Parents are adept at finding life hacks to make the joys (read: logistical nightmares) of raising kids just a touch easier. And despite buckets of reservations, I've found a new one: Hello ChatGPT. Yes, we’re talking AI Parenting hacks and ChatGPT prompts for parents that can assist with everything from meal planning for picky eaters to personalized bedtime stories told in the style of Taylor Swift.

I was a longtime holdout for using AI for anything. And truthfully, I still have concerns, from the ethical to the environmental (more on that later). But with AI here to stay, I nudged aside my existential anxiety and looked into how parents are using it responsibly to make life easier. I asked the Mommy Poppins team their favorite AI/Chat GPT prompts and was floored to discover how quickly it became like a personal assistant. 

So I tested these hacks and fine-tuned each prompt to get them just right for you to try, whether you're in the throes of toddler tantrums or depths of teen drama. Turns out, delegating the small stuff to AI so that you can focus on the big stuff is a total parenting game-changer.

Turns out, delegating the small stuff to AI so that you can focus on the big stuff is a total parenting game-changer. Here are my 8 favorite prompts:

Longtime readers know we're always on the hunt for New York City's best playgrounds, but even our favorites get a revamp from time to time. When it's time for a refresh, some of NYC's beloved playground animals are put out to pasture—literally in the Home for Retired Playground Animals, an enchanting destination in the middle of the sprawling Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

A lovely spot to visit in any season—or a diversion from the action at the nearby Billie Jean King National Tennis Center—here's where to find this hidden gem for families in NYC. You can bookmark our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds for all our favorite outdoor places to play.

NY Kids Club–the beloved private enrichment space offering classes, afterschool, camps, birthday parties, drop-in play, and preschool at locations across New York City–just unveiled some big changes. To reflect its growth into a more comprehensive early education setting for children ages 3 months through elementary school, the popular program is now dubbed NY Preschool & Kids Club.

The rebrand coincides with other big changes to their offerings and the grand opening of a brand-new Park Slope-Gowanus location, a state-of-the-art facility designed to nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection. With modern classrooms, expansive play areas, and even a rock-climbing wall, the new space is set up to engage and inspire kids of all ages.

Garden City Park in Nassau County has debuted a new, interactive playground experience at Broadway Park. The playground recently underwent a massive renovation, and its reopening has delighted the community. Families with younger and older kids can enjoy the completely renovated play space, along with an awesome splash pad.

My kids had a blast exploring the new equipment, games area, and of course, cooling off in the sprinklers! 

Read on for the exciting details of this new Long Island playground for North Hempstead residents. For even more family outdoor adventures, check out our Guide to Park and Playgrounds on Long Island. 

Throwing a Halloween party is a fun way to celebrate the spooky season with kids. But when you've got tweens or teens, you need to think beyond the cute Halloween activities and crafts and come up with ideas that are a little more active and inventive. In other words, you need to up your Halloween party game—literally. Luckily, there are so many great Halloween party game ideas for teens (and tweens and even just bigger kids).

Start planning your Halloween party with these 25 Halloween party game ideas for tweens and teens that will make your next Halloween party epic. If you've got younger kids, check out our list of 25 fun Halloween games for preschoolers and little kids.

For great Halloween activities near you check your local Halloween Activities Guide, and for Halloween movies, games, crafts, costumes, and treats all season long, see our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

Mommy-and-me classes are the absolute best because not only will your little one have a chance to learn something new, but you'll be able to spend quality time with them and meet other parents (a total bonus). If you're having a hard time picking a daddy-and-me or mommy-and-me class, we've rounded up a few of our favorites. Not only are they engaging for both you and baby, but most of these classes have locations all over DFW, making it even easier to get out of the house for a little fun! 

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With breathtaking waterfalls, massive granite rock formations, ancient giant sequoias, and more, Yosemite National Park should be on every family's travel bucket list. But you (understandably) may have some concerns about visiting Yosemite National Park with kids. Like, are they any kid-friendly hiking trails? Are there things to do with kids at Yosemite besides hiking? Are there kid-friendly places to stay nearby?

After taking my own recent Yosemite National Park family vacation, I can assure you the answer to all of those questions is YES! Our visit to Yosemite was part of a larger national park trip, and all three of my kids (two teens and a tween) agreed that Yosemite was their favorite. We spent a whopping 12 hours in the park and can't wait to return!

I've put together a handy guide to help you plan your own Yosemite itinerary with kids, from must-see spots to the best times to visit to what to pack. In the very likely chance that your family gets the national park bug after your visit, our US National Parks Family Travel Guide has tips for visiting more great parks, from the best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon for families to everything you need to know about visit Zion National Park in Utah.

September means summer is in the rearview, and thoughts turn to school, apple picking, colorful leaves, and more fall fun.

One of my favorite ways to pick something new and fun to do on any given day is to celebrate a holiday! There are national days and holidays just about every day of the year, and it can be fun to take inspiration from them to plan an outing, craft, activity, treat, or game in honor of a silly holiday. September is home to National Playdough Day (below we've got an easy recipe to make your own) and Friday the 13th (read on for 13 ways to celebrate!), and so much more.

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. And if you're planning a fall getaway, check our travel guides to our favorite gorgeous fall family destinations in our travel guides to New England, the Poconos, and Maine.