The Bronx Zoo lights up at night during the 2024 holiday season. Photo by Ally Noel
Holiday Light Shows, Luna Luna, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids
The Tianyu Lights Festival transforms the Citi Field parking lot into a magical holiday destination with larger-than-life lanterns and kid-friendly activities. Photo courtesy of the festival
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids
All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0
See the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids
Many organizations throughout New York City are offering free turkey giveaways, plus full, hot Thanksgiving dinners this season. Photo by John McCarten for the New York City Council
Where To Find Free Turkey in NYC This Thanksgiving
See the Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC with our insider's guide and tips!
GUIDE
Guide to Thanksgiving in NYC for Kids and Families
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Leuca. Photo courtesy of the Noho Hospitality Group
26 Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in NYC
Experience the magic of the Tianyu Lights Festival at Citi Field this holiday season. Photo courtesy of the festival
21 Best Things To Do in NYC November 2024 with Kids
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden
Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now!
GUIDE
NYC Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2024
Canstruction is free and open to the public at Brookfield Place through Monday, November 11. Photo by Heidi Lee
39 Free and Fun Things To Do in NYC this November with Kids
Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders at NYBG's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Photo by Ally Noel
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 35 Top Things To Do in NYC this Fall
Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 98th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Where to Watch, What's New
The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
21 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
101 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

New! Find and Book Drop-in Play, Classes, Camps, and More in the Mommy Poppins Calendar

5/18/21 - By Roberta B

We are so excited to be getting out and doing things again that we've added a whole new way to find and book activities directly on Mommy Poppins! Our activities calendar has new categories for camps, classes, parties, and attractions, as well as the events, both virtual and in-person, that you are used to. In addition to the new types of activities in our calendar, some activities now have the option for you to book directly from our calendar, making signing up quick and easy. 

Read on for a sample of some of the fun things you can book right now in NYC. Simply click through to the listings and select BOOK NOW to reserve your space for comedy shows, art classes, drop-in play, summer camp, party entertainers, or even a Father's Day scavenger hunt. Keep checking back, because as businesses reopen, we're adding more options every day.  

You may have noticed that our activities calendar has changed slightly. We moved the filters over to the side (on desktop) as well as adding extra categories for more programs. You can click Activities to see programs on the calendar or click on Providers to search our businesses directory by category. Watch the video at the top of this article for a demo. 

We love to hear from you, especially when we're rolling out something new. Tell us what you like and even what could use improvement. It really helps us improve the site. Use our contact form to send your feedback. 

Live Events & Drop-In Play: Book Now!

The Amazing Father's Day Scavenger Hunt

Sunday, June 20, in Times Square
A totally unique way to celebrate dad that the whole family will enjoy, during this live scavenger hunt, a series of clues leads you around Times Square performing physical and mental challenges along the way. The hunt celebrates dads and all they do in a fun, interactive way! READ MORE

Improv 4 Kids Comedy Show

Saturdays and Sundays in Midtown West
Improv 4 Kids is back live in Times Square at the Broadway Comedy Club on Saturdays & Sundays at 3pm. No two shows are ever the same, as the cast from Eight Is Never Enough creates an orginal, improvised musical comedy revue based on audience suggestions and participation.  READ MORE

Fun & Educational Virtual Soho, Little Italy & Chinatown Walking Tour

Saturdays Online
Learn about Lower Manhattan in a fun and educational virtual walking tour that's great for kids ages 8 and up. A licensed tour guide leads you in a live streaming video through the iconic streets of Soho, Little Italy, and Chinatown, providing insider insights, fun facts, and even a touch of mafia drama.  READ MORE
Creatively WILD Art Studio. Photo courtesy of the studio
Creatively WILD Art Studio. Photo courtesy of the studio

NY Camps & Classes with Space Available

Outdoor Comedy Classes in Central Park

Saturdays in Central Park
Enjoy all the fun learning comedy and playing improv games outdoors, in Central Park. Improv games provide much needed laughter, while teaching valuable life skills, creativity, presentation, self-confidence, and so much more.  READ MORE

Grown Up & Me Art

Tuesdays and Fridays in Cobble Hill
This Grown Up & Me Art class has story time followed by hands-on art projects that bring the story to life by drawing, painting, and collage. ​Each class ends with clean up and an epic bubble party! READ MORE

Summer Comedy Camp

Weekly starting June 28 in Midtown West
Now in its 10th year, Comedy Camp has returned to the Broadway Comedy Club, Times Square, NYC. Kids and teens ages 7-17 take improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy classes, play games, and turn stories of personal experiences and observations into original comedy routines. Campers can sign up for a single week or the full camp season.   READ MORE
Stemtastic. Photo courtesy of the camp
Stemtastic. Photo courtesy of the camp

Virtual Camps and Classes You Can Book Now

Preschool Science Through the Alphabet On Demand Video Classes

Preschoolers learn science and literacy in this custom program developed by a former NYC public school teacher. Each program focuses on a letter and a fun science topic. The prerecorded video lessons can be watched at home and enjoyed at any time.   READ MORE
Lidia's Play Cafe. Photo courtesy of the cafe
Lidia's Play Cafe. Photo courtesy of the cafe

Birthday Parties on Mommy Poppins

Stemtastic Virtual Birthday Parties

Virtual
STEMtastic's virtual birthday parties are interactive and require minimal adult supervision. During the 45- to 60-minute party, children explore fun, scientific concepts through a hands-on project using common household materials and end the party singing "Happy Birthday!" Parties are for up to 12 children.  READ MORE

Zumbini with Jan Virtual Birthday Party

Have a 40 minute Virtual Birthday Party With Zumbini With Jan via Zoom. Dance, sing, jump like a kangaroo, act out animals, run around and have lots of fun. Jan will lead singing Happy Birthday and have a sign made with the birthday child’s name to show on the camera.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article: