| Page 1643 | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

Parents Night Out! Best Date Night Options in NJ

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 09/19/2011 - 10:00am

Ahhhh, date night. Just the mere thought of this rare event can bring parents right to their happy place. You know, that place where you can finish your sentences without interruption, only cut up your own food, enjoy an activity without whining or reprimanding and most importantly, spend quality time with your significant other. Pure bliss, indeed. As lovely as this is, date night can often be a challenge to plan. Coordinating (or even finding) a babysitter can be a feat in itself and then there’s the task of planning the actual night out. Not to fear, weary parents, we’ve done some of that research for you and there are many options for quality and super fun childcare in the evenings. Let us get you and your significant other out on the town!

The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats: Explore the Author-Illustrator's Amazing Legacy at the Jewish Museum

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Sun, 09/18/2011 - 4:00pm

Ezra Jack Keats’ kid-lit classic The Snowy Day turns 50 in 2012, and it's the focus of a brand-new exhibit at the Jewish Museum: The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats. For those unfamiliar with the 1962 picture book, it's about an adorable red-hooded boy named Peter who spends a day exploring his snow-filled neighborhood. When it was released, readers were charmed by its simple story and colorful illustrations. But most importantly, The Snowy Day was the first children's book published in the United States to feature a main character who was African-American.

As a child, The Snowy Day made a lasting impression on me. Keats' gritty city setting spoke to me, and opened my suburban eyes to the world beyond my grassy lawn. (It's a big reason I fell in love with New York City.) The book also captures this feeling of childlike wonder, as Peter explores his block solo—something my elementary-school-aged son and his peers don't do these days.

The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats is a wonderful way to examine Keats' bold collages. Although the show itself isn't aimed at kids—most of it is hands off—there's a lovely reading room, and some great family events and art workshops happening in conjunction with the exhibit.

The Brooklyn Strategist: Fun and Board Games for NYC Kids and Families

Submitted by Teri on Sun, 09/18/2011 - 10:00am

After years of playing endless rounds of Candy Land and Sorry!, I decided my family was ready for something more challenging and exciting. That's why we started hanging out at The Brooklyn Strategist, a unique, interactive game center and community-based social club.

Inspired by Atlantic Avenue's Peter’s Ice Cream Parlor & Coffee Shop—the beloved old-school haunt that closed 10 years ago due to a rent hike—local resident Jon Freeman decided to create a similar cross-generational gathering space. At The Brooklyn Strategist, folks of all ages are encouraged to kick back, relax, think and connect through analog games.

My son fell in love with the strategy sessions at The Brooklyn Strategist during summer camp. His fellow gamers were equally enthusiastic, and I talked to many parents who said their kids were waking up before dawn, excited to go play with their friends. Here are some of the cool things you can play at The Brooklyn Strategist.

Huntington Beach Weekend Getaway: So Far and Yet So Close

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 5:06pm

The Los Angeles Grail, the Great Quest of the Southland, may well be the search for the ultimate family weekend getaway. The vacation that gives the most pleasure for the least effort. The highest decadence to travel time ratio. And I am here to share the news that Nirvana is only an hour away down an Orange County stretch of the 405 to Huntington Beach.

Your NJ Weekend September 17-18: Surfing Nuns, Clowns, Dinosaurs and Apples, mostly FREE!

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 9:26am

Yes, you read that right: surfing nuns. I know you're intrigued, so read on to find out about those ladies of the cloth and their saintly surfboards. If you'd prefer non-religious sports, try wending your way through the corn maze at Terhune Orchards on Apple Day. Or if you're looking for a good old fair, there are country fairs, folk fairs and a clown hoopla to choose from. And remember, the first official day of fall is next week, so enjoy your last weekend of summer!

Weekly Wrap Up: Fall Culture Preview for NYC Families, Maker Faire and New Mommy Poppins Sites

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 6:57am

Even though autumn doesn't officially start until September 23, we were all about fall this week. We began updating our Fall Fun Guide, and shared our picks for the best concerts, museum exhibits and theater shows for kids this coming season.

Our two new sites in Boston and Los Angeles are picking up speed. Boston highlighted six cool exhibits for families and in LA they're already looking ahead to Halloween with a roundup of pumpkin patches. Let your friends in those cities know that they can sign up for their respective newsletters.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut.

Free and Fun Things to Do This Weekend with CT Kids: Fairs and Art Fest, Open Farm Day, Wilderness Survival 9/17-18

Submitted by Mary Beth Lawlor on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 11:16pm

Wowza, I wish I had a time machine this weekend so that I could manipulate the clock and attend all of the fun and creative events planned. There are loads of options and you'll be hard-pressed to choose just one. Wilton, Orange, Woodbury and Fairfield are having fairs this weekend. In Woodstock you can experience their Civil War Living History event. For survivalists, check out the free wilderness survival workshop in Kent and for animal lovers do the behind the scenes aquarium tour in Norwalk. There's even a hay bale search in Woodstock and a Rubber Duck Race in Woodbury. Club Getaway and K.E.L.F. are joining forces and opening the club for the day to families. Kayaking, the rock climbing wall and zip-lines are just a tiny bit of the activities to choose from on Sunday.

This week we've rounded up apple picking farms and are giving away tickets to the CT Renaissance Faire (the drawing ends this Friday night at 5pm.) If you are looking for after school activities in Fairfield check out our post. Join our growing facebook community and LIKE us today. You can also friend us on twitter to stay up to the minute with reminders of what's happening around town.

On a more serious note, our New Jersey editor has recently participated in a roundtable discussion for a CBS news special: "Bullying: Words Can KIll". It airs this Friday, September 16 at 8pm EST. The program covers the affects of bullying and explores methods to address it. Read more for the low-down on what's happening this weekend.

Fun and Free Things to Do for Kids and Families in Boston - Weekend Picks for 9/17-9/18

Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 10:08pm

This weekend brings the first hint of fall, and our weekend roundup includes a mix of outdoor activities, from RiverSing in Cambridge to Arlington’s town festival to the Trails & Sails on the North Shore, and indoor events, like a Pirate Day story time at the Harvard Coop and a comedic interpretation of the classic Hound of the Baskervilles. And it’s still a great time to plan an apple picking adventure or a trip to a museum to see one of the new fall exhibits.

Alastair Moock and The Rowdy Roots Band Ticket Giveaway Reminder: Boston indie acoustic performer Alastair Moock celebrates the release of his second family music CD, These Are My Friends, with his concert at The Center for the Arts in Natick on Saturday, September 24. Mommy Poppins Boston is offering one lucky family a Family 4 Pack of tickets to the show! Email me for a chance to win.