Best Gifts and Toys for 4- & 5-Year-Olds: Top Birthday Gift Ideas for Preschoolers

There are tons of creative ways to use Magna-Tiles, like playing matching games or making your own marble runs. Photo courtesy of Magna Tile

If you're looking for amazing gifts for a special preschooler in your life, check out our ultimate gift guide for 4 & 5-year-olds.

When you’re a kid, presents are pretty much the best thing ever. As an adult, finding gifts for preschoolers comes with a little more thought. Ideally, it's a toy that entrances, teaches, and grows with kids, sticking around in the playroom for a while. All while keeping your budget in mind!

Luckily, we have tried pretty much every toy for every kind of kid with every interest under the sun. These are the toys that Mommy Poppins writers and editors can't get enough of with our own kids, and that we turn to when giving gifts.

If you're looking for more ideas about gifts for kids, the Mommy Poppins Gift Guide for Birthdays and Holidays has got you covered—we've got everything from gifts for baby's first birthday to gifts for toddlers, and more!

What Can Really Be Recycled? Myth-Busting the Recycle Symbol

It can be hard to determine just what goes into the recycling bin.

We all know how important recycling is for the environment. Unfortunately, it's hard to figure out exactly how to recycle. What does the recycle symbol mean? What can be recycled (and what can't)? Where do we put items we want to recycle? And, most important, how do we teach kids about recycling symbols and what they mean?

This confusion—coupled with the fact that recycling rules often vary from city to city—is part of the reason only 32% of trash in the US is recycled, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

We're here to (hopefully) answer all of your questions about what to recycle, how to recycle it, and just how to decode that ubiquitous recycle symbol. Check out our Earth Kids Guide for more tips on creating Earth-friendly habits for your family, including our tutorial on how to compost. And, sign up for our Earth Kids newsletter for more ideas and activities every month.

Step Back in Time at Cape May's Historic Cold Spring Village

There are pirates, music, and family fun to look forward to during Seafarer's Weekend at Historic Cold Spring Village.

Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May is definitely worth a visit if your kids are interested in history or you are hoping to pique their interest in history. The village is the largest open-air living history museum in New Jersey. You could spend a few hours strolling around the shady village or even the whole day.

When you visit the restored buildings on the 30-acre grounds, the 1800s really come to life! Kids will get a kick out of watching the hilarious puppet show, meeting the farm animals, and seeing how different life was 200 years ago! Read on to find out why my kids loved our day spent meandering around in the 19th century. 

While you are in Cape May, be sure to check out the FREE Cape May Zoo, the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, the Harriet Tubman Museum, or the bike along an old railroad track with Revolution Rail

Best Preschool and Toddler Classes in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Kids can draw, paint, and use clay at Oodle Monkey. Photo courtesy of the studio

There are tons of preschool and toddler classes to pick from in Westchester and the Hudson Valley that help kids get their energy out while learning valuable skills.  

We've rounded up 21 toddler and preschool classes in the area that range from school skills and STEAM classes to dance and sports classes for preschoolers. One class even combines horseplay–with actual horses!–and literacy learning. All of our picks are drop-off classes that foster independence and prepare children for the first day of school.  

For more classes for toddlers and preschoolers, see our picks of the Best Mommy-and-Me Music Classes in Westchester and the Best Mommy-and-Me Classes in the Hudson Valley

For even more after-school programs, check out our full Classes Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids

New Art-and-Play Space Opens at Metropolitan Museum of Art

There are a variety of hands-on stations at the 81st Street Studio, the new STEM and art-inspired play space at The Met.

When is the last time you stepped into The Met and had a curator encourage your child to touch and feel the exhibits? That tactile connection to artwork—to its making, its preservation, and ultimately, its appreciation—is at the forefront at the 81st Street Studio, the brand-new art and science play space that’s now open at The Met’s Fifth Avenue location.

Beyond giving city kids a new way to enjoy the wonders of The Met, the 81st Street Studio also makes it very accessible—admission to the space is completely FREE to kids and their families, surely cementing The Met’s status on our list of the best museums in NYC for children for years to come.

Art Classes on Long Island for Kids

Set up an easel and get to painting at Mini Monet Art Studio. Photo courtesy of the studio

Art classes on Long Island are a great way to cultivate your child's artistic vision, and there are plenty of local options to choose from. These Long Island art spots offer drop-in classes, multi-week sessions, private play dates, and more creative fun.

You can find more classes for –and even book a class online–in our directory of classes and listings. And be sure to check our Long Island Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

Top Acting Classes for Kids in Connecticut: Building Character On Stage

Kids can learn to express themselves and find their voices with the best acting classes in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Poppins Children's Theatre

If you have an aspiring thespian in the house, sign them up for one of the best acting classes in Connecticut. It's a fun way to inspire their creativity and hone their skills while also introducing them to new friends. The top acting classes for kids include instruction in movement, voice, and even music. Some Connecticut acting programs even offer fun lessons like improvisation. When your kids are ready to stomp the boards and chew the scenery, check out these Connecticut acting classes!

Best Preschool and Toddler Classes in Boston: Music, Art, and Movement

Kids can express their inner artist (and dancer, and musician) with the best preschool and toddler classes in Boston. Photo courtesy of Minni

Local families have incredible opportunities with the best preschool and toddler classes in Boston. While there are many Boston "mommy & me" spaces, these preschool classes will allow you to take a step back and watch your child engage with other children and teachers from a distance. These Greater Boston toddler and preschool classes allow your little one to explore the world on their own. From art and music classes to sports and nature classes, there is something to stimulate every little learner.

Check out our Guide to Boston Classes and Activities for Kids for more enrichment programs in the Boston area. And explore our Boston Schools and Preschools Guide to see our top picks for educational programs around Boston.

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