Even in our pedestrian city, kids love getting their hands on big chunky vehicles of all shapes and sizes. If your tot was hailing taxis before his second birthday, you may want to add these seven places to your to-do list. You’ll discover the city’s collection of fire trucks, submarines, helicopters, excavators and other mind-blowing vehicles.

Marvel Over a Big Red Fire Engine

Do the kiddos freak over the lights and sirens of a fire truck zooming down the street? If so, check out the New York City Fire Museum. This is your chance to get up close and personal with a life-size antique fire truck (although no climbing is allowed). The kids can Ooh and Aah over a collection of antique firefighting tools, a horse-drawn ladder wagon, and modern equipment like the jaws of life. Younger enthusiasts may like playing dress-up with real firefighting clothes and helmets. Plus, our city’s friendliest retired firefighters are happy to answer questions from your curious minds.

Insider’s Tip: The museum is stroller-friendly with elevator access to the second and third floors. If you’re hungry, walk north on Hudson Street to Westville, Pret A Manger, Hale and Hearty Soups, Dig Inn Seasonal Market, Starbucks or Jacques Torres Chocolate.

Go: New York City Fire Museum278 Spring St., SoHo

Hours: Open 7 days a week: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: $8 for adults; $5 for students, seniors and children over 2 years old.

Photo courtesy of Julia Neff

Where does your little mechanic like to explore vehicles?

–Ashly Grzyb

As a kid what’s the best thing about celebrating your birthday (besides the presents)? Blowing out all the candles on the cake, making a wish and dearly hoping it all comes true, of course. All of us at Red Tricycle recall our earliest birthdays when we closed our eyes and wished for a puppy, that super cool hot wheels car, and one of us (we’re not naming names) even wished for a new baby sister who was better at sharing. Yes, the terrible twos are terrible even for the older siblings. Ah, but we digress…

So to imbue a little nostalgia into your day about your own childhood birthday parties, we can’t wait to share this video of a cute little girl who is trying with all her might to blow out all the candles (well, actually it’s just one candle). We gotta give her credit for trying…and not passing out!

Sure, she didn’t get it on the first try, or the second, or really, even on the third, but A for effort, right? And, be sure to watch the video until the end because her cute smiling face is totally awesome. The birthday wish fairy better double the little girl’s chances for her wish coming true given how much effort she put into blowing out that one candle.

Did your little one ever have trouble blowing out the candles like this little gal?

Awww, being a baby is hard! There are many new sights and sounds, not to mention all the many different people wanting to hold and cuddle you. Take a look a this little guy who doesn’t quite know what to make of his mommy blowing her nose. He is just too adorable for words!