Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids |

Zip Lines, Ropes Courses, and Outdoor Adventure Parks Near NYC

Submitted by Fiona Taylor on Thu, 04/19/2018 - 4:05pm

We all need a little excitement in our lives. For some, any of these 13 carousels around New York City will deliver all the excitement in the world. For others, the idea of zip-lining through the air ranks high on their to-do list. Of course, adventure parks aren't for everyone, but there's proof they help children learn problem-solving and collaboration skills. Plus, it's just plain fun to play together as a family and create unforgettable memories.

New York City may not be the epicenter of adventure parks, but it's making strides, especially with the new Adventures on Governors Island, the Bronx Zoo's Treetop Adventure, and a seriously high-flying outdoor zip line in Queens. Meanwhile, just outside the city limits, there are dozens of rope and zip line courses.

We've rounded up a handful of our favorite outdoor adventure parks either in the city or reachable within a quick day trip. Also make sure to see our brand new guide to 25 outdoor adventures in the city for NYC kids.

Lush Arboretums and Gardens To Explore with New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Thu, 04/19/2018 - 2:00pm

New Jersey is teeming with amazing outdoor places to take active kids—everything from nature centers to Jersey Shore lighthouses offer a multitude of fun events for little ones. But our beautiful state arboretums and gardens are often overlooked. These fabulous green spaces offer a great opportunity for children to see nature up close. Many locations also host educational and engaging programs, featuring activities such as gardening, hiking, and scavenger hunts.

As spring shifts into high gear, gather the kids and head to these beautiful local gardens. We're not known as the Garden State for nothing!

Visiting Glen Cove: Nassau County's City on the North Shore

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Thu, 04/19/2018 - 12:30pm

Although some Long Islanders might think of Glen Cove as just another community on the North Shore of Nassau County, it is formally known as the City of Glen Cove. This year it celebrates the 350^thanniversary of its founding and the 100^th anniversary of its incorporation.

Once the home to famous wealthy residents including J.P. Morgan and F.W. Woolworth, you’ll still find many Gold Coast mansions and estates dotting the landscape. Today, Glen Cove remains a great place for families and offers the best of Long Island, from gorgeous beaches and well-equipped playgrounds to kid-friendly museums.

Mini Land Play Gives Long Island City Tots a New Indoor Hot Spot

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Thu, 04/19/2018 - 10:35am

Like most New York City parents, I’m always on the lookout for new indoor play spaces to occupy my active kid when the weather isn't great. So when I find a unique play area in a cool neighborhood that doesn’t eat up my entire entertainment budget for the month, I feel like an explorer who’s made a groundbreaking discovery. Mini Land Play in Long Island City, Queens is exactly this kind of rare find: a crazy-fun indoor playground with toddler-friendly rides that is only $12 for unlimited play during the week.

Read on to find out how you can discover this new neighborhood gem for yourself.

Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Festival of Books, Earth Day, CicLAvia, and Poppies

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 04/19/2018 - 6:47am

Extra, extra, read all about it! This weekend's hot pick is the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. It's a true crowd pleaser. Going makes you happy, makes your kids happy, and you know who else it makes happy? Yo momma.

Yo Momma Earth that is. This is the weekend we celebrate having a planet with breathable air and potable water. And plants and animals and sand and trash trucks and maybe chalk. We live in a city where you can go outside year round, and maybe even get by without a car. (Just for a few hours, don't panic.)

So buckle up, cowboy, and get ready for a wild and wonderful, swashbuckling, pop pop poppin blow-up weekend ahead!

Read all about the earth-shattering choices for this weekend....

Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Party for the Planet, HobbyFest, April 21-22

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 04/19/2018 - 12:54am

Earth Day is this Sunday, and Houston is throwing multiple parties to celebrate! From an overnight trip to the Houston Zoo to volunteering at Buffalo Bayou or visiting your local farmer's market, there are plenty of ways you can get outdoors, celebrate our planet, and support local causes that serve to better our community and keep it beautiful this weekend.

