Outsiders might see New York City as just a "concrete jungle," but New Yorkers know its nearly 2,000 parks offer some of our best urban-living perks. For families, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation runs a ton of free kid activities and programs, helping us get the most out of our parks year-round. Of course, you have to know when and how to score these freebies!

At Mommy Poppins we've tried out a number of these programs and now we're sharing a few of our favorites with you, including all the details on what's coming up this fall and when to register, from kid swim lessons and archery to the balance beam act you see in the photo above. The catch? Availability is limited and participants are selected through a lottery. Read on for details on how to claim your spot.

Cincinnati, Ohio hits the highbrow and lowbrow sweet spot for families. It may be referred to as the Queen City, but there are no regal airs in this utterly unpretentious town.

Proud of its working-class roots, Cincinnati forges into the 21st century with plenty of innovations. Its compact core makes it ideal for walking and an eagerly anticipated new streetcar route opens in September, connecting its diverse outlying neighborhoods with the vibrant downtown. Nature lovers can bask in Cincinnati's leafy parks just minutes from the city center. Pro sports are a big deal, with baseball’s Reds and football’s Bengals leading the charge, but families with an interest in history and the arts have also come to the right place.

To help families get the most out a visit to Ohio's Queen City, we've pulled together a carefully curated list of things to see and experience with kids. For more stateside family vacation ideas, be sure to check out our United States Family Travel Guide.

Kids love horses, and working with these gentle giants can be a great way to help your kiddos find confidence they never knew they had. Connecticut boasts a lively horseback riding scene across the entire state. This summer, why not find a camp to make their equestrian dreams come true right here in New Haven County.

Ice Age: Collision Course is the fifth epic adventure for Scrat and friends. This time their pursuit of the elusive acorn leads the heros on a cosmic attempt to save the universe. You can bet the film is full of fun and laughs for the entire family, but what about the science? None other than Neil deGrasse Tyson, America’s favorite astrophysicist and the voice behind the film’s character Neil deBuck Weasel, has taken the time to vet the science behind the cosmic epic.

Don't know how to fill long summer days? Head out to South Windsor and you'll likely run out of daylight. Once a tract of land occupied by Podunk Indians, and later a farming and ship building town that supplied volunteers during the American Revolution, today this community boasts vibrant restaurants, recreation areas, shopping plazas, and enough attractions to keep children entertained. Located about 10 miles northeast of Hartford, the town makes for a great in-state day trip. 

It’s Back-to-School time! (I know, I’m just as bummed as the kids). A new year, a new teacher and a new curriculum sometimes results in the same academic struggles. Whether your child needs extra help in Reading, Math or Science, investing in a tutor can’t hurt. Tutors help inspire and encourage students, giving them that extra push they need to become head of the class—or close to it. Here is a comprehensive list of NJ-based tutoring centers ready to help guide your child.

The Hills are alive on Governors Island. July 19 marked opening day for the long-awaited addition of new green spaces and playground fun on this seasonal city play space. Judging by the throngs of people dashing up the granite scramble as soon as the ribbon was cut, we weren't the only ones excited to check out this new section of the island.

Made up of four distinct hills, the 10 acres of parkland include 70-foot-high Outlook Hill, 25-foot-high Grassy Hill, twin 40-foot peaks together dubbed Discovery Hill, and Slide Hill, which is undoubtedly the most family-friendly of them all, packed with four slides.

When folks talk about summers back in the day, they say things like, “We just went outside and played.” OK, but what did we play—anyone remember? We’ve got hundreds of ideas for playtime with your kids, but we especially love these throw-back games that used to keep us entertained until the streetlights came on. So Red Rover those neighborhood kids right on over and teach the whole crew a few of the games that the Brady brood played in their AstroTurf backyard!