New Bronx Ice Rink: Our Trip to the Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on

Sadly, the Van Cortlandt Ice Skating Rink won't open for the 2014-2015 season. Every year it seems like we hear about a new outdoor ice skating rink opening for the season in NYC. But the brand-new rink in Van Cortlandt Park is really notable since it's the only place to ice-skate in the entire Bronx!

As a proud Bronx mama, I was particularly excited to check out the rink with my family last weekend. Even though we're not that great on the ice, it was a thrill to glide (and stumble and fall) in our home borough.

Inexpensive Date Night Childcare

Submitted by brooke on

Finding affordable and reliable childcare can be an enormous challenge, but there are many options around Long Island.  Below are several well-known locations that offer drop-off options, so that your child can enjoy "date night" as much as you do!  School districts or libraries sometimes also offer these services, so be sure to look there as well.

ALL ABOARD with Bill Probert & Friends III -- Stamford Museum & Nature Center

Submitted by Brandee Gilmore on

The age of Legos is just dawning in our house (2 and 4 year-old boys), and trains are already a mainstay, so the Stamford Museum and Nature Center's latest exhibit seemed to be on the PERFECT track for us.  Its  title, 'ALL ABOARD with Bill Probert & Friends III' is a bit of a mouthful, but it's also an eyeful -- of what the imagination and an unknown amount of time can do.  We're talking a miniature city block -- made of Legos ... and that's just the beginning.  Unfortunately, the exhibit will leave you impressed and wanting at the same time.  There is nothing interactive about it ... but Mommy Poppins is going to fix that for you with a tip or two on how to make this worth the trip and admission price.

3DEA: Print Out Your Own Simple Designs at this Awesome 3D Printing Pop-Up Gallery

Raven Snook's picture Submitted by Raven Snook on

Yesterday we posted about 10 great pop-up shops where you can purchase offbeat holiday gifts this season. But at the 3DEA pop-up gallery, which just opened last week, you don't buy products, you see how easy it is to design and then print out your own creations using 3D modeling software and 3D printers.

Sound like something out of a sci-fi flick? Well it's not. I first heard about 3D printers at Maker Faire and initially I had a hard time wrapping my brain around the concept. But then I watched a 3D printer literally print out a pair of earrings, and it all made sense. At 3DEA, which is open through Sunday, January 13, you can check out a wide variety of products made via 3D printers (jewelry, clothing, accessories, toys, even furniture), play with 3D modeling software, print out simple 3D objects and even take classes with pros in the field to learn how this phenomenon may transform the retail industry. And guess who seems to take to this new technology best? Why kids of course.

Weathering a Winter Birthday

Tara D's picture Submitted by Tara D on

My kids have cold-weather birthdays, and when it comes time to plan their parties, I often find myself fantasizing about a summer backyard birthday party, with kids running around in the grass, playing games, and blowing bubbles.

Are you in the same boat? If your child has a late fall or winter birthday, and you’re looking for ideas to overcome (or circumvent) the low temps, stuffy noses, and busy schedules that often accompany the season, read on. Whether it’s a strategy of avoiding or embracing winter birthday challenges, here are a few that have worked for us. 

 

Holiday Break Camps for NYC Kids: Science, Nature, Chess and Other Enrichment Programs

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on

Starting Friday, December 21 (or even earlier for private school students), New York City kids are in for a nice, long holiday break. Parents, not so much—especially if you need to work on many of the days the kids are off from school. Luckily, NYC has plenty of holiday camps to keep children entertained while you head to the office, to the grocery store or to the spa (hey, it could happen).

Although in past posts we've lumped different kinds of school break camps together, from arts to athletics to academics, this time around we're focusing specifically on enrichment programs, where kids can get hands-on experience in robotics, chess, fashion, foreign languages and even construction. Some of the camps sound so cool, we wish they took grown-ups. You can find even more December break camps and other seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide.

NYC Pop-Up Shops 2012: 10 Places for Cool Holiday Gifts

Submitted by Alina Adams on

In our Shopping Local Holiday Gift Guide, we highlight our favorite places to buy unique gifts in New York City including craft fairs and holiday markets. But we also love browsing the eclectic wares at all of the pop-up shops that appear in NYC at this time of year.

These temporary retail outlets are often (but not always) set up by businesses that don't normally sell goods directly to the public, or don't have stores in NYC. This holiday, returning pop-up favorites include Wired magazine's tech magnet, along with newcomers like kids' toy and gear great The Land of Nod, Microsoft and a shop dedicated to hot boy band One Direction. Read on for the scoop on ten awesome pop-up shops in NYC this season and find more fun in our Holiday Guide.

Wreckin' It with Wreck-It Ralph at El Capitan: Review

Submitted by Toby B on

Wreck-It Ralph is fun, funny, moving, laugh out loud clever, and nostalgic (but be warned - it's likely to be too scary for younger viewers). This latest film from Disney Feature Animation is a love letter to video games old and new. When my daughter and I decided to see it, our choice was for a theater was clear; we hopped in the car and made the journey to the "happiest theater on earth" - Hollywood's El Capitan.

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