| Page 1442 | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

Take the Challenge: A Month of Creativity for Boston Families

Submitted by Tara D on Mon, 03/04/2013 - 7:47am

Did you know that March is National Craft Month? In honor of the occasion, the folks at Artbeat Creativity Store in Arlington have issued a challenge – A Month of Creativity – and we’re taking it up a level. Inspired by cre8time.org, the challenge is to find 8 minutes every day, for 30 days, to devote to an art activity. We've added a Mommy Poppins twist: Spend 8 minutes each day working on an art activity with your kids.

We’ve started the challenge, and so have many of our readers. We know you can do it – and we’ve got a whole palette of tools to help you succeed. Read on for a roundup of ideas to get you started, stores for art supplies, and places to make arts and crafts in and around Boston.

Are you in?

New Jersey Summer Camp Guide for 2013

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Mon, 03/04/2013 - 5:00am

Yes, it's still officially winter, but wise parents like yourselves are thinking ahead to those lonnnggg summer months with your school-less darlings, so we hope our NJ Summer Camp Guide will save you some time and planning-anxiety. We've covered everything from your standard swim-and-craft day camps to we-love-air-conditioning indoor camps. We're constantly updating the Guide and adjusting all pricing for 2013, so check back frequently for new information. Happy camping, NJ!

Stars on Ice: Then and Now Tour with Dorothy Hamill (Review)

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 03/04/2013 - 2:20am

Stars on Ice has returned from its pandemic hiatus for a glorious 2022 tour, following up the exciting winter Olympic season with a skate-and-run visit by the entire US Olympic team. Stars on Ice is the ultimate skating show, and an Olympic year is probably the most exciting time to see it, with all of our young star athletes fresh from international success. If you've only seen an ice show hosted by a giant mouse and a Disney princess, it's high time you checked out the inspiring athletic power house that is Stars on Ice—a grand scale stadium show that features fabulous costumes, uplifting music, and seemingly impossible physical feats on blades. What's not to love?

Great Kids' Shopping in Fairfield County: Toys, Clothing and Baby Gear

Submitted by Katie McKnight on Sun, 03/03/2013 - 9:22pm

I hate to admit it, but I have become a snob. A children’s clothing and toy store snob. With three kids, I have absolutely had it with toys comprised of no fewer than five hundred tiny plastic pieces that invariably find their way under my feet. No more! I’m putting my foot down and investing in far fewer, but higher quality, toys and clothes for my kids. To that end, I’ve been scouting out stores in Fairfield County where you can find some inventive, sturdy, and long-lasting toys and clothes for your brood.

Forest Hills with Kids: 25 Things to Do for NYC Families

Submitted by Kelly O on Sun, 03/03/2013 - 4:00pm

Known as one of the ritziest areas in Queens, Forest Hills is especially attractive to families due to its quaint ma-and-pa boutiques and restaurants, excellent public schools and lovely real estate. The neighborhood is divided into three main sections: apartment buildings near Queens Boulevard, single and multifamily homes from the 1920s to 1940s to the west and south (like 20 Ingram Street, a.k.a. the fictional home of Spider-Man's Aunt May), and Forest Hills Gardens, a stunning planned community that was founded in 1909 and looks like an old English village. When I was growing up in Queens, I used to stroll through the Gardens, marveling at the Tudor- and Colonial-style mansions and pretending I was in the "Old World." The gateway to this historic development is the stately Station Square.

While much of this Queens neighborhood is residential with a decidedly suburban vibe, it's easily accessible by subway and the LIRR, and has two commercial drags: Austin Street and Metropolitan Avenue. I love taking my family here to browse the swanky boutiques on Austin Street, and the antique shops and old-school eateries on the quieter Metropolitan Avenue. We also spend a lot of time in the 544-acre Forest Park, strolling, playing or riding on the the historic carousel. (While Flushing Meadows Corona Park is Forest Hills' eastern border, most of the green space's big attractions are located on the Corona side.) Local families keep up on everything happening in the area by reading the Forest Hills Rego Park Times or joining the Forest Hills Mommies and Daddies Yahoo group.

Throughout March, we'll be highlighting all of the things Forest Hills has to offer families, both residents and visitors. For the purposes of our posts, our boundaries are the Long Island Expressway to the north and Jackie Robinson Parkway to the south, Yellowstone Boulevard/Queens Boulevard to the west, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park to the east. We kick off our series of posts with our list of the top 25 things to do with kids in Forest Hills, Queens.

Staten Island Family-Friendly Restaurants: 10 Places to Eat with Kids on SI

Submitted by Nataki Hewling on Sun, 03/03/2013 - 10:00am

Before I had children, I was always eating out. And now that I have kids, nothing has changed—except perhaps the time that we eat. (No more 9pm dinners!) As a Staten Islander, I'm constantly on the lookout for restaurants in our borough that serve good food and have a nice atmosphere, but are also welcoming to my two boys, ages eight and one.

While it's true that Staten Island has a lot of fast-food joints and mall food court chains, we've got other options, too. Over the years, my family and I have dined all over the borough, and there are certain restaurants that stand out from the rest. Some spots offer entertainment along with the eats, others feature an old New York ambiance and a few offer great deals specifically for families, including one where kids eat free. Here are my top ten favorite places to eat with kids on Staten Island.

Fun Cooking Classes for NJ Kids at Bambino Chef

Submitted by Kristen Haas on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 5:00am

After being stuck indoors for months now with your kids, this time of year can seem like a never ending saga, leaving even the most innovative parents desperate for new and interesting things to do. Plus, it can be challenging to find something suitable for the younger crowd. If you've got a kid that perks up every time Mom pulls out a mixing bowl, or even if you just want to shake things up a bit for your non-foodies, head over to Bambino Chef and take a cooking class!

This Week: March Go List, Easter Portrait Deal, St. Patrick's Day Celebrations, New Giveaways

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 4:00pm

Am I the only one who can't believe it's March? But it must be true: Temperatures are rising, days are getting longer, daffodil shoots are peeking through and our March Go NYC List is up! For those of you who love to plan ahead, our brand-new Go List highlights the absolute best things to do all month, and a bunch of our picks take place this weekend including the kickoff of the New York International Children's Film Festival and the debut of Topsy-Turvy, Madison Square Park's new interactive public art display.

March also brings St. Patrick's Day, summer camp registration, Easter and spring break. Our Travel site has a bunch of spring break getaway deals and we're furiously at work updating our annual Easter egg hunt post. In the meantime, how about posing for an adorable portrait with live baby chicks in honor of the season? Mommy Poppins has partnered with Big Apple Portraits for a fun, one-day-only event, where families can sit for a photo shoot with the chicks, make cool crafts and enjoy other perks.

Read on for details about how to book your session, as well as info on our new Giveaway page and links to all of the other things we covered on the NYC site this week.