Mommy Poppins - Things to Do in NYC with Kids

This Week: Memorial Day Weekend in NYC and Beyond, Beaches After Sandy, Family Day Trips, Mommy Poppins App

Raven — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Memorial Day weekend is the talk of the town—and out of town, too. All of our sites have posts about the best things to do over the three-day holiday, whether you opt for a New York City staycation or decide to take a day trip to Connecticut, New Jersey or Long Island. Tri-state area beaches open for the season this weekend, and we've got the scoop on what to expect post-Hurricane Sandy at NYC, Connecticut and Jersey Shores. We also have some great suggestions for day trips, all less than two hours from the city by car. In other words, we've got your entire Memorial Day weekend covered!

Have you contributed to our IndieGoGo Mommy Poppins App campaign yet? We're in the process of creating an app for all of our sites so you'll have our carefully curated content at your fingertips when you're on the go. For as little as $2 you can ensure that the app will be free to all, and we're offering some cool rewards for more generous contributions. Speaking of apps, we're proud to be partnering with family activity app RedRover, which recently relaunched and now includes Mommy Poppins event picks.

Here's what else we covered on our NYC site this week:

World Science Festival 2013: Free Street Fair and Other Science Fun for NYC Kids

Stephanie — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

You don't need to be a nerd to enjoy the World Science Festival, a multi-day cross-disciplinary science celebration when great minds come together to cultivate a deeper understanding of our world. More than 40 events take place Wednesday, May 29 through Sunday, June 2 at various New York City venues, and while the fest as a whole isn't aimed at families, many of its offerings are kid-friendly.

The highlight for families is the FREE Ultimate Science Street Fair, which takes over Washington Square Park on Sunday, June 2. But there are several other events of note for kids like the awesome-sounding Science Apprentice program. While several ticketed events are already sold out, there are some cool ones that are still available. Find out which World Science Festival events will spark the interest of your young scientist.

Memorial Day Weekend for NYC Kids: Governors Island Family Festival, Dinosaur Safari, Beach Season, New York Aquarium Reopens

Stephanie — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

If it pours this weekend, some of our outdoor event picks may be canceled, rescheduled or move inside. We're doing our best to keep this post updated, but if it does rain on Saturday, Sunday or Monday, be sure to check the events' official websites before going to find out if anything has changed. Memorial Day weekend has arrived! Even though there are still a couple weeks of school and spring ahead, summer has unofficially begun. Lots of big attractions open for the season on Saturday like local beaches. We've got the detailed scoop on what has changed at NYC beaches and on the Jersey Shore since Hurricane Sandy.

Other big openings this holiday weekend include Governors Island, which kicks off with a huge family festival on Sunday; the Bronx Zoo's brand-new Dinosaur Safari ride; the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, which has been closed since Sandy; and a pair of amusement parks perfect for preschoolers: Victorian Gardens in Central Park and Fantasy Forest in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. And if it reaches 80 degrees, playground sprinklers should turn on.

While you have the entire summer to enjoy all of those attractions, there are some great things to do that only take place this Memorial Day weekend like the annual fair in Sunnyside Gardens Park, the final days of the Kings County Fair and the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts Cultural Street Fair. If you're thinking about planning a last-minute getaway, we rounded up five great family destinations less than two hours from NYC by car. Plus many nearby farms open for strawberry picking season. You can find more travel inspiration in our NYC Day and Weekend Trips Guide.

All of our best bets for Memorial Day weekend are below. Remember, there are additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. Have a wonderful three-day holiday!

Brand-New Queens Amusement Park: Fantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel

Kelly — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Flushing Meadows Corona Park is already jam-packed with cool kids' attractions like the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo and a historic carousel. But there's always room for more. This Memorial Day weekend, Fantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel, the only amusement park in Queens, officially opens to the public, and my kids and I got a sneak peek at the fun.

Before you start thinking that Fantasy Forest is the next Coney Island, it's much more modest. In addition to the carousel, there are four fairly tame rides best for younger children and a couple of games. But it's certainly worth a stop during your day out in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Bring a picnic lunch, hang out under the shady trees or plop down on one of the many benches, and stay a while.

NYC Beaches After Sandy: What to Expect at Rockaway, Coney Island, Brighton Beach and Others in 2013

Stephanie — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

New York City beaches open for the season this Memorial Day weekend despite the damage they sustained during Hurricane Sandy. The Parks Department staff, and sanitation and construction crews have been working nonstop to make sure they are safe and clean, and that the sand is back where it belongs. (In some communities, sand washed up onto residents' front lawns!) This is good news for NYC families because—much as we enjoy hitting the Jersey Shore, Long Island beaches and Fire Island—we're not big fans of renting cars or sitting in traffic.

While it won't quite be business as usual for New York City's beaches this summer, you'll still be able to hop on a subway, bus or ferry to hit the shores. From the "Bronx Rivera" to the iconic Coney Island to the Rockaways, these eight urban seasides offer everything that suburban beaches do except the out-of-town commute.

5 Inexpensive Birthday Party Room Rentals for NYC Kids

Raven — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

With so many amazing things to do with kids in NYC we're never jealous of suburban families... except when it comes to throwing birthday parties for our children. Most of us don't have the space to host a big bash at home and no backyard for a bouncy house. And while there are lots of great party places in all five boroughs, buying an all-inclusive package can get pretty pricey, especially if you want to invite the whole class.

But if you're a DIY type who just suffers from space constraints take heart: There actually are some ways to rent relatively inexpensive party rooms in NYC, you just have to know where to look.

Governors Island with Kids: Vintage Carnival Rides and What Else is New for 2013

Stephanie — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

This Memorial Day weekend Governors Island reopens for the season. It's truly my favorite summer destination in NYC. Whenever I go I think to myself, if they built condos here, I would totally want to buy one. (Thankfully, the island is considered a national monument, so not even Trump can get his hands on this real estate!)

This 172-acre oasis was once home to the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, and is full of quaint 19th-century houses, grassy hills and traffic-free bike paths. It's just a seven-minute ferry ride from lower Manhattan, but if you stand in a spot where the city skyline is out of view, you feel as if you've been transported to 1800s New England. In addition to being a fantastic place for families to relax and explore, the isle hosts lots of cool festivals and activities throughout the season, most of which are FREE. The ferry ride there is FREE, too.

For 2013, all of the big kid attractions will be back, including the Opening Weekend Family Festival, the Figment arts fest when the mini-golf course and Interactive Sculpture Garden debut, and the Children's Museum of the Arts Free Island Outpost. But there are also some really exciting new additions, notably a French festival of vintage carnival rides and carousels in July! Read on for the scoop on the very best things to do on Governors Island with kids this season.

5 Ways for Kids to Experience Russian Culture in NYC

Alina — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I was born in the former Soviet Union and grew up speaking Russian with my parents in the U.S. Once I became a mom, I wanted to pass the language and culture on to my three children. But with a dad who only speaks English, that's proven to be tougher than I'd expected. On top of that, the age difference between my kids (the eldest is in eighth grade, the youngest kindergarten) means they're rarely interested in the same activities, so finding an all-ages Russian activities has been a challenge.

However, after years of personal research and experimentation, we've found several great programs that teach a combination of Russian language, Russian culture and even Russian-Jewish culture. Since June marks NYC's 11th annual Russian Heritage Month, this seems like the perfect time to give Russia some love. Here are five ways kids can experience Russian culture in New York City.