| Page 1435 | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

Bryant Park and Other Midtown West Playgrounds for NYC Kids

Submitted by Sarah G on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 5:00pm

Great playgrounds aren't the first thing you picture when you think about Midtown West. However, if you move away from Times Square and roam the side streets, you'll be surprised at how many parks and playgrounds you'll find.

Of course Midtown West's most famous green space is Bryant Park, and we could easily do an entire post on all of the cool things for kids there, from the carousel to the seasonal ice-skating rink. The one thing it doesn't have? A playground. As we conclude our month-long focus on Midtown West, we take a look at our top five outdoor romping spots in the area, from small local playgrounds to amenity-filled multiacre parks to a public plaza with an iconic Tom Otterness play structure. You can find all of our posts about the neighborhood in our Midtown West Kids Guide including our roundup of indoor places to play.

Screen Free Week: Can TV Turn-off Week Be Screen-Reasonable?

Submitted by erika on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 3:37pm

When asked to come up with a list of ten fun things to do during "Screen-Free Week," my first instinct was to come up with suggestions of fun, eclectic outdoor activities (which already abound on Mommy Poppins) that would act as fresh-air substitutes. Then I paused. In our house, screen time doesn't preclude physical, outdoor, or hands-on activities. As computer-savvy parents who take the time to use wonderful resources like this parenting website, we are highly aware of both the dangers and advantages of including some screen time for children. We've read the reports about the effects of too much television on brain development, and we're cognizant of the negative impact of substituting screen time for real human interaction. Sometimes in a two-parent family, there are even discrepancies between what we deem appropriate. It's a quest for balance.

Take the Kids—10 Ways to Enjoy Gutai: Splendid Playground at the Guggenheim Museum with Children

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 9:00am

One of the things we always try to do at Mommy Poppins is to look beyond typical kid activities and share cultural happenings that aren't aimed at children but can be enriching and fun for the whole family. Many of my family's most amazing NYC moments are when my mini-mes found inspiration and excitement in some amazing happening that was a little bit above their heads.

In that vein, we're starting a new series called Take the Kids where we'll highlight a grown-up exhibit, performance or other event that we shared with our kids and everyone loved. We acknowledge that all kids and families are different and—especially when you are pushing boundaries—not everyone will dig the same thing. Our goal here is to encourage you to try something new.

Our first Take the Kids pick is the Guggenheim Museum's Gutai: Splendid Playground, an artistic treat my usually reticent son couldn't get enough of. Read on to find out what this exhibit has in store for kids, how to get the most out of your visit, plus inspiration for activities to try at home. Bonus: We're giving away some special prizes from the Guggenheim Museum to encourage everyone to share their visit to the exhibit, too.

New Drop-in Brooklyn Play Space Twinkle Opens in Williamsburg

Submitted by Sarah G on Sun, 04/21/2013 - 10:00am

Williamsburg is already one of Brooklyn's most kid-friendly areas, chock-full of fun things to do and funky indoor play spaces. Now the neighborhood welcomes another cool tot spot, Twinkle, a 4500-square-foot drop-in play space for children ages six and under, which just opened this month.

Founded, designed and run by sisters Vanessa Yee-Chan and Mieka John and their father, Victor John, Twinkle is located east of the BQE in a part of Williamsburg that isn't quite as full of family amenities. Vanessa, a longtime area resident and mom to two young children, came up with the idea of opening the space. Housed in what used to be her father's commercial warehouse, Twinkle features fun interactive stations that look like exhibits you might find in a children's museum, all complete with lots of lovingly handmade details.

Having Kids Volunteer in the Wake of Tragedy

Submitted by Katie McKnight on Sat, 04/20/2013 - 12:09pm

Ugh…over the past six months I've gotten way too practiced in trying to explain tragedy and evil to my kids. And who am I kidding? I have no idea why some jerk feels the need to kill and maim hundreds of innocent people as they partake in the festivities at the Boston Marathon. But while I can’t understand the motivations of those who choose to hurt, I do know what makes me feel better in the face of evil: adding to the goodness in the world through volunteerism. It seemed a natural assumption for my husband and me that being a part of the “good” could also make our kids feel less scared, more empowered, and more engaged in the world - particularly when events like the Newtown shootings and the Boston Marathon bombing leave them feeling scared and vulnerable.

It’s not always easy to find ways that kids can partake in volunteerism in a meaningful way. But here are a few that we’ve found:

Party in the Palisades

Submitted by Erica Hartman on Fri, 04/19/2013 - 6:22pm

What happens when Spring Break is not so much a spring-y warm break? Indoor family fun! This New Jersey family of four decided to venture right over the border to party in the Palisades. Read on after the jump about how we turned a chilly Spring Break day into an adventure in the Palisades region of New York that included an indoor trampoline romp, a 5 story ropes course, a ferris wheel and a kid-friendly dinner. I would also recommend this day trip for a rainy day!

This Week: Free Spring Festivals, Best New Theater Shows for NYC Kids, Tribeca Film Festival for Families

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 04/18/2013 - 4:00pm

It's been an incredibly emotional week, from the tragic attacks in Boston to the new ELA Assessments to the gun control craziness. Even though Mommy Poppins' mission is to help families go out and have fun in NYC and beyond, we can't help but acknowledge these concerns since they're weighing on our minds. We suspect you're thinking about them, too.

And yet in stressful times, it's particularly important to find ways to enrich our lives by enjoying ourselves and spending quality time with our kids. Happily, spring is a time of renewal and celebration. There are lots of outdoor festivals, kids' concerts and new family-friendly shows this season. Plus with Earth Day coming up on Monday, there are many ways to honor our planet and give back to nature in NYC, New Jersey and on Long Island.

Since the weather looks iffy this weekend, it may be a good time to explore the new Legoland Discovery Center in Westchester—just make sure you buy your tickets in advance. And if you've already been there, our New Jersey site has a roundup of cool places to play with Legos, besides your kid's room, of course.

Looking ahead to May, our Travel site has a slew of great getaway deals for Mother's Day and beyond that sure beat even the fanciest NYC brunch. And if your child's a movie fan who attended screenings at last month's New York International Children's Film Festival, check out this cool kid critic contest our LA site has going. If your brood saw any of the flicks playing at the Los Angeles Children's Film Festival when they screened in NYC, they can enter the contest, too and get published on the site to boot.

Whatever you end up doing this weekend, even if it's just hanging around the house, we hope you and your kids are able to relax and enjoy each other's company. That's my family's goal! Here's what else we covered in NYC this week:

Knightwatch Medieval Sleepover: Spend the Night at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 04/18/2013 - 10:00am

Ever since the movie Night at the Museum came out, sleepovers at famous New York City spots have been popping up all over town. First the American Museum of Natural History did it (it was the star of the film, after all) and then the Bronx Zoo, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square and a bunch of other attractions followed suit. These sleepovers are a fun way for families to experience familiar places in a brand-new way, and are a great source of revenue for the hosts, many of which are nonprofit.

Now the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is getting in on the overnight action with Knightwatch Medieval sleepovers (which, in case you're wondering, are totally secular). My seven-year-old daughter and I attended one back in March and overall we had an incredible time. Having the run of the gorgeous Gothic Revival church is a rare and memorable experience that made us feel like queens for a day (make that a night).