Submitted by Amelia Eigerman on
Catapults are awesome fun. They fling things through the air, which is always a hit. Add in marshmallows, and you're pretty much guaranteed happy kids. This marshmallow catapult is easy and fun to make, even more fun to play with, and kids won't even realize they're learning about physics along the way.
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
As winter recess winds down, make sure you pack in every last bit of fun before the kids head back to school next week. This weekend is also prime time to get into a sticky situation since local places are harvesting tree sap and presenting live demonstrations, converting it into maple syrup.
If the frigid weather has you scouring the house for crafting supplies and yummy treats to keep the kids entertained, check out our WeeWork series for whimsical activities and new recipes.
Here's a guide for this weekend's happenings across Long Island. Don't see your event listed here? Add it to our events calendar. And if you don't already receive this post in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter.
Submitted by Tara D on
Hiking? In the winter? Yep. We started with a New Year’s Day hike several years ago, and we’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve written about some of my family’s favorite hiking spots in and around Boston, but we also like to get out and explore places farther afield. We’ve discovered five fun and relatively easy hikes for kids in Rhode Island. These natural playgrounds are perfect for a winter hike – they might even be more fun in the winter than they are in the summer. Here are the details, along with tips and some suggestions for activity pairings to make it a full day of adventure for the family.
Looking for even more to do in Rhode Island with children? Check out our new Rhode Island Fun Guide.
Submitted by Raven Snook on
February break ends with a bang (and no blizzard!) with a weekend jam-packed with cool family fun. Catch international family flicks at the annual BAMkids Film Festival, check out new illuminated public art in Madison Square Park or rock out to Grammy winners The Okee Dokee Brothers at Symphony Space.
Are your kids more into hands-on activities? Families can make their own 3D tunnel books at the Center for Architecture, solder circuits at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, and enjoy interactive cooking and nature fun at the New York Botanical Garden. If you're looking for a day trip, maple sugaring season has arrived and there are lots of nearby spots where you can taste the sweet stuff right from the tree.
Those are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find lots of other options in our Event Calendar and our Winter Fun Guide. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.
Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on
I've got three kids (the boy kind). I have come to terms with the fact there are video games in my future. Actually, in my now. Fortnite seems to be everywhere. Groan. But everything in moderation, no? So, when I heard about something called 'video game truck parties' or 'mobile game theaters', I paid attention ... especially considering I have two winter babies requiring weatherproof birthday party options. The appeal (in case it eludes you, like moi)? They're together, shoulder to shoulder, facing down a wall of unfettered screen time...in some cases joined up simultaneously on the same game. For 120 minutes, they'll barely look each other in the eye, but they'll be comrades, dance champions, gamers.
Submitted by Sasha Muzzarelli on
It’s almost time to bid chilly, snowy February goodbye! Close out the month (and beat the winter doldrums) by taking in one of the awesome performances happening in Jersey this weekend, like The Little Mermaid at the Pax Amicus Castle Theater or The Peking Acrobats at NJPAC. There’s also plenty of hands-on educational events too – learn about old time customs at the Colonial Children’s Tea at Murray Farmhouse, get crafty with Totem Poles at Montclair Art Museum or get a sweet dose of syrup and its history at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum’s end of season Maple Sugar Fest. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.
Submitted by Linda DiProperzio on
Do your kids love watching Night at the Museum? If so, they can enjoy the experience first-hand at five Long Island museums. While most are geared towards the Boys and Girls Scouts, there are opportunities for any child to participate with a parent. It's sure to be an experience you'll both be talking about for years to come. And don't forget to look into other Long Island museums your children will enjoy.
Submitted by Tara D on
We spent the first afternoon of February vacation doing the same thing many families are doing this week: Watching The LEGO Movie. Although I love LEGO, my expectations for the movie were fairly low. I mean, we’re paying to see a really long toy commercial, right? So I was surprised that we were entertained, amused, and even awed by the film. We chose The LEGO Movie over seeing Frozen in the theater, and I don’t have any regrets. However, I think we were the right audience for The LEGO Movie, and not everyone fits into that category. In fact, as we walked out of the theater, we heard one mom say, “That was the longest hour and 40 minutes of my life.” Read on for all you need to know to determine which category your family fits into.
