Mommy Poppins - Things to Do in NYC with Kids

Free & Fun Things to Do this Weekend with NYC Kids: Festivals, Laurie Berkner, Dan Zanes, Touch-a-Truck, Kite Flight May 19-20

Stephanie — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Do you like festivals? Well good, because there are a bunch of exciting ones this weekend. Vehicle-obsessed kids can get their fix at two Touch-a-Truck fests and animal lovers can hit the Fleece Festival in Prospect Park. Introduce your kids to all kinds of ethnic eats at the Ninth Avenue Food Festival, show off your moves at the New York Dance Parade and rock out to mom bands at the annual Mamapalooza Extravaganza.

Speaking of music, two kiddie rock heavyweights are playing this weekend: Laurie Berkner and Dan Zanes. Other indoor fun includes screenings of the classic French short The Red Balloon and a free performance by the Paper Bag Players.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. Remember, there are even more options in our Event Calendar and our Spring Fun Guide.

It's My Park Day and Other NYC Outdoor Volunteering Opportunities for Families

Sonia — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Recently we received an email asking if we knew about any outdoor volunteering opportunities for New York City families this spring. The timing was perfect since this Saturday, May 19 is It's My Park Day. Organized by Partnership for Parks and held twice a year in the spring and fall, It's My Park Day brings together thousands of NYC volunteers looking to help spruce up their neighborhood green spaces. It's an awesome initiative and a great way to teach your kids about the importance of giving back to your community. After all, these are the parks they play in!

There are It's My Park Day events throughout the five boroughs. In addition to cleaning, weeding and other chores, many gatherings feature arts and crafts, giveaways and a celebratory atmosphere. We’ve got the details about how to get involved with It's My Park Day, as well as other ways your family can volunteer outdoors in the city this spring.

J.J. Byrne Playground Reopens in Park Slope and It's Definitely a Destination Playground

Petek — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

A few months ago when we were spotlighting Park Slope, we mentioned how much we were looking forward to the reopening of J.J. Byrne Playground. After a year of work and many millions of dollars, the revamped play spot debuted last Friday and my four-year-old daughter and I went to check it out.

Due to its location in Washington Park next to the historic Old Stone House, the playground has a Colonial theme. My kid had a blast exploring this marvelous playground and so did I. As you can see from our slide show, a lot of the equipment is just as much fun to look at as play on.

News: Scribble Press on UWS Closing, New Ferry to Randall's Island, Zoo Babies, Segregation in NYC Schools

Jeff — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

While some baby swans are making their NYC debut, a handful of local family businesses are singing their swan songs, including Scribble Press' Upper West Side location, which closes this month. Of course we've got good news, too, including new ways to get to Randall's Island this summer, a cleaned-up Chinatown Fair Arcade and a star-studded Story Pirates comedy benefit—and if none of those put a smile on your face, well, just look at those cute baby swans!

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Chelsea: Where to Eat With Kids in Chelsea NYC

Stephanie — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Chelsea is jam-packed with restaurants. Walk down any major avenue and many of its side streets, and you're presented with an overwhelming amount of choices, from bistros to barbecue, diners to doughnuts.

Since Chelsea is a very family-friendly neighborhood, most of the restaurants will accommodate children, especially during the day, but that doesn't mean they're really good for kids. So we continue our series of posts on Chelsea with a roundup of our favorite eateries in the area that are kid-friendly in terms of atmosphere and menus.

New York Botanical Garden for NYC Kids: Planting, Harvesting and Other Hands-on Nature Fun

Sonia — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

We regularly post about the cool nature activities and annual exhibits like the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden. But as a Bronx resident who frequently visits the garden with my family, I'm here to tell you that you can never say too much about this incredibly diverse 250-acre oasis in Bronx Park. There are so many wonderful attractions: the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, where kids can work their green thumbs; the Everett Children's Adventure Garden, which hosts science and nature programs; the Forest, full of indigenous plants and trees, and a lovely waterfall; the indoor Enid A. Haupt Conservatory; plus a wealth of cultural events and seasonal displays. It's truly one of the best places to connect with nature in New York City.

This profile of the New York Botanical Garden is the final installment in our series of posts spotlighting kid-friendly NYC historic sites vying for Partners in Preservation grants. Read on to find out about everything the NYBG has to offer—including a preview of its new exhibit Monet's Garden, which opens this weekend—and learn how you can help support the garden and other important NYC destinations with the click of your mouse.

Cooper-Hewitt Design Center Opens in Harlem: Free Art Workshops and Playgroups for NYC Kids

Raven — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Looks like there's a new museum trend in town: Last month, the New York Hall of Science debuted its cool collaborative clubhouse Maker Space for families. Now the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum has opened its brand-new Design Center, where toddlers to teens can take art workshops led by museum educators and design professionals.

This past Saturday, my daughter and I went to the opening day of the Cooper-Hewitt Design Center, located on the ground floor of a swanky glass condo on the northern edge of Central Park. At 1,500 square feet, the sleek storefront space is certainly a lot smaller and less ornate than Cooper-Hewitt's landmark Fifth Avenue Carnegie Mansion home, which is currently closed for renovations. However, the center is an exciting addition to Harlem, offering a variety of design workshops, preschooler playtime and storytelling, and other kids' activities. The best part? All programming is absolutely FREE.

Older Mothers: NYC Mom Groups, Meetups and Resources for Parents Over 35

Alina — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Although the average age for first-time mothers in the U.S. is mid-20s, many New York City women are on a different schedule. In the city, it's not uncommon to see thirty- and fortysomething moms proudly pushing strollers down the streets—often double ones. Becoming a mom later in life has many potential advantages, like maturity and financial security. But there are challenges too, like connecting with your peers. Sure, you can make plenty of mommy friends on the playground, but if you're hoping to meet other parents who grew up on Sesame Street before Elmo, you may want to join a specialized playgroup or meetup.

We previously posted about general parent groups in NYC. In honor of Salute to Moms 35+ Week, which runs May 13-19, we've rounded up some of New York City's best resources for mothers with a bit of life experience under their belts.