| Page 1660 | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

Summer Fun at the New York Botanical Garden for NYC Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:00am

The New York Botanical Garden has long been one of my favorite places in the city. Although I enjoy sharing my beloved haunts with my 6-year-old son, we had only visited this 250-acre Bronx oasis for the annual Holiday Train Show because I worried that he just wouldn't be that into plants and flowers.

But I was so intrigued by the garden's slate of seasonal programing for kids, I decided to bring him and I'm so glad that I did. The NYBG is a fantastic destination year-round, but in summer it's a particularly vibrant place with lots of enriching activities for families. During our visit, we smelled, explored, planted, tasted, cooked and learned a lot. In fact, my son loved our outing so much, he didn't want to leave! (He's still bummed that we never made it to the Rose Garden).

Here are the best things to do at the New York Botanical Garden this summer with your kids in tow.

The Berenstain Bears Live: Good Fun for First-time Theatergoers

Submitted by Raven Snook on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 9:30am

I take my kindergartner to a lot of theater. (I'm not kidding when I say I think she's seen more live shows than your average adult New Yorker.) So parents are always asking me to recommend productions for little or even first-time theatergoers.

The Berenstain Bears LIVE! in Family Matters, the Musical is just such a show. Most kids two and up already know the characters, and even if they aren't familiar with the brand...er, I mean books, what's not to love about this tight-knit furry family?

Although it's done on the cheap (the music is canned, the backdrop is cardboard), the production has a lot of spirit and the young performers are strong singers who keep their cloying to a minimum. The biggest kick parents will get out of the show is watching their kids have fun, but that's really the point of going, isn't it?

One Great Day in NJ: The Morris Museum

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 7:00am

Nestled within the great town of Morristown is Morris County’s hidden gem: The Morris Museum. This medium- sized kid-friendly museum has undergone a huge transformation over the last few years and has become one of my family’s favorite destinations, combining art, culture and interactive exhibits. We experienced “one great day” at the Morris Museum on the Morris County free museum day.

Destination Playground: Hippo Playground in Riverside Park

Submitted by Allison on Sun, 07/10/2011 - 10:00am

Playgrounds don't need to be newfangled to be special. As any in-the-know Upper West Side parent will tell you, Hippo Playground, which is located at 91st Street inside Riverside Park, is a popular vintage tot spot.

On summer days when NYC feels as hot as the Sahara, this haven is cool, shady and wet. Featuring a herd of water-spouting hippo statues at its center, the playground has lots of equipment and activities to keep kids happy. Since it's well known, it attracts an interesting mix of locals and families who've traveled to get here, often to attend a birthday party.

So pack a snack (you may want to stay a while) and take your family on a Hippo hunt.

The Hot List: Save More Than $1,000 on the Best Things to Do with NYC Kids this Summer

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 3:00pm

The long, slow days of summer are when we finally get a chance to do all of those fun things we just couldn't get to during the school year. We start every summer by making a bucket list of places we want to check out, and then my family and I work through them.

This year we're sharing our Hot List with you. There's a wide range of activities: playing indoors, getting active outside, exploring nature, eating summer foods, and, of course, getting wet. There are even a few day and weekend trips.

As we were planning this Hot List of the best things to do in and near NYC this summer, we thought it would be super-cool if we could get some of these places to offer discounts to our readers. And many agreed!

These deals are too good to make available to everyone on the Internet. So for the first time, we're offering a downloadable, printable version of this blog post.

What will you find in our printable Hot List book?

Extended listings with addresses, contact info and hours for every venue, so you have all of the info you need to plan right at your fingertips.
Coupons that can save you more than $1,000 in total. These discounts are only available in our Hot List book.

We're selling the Hot List book via Poppins Perks and giving 100% of the profits to NYC public schools. You can buy the Hot List now for the special price of just $4.99, or read on to see what's on our list.

Weekly Wrap Up: Summer Festivals, Free Movies, Bastille Day

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 11:09am

Summer is in full swing: Temperatures keep hitting 90, playground sprinklers are always on and campers seem to be taking over the city. (Central Park is full of them chanting at the top of their lungs!)

If you have the luxury of spending the entire season with your family, there are plenty of ways to have fun. We've compiled 100 free things to do this summer with ideas for every single day, as well as some anytime activities.

If you only get to hang out on Saturdays and Sundays, there's still a lot to do. This weekend you've got SummerStage's Family Day in Central Park and a big Bastille Day bash, both free.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut.

Weekend events July 9-10: FREE Fests, ‘Stocks, BBQ and Camp Muckalucka!

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 8:15am

New Jersey is humming with summer activity this weekend, so choose your fest or ‘stock wisely. Do your festival tastes run more toward a giant sloppy barbecue contest or a much more dignified music and art offering? Are you up for Beachstock or Maplewoodstock? Or maybe you’d rather see T-Bone Stankus' hilarious one-man show or just eat ice cream all day. Choices, choices. That’s what summer is all about.

Things to Do for Kids and Families on Long Island, July 8-10: Family Concerts, Outdoor Kids Theatre, Fireflies, Bats, and More

Submitted by Katia on Wed, 07/06/2011 - 10:16pm

New York's State Parks have got it going on this weekend. From afternoon shows, to learning about the animals living on Long Island, even some great night activities. Let summer time take over your usual schedule, let the kids stay up late so you can all have fun as a family at a kid's concert, or go out looking for bats. Perhaps they'll even sleep in a bit in the morning. And if you are inspired, make note of our post on free outdoor movies on Long Island, fun for the whole family. Have a great weekend.