Enjoy the Broadway Celebrates Earth Day concert as part of car-free festivities Saturday. Photo courtesy of the event
Earth Day, Macy's Flower Show, and More Things To Do this Weekend in NYC with Kids
Hop the ferry to Governors Island to explore all the island has to offer. Photo by Diana Kim
Spring Day Trips from NYC for Families
A Class Act NY serves up summer training in musical theater, on-camera acting, dramatic arts, and voice-over in Midtown Manhattan.
Top Acting School for Kids and Teens Has Select Summer Camp Spots Available
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Dinosaur Safari returns to the Bronx Zoo this spring. Photo courtesy of the zoo
51 Spring Bucket List Ideas for Kids in NYC
Celebrate the end of Ramadan with music, dance, food, and family-friendly activities at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Photo by Winston Williams /courtesy of Brooklyn Children’s Museum!
21 Best Spring Festivals and Fairs in NYC this April for Families
The Big Umbrella Festival welcomes kids, teens, and adults for a dynamic series of programming at Lincoln Center beginning Friday, April 4. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center
Free Activities in April 2025: Best Things To Do in NYC
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025
The Macy's Flower Show is one of the most colorful destinations in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
Easter Egg Hunts and More Best Things To Do in NYC April 2025 with Kids
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Teens have the opportunity to explore arts careers and institutions with Whitney Museum Youth Insights Program. Photo by Diana Kim
Teens Can Apply Now for Summer Internships in NYC
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids: Thousands of Craft Ideas

End of an Era: Aviator Sports Closing in April and Shuttering Popular Kids' Programming

The future of the sprawling sports and event center at Floyd Bennett Field is uncertain since Aviator Sports and Events has announced an abrupt closure. Photo courtesy of Aviator Sports
The future of the sprawling sports and event center at Floyd Bennett Field is uncertain since Aviator Sports and Events has announced an abrupt closure. Photo courtesy of Aviator Sports
3/24/25 - By Jody Mercier

Aviator Sports and Events Center, which has schooled a generation of NYC kids in sports ranging from hockey and gymnastics to volleyball and rock climbing announced Monday that its indoor facility will close on Monday, April 14, 2025.

News of its closure means its indoor sports programs will also cease operations on that date. Its popular sports summer camp programs are also unlikely to return. The announcement—shared on its social media platforms and website—was met with shock and disappointment from parents.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

Located in Floyd Bennett Field, the sports complex was operated by Aviator Sports and Events in conjunction with the National Park Service since 2008. Its current agreement expires on April 14, and it's unclear who—if anyone—will take over operation of the space, which is the largest indoor sports facility in NYC. A request for proposals process began in January.

Aviator Sports and Events Center is currently in talks with the National Park Service to keep its outdoor facilities—including sports fields, a golf course, and Green Meadows Farm—open through the fall, as permits for their use have already been distributed.

In its statement, Aviator Sports and Events thanked its supporters, fans, athletes, and families, "for making Aviator more than just a sports facility. You made it a home for countless memories, friendships, and achievements."

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Jody Mercier
Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.
Recent Articles By Jody Mercier:
Read more articles by Jody Mercier.