Earth Day isn't the only big event happening in the Bayou City, though; Evelyn's Park is taking a trip down the rabbit hole to Wonderland this weekend, with brand new Alice in Wonderland inspired sculptures taking up residence in the park. There are 150 different hidden things in the sculptures, making this a fun trip for the family you don't want to miss.

Our event calendar is also packed with family-friendly events that span both the week and weekend, so it's always easy to find something to do around the city, and our April GoList features the top activities happening this month. You can also sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all of our posts delivered straight to your inbox.

If you're hosting an event, we'd love to highlight it for you. Simply submit your event to our calendar, and we'll make sure it gets shared with our readers.

Now let's check out what's happening this weekend!

Weekend Fun for Boston Kids: Earth Day, Sailing, and a Folk Festival, Apr 21-22

Submitted by Lucie T on Wed, 04/18/2018 - 8:54pm

One more weekend to go before everyone is back in school, parents—you've got this! Hopefully the weather cooperates because Community Boating is having their annual open house with boathouse tours, and free sailing on the Charles. Celebrate the Earth this weekend at a party for the planet, a spring clean-up, and an upcycling craft project. Get folksy, meet an author, and even try lollipops for breakfast.

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Earth Day, Family Fun Day, Comic Con

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 04/18/2018 - 8:15pm

This Saturday marks the 48^th annual Earth Day, and with the event falling on a weekend, there are many fun ways for Westchester families to go green.

Among the many Earth Day activities taking place are Green Ossining’s Earth Day Festival, an in-park event offering conscience-raising information about food sustainability and fun kids’ activities, as well as Earth Day Nyack, which boasts a similar slew of offerings.

Another headline event is the return of the annual Sheep-to-Shawl, a historic-themed festival for contemporary sheepish fun, while Hudson Valley Comic Con promises gaming, costumes and loads of assorted activities for comic lovers. Enjoy a fun-filled day of circus workshops, performances, crafts and more—all free—at Family Fun Day.

All this and much more can be found on our Event Calendar (including ways to spend spring break), and our April GoList can help you zero in on some of our favorites throughout the month.

Weekend Fun for Philly Kids: Earth Day, Brick Fest, Philadelphia Science Festival April 21-22

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Wed, 04/18/2018 - 4:52pm

Philly parents may be wondering what to do this weekend now that Mother Nature has finally brought some seasonally appropriate weather to the Delaware Valley. With Earth Day happening, the easy answer is get outside! Kids can join in a fort building contest at Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, clean up invasive plants at Green Lane Park, or throw mudballs filled with flower seeds from the Colebrookdale Railroad's Mudball Express. Other options include making eco-friendly crafts at The Handwork Studio, experiencing Earth Science STEM activities at the Delaware Children's Museum, and conducting experiments at the Academy of Natural Science.

In addition to Earth Day activities, there are some fun festivals happening this weekend. Food, music, and a health fair await at North Penn High School's International Spring Festival. LEGO fans can build to their hearts' content at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center's Brick Fest Live. The Philadelphia Science Festival boasts a Food Science event, Science in the Park programming, and Be a Scientist! activities throughout the region.

Still looking for other ideas on how to spend the weekend? Filter our events calendar by age, location, and tags to find the perfect activities for your crew. For now, read on for our top picks, and make sure to share this list with anyone who hasn't quite figured out their plans just yet for this nice spring weekend.

Earth Day Weekend Fun for CT Kids: Kites, Cosplay, and Parties for the Planet

Submitted by Donald Eng on Wed, 04/18/2018 - 3:31pm

It's Earth Day weekend, and there are outdoor activities galore around Connecticut. Bring the family to historic Wooster Park in downtown New Haven for the 45th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. While you're there, double up on Elm City fun at the Yale Peabody Museum's annual Earth Day celebration. Earth Day celebrations are also taking place this weekend in Stamford, Bethel, and Simsbury. If you are in the southwestern part of the state, you can fly high at the annual Greenwich Kite Festival or check out the greatest show (and tell) on Earth at the Westport Makers Faire.

If you're still looking for more, check our frequently updated Events Calendar, sign up for our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.