Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids |

Houston's Fall & Winter Family Fun Runs

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 09/29/2016 - 1:23pm

Fall marks the beginning of a lot of things, from Pumpkin Spice-flavored everything, (slightly) cooler weather, and race season for all of Houston's running enthusiasts. Interested in doing something active and fun with the whole family? Look no further than this list of family fun runs happening throughout the Houston area over the next few months. Whether you're a seasoned runner, weekend warrior, stroller strider, or someone who just wants to get outdoors and do something different with the family, there's a race on this list for you.

Bergen County Cupcake Shops That Take The Cake

Submitted by Stacey Feintuch on Thu, 09/29/2016 - 1:05pm

Are you a cupcake fiend who lives in Bergen County? Your sweet tooth is in luck, because the area is packed with yummy cupcake spots. Whether it's a post-play snack, an after-dinner treat, or a birthday party, these shops offer bite-size cakes for any occasion.

30 Things to Do with Kids in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Thu, 09/29/2016 - 11:00am

Hudson Valley is a year-round family destination for families all over the tristate area, and it's no surprise. It's loaded with natural beauty—parks, lakes, mountains—delicious food, and wonderful art museums, theaters and play spaces. With events timed for nearly every holiday, and enough attractions to suit almost any type of family, the area makes for the perfect family getaway or day trip.

We’ve gathered up our top 30 things to do in the Hudson Valley—destinations that will appeal to natives and visitors alike. (Attention latter group: If you need somewhere to stay while you explore, we’ve got you covered there too.) So read on, make your checklist, and sign up for our newsletters to stay in the know!

Weekend Fun for CT Kids: Faeries, Apples, and Halloween Events, October 1-2

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Thu, 09/29/2016 - 10:00am

I know that we need the rain, but with so much outdoor fun scheduled for this weekend in Connecticut—from country fairs to family festivals to pirate invasions—I hope the gray days called for in the latest forecast are wrong. You won't want to miss the opening weekends of the Apple Harvest Festival in Southington or Wee Faerie Village in Old Lyme, which are great fun for adults and kids alike. You also have until Friday to enter our contest to win a family four pack to the perpetually crowd pleasing corn maze at Lyman Orchard by clicking here.

If, like me, you're already negotiating costumes and candy selections for Halloween, you can set the spooky mood with some haunted activities running the gamut from mildly scary to slightly adventurous to totally terrifying.

We will do our best to keep up with weather cancelations in our frequently updated event calendar, but if the weather is at all questionable, be sure to contact venues directly before heading out for any scheduled outdoor activities. Make sure that you subscribe to our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest so that you won't miss any of the Halloween fun!

5 Day Trips Perfect for Fall

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Thu, 09/29/2016 - 8:47am

Now that it is allegedly cooler outside and you can leave your house without fear of overheating, it's the ideal time to visit these nearby spots that could feel pretty miserable during summer. Before the holiday season gets into gear, pack up the car and take the kids to look at gators or see where Texas' favorite ice cream is made. We've rounded up five fun day trips below.

Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Boo at the Zoo, Mark in the Park, Early Spookfests, Oct 1 - 2

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 09/29/2016 - 5:54am

Here's how I look at it: Halloween activities in the beginning of October are an excellent opportunity to use last year's costume one more time. No one wants to spoil the surprise of the new costume too soon (read: get ice cream and paint all over it). In fact, we may be using our costume from two years ago, since, um, last year's costume has ice cream and paint all over it.

So, where might one wear an Elsa/ Rey/ Iron Man costume this weekend? How about Boo at the Zoo? How about Knotts Spooky Farm? How about Spooky Science at the Discovery Cube? How about Brick or Treat? Need to get in the pumpkineering spirit? Ghostly, spirited shows await. Need to get your gourd on? Let us patch you through. Not quite ready to admit it's fall? We'll ease you in, one harvested leaf at a time. And in the weeks ahead, you can ~~figure out what costume to get~~ put the finishing touches on the costume you absolutely have already figured out for this year.

