Disney World Reopening: Here's What It's Like To Visit Right Now

Yes, Disney World Orlando is open! Photo by Carrie Taylor

If you are looking to travel to the most magical place on earth during the pandemic, rest assured, it's still magical. We recently visited Disney World in Orlando with kids ages 4 and 6 and learned some tips and tricks that we wanted to share — and yes, Disney World's reopening includes most rides and resorts. Here's a rundown of what you need to know before heading to Disney World in 2021.

Planning an Orlando trip? Check out more of the exciting Orlando openings happening this year and a brand-new Peppa Pig theme park coming in 2022.

When Should You Worry About Youth Sports Injuries? An Expert Answers

Photo courtesy of Connecticut Children's

Youth sports are a go in Connecticut this spring, which means kids across the state are oiling up their baseball mitts and dusting off their lacrosse cleats. But while parents are ready to snag their favorite spot on the bleachers, they also know that the return of sports means the return of—yes, you guessed it—sports-related injuries.

Bumps and bruises and aches and pains are certainly par for the course in youth athletics, but knowing when to worry—or when to call the pediatrician on speed dial—isn't always so clear. So, we connected with pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine specialist Mark A. Rieger, MD and the experts at Connecticut Children's to learn more about some of the most common youth sports injuries and what to look out for on and off the field.

Exploring Arthur Avenue: The Bronx's Own Little Italy

Colorful murals pay homage to the famed Arthur Avenue and its starring roll in pop culture.

The Bronx’s famed Arthur Avenue probably needs no introduction. Often dubbed NYC’s “real” Little Italy, this area in the Belmont section of NYC’s northernmost borough has been known for its Italian heritage dating back to the 1850s. The neighborhood has been featured in many films and TV shows—most notably, A Bronx Tale, Robert DeNiro’s directorial debut starring DeNiro, Chazz Palminteri, and Lillo Brancato.

In many ways, Arthur Avenue remains the same as it has for decades—distinct Italian bakeries, delis, restaurants, and markets—and in other ways, it has evolved in the way many NYC neighborhoods do. Mexican eateries like Estrellita Pablana and Rancho Estella on 187th dot the area, while Mexican specialty store Panderia Lucero offers fresh-baked sweet breads, Mexican candy, piñatas, and more.

Arthur Avenue's location, conveniently close to the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden, makes it a fun stop en route to the attractions, though it's a worthy destination in its own right. Now is a great time to visit—the city is starting to thaw, and spring excitement is in the air, so read on for nine things to do in the Bronx's Little Italy with kids.

13 April Fools Day Food Pranks To Play on Your Kids

April Fools Day is around the corner, and if you’re like me, you relish the opportunity to play a fun April Fools prank on your kids. Food pranks are a great choice because kids can be so fickle with their food, and these pranks offer a great opportunity to break out of habits or try something a bit more playful in an area where they may feel stress or hesitation. So get your grocery list together, set aside about the same amount of prep time as you would for a simple recipe, and let’s food prank your kids!

Want more silly and super easy April Fools Day jokes to play on kids? We've got 17 truly simple prank ideas that will leave little ones laughing (and check out these favorite kid jokes that will keep them giggling all day long).

Activities To Get You Out of the House This Weekend on Long Island

The Vanderbilt Museum hosts an outdoor-only Vandy Land event throughout spring break week. Photo courtesy of the museum

This week brings spring break and an action-packed schedule of fun. Grab the kids and head to the Garvies Point Museum & Preserve to enjoy family-friendly programs, including crafts, hikes, films, and more. 

We've got plenty of Easter egg hunts, and families can check out FREE drive-thru events in Cold Spring Harbor and Belmont Lake State Park.

If that's not enough, our Poppins@Home site invites kids to take virtual dance classes to perfect their hip-hop and ballet techniques.

You'll find more seasonal happenings in our roundup of 25 fun things to do this spring, plus our Event Calendar gets constant updates as we learn of family-friendly happenings.

Activities To Get You Out of the House this Weekend in New Jersey

Hit the shore to enjoy opening weekend and boardwalk fun as Jenkinson's Amusement Park hosts its season opening this weekend. Photo by the author

This weekend is hopping with Easter Bunny visits and springtime fun galore. You can catch up with the Easter Bunny at Alstede's annual Easter and Springtime Family Festival, local egg hunts, like the one on the Ocean City boardwalk, or train rides, like the Easter Bunny Express.

Amusement park season springs into action this weekend as well. Don't miss the season openings at Jenkinson's and Six Flags Great Adventure, among others. 

If you're staying in, check out our Poppins@Home site, where kids can pick up new dance moves with a virtual hip-hop class and a children's ballet class.

For even more fun, bookmark our always-updated Event Calendar, which is full of ways to stay busy during your upcoming spring break staycation.

Activities To Get You Out of the House This Weekend in NYC

Step aboard the Intrepid and back in time when the museum reopens to the public Thursday, March 25. Photo courtesy of the Intrepid

Spring break is on the horizon, outdoor fun is beckoning, and some beloved kid spots reopen to the public. We are psyched. First up, the Intrepid is lowering its gangplank to the public again, offering some new opportunities for big ship fans, including a peek into the bomb elevators and access to the pilot escalator. Then, Six Flags Great Adventure opens its gates in Jackson, N.J., so coaster riders can once again placate their need for speed.

Saturday's Holi celebration in Riverside Park uses colored kites for COVID safety. Easter egg hunts and celebrations dot the landscape in every borough, and kids can welcome spring with a scavenger hunt/seed swap at the Old Stone House. If that's not enough, we've found 50 fun events and activities for the spring break week and have even more seasonal picks in our Spring Fun Guide.

Poppins@Home is poised to fill in any free time remaining with Snapology's planes, trains, automobiles camp program, an awesome virtual hip hop dance class, ballet for all, and bilingual music fun with 123 Andres all await, too.

Keep a vigilant eye on the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar as the city continues to open like the gorgeous flower it is.

BASIS Independent Schools Expands Advanced Programs in Brooklyn and Manhattan

Photo courtesy of BASIS Independent Schools

How does a lower school balance kids' natural tendency to question and explore everything with intentional academic learning? BASIS Independent Schools believes it's cracked the code with an Early Learning Program that gives gifted and talented students in PreK and Kindergarten an advanced curriculum that empowers independent thinking while serving up interactive hands-on courses in literacy, Mandarin, STEM, performing arts, and music—just to name a few.

Here in NYC, BASIS Independent Schools offers its comprehensive Early Learning Program at its Brooklyn and Manhattan locations. And because of rapidly growing demand for the popular secular private school, fall of 2021 will mark its first year at a brand new PreK–grade 2 campus for BASIS Independent Brooklyn in Downtown Brooklyn at City Point—while their Red Hook campus remains home to grades 3–12 students. BASIS Independent Manhattan students in PreK–grade 5 remain at the school's much-loved Upper West Side location—while their grades 6–12 campus expands to a stunning Chelsea location this fall.

Pages