| Page 1532 | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

Lark Cafe: A New Brooklyn Eatery with Kids' Classes and a Playroom

Submitted by Petek on Mon, 09/03/2012 - 9:00am

We're always on the lookout for restaurants where kids can play—and we don't mean with their food. That's why my daughter and I were really excited to come across Lark Cafe, a new eatery in Prospect Park South that serves up cool kids' classes and a play space as well as delicious snacks and beverages.

Lark would be a wonderful addition to any neighborhood, but it's a particular treat for families living south of Prospect Park, who used to have to trek to Park Slope to find anything like it. The space is airy and open, the staff is friendly and the casual atmosphere pleases kids and adults: Parents can relax and enjoy free Wi-Fi while their children romp in the adjacent playroom. My daughter and I enjoyed our visit to Lark so much, we've already been back a few times since it opened in July!

Fun and Different Back to School Gear as Seen on NBC Connecticut

Submitted by Mary Beth Lawlor on Sun, 09/02/2012 - 3:13pm

Today I did a segment on NBC Connecticut about Fun and Different Back to School Items. I reviewed a set of products that may help your child get a better night's sleep, footwear for indoors and fashionable lunchbags. I've listed the goods below with descriptions and prices.

Farmers Markets in NJ: Where to Find the Fall Harvest

Submitted by Sasha Muzzarelli on Thu, 08/30/2012 - 8:47pm

My family and I moved to NJ last summer from sweltering Florida, where it’s tough to grow anything that isn’t a palm tree or an orange. One of our first experiences was visiting the farmers market at the local park and strolling among rows of golden apples, juicy pears and late summer strawberries & tomatoes made me realize why Jersey is called the “Garden State.” As we get ready to welcome the cozy sweaters and cool evenings that autumn brings, a tasty new season of fruits and vegetables awaits. Check out some of our state’s awesome farmers markets where New Jersey kids and their families (and maybe even the dog too!) can sample the fall harvest:

25 Things to Do During an Old Orchard Beach, Maine Summer Family Vacation

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Thu, 08/30/2012 - 8:33pm

Old Orchard Beach in Southern Maine is a family friendly beach town perfect for a summertime vacation. The 7 mile long crescent shaped beach, considered the state’s best, is of course the number one attraction here, but there is plenty more to do when the sun goes down or if the gang tires of the beach.

The casual ocean front town offers a Coney Island-esque strip loaded with touristy shops hawking everything you could ever need for a beach vacation, snack shops offering up regional clam cakes and hand cut fries by the box, an over the top mini-golf course, a seaside amusement park and 500 foot pier that has been an Old Orchard Beach destination for over 100 years.

The surrounding areas of Biddeford, Saco, Scarborough and Portland are close enough to Old Orchard Beach that families don’t have to drive far to enjoy the cycling, fishing, boat trips and historic sites they have to offer.

Here are 25 of the best things to do in Old Orchard Beach and the surrounding areas during a summer time family vacation.

Long Island Kids' Activities September 1–3: The Shinnecock Powwow and the Hamptons Classic

Submitted by Dara Stewart on Thu, 08/30/2012 - 11:01am

It’s the official unofficial end of summer…. Where did the time go?! While we’re mourning the end of our leisurely days enjoying the warm weather, we’re also looking forward to the start of the school year (perhaps me more than the kids…) and some early-fall fun. We’ve got a beautiful weekend on tap for this Labor Day weekend—perfect weather for the beach or a barbecue or both. If you’re looking for something else to do with the family, there’s a whole lot going on out east this weekend. Pack up the kids and a lunch and head on out. One of my favorite Labor Day events is the Shinnecock Powwow: great fun for the whole family and a great way to teach the kids about Long Island’s heritage. Go. And while out there, check out the Hamptons Classic, The events at the South Fork Natural History Museum, and the fireworks in East Hampton Saturday night. Happy Labor Day weekend!

Labor Day Weekend Getaways | IEPs | Coolest New Classes | New Queens Playground

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 08/30/2012 - 10:25am

Another summer bites the dust. And based on all the Facebook pictures and status updates people have been sharing, it seems a good time was had by all. It's been great seeing everyone's family vacations, but now it's Labor Day weekend and time to get serious. Well, after one last weekend of fun things to do, one of these car-free getaway ideas or maybe some last-minute Labor Day weekend getaway deals.

Now it's time for apple picking and back to school. If you're in the market for enrichment, you'll find the coolest new kids' classes in our newly updated Classes Guide and our brand-new Directory where you can search for programs by age, location or type. And we're adding more listings every day. Or, if you're too cool for school, you might need to check out this list of support groups and resources for NYC homeschool parents.

Besides lots of great apple picking spots, our regional sister sites have shared some great day trip ideas for Labor Day weekend in New Jersey, a powwow and great camping spots on Long Island, and a day trip to Old Saybrook in Connecticut.

Here's what else happened this week:

Back to School Tips in NJ: How to save money on school supplies

Submitted by Erica Hartman on Thu, 08/30/2012 - 8:16am

What is the most fun end-of-summer activity for kids in NJ? School supply shopping! A brand new notebook, freshly sharpened pencils, beautiful boxes of unbroken crayons, ah, it's all just so... expensive. According to the National Retail Federation, "The average family of K-12 students will spend $688 on supplies per child." Yikes! Check out some tips below on how to save money on back to school supplies and don't forget to read our Back to School Guide for all your September questions and concerns.

Free and Fun Things to Do Labor Day Weekend with Boston Kids: Jazz Fest, Schooner Fest, King Richard's Faire, and More

Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on Wed, 08/29/2012 - 11:39pm

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Is your family relishing the last carefree week of summer? Has the bus stop already become part of your morning routine? Either way, Labor Day Weekend offers plenty of fun and free festivals, from the Gloucester Schooner Festival and Gloucester Heritage Day to the King Richard’s Renaissance Faire and Hyde Park Jazz Festival. The USS Constitution Museum has a weekend of Labor Day family activities, and Bread and Puppet Theater performs on Cambridge Common. Read on for our list of best bets for the weekend. And check our calendar for more activities.

Apple picking starts early this year - check our list of orchards in the area, as well as some kid-friendly recipes to try out with all the apples you come home with. And our Back to School focus continues with the second of our DIY Back to School crafts series.

Enjoy!