The environment is one of the most critical issues facing our children’s futures. Our new Earth Kids Guide and newsletter will provide meaningful and fun activities to engage children and families with sustainability.

When I started Mommy Poppins in 2007, my vision was to organize information about the most interesting, especially free and affordable, cultural activities and destinations for families to create greater access to things that were not at that time always easy to find out about. I wanted to promote a vision of parenting that was about enriching the lives of families with culture and amazing experiences, rather than products and unachievable (for most people) luxuries.  

15 years later, as our world seems to be wobbling on its axis, my concerns as a parent are so different. The climate crisis is front and center because without a healthy planet, what else matters? But how do we change course on this road we seem to be so far down already?

Few suburban comforts make me jealous, but the ability to host an at-home birthday party is one. Fear not: There are inexpensive birthday party room rentals in NYC; you just have to know where to look.

Keep in mind, buying an all-inclusive package can get pricey, especially if you want to invite your child's entire class. So, these spots all require DIY inventiveness, but you'll be rewarded with a special day that won't (totally) break the budget. If these prices still don't work for you, consider downsizing the guest list and partying at home with these tips for planning an at-home party and these five party ideas for small spaces.

Read on for inspiration and where to find a birthday party room rental near you, and check out our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee and its neighbor, Pigeon Forge, offer a wonderful mix of outdoor adventure, yummy Southern food, and tons of family fun (Dollywood, here we come). Just read our post about 70 Fun Things To Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN to see all of the kid-friendly activities in these eastern-Tennessee mountain towns. It's no surprise, then, that there are also a ton of family-friendly Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge hotels.

Many of the hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN and Gatlinburg are more than just places to crash. Many Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge hotels also have amenities like water slides, playgrounds, kids' activities, and on-site restaurants. Several are located just north of Pigeon Forge in Sevierville, TN, a great option for families visiting Dollywood and Pigeon Forge attractions.

Read on for our list of the best Gatlinburg hotels and hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN for families. While you're in vacation-planning mode, be sure to also check out our Family Travel Guide for more ideas for fun family getaways.

It’s April Fools season, and you know what that means! April Fools Day is a time when parents get to turn the tables on their kids by bringing a little mischief—and a lot of laughter and fun—into their homes. If pranking your kids is not your style, you can also just wait for them to prank you. Either way, we promise you’ll get a giggle or two out of these hilarious April Fools memes.

When your finished with these April Fools Day memes, check out our lists of super easy April Fools Day pranks to play on your kids and hilarious jokes for kids to keep your family laughing all month long.

Central Park, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park—even if you only just arrived in NYC, we probably don't need to tell you these are all must-see green spaces, but they're also popular and crowded. Fortunately for us, according to the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, 14 percent of the city is parkland. That's more than 30,000 acres! So, if you're looking to find a new-to-you outdoor destination to explore, we've got 10 off-the-beaten-path parks worth putting on your NYC family bucket list.

Find more spots to explore in the great outdoors with our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

Greenlight cards are the buzz these days in parenting circles, and once you know a little bit about these debit cards for kids, it's easy to see why. Like most parents, I never have cash on me and am constantly handing my daughter little slips of paper as IOUs. As families figure out how to navigate an increasingly cashless world, it is still important to teach our children a sense of financial responsibility. There are several options out there that provide a safe banking experience for kids, including Greenlight debit card for kids and Chase debit card for kids; all of them offer a variety of family-friendly safety features like real-time spending alerts and financially-incentivized chore charts.

Read on to determine which debit card for kids is the right one for your family.

If you've visited Sunset Park's Industry City lately, you're probably already familiar with the multi-use complex's many family-friendly offerings, including public art installations like The Pool, a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink, and tons of family-friendly shops and delicious food options. Now there's another great reason to gather up the family and head over to Industry City: the expansion of its Japan Village, which includes the addition of The Loft, housing a Book Off book store and an outpost of Japan's uber-popular retail chain, Daiso.