Solve Fun Interactive Mysteries at the Power of Poison at the American Museum of Natural History

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Earlier this month, I picked The Power of Poison at the American Museum of Natural History as one of the best exhibits for families this winter. But my eight-year-old son and I had so much fun learning and playing at this interactive installation, I thought it deserved an entire post of its own.

The Power of Poison examines facts, fictions and legends about deadly toxins. While the subject may seem offbeat for families (how many kids know what arsenic or mercury are anyway?), the presentation is totally engaging. Kids can explore the role of poison in famous fairy tales, solve mysteries at digital kiosks, get up close and personal with deadly creatures, and watch a live presentation about a historic poisoning. Both my son and I were completely absorbed by the one-of-a-kind display. For once, picking our poison had a totally awesome outcome.

NYC Stroller Repair: Where to Get Your Stroller Fixed in New York City

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If you've got a baby or toddler in NYC, chances are you have a stroller (or two or three). When my son was young, our stroller got plenty of wear and tear up and down subway stairs, across potholes, and through muddy parks, snowy streets and rainstorms. It also pulled double-duty as a grocery cart, coat rack and, when strapped, a diaper changing table.

While heavy-duty strollers are built to withstand a fair amount of abuse, if you're using your wheels every day, parts inevitably break. Do you really want to trash that $1,000 stroller because the frame bent or the tire popped off? We didn't think so.

For simple repairs like a blown tire, you can try your local bike shop (many handle minor fixes and may even stock standard stroller-size inner tubes and other small parts). But for more advanced assistance, we've found five New York City services that specialize in stroller repair so your family can get rolling again.

Boston's Top 5 Accessible Live Performance Venues for Families with Special Needs

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Mommy Poppins Boston is delighted to share this guest post from Amber Bobnar of WonderBaby.org, a support and information site for parents of children who are visually impaired (featured in our list of favorite blogs in 2013):

We take our family out to concerts in the Boston area almost every weekend, and my eight-year-old son, Ivan, is in a wheelchair and totally blind. Accessibility is very important to us!

Below you’ll find my rundown of our favorite accessible theaters and live performance venues in the Boston area. I share pros and cons based on a multitude of special needs because I realize that the criteria for what’s accessible will be different for each family. Some kids are in wheelchairs, some have sensory issues, some have hearing or visual impairment and all will react differently in different environments! Find one that looks like a good match for your family and give it a shot! Remember, if it doesn’t work out you can always leave. No big deal. 

Staten Island MakerSpace: Where Creative Kids Can Make Their Minecraft Dreams Reality

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Over the past few years, the maker movement has really exploded in NYC. Family-friendly makerspaces have opened in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens where kids can tinker with a wide variety of low- and high-tech tools, from sewing machines to soldering irons to 3D printers. As a Staten Island mom I'm happy to report that my borough is totally on trend: Our very own maker mecca, Staten Island MakerSpace, opened at the end of 2013 just two SIRR stops from the St. George Ferry Terminal.

Although many of the offerings at Staten Island MakerSpace are aimed at grown-ups, cofounder DB Lampman, a multidisciplinary artist and local mom, has developed some great workshops for kids, too, including a Minecraft club inspired by her 11-year-old son. My nine-year-old and I went to check it out last Friday and he had a blast tackling virtual and real-life challenges related to the game.

Parents' Night Out: Fun Drop-Off Services for Kids in Westchester

Submitted by Judith Frost on

The holidays are safely behind us and the kids are back in school. You’ve filled up the calendar with fun activities and outings for the kids this month. Now it’s your turn for a fun night out sans the kids. Wouldn't it be nice to leave for a date night without your youngest hugging your legs, koala-style, screaming "Mommy, don't goooooo!"?

Well, instead of hiring a sitter for the night, why not make it a night out for the kids also? They may be more willing to let Mommy and Daddy go if they’ve got a night of fun activities ahead. It turns out that a number of local places your children may already frequent offer Parents’ Night Out services. For some, you can even arrange a night out with the staff—all you have to do is ask! Read on for details on drop-off services for your next date night. Enjoy!

Best Indoor Play Spaces in Union County

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Winter is here and it’s a cold one! If you’re tired of being cooped up inside with the kids, why not visit one of Union County's wonderful indoor play spaces? We’ve covered eight great choices below, including everything from bounce houses to art studios to indoor mini-golf. Keep them in mind on the next frigid day and no need to worry about going stir-crazy! For more indoor play ideas, visit our new Indoor Play & Rainy Day Activity Guide.

Prospect Park's LeFrak Center at Lakeside: Ice Skating, Roller Skating & Water Play

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This season has been a great one for ice-skating in New York City with four new outdoor rinks opening to the public. But the long-awaited LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park is definitely the big new destination in winter... and beyond. The state-of-the-art, $74 million complex features two rinks (one open-air, the other covered), a cafe, restrooms and a green roof with incredible views. The massive project also restored Prospect Park's southeast corner to the original vision of its designers Frederic Olmsted and Vaux.

But what makes Lakeside even more exciting is that it's a year-round attraction. When the ice melts, it will become a summer hot spot, with roller skating and a water play area. My family and I recently visited the LeFrak Center at Lakeside and we definitely think it was well worth the wait. Judging from the crowds we encountered, so does most of Brooklyn! Here's everything you need to know before you visit Lakeside in Prospect Park.

Winter Break Activities in Fairfield County, CT

Submitted by Katie McKnight on

What…pack up and head to Florida for February break? Never!  Nope, this clan is staying put for the upcoming school vacation.  And while the idea of spending some time in Florida is tempting, I love the chance to enjoy local adventures with my kids.  These are the some of the things we’ll be doing over February break here in Fairfield County.

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