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.

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. 

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!

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.

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:

As you may have pieced together from some of my previous posts, I’m consistently on the hunt for fun, engaging programs to take my toddler to in the city (like Baby Wiggle Little Groove). Which is why I was so very excited to come across the Super Soccer Stars program.

Super Soccer Stars teaches soccer skills in a fun, non-competitive educational environment for ages 2 and up. Kick & Play is run by Super Soccer Stars and offers a pre-soccer and movement program for toddlers 12-24 months old and their parents; taking you through a world of exciting activities to help develop pre-soccer skills. I started the Kick & Play program with my 12 month old and have since “graduated” to Super Soccer Stars. Below are just some of the reasons I can highly recommend both of these programs...

The first day of summer is around the corner, which means schools are shutting their doors and LA parents are turning inside-out:  Outdoor concerts, festivals, beaching, camping… and let’s not forget outdoor eating!  So what makes a picnic spot great?   In my book, that means clean facilities, relatively painless parking, and a little something special to occupy the kiddos after they’ve scarfed down their PB&Js.   So read on, then dust off your picnic basket and be prepared for some interesting adventures.

I grew up in Jersey.  And before you start with the jokes, let me clarify.  Not the Sopranos Jersey, the Jersey Turnpike Jersey or the Snooki Jersey.  Nope, I grew up in beautiful, rural Western Jersey, right on the Delaware Water Gap.  If you haven’t been there, go. It’s lovely, historic, and nearby.  

Growing up on the Delaware Water Gap meant lots of Sunday family canoe trips.  (Canoeing rules to live by: don’t share a canoe with your younger brother, don’t share a canoe with your older brother, and wear sunscreen).  In hopes of replicating the canoe experience for my own kids, I’ve been researching canoeing options here in CT.  Turns out there are lots of options around here, ranging from waterways on tame lakes and slow rivers to more arduous river rapids and open ocean/sound trailways.  We've written about a few and you can find that info in our CT Beach and Water Fun Guide.