Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids |

Top Mommy-and-Me Baby Classes on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 5:10pm

From Zumba to yoga, cooking and art, there are plenty of ways to nurture your baby’s mind, body, and creative spirit. Not to mention your own.

We’ve rounded up some of the best mommy-and-me classes on Long Island, ideal if you want to to stay fit or learn a new craft. You and your baby will have fun, meet other moms and tots, and, most importantly, spend precious time together.

Of course, classes are open to dads, grandparents, and other caregivers. Be sure to check class websites for times, costs, and registration details.

For more suggestions on inexpensive ways to entertain your kids, check out our guide to FREE activities on Long Island. Our classes and enrichment guide also offers a host of ideas to stimulate your child's learning.

Have fun.

4 Must-See Art Exhibits for NYC Kids

Submitted by Suzy Q on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 3:13pm

Have you ever seen an ad or a notice for an excellent art exhibition and thought, “I would really like to take my kids to go see that!” and before you knew it, it was gone? With so many world-class museums and cultural institutions in New York City, it can be a challenge to narrow down your options.

The Brooklyn Museum just unveiled an exciting new Frida Kahlo exhibition this month, and the Whitney, the Guggenheim and the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling also have great shows on display that will be closing this spring. Read on for your kid-friendly guide to four museum exhibitions currently in NYC that are too good to miss.

30+ Play Spaces with Drop-In Hours for Central New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 12:00pm

Central Jersey is home to lots of indoor play spaces that feature bouncy rooms, arcades, rock walls, imaginative play, and much more. From tots to teens, cabin fever is no longer a danger with these fun spots. Read on for more than 30 of our favorites.

Museums with Cool Kids' Programming in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 11:00am

While there are many fantastic family-friendly museums and exhibits in New York City, you don't necessarily have to travel to NYC for an enriching cultural outing. We've rounded up 11 museums right here in Westchester and the Hudson Valley that offer lots of stimulating fun, in subjects ranging from fine art to firefighting.

All of these museums offer family programs that allow kids (and grown-ups) to explore and learn about the collections by engaging in a variety of hands-on activities. Best of all, a lot of these programs are free with museum admission—and many of the museums themselves offer free admission to children under a certain age. Don't forget to check with your local library to see if it offers free passes.

Read on for more about these cultural gems, which make for great family day trip destinations.

Best Philly Area Brunches that Are Fun for Kids and Grownups

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 10:00am

Brunch, the most delicious (yet often neglected) meal of the day. The perfect marriage of sweet and savory, all the best parts of breakfast meet the best parts of lunch in a food-coma inducing state of deliciousness. Brunch was something most of us became familiar in our twenties, when we were old enough to have a respectable hangover and still get out of the house, just not too early. But now that we’re parents, that doesn't mean we have to say good-bye to our favorite pancakes-with-a-side-of-mimosa combo. While we may not get to hit brunch every weekend like the good old days, it can become a regular family tradition as long as you know where to go. Here are our top picks for family-friendly brunch spots in the city.

Want more ideas on where to eat out as a family in the Philly area? Then check out our Restaurant Guide!

The World’s Largest Bounce House Lands in Brooklyn, Summer 2019

Submitted by Katie Nave Freeman on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 8:29am

As soon as school is out, don’t miss your opportunity to grab your socks and take your summer to new heights. The Big Bounce America, officially the world’s largest bounce house, is landing in Brooklyn, July 26-28, 2019 at Aviator Sports.

This touring bounce bonanza will put your block party to shame with the world's largest bounce house (Guinness certified!), a 900-foot-long inflatable obstacle course, a giant maze, ball pits, slides, climbing walls, and basketball hoops...all to be enjoyed while a DJ spins, confetti blasts, and beach balls fly through the air. Exhausted yet?

Night at the Museum: 5 NYC Museum and Zoo Sleepovers for Kids

Submitted by Allison on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 3:32pm

Sleepovers are all the rage (even Governors Island has gotten into the overnight game). And while a night chaperoning a group of small night-owls might not rank high on your to-do list, kids will get a big kick out of sleeping over at one of their favorite cultural institutions. From the Bronx Zoo to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum to the new Sharks! exhibit at Coney Island, there's a museum sleepover to fit every kid's interests. And you'll earn some serious cool parent cred—some of these overnight adventures are so extravagant, they landed on our list of NYC splurges worth doing at least once.

Your Kid Can Play Halo IRL at This Interactive Xbox Experience

Submitted by Li Starr on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 12:18pm

Whether or not your teen or tween is a video game geek, you've probably heard of Halo, the Xbox series from Microsoft that has dominated the gaming space since it was released in 2001. It has spawned a TV series, comic books, novels, and now a live tour.

The "Halo: Outpost Discovery" tour promises to bring the popular sci-fi game to life with a special fan experience "for the whole family" as it visits five major U.S. cities—Orlando, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, and Anaheim, California—this summer.

Find Family Fun for All Ages at the Morris Museum

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 11:00am

If you’re looking for an interactive museum experience the whole family will enjoy, head over to The Morris Museum. While smaller and simpler than a big-city institution, the museum, housed in an old mansion, features an eclectic showing of family-friendly exhibits.

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood near Morristown’s historic district, Morris Museum has become one of my family's go-to's for a quick weekend day trip or a stopover at one of its annual festivals. The vintage musical instruments, model train exhibit, and rock and mineral collection remain big hits with my tweens.

In addition to the hands-on exhibits, the museum features a children’s theater and a robust lineup of family programs and events. There are plenty of reasons that Morris Museum is on our list of 100 Things to Do in NJ with Kids!

The Frozen 2 Trailer Is Out and We Are So Here for It

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 10:08am

Elsa and Anna are BACK! Disney just released a Frozen 2 trailer, the sequel to the Let It Go fever that swept up both parents and kids a few years ago.

When Frozen debuted back in 2013, I had an instantly obsessed 4-year-old Elsa wannabe. We knew, like so many other families with young kids, that this Disney musical franchise was going to be a mainstay in our home. Catchy songs and strong, independent princesses, what's not to love?

Fast-forward to 2019, and that obsessed 4-year-old's baby sister is now a kindergartner pining to see the Broadway iteration of Frozen.

All three of us were thrilled to watch the Frozen 2 teaser together. Take a peek to see what you think! My girls are already making me promise we'll see the flick this fall.