Not loving the idea of your kids whiling away the afterschool or weekend hours in front of a tablet or computer? But what if they were engaged in programs that help nudge them away from mindless click-and-tap games and toward some serious 21st century computer skills?

These cutting-edge area programs introduce children to coding and programming concepts through interactive games and challenges, and provide an alternative to these great online coding courses by enouraging collaboration in a social setting. My takeaway, after learning about these cool classes: Not all "screen time" is created equal!

You can also find free coding for kids websites and apps.

Léman Manhattan Preparatory School has been serving preschoolers in downtown Manhattan for the past twelve years, but parents of even littler learners will be happy to hear there's a brand new toddler program in town. Developed by the school's experienced early childhood educators, Léman Explorers is a “grown-up and me” class that aims to give children ages 16 months to 3 years old the skills and confidence they need for preschool and beyond.

If your child loves painting, drawing, working with clay, or just being creative in general, an art-themed birthday party could be a great option. Kids will be busy and focused on a task for most of the party, they will get to create something that they can take home with them, and they are almost guaranteed to have a positive experience.There are endless options for creative birthday party locations in Houston. We've put together a list of some off-the-beaten-path art studios and organizations that offer birthday party options so you can throw your little artist a truly one-of-a-kind party for their special day!

Great Falls, a waterfall tucked in the Falls Village section of Canaan, Connecticut far up in the northwest corner of Connecticut, is a sight to behold. Though variable depending on the rains, when it’s on, it’s on. The falls have long been a popular sight for day trippers looking for a little escape. With hiking, views, and the chance for a little bit of floating and swimming (depending on skill level and currents, of course) it’s little wonder that this hidden gem is getting pretty popular.

This winter in NYC brings an extra dose of snow and ice, but of the magical Disney variety. One of the favorite princesses of the last decade and ice queen extraordinaire, Elsa, and her sister Anna, will make their Broadway debut in New York City this February. If you're familiar with the Let It Go-cult of Elsa, then you probably already knew a Frozen musical was en route, but we're here to give you the scoop on what to expect, including ticket prices and for which ages this show is best.

Joining family hits The Lion King and Aladdin, the buzz is strong for Disney's latest musical adaptation. The official opening night is set for March 22 (preview performances begin in February), but tickets for Frozen went on sale this month, and of course, are already going fast (hey, it's never too early to consider holiday gifts the whole family can enjoy).

We're pretty confident this Broadway production deserves a spot on your family's 2018 bucket list if you're willing and able to go for this extra special splurge.

A few weeks ago we added a new feature to the site and we wanted to make sure you knew about it. We love helping families save time and money. That's why we created our new deals page. We’ve invited local businesses who value Mommy Poppins readers to offer exclusive deals. And they delivered.

A few weeks ago we added a new feature to the site and we wanted to make sure you knew about it. We love helping families save time and money. That's why we created our new deals page. We’ve invited local businesses who value Mommy Poppins readers to offer exclusive deals. And they delivered.

Philly Fringe Festival returns every year in September. With tons of independent productions exploding with talent and unique ideas, it's such a wonderful time to check out theatre, dance performances, and more in Philadelphia. If you have kids, it can be quite the challenge to find the right Fringe show. Many shows in the festival feature adult themes and content, and ocassionally even nudity, so just how do you navigate this amazing festival with children? Don't worry, we've made it easy by rounding up tons of great Fringe shows that are safe to bring the kiddos to. So get ready to see some spectacular shows like nothing you've ever seen before.