Preparing for Fatherhood: Parenting Tips From Our Favorite Dads

Being a dad is one of the two best jobs on earth. Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Collins, Colorado

There is no one way to be a great dad. However, there is a ton of advice out there on how to be a good dad. These positive parenting tips come directly from Mommy Poppins readers, writers, and editors—plus some dads and spouses—and offer a little guidance down the road of Fatherhood.

While some of these are funny, you might want to have tissues handy, as the dads—and a few moms who couldn't resist chiming in—had some pretty heartfelt advice! If you're looking to roar with laughter at some dad humor, might we suggest these 50 funny dad jokes, from sports and Star Wars jokes to parenthood jokes and gags

One thing sure stood out, and pretty much every single dad mentioned it. Can you guess what it is?

Your Ultimate Summer Starts with Our Nickelodeon Resort Giveaway, Deals, and Guide

Enjoy the Summer of Spongebob, courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana - and Mommy Poppins!

Are you ready for the best summer ever? Aye, Aye, Captain! Mommy Poppins is bringing you the #UltimateSummer with the best activities all summer long, cool deals, and we're teaming up with Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts for a huge, all-included giveaway to Nick Resort Punta Cana.

Our Ultimate Summer Vacation Guides are here to help you with the best things to do in your area or wherever you're traveling—all summer long. We redesigned our guides with a fresh new look and made it easier to find all the best pools, beaches, day trips, festivals, and our top event and activity picks.   

We're bringing the action to social, too. We'll be sharing our picks, posting deals, and Reels, and doing weekly giveaways announced on social each Tuesday.

Read on for more details, links to our guides, and be sure to bookmark your local Ultimate Summer Guide, your go-to resource for summer fun!

NYC's Shakespeare in the Park and More Classics: How to Get Tickets and Tips for Bringing Kids

The Hudson River Classical Theater Company presents The Importance of Being Earnest in Riverside Park this summer. Photo by Daniel Cermak for the Hudson River Classical Theater Company

To see, or not to see Shakespeare in the Park with kids? That is the perpetual question when it comes to Shakespeare and other classics. While FREE outdoor mountings of the Bard's iconic plays abound in NYC every summer, some are more family-friendly than others. The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park productions get all the press and feature big stars, but also involve hard-to-get tickets, long run times, and prickly patrons who may give you the stink eye if your child gets fidgety. Happily, lots of other local troupes put on quality, no-cost Shakespeare shows in various NYC parks. These revivals don't require tickets or reservations, are engaging and accessible, and often clock in at less than two hours, so your kids have a better chance of making it all the way through (and if they don't, just leave quickly and quietly—no money wasted!).

I started taking my daughter to outdoor Shakespeare when she was 7 and now, as a teen, she's totally hooked. Here are nine FREE classic shows to enjoy with your kids this summer, plus tips on how to make the most of the experience, and the lowdown on how to get tickets to Shakespeare in the Park if that's atop your list. Find all our picks for kid-friendly theater no matter the season in our Guide to Children's Theater in New York City.

25 Things To Do on Father's Day on Long Island

Get your thrills with dad at Adventureland on Father's Day.

For all the wonderful things they do for their families, our Long Island dads and grandads deserve some extra special attention on Father’s Day. If you haven’t made plans yet, we’ve put together a list of activities to do with dear old dad or grandpa to let them know how much they're loved and appreciated.

So, whether he’s crazy for sports, loves to spend time outdoors, or enjoys creating things with his hands, we hope this roundup sparks some fun ideas for Sunday, June 18. Find more family-friendly options on our list of the best things to do with Long Island kids in June and our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Top 21 Splash Pads and Spraygrounds near Miami and Fort Lauderdale

South Miami kids can cool off this summer at the Founders Park splash pad! Photo courtesy of City of Aventura

If this summer is the typical South Florida summer, it's going to be a scorcher! Visit a Miami splash pad to keep the kids cool and entertained. Check out our list of the top 20 sprinkler parks, spraygrounds, and free splash pads in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with a few waterplay areas in the Keys and West Palm Beach areas as well.

For more ideas for things to do today with kids, check our South Florida Activities Calendar, or dip into our Miami Summer Activities Guide.

Aquatica Orlando: The Ultimate Guide for Wet & Wild Fun with Kids

With a variety of Aquatica slides, guests can choose their level of thrill.

We recently visited Aquatica, SeaWorld’s awesome water park, for the ultimate summer outing to beat the Florida heat! This was my first Aquatica visit with all three of my kids (ages 5, 9, and 12), and we had a blast! There is truly something for every age to enjoy at this tropical oasis. Not only is Aquatica Orlando home to many fun water slides and pool areas, guests can also get a glimpse of sea life as well, making Aquatica a truly unique Orlando vacation.

Best Family-Friendly Hotels Where Kids Stay Free

Relax by the beach at the family-friendly Blue Haven Resort in Turks and Caicos.

Traveling with family can be a serious investment. After shelling out for plane tickets, you still have to book a hotel, cover the cost of meals, maybe rent a car, and more. Package deals and all-inclusive resorts can be a great way to save, but even better is choosing a hotel or resort where kids stay free.

Many hotels and resorts offer "kids stay free" promotions at certain times during the year, while others allow kids under a certain age to stay free all the time. These "kids stay free" deals often include free meals and on-site activities for children.

Whether your destination is in the US, the Caribbean, or Mexico, here are 10 family-friendly hotels where kids stay free. For more great plays to stay, check out our Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels Guide.

What to Expect: A Free Parenting Guide by Stage

In the latest toolkit, Connecticut Children's pediatric specialists share guidance on kids' health and well-being from pregnancy to college.

From pregnancy to college, this parenting thing is always throwing us curve balls. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a team of top doctors and experts on call to share trustworthy advice along the way or even prepare us with information before we need it? That’s where the toolkits from Connecticut Children’s Hospital come in: created by top pediatric experts and backed by one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation, they offer expert advice on the topics parents need to know about.

In the hospital’s latest kit, What to Expect Through Life Stages, fetal care experts, pediatric physical therapists, nutritionists, and other specialists share guidance on kids' health and well-being for each stage, from pregnancy right through to those tricky teen years. Take a look at some of the standout articles below, from understanding babies’ developmental milestones to helping teens make big decisions about their futures. You’ll find even more articles in the toolkit, so click through for additional advice at each stage.

If you have questions for a pediatrician or pediatric specialist, you can easily request a virtual or in-person appointment at Connecticut Children’s here.

Pages