Forest Hills

Queens Party Places: 33 Top Spots for Kids' Birthdays

Submitted by Kelly O on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 11:30am

We've profiled cool NYC party places in the past, but there are so many awesome birthday spots in good old Queens alone that it deserves a post of its own.

These Queens birthday party places cater to all kinds of kids, from active to artsy to animal lovers. As a Queens mom with two children, I've been to many of these spots personally. You can find additional birthday inspiration in our NYC Party Guide.

Best Mother's Day Brunch Restaurants for Families Across NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/11/2019 - 4:00pm

Mother's Day is fast approaching, on Sunday, May 12, 2019, which means it's time to start planning a special day for the well-deserving mom(s) in your life. Speaking from experience, all moms really want is a little time off. You could choose breakfast in bed, but why not instead forgo chores altogether and hit one of NYC's many delicious brunch spots?

We've rounded up a host of scrumptious, kid-friendly places throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. As if that wasn't enough, we've got tons more picks in our Family-Friendly Restaurant Guide. Pinpoint your special lady's preference, make reservations, and get ready to dig in.

After brunch, head out to one of these great family events happening that Sunday. However you decide to spend the day, Happy Mother's Day from your peers at Mommy Poppins.

Crafts for Kids in Queens: 9 Awesome Drop-in Art Spots for Families

Submitted by Kelly O on Wed, 03/13/2019 - 11:00am

Despite NYC's long list of great indoor play options, sometimes kids want to do more than just run and jump around. An art project is a great way to spend a winter or spring afternoon, when the usual roster of play spaces, kiddie gyms and museums is feeling a bit tired. Get busy at a local drop-in art studio to pass some indoor time. Kids can get their hands dirty doing pottery, painting, collage and more.

For drop-in art studios and kids' craft spots, Queens is a worthy rival to Brooklyn and Manhattan. From museums with regular family art programs to places to paint plaster to FREE workshops at the Queens Library, here are nine spots where kids of all ages can flex their creative muscles.

12 Favorite Baby and Toddler Classes in Queens

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Mon, 02/25/2019 - 8:00am

Searching for an engaging baby and me class in Queens to take with your infant, crawler, or toddler? This diverse and ever-changing NYC borough offers up plenty of options for the littlest ones including music, art, movement, and even science.

We've rounded up a dozen of the most popular and unique baby and toddler classes in Queens, including an outdoor nature program and an infant movement session. If you call Queens home, check out these classes, and find one that works best for you (or your caretaker) and your child. And don't forget to check out the other drop-in play spaces in this family-friendly borough.

Need more inspiration? Check out our NYC Baby Guide or directory of classes across NYC.

February Break Camps for NYC Kids: 10 Affordable Midwinter Recess Programs

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 2:00pm

Midwinter recess always seems to be the black-sheep break: It sneaks up on you and you have no idea how to handle it once it arrives. Here are 10 budget-friendly camp programs for the week. If you need more options, check with your local museum, playspace or enrichment center to see if they're offering coverage.

If you're able to take a few days off and spend quality time with the kids enjoying winter in NYC, check out our list of 35 Fun Things to Do Over February Break.

Best Sledding Hills Across NYC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Wed, 01/02/2019 - 9:20am

The best thing about a snow day is, of course, sledding! Hit these neighborhood hills across New York City for some wintertime fun with the kids.

In compiling this list, we asked our readers, family, and Mommy Poppins writers and editors for their top recommendations for sledding hills across the five boroughs, but we're always looking for more suggestions. Feel free to chime in if your favorite isn't here.

Not sure if school is on or off? Read our post on how to know if snow has canceled class or not.

Free NYC Halloween Parades for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 10/07/2018 - 3:00pm

Everyone loves a parade, but there's nothing quite like a neighborhood Halloween parade. While families with older kids may venture out to the iconic Village Halloween Parade on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, it can be pretty scary—it's always insanely crowded and loud, and many of the costumes are risque, gory, or in poor taste. If your children aren't up for that big Hallow-baloo, there are plenty of smaller, kid-friendly NYC neighborhood parades in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, including the Ragamuffin Parade in Bay Ridge, the mega Jackson Heights parade, the famed Park Slope march, and a G-rated Village parade for little ones.

We've rounded up community-driven Halloween processions for families to watch or march in, most of which are FREE. If you don't live in a great trick-or-treating area, these parades are a wonderful way to hunt for candy in another neighborhood. Find even more seasonal happenings in our Halloween Fun Guide.

13 Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in NYC for the Preschool Set

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 10/02/2018 - 2:30pm

When my son was a baby, I wondered if he'd ever know the joy of trick-or-treating door to door like his suburban counterparts. But over the years, I've learned that NYC really knows how to celebrate Halloween. There are tons of FREE Halloween celebrations, kid-friendly costume parades, and close-knit communities that dole out copious amounts of candy to trick-or-treaters.

For little New Yorkers, Halloween can sometimes seem more scary than sweet—and a lot of it takes place after bedtime. So we've put together a list of 13 Halloween events perfect for the preschool set, many of them FREE. Enjoy the gentle spirit of these Halloween events while you can—your kids will be celebrating at the Village Halloween Parade before you know it.

For more Halloween happenings, check out our Halloween Guide and our events calendar, which is continually updated with new, fun events as we find out about them.

Drop-In Storytimes for Kids in Queens

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Wed, 09/26/2018 - 10:00am

Kids in Queens have no shortage of storytime opportunities, with popular library branches, bookstores, and playspaces all offering great choices. We've rounded up the best spots where babies, toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy listening to their favorite books in Jackson Heights, Astoria, Sunnyside, and other family-friendly Queens neighborhoods.

A number of these read-along sessions include crafts, music, puppetry, or even yoga, so it's a great way to pass the morning for parent and babe or caregiver and tot. After the stories are put away, peruse the bookshelves or nearby toys. Most are drop-in events, but we've noted if registration is required. Expect all sessions to be FREE or inexpensive. Read on for our insider's take on Queens storytimes with kids.

Harvest Fests, Pumpkin Patches, and Hayrides Right Here in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Fri, 09/14/2018 - 12:00pm

If you think you need to head out to the 'burbs for an authentic fall harvest experience, we've got good news: You can pick the perfect pumpkin, go on a hayride, meet farm animals, and even get lost in a massive corn maze right here in NYC.

So if you're looking to skip the car rental, hop onto the subway instead to head out to these fall harvest festivals and pumpkin patches, all located within the five boroughs. Looking for more fall fun? Check out our NYC Fall Fun Guide for the best of the season.