| Page 1444 | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

Cream of the Crop: Boston's Best Farmer's Markets and Farm Stands for Families

Submitted by Rachel Becker on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 4:22pm

I spend the spring months eagerly awaiting opening day, not at Fenway, but at Adams Park, where on the first Saturday in June, the Roslindale Farmer’s Market begins its summer run. Our farmer’s market outings aren’t just for picking up extra groceries. They are the first sure sign of summer, long lazy mornings spent on picnic blankets watching our daughter play with her neighborhood friends. If you don’t have a local market or farm stand you call your own, check out Tara's post from a few weeks back, or one of these three urban/suburban oases.

SOLD OUT A Special Mommy Poppins Event: Fun-Filled Historic Harbor Cruise with Master Storyteller Bill Gordh and his Banjo

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 4:00pm

This cruise is sold out. Don't worry: Mommy Poppins will host other exciting events soon! Taking a cruise on New York Harbor is one of our favorite summer activities in NYC. That's why we here at Mommy Poppins are excited to invite you and your kids to a very special event we're planning: Ships, Sails and Tales of the Sea with Bill Gordh & Manhattan by Sail. On Saturday, June 29 join us as we set sail back in time aboard the historic Clipper City Tall Ship on a 90-minute excursion with family activities by master storyteller Bill Gordh, a scavenger hunt by New-York Historical Society's DiMenna Children's History Museum and more.

During this fun outing, families will board Manhattan by Sail's historical Civil War-era cargo schooner Clipper City for an exciting voyage out of South Street Seaport. As we sail through New York Harbor, we'll enjoy amazing views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and other beloved NYC landmarks, plus there will be a stellar lineup of entertainment and enriching activities for children.

Read on to find out how you can snag tickets to Ships, Sails and Tales of the Sea with Bill Gordh & Manhattan by Sail—a day out on the water Mommy Poppins-style that you won't want to miss.

Family Events at Historic Belmont Park

Submitted by Denise on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 12:53pm

You don't have to be a fan of thoroughbred racing to thoroughly enjoy a day at Belmont Racetrack. The Breakfast at the Belmont program (that we recommended for Father's Day) is a great way to get an intimate look at all aspects of the park, before the gates open to the crowds. Belmont's backyard is equipped with a playground area, a duck pond, a concession area, and the paddock, where you see the horses just before the race. On Family Fun Days On Sundays bouncy houses, games, and activities fill the yard as themes and activities change weekly.

Photos of NYC's New Carousel: The B&B Carousell in Coney Island

Submitted by Raven Snook on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 10:00am

From a kid's point of view, most merry-go-rounds are created equal. There are horses (or other animals) to sit on, and they all go round and round. But some carousels are more eye-catching than others. Just look at Dumbo's glass-encased Jane's Carousel, Harlem's kid-designed Totally Kid Carousel and the Flushing Meadows Carousel, the centerpiece of Queens' mini-amusement park Fantasy Forest.

Now there's a new merry-go-round in town: the B&B Carousell in Coney Island. To be accurate, the merry-go-round isn't really new at all—parts of it date back to 1906 and it was turning in Coney Island up until 2005, when the owners planned to take it apart and sell the scraps. Happily, the city bought it intact and over the past eight years, the B&B Carousell was meticulously restored in Ohio before being returned to its Brooklyn home.

We recently took a few spins on the historic merry-go-round, which debuted Memorial Day weekend 2013. Check out our pics and find out why It should definitely be on your to-do list the next time you hit Coney Island.

New Jersey Fresh: Farmers' Markets in Somerset County

Submitted by Tracy on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 6:00am

Somerset County is chock-full of farm-y goodness, and we have some of the loveliest farmers' markets in the state. Some of our towns have small family friendly markets, while others are day trip-worthy, and filled with artisan honey, grass fed meats, and produce. Many accept WIC (Woman Infant Children program) and give vouchers to the elderly making fresh food available to everyone, regardless of income. Peruse and enjoy!

NYC Summer Camps for Preschoolers: Half-Day and Partial Week Junior Summer Programs

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 4:00pm

Summer camp is more than just a fun and enriching experience for young children. It also marks an important step in their development as they get to test out their independence and, in the case of commuter camps, travel outside the city to enjoy outdoor activities in nature.

As exciting as that first-time camp experience is, it can also be scary (perhaps more so for parents than kids) since it's outside everyone's comfort zone. Even if you find a program that offers a safe and stimulating environment for younger kids, parents may worry than their preschoolers aren't yet ready for full days or weeks of camp.

Every summer, readers email us asking if we know about summer programs that offer short days or sessions where tots can try out day camp and see how they like it. We asked our friends at the American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey to recommend some camps that fit the bill. If you need more information, the ACA of NY and NJ also offers free camp consultations with their experts.

You can find out about other awesome summer programs in our Camp Guide.

Special Needs Dance Classes for NYC Kids

Submitted by Michaela on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 10:00am

A few weeks ago I wrote about special needs music classes for kids in the five boroughs. Today I'm spotlighting dance programs for children with special needs in NYC.

Just as organizations like Daniel’s Music Foundation changed my son’s life and allowed him to be able to get up on stage in front of people and sing, there are dance programs that help children with special needs do the same with dance. There are a variety of dance classes and summer camps throughout NYC for children with special needs. Here are some of our favorites:

Mamaroneck Shares: Summer Festival Series for Families in Westchester

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 9:17am

Unfortunately, this series is not happening in 2014.

On Friday evening, I headed to dinner with my family along Mamaroneck Avenue, a popular strip close to Mamaroneck Harbor and the Long Island Sound with lots of restaurants, shops and things to do. A routine dinner out turned into an evening of fun, as we walked right into a block party along the avenue. This event, part of an annual series of block parties along the avenue, was created with two worthwhile goals in mind: to support local businesses and to raise money for local charities. My kids had a blast and with three more events scheduled throughout the summer, we're sure to be back.

The summer block parties are hosted by Mamaroneck Shares, a local non-profit organization started in 2010 by local restaurant owner/operator Mike Hynes and Peggy Jackson and Ellen Hauptman, founders of a local chapter of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Currently in its 4th year, the series has grown bigger each year and has become part of the village's summer landscape. Read on for the remaining dates and everything else you need to know about the series.