Keep reading to learn more about the well-disguised weekend ahead...

Weekend Fun for LI Kids: Storybook Walk, SeaFaire - October 1-2

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Thu, 09/29/2016 - 12:00am

Fall is a festive time on Long Island. There's Pumpkinfest at the Cornell farms in Yaphank, the Long Island Fair at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a Shinnecock Youth Dance in Quogue and much more. Grab a hoodie and head outside!

Get active this weekend with the great events below. Don't see your event listed here? Add it to our events calendar. And if you didn't receive this post in your inbox, sounds like you need to subscribe to our newsletter.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Trucks, Festivals, Museums Oct 1-2

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 09/28/2016 - 9:41pm

By October, fall activities have officially taken over the family calendar. Between chauffeuring kids to their games and rearranging plans around the NFL football schedule, Philly parents might feel like there is little time to relax and have fun as a family. Thanks to our weekend's event calendar (and an Eagles Bye Week), there are tons of amazing autumn experiences that can fit into any busy schedule.

Build your very own fire truck at the local Home Depot, then, visit real trucks and tractors at Winterthur. Embrace the fall season by making a scarecrow or painting a pumpkin at Morris Arboretum's Fall Festival or learning about 18th century trades at Newlin Grist Mill's Fall Harvest Festival. Discover a local museum; both The Barnes Foundation and the Brandywine River Museum offer free Sunday admission this weekend and Penn Museum hosts its Gallery Romp featuring the theme, Ancient Rome.

To search our event calendar for activities close to home, be sure to check off your county. Narrow the search even further by miles from home and age group. Have a fantastic fall weekend!

Weekend Fun for Boston Kids: Hackathons, Apple Days, Spooky Fun, October 1-2

Submitted by Kip Wilson Rechea on Wed, 09/28/2016 - 8:02pm

Now that October is here, there is no denying fall is officially upon us (I will admit that I tried to deny its arrival throughout September). But of course, here in New England, fall does at least offer a host of fun-filled events, including those celebrating apples (pictured) and pumpkins. On top of that, the Halloween season is most definitely gearing up as well, with spooky activities ranging from the Midnight Zoo to a Brick or Treat both of which are starting up now and continuing on weekends throughout the month.

For those of you who'd rather continue to deny fall's arrival, take the older kids to a Minecraft hackathon or get older girls coding at HUBweek's Girl Hackathon. Finally, who doesn't love a free concert? With both MusiConnects and Middlesex Band concerts to choose from, you have your pick of opportunities to take in some tunes with the kids.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

These Corn Mazes Near Boston offer fun mazes as well as lots of other surprises.
Looking to find the perfect pumpkin? We've got you covered with some of the best pumpkin-picking spots in the area.
Elyse shares some great Halloween events in Salem for families.
Plan a trip with the kids to explore the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Speaking of trips, you can win one just for helping us pick our Besties. How do you like them apples?

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full events calendar!

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Halloween Fun, Apple and Garlic Festivals

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 09/28/2016 - 4:30pm

With October comes the start of the Halloween season, and all the associated festivals, spectacles, parades and haunted houses throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. We’ve populated our Event Calendar with many of these festivities (as well as a variety of non-Halloween events for when you crave diversity), so take a peek and plan ahead. Stay tuned, because much more is coming!

The Rivertowns, strongly associated with Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” go all out for Halloween, with month-long events that start this weekend like The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze (which is already sold out for this weekend) and The Legend Behind the 'Legend', as well as haunted happenings for older kids like Scared by the Sound.

For some non-Halloween happenings, fall festivals continue with the return of Warwick Applefest and the more pungent Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, to name just a couple of the diverse options that await. Also consult our guide for the best places to go apple picking.

Read on for our top weekend picks, but be sure to also check our Event Calendar for more family fun this weekend and beyond!