New Michaels Crafts Store in New York City Grand Opening Events

It has always really bummed me out that there was no great craft store in New York City. When I was a kid I used to go to the Woolworth's on Broadway for all kinds of crafts supplies. I loved that place, but it's been gone for ages and, while you can find some craft supplies at the art supply stores, it's hit or miss. So, I am thrilled that, finally, there is a great craft store in New York City with the opening of Michaels on the Upper West Side. Yes, it's a huge chain, and, yes, it smells unbearably like potpourri, but I'll take it!

New York City Kids Weekend Events for October 24-25: Free Halloween Events, Festivals, Fall Fairs, More

Halloween isn't just about candy. This weekend you can take Halloween on from every angle with Fall and Harvest festivals, at a pumpkin festival, in a historic mansion, a green halloween, glamrock and even from the point of view of bats. But that's not all, the Greenpoint/Williamsburg Halloween Parade is this weekend, plus the non-scary kids version of Nightmare: Vampires Haunted House is this weekend only. Yes, Halloween is eerily upon us, but have no fear—we’ve got you covered! From last minute DIY costume ideas, to healthier options for treats, there’s tons of great stuff in our Halloween Fun Guide.

Easy Homemade Kids Halloween Costume Ideas

Making your own Halloween costume is the whole fun of Halloween as far as I'm concerned. But if you think you need to get all Martha in order to make Halloween costumes for the kids, think again. We found these great Halloween costume ideas that involve no sewing. Find out how to transform your child into an adorable gnome, a Wild Thing Max, or how to make fake blood, boils warts, and wounds mostly out of things you already have in the house.

A Healthier Option for Halloween Treats

Last year I took the time to count how many calories were in my daughter's Halloween candy haul. It was eye opening and mind-blowing. So this year I'm looking for alternatives to candy that don't suck. That is something to give away for trick or treaters besides apples or pencils and other things that kids don't want and don't make them want to toilet paper your face.

Since I've been doing some Spring cleaning around the house (yeah I'm a little behind) I had a symbiotic dilemma of what to do with all the little plastic goodie bag toys we seem to collect all year long. Bingo.

2009 Halloween Guide, Our New Weekly Newsletter and other Site News

Do you have your costumes? Lined up all your Halloween parties and events? Know where you're trick or treating?

Halloween is one of the most fun times for kids in New York CIty. It's when the city turns itself over to the children and it seems like there's a Halloween happening just about in every corner. Our Halloween Guide helps you make the most of creepy and the kooky fun. Check out the Mommy Poppins Halloween Guide for the best Halloween events, parades, trick or treating and more.

While I've got your attention, there's a couple other things I want to let you know:

In addition to our regular daily newsletter, you can now sign up to get our New Jersey or Long Island emails to keep up on all that's happening in those parts. We've also added a weekly newsletter for NYC. If getting our email every day is too much for you, sign up for the weekly and you'll just get the Friday events post. Of course, for those of you who don't wan to miss out on anything, our daily emails will continue to keep you up to date with everything that's going on.

To sign up for any of these newsletters just go to our subscribe page.

New York City Kids Weekend Events for October 17-18: Free Harvest and Halloween Festivals and More

Yup, Halloween Events and Fall Harvest Festivals are taking over the city. Our event calendar is packed full of them and so is this weekend. Of course, the weather may not be playing nice so you maybe looking for some indoor activities. See them all in the calendar, but here are our selects for festivals, plus some other cool events you'll like (we've noted any festivals that will be going on rain or shine):

This weekend is also Diwali, find out about the events for kids to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Lights.

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