Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids |

10 Awesome Boston-Area Playgrounds Worthy of Getting in the Car

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 07/21/2017 - 11:28am

Having a playground in your neighborhood is ideal. It’s a nice break from playing in your own yard and a great place to meet up for playdates. But going to the same playground over and over can get tiresome. Luckily there are several really special playgrounds near Boston that are worth packing up the snacks and strollers and driving to. Here are 10 of the best that are ready to host your kids’ summer adventures.

6 Places to Ride a Boat In and Near Houston

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Fri, 07/21/2017 - 9:00am

Sure, the waters surrounding Houston may not be the clearest, but there is still something magical about being among the waves. I've always considered myself lucky to live in a city near the sea; as a kid, we would often take boat rides around Galveston, and I wish we knew back then about boating opportunities within Houston's city limits. Boat rides make for great activities for any season, from spring to summer to fall. These six options are all family friendly and include both free and ticketed rides.

Cooking Out: Barbecue Grills and Pits in Parks around Los Angeles

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Fri, 07/21/2017 - 8:56am

Nothing says “summer” like barbecue. Many of our local parks are standing by with grills and pits to satisfy that craving for charred food. And the beauty of life in Southern California is that "summer" can be practically any time of year; the 15 parks below have year-round, mostly free barbecue facilities, ready for birthday parties, holiday celebrations, spontaneous picnics, or family dinners al fresco.

iPlay America is New Jersey's Largest Indoor Boardwalk

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 4:30pm

The rollercoaster whizzes down the track, the sweet smell of funnel cake fills the air, and an orchestra of buzzers and whistles plays from a nearby arcade. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think you were enjoying an evening on the Jersey Shore boardwalk, but this is iPlay America, a nearly four-acre indoor amusement park and fun center in Freehold, New Jersey that's open all year round.

NYC Playgrounds with Shade: Shady Park Benches and Equipment

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 3:20pm

While kids can always cool off in NYC's many sprinklers, we parents are stuck baking in the sun all day during the heat of the city's summer as we supervise outdoor play. It's a problem our readers know too well—each summer we get requests for recommendations of shady spots to play.

Although we know of a couple playgrounds that offer exceptional amounts of shade—Hippo Playground in Riverside Park and Discovery Playground in Fort Washington Park come to mind—we decided to ask our readers if they knew of any super-shady playgrounds in New York City. After clarifying that we were talking about shelter from the sun's rays, not sketchy parks, they came through with a number of great suggestions.

Please keep in mind that the name of the game here is comfort on a hot summer day; though we have visited plenty of destination playgrounds, with a few exceptions, these shady suggestions tend to be neighborhood standbys and small playgrounds that have plenty of shade, but perhaps not too many bells and whistles.

Soak Up Some Sun (& Family Fun) at Surfside Beach

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 3:18pm

When you mention beaches near Houston, everyone's first thought typically trends toward Galveston. However, Galveston's many beaches are not the only ones close enough for a day trip, and while we've trekked down there plenty of times, it's definitely not the end-all-be-all. In fact, one of our favorite spots is the quiet town of Surfside where the beach is clean and full of sand (not seaweed).

Roller Coasters and Water Play at Quassy Amusement Park

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 3:01pm

More than 100 years ago, Quassy Amusement & Water Park opened in Middlebury, Connecticut along the shoreline of Lake Quassapaug. For years, the lakeside amusement park has drawn families from all over the state as a staple in Connecticut entertainment. Today, Quassy is a New England treasure that has remained a family favorite for generations.

10 Seafood Spots for Dinner after a North Shore Beach Day

Submitted by Elizabeth Fisher on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 3:00pm

We're blessed to have so many stellar beaches around Boston: You and the kids can have your your toes in the sand and the sun shining on your faces in under an hour. But while beach days with the family can be blissful, they are also a lot of work. Once you've packed lunch, towels, toys, and the umbrella, navigated seaside traffic, parked, and then hauled your kids and gear to your spot in the sand, who wants to think about cooking dinner? Fortunately, not far from some of Massachusetts' best beaches are classic, casual seafood restaurants to cap off your day trip. The North Shore in particular has a high concentration of clam shacks, lobster lodges, and seafood shanties with everything from clam strips to grilled cheese, ensuring even the pickiest of beach bums will find something they like on the menu.

So sit in your beach chair a few minutes longer, watch the sun dip a little lower on the horizon, and let someone else do the cooking.

Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlors Long Island Kids Will Love

Submitted by Thien August on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 12:30pm

Is there ever a bad time to enjoy ice cream? Of course, with summer upon us, it’s the perfect time to take the family out for a scoop, a sundae, or a shake—and all of these definitely will taste better when made with homemade ice cream.

So we’ve rounded up some of Long Island’s best ice cream parlors that everyone is sure to love. These destinations create their yummy flavors from scratch and have a nostalgic feel that make the experience extra special.

For more dining inspiration, check out our roundup of LI restaurants where kids can eat free. And for more family fun, see our Event Calendar, our guide to summer fun and even our list of 100 must-do things with LI kids.

Wondrous, Wild Waterfalls Waiting for You in Connecticut

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 9:00am

Waterfalls are amazing creations of nature that astound even the hardiest hiker and outdoor lover. The water pounding on the rocks, the splash of the spray, and the shallow wading pools leave the kids with lasting memories. Connecticut is lucky to be home to hundreds of waterfalls; many of them are accessible with just short walks and a little effort for all ages. Of course, please exercise caution at all of these sites as rocks are slippery when wet! If you are looking for more outdoor adventures, go hiking at one of these Hartford area spots and check out our list of ropes courses in Connecticut!