time – we might have a simple solution for you: YouTV.

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Grandma Wanted – Living With a Granny Nanny

One of the biggest challenges for expat families living abroad is for sure the fact that friends and family are not living close by anymore – Skype or Facetime sessions have become integral parts of the weekly schedule. But when it comes to finding a babysitter, grandma and grandpa are sorely missed. Especially when both parents are working, and you need regular care.

With 12+ weeks of summer break, several snow days during wintertime, holidays and children getting sick every now and then, it appears even more impossible to follow a regular schedule for working mom and dads.

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Top 5 Aktivitäten in NYC zur Weihnachtszeit

Erlebe den Zauben von New York City in der Vorweihnachtszeit. Die ganze Stadt erstrahlt im weihnachtlichen Glanz, es riecht nach gebrannten Mandeln, und an jeder Ecke gibt es etwas anderes zu bestaunen. Wir haben für euch die “Top 5” Aktivitäten zusammengestellt, die ihr während der Vorweihnachtszeit mit der ganzen Familie erleben könnt.

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Having Trouble Finding German Kids’ Books?

Raising our children abroad is a beautiful thing, they are exposed to two languages. Growing up with this early exposure gives them a rare advantage to speak with proficiency as a native.

As parents, we talk, sing, read in our native language as much as possible to our children. They are growing up so fast, and we all experience the same challenges:

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Deutsche und Zweisprachige Weihnachtsgottesdienste in NYC und Umgebung

Wenn für euch der Weihnachtsgottesdienst genauso zum Fest gehört, wie das „Christkind“ oder der „Weihnachtsmann“ selbst, haben wir hier eine kleine Zusammenstellung an Kirchengemeinden vorbereitet, die (teilweise in Zusammenarbeit mit Sprachschulen) einen deutschen oder zweisprachigen Weihnachtsgottesdienst anbieten:

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Die Schönsten Weihnachtsmärkte in New York und Umgebung

Weihnachtszauber in New York! Was gibt es Schöneres, als in der Vorweihnachtszeit über die Weihnachtsmärkte zu schlendern, Glühwein zu trinken und dabei noch das ein oder andere Geschenk zu entdecken… Auch hier gibt es inzwischen mehrere große und kleine Weihnachtsmärkte – wir haben euch eine Übersicht zusammengestellt:

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Christmas Tree Lightin – The Magical Start Into Christmas Season!

The days are getting shorter, nature is preparing for hibernation and the city is slowly but surely spreading a bit of magic. Every street and shop window begins to sparkle and glitter – Christmas is just around the corner. Shortly after Thanksgiving New York hosts many Christmas tree lighting celebrations. Here are some “Must See Events” you might want to keep in mind.

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