Staten Island

NYC Winter Fun List: 50 Things to Do Indoors with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 01/04/2019 - 3:40pm

Cooped up in a tiny apartment with your kids hanging off the furniture (and you) is no way to spend the winter. We know it can be hard to put on all that winter gear, head out into the cold, and hit up one of the million daily kid events happening in NYC, but we're here to help.

To inspire you, we've compiled a list of 50 awesome drop-in spots in the five boroughs, where kids can run, jump, bounce, learn, create, and get cultured. Some are even FREE.

Still not willing to open that door? Try one of these indoor craft projects at home as a family to keep those little hands busy, or one of our 40 Indoor Snow Day Boredom Busters.

Of course, you can always find more winter fun ideas in our Indoor Family Fun Guide, or even sign up for a new class.

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.

Worth It? Family Memberships in NYC to Consider for Winter

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 01/01/2019 - 9:20am

After visiting NYC's top play spaces, museums, and other fun zones, we've rounded up the various membership deals at popular kid-centric destinations. These places keep your kids entertained, active, and out of the cold. Some even offer short-term memberships, so you only have to pay until spring arrives.

In the dead of winter, it can be daunting to schlep somewhere new every weekend, so a membership to one (or two) of your favorite kid play spots makes sense. We've already done the math so you'll know exactly how many visits it takes until these investments pay off—and whether or not the "deal" works for your family. If the math doesn't work out for you, consider buying one of the play spaces' bulk passes instead, which usually knocks a few bucks off the daily drop-in price.

Need more ideas? Check out our Indoor Play Spaces Guide for more romper rooms by borough, bounce houses, and year-round family entertainment.

30 Free Things to Do in NYC with Kids This January

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Sun, 12/30/2018 - 10:10am

The holiday festivities have fizzled, the bank account has been maxed out, and the winter weather has set in. But worry not: We have the low down on 30 awesome FREE events for New York City families happening throughout this January.

Though most of the holiday attractions are finishing up this month, January festivities celebrating the Three Kings and Martin Luther King, Jr. are just getting started. Several museums are offering free access, like Tours for Fours at MoMA, and there are great events for older kids like the Seventh Annual Black Comic Book Festival. Meanwhile, outdoor fun abounds at the annual Winter Jam.

Looking for more FREE fun? Escape the cold with our guide to 20 indoor places where kids play for FREE. Know what else doesn't cost a thing? Signing up for our newsletters to get more posts like this delivered to your inbox!

Read on for 30 FREE activities for NYC kids and consult our NYC Event Calendar for a slew of alternative options. Find plenty more winter to-dos in our NYC Winter Guide for Families.

New Year's Day 2019 with NYC Kids: Things to Do as a Family

Submitted by Andy Fenwick on Tue, 12/25/2018 - 12:00pm

One reason we live in New York City (and pay crazy rents, take packed subways, and research early education options as if we're going for a Ph.D.) is to take advantage of all the cultural experiences it offers year-round. If one of your New Year's resolutions is to do more fun things with your kids, why not kick off 2019 by taking advantage of all the great places open on New Year's Day in the Big Apple?

We came up with seven resolutions for families and then found activities to fulfill each one—all at places open on January 1, 2019, in NYC. You can find more seasonal fun, including little kid and big kid ways to celebrate New Year's Eve, in our Holiday Guide, or in our 25 Free Things to Do in NYC with Kids on Winter Break.

All of us at Mommy Poppins wish you and your families a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.

20 Indoor Places Where NYC Kids Play for Free

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Mon, 12/24/2018 - 12:30pm

We're staring down another long Northeast winter, and entertaining the kids during this long, chilly season isn't easy or cheap. Throw in a cramped New York City apartment and a shortage of vitamin D and of course, everyone is eyeing the exit. Luckily, in NYC some of the best things in life are FREE (really).

If your kids are bouncing off the walls and your wallet is screaming for a break after all the holidays, we've got you covered. Check out our list of 20 FREE indoor destinations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island for fun, games, or just a much-needed change of scenery.

For more great indoor places, check out our Indoor Family Fun Guide which is loaded with all-ages drop-in spots.

Register for Free Winter Swim Lessons for NYC Kids

Submitted by Katie Nave Freeman on Fri, 12/21/2018 - 7:00am

The New York City Parks Department offers FREE swim lessons for children and adults all year round, but you have to apply through an online lottery for each session. The FREE winter swimming lessons are on the horizon, and the lottery for registration opens Saturday, December 22, 2018, at noon.

Read on for the details on where to swim for free, or check our directory of paid kids' swim classes, and mommy-and-me swim lessons for babies and toddlers, including those in Brooklyn and in Queens.

The Top 15 Indoor Play Spaces Across New York City

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 12/14/2018 - 3:00pm

You've probably already bookmarked our lists of the best spots to play in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. (Oh, you haven't yet? Hint: Now's your chance.) To cap off your indoor-fun inspiration and ensure you never hear the words "I'm bored" again, we present the best of the best: the top 15 indoor play spaces across New York City. So when you need a break from your neighborhood spots, venture out to the rest of the city to cross every one of these awesome locations off the list.

Visit our Indoor Play Spaces Guide for more indoor fun, or our Family Fun Guide to all of NYC's top family attractions.

Santa in the City: 50 Awesome Santa Activities for NYC Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 12/02/2018 - 1:10pm

Christmas in New York is nothing short of magical. From fabulous holiday windows to dozens of tree lightings, magical seasonal shows, and multiple iterations of The Nutcracker, New York is the place to be during the holiday season. The biggest star of all is, of course, Jolly Old St. Nick. We've rounded up plenty of spots to take a photo with him or even break bread, but have never compiled all the ways you can share a special holiday moment with the big guy...until now. So grab a hot cocoa and read on for 50 awesome Santa experiences to enjoy before he takes flight from the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

The Most Spectacular Holiday Light Displays in NYC

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 3:40pm

Every year it seems holiday light installations in New York City get more elaborate, making a visit to the top displays a must-do seasonal activity. These days there are even tour buses that will take you to some of the neighborhoods decked out for the season.

We've rounded up some of the best holiday displays in NYC. Some of these attractions are in the more far-flung stretches of the city such as Pelham Gardens in the Bronx, Dyker Heights in Brooklyn and Jamaica Estates in Queens, and there's even one spot on Staten Island. All are definitely worth the trip. We can vouch for it!

So start your own holiday tradition this year by checking out these spectacular sights when dusk hits. Find more seasonal fun, including more holiday lights, such as Midtown's holiday store windows, in our NYC Holiday Fun Guide.