Parents are adept at finding life hacks to make the joys (read: logistical nightmares) of raising kids just a touch easier. And despite buckets of reservations, I've found a new one: Hello ChatGPT. Yes, we’re talking AI Parenting hacks and ChatGPT prompts for parents that can assist with everything from meal planning for picky eaters to personalized bedtime stories told in the style of Taylor Swift.

I was a longtime holdout for using AI for anything. And truthfully, I still have concerns, from the ethical to the environmental (more on that later). But with AI here to stay, I nudged aside my existential anxiety and looked into how parents are using it responsibly to make life easier. I asked the Mommy Poppins team their favorite AI/Chat GPT prompts and was floored to discover how quickly it became like a personal assistant. 

So I tested these hacks and fine-tuned each prompt to get them just right for you to try, whether you're in the throes of toddler tantrums or depths of teen drama. Turns out, delegating the small stuff to AI so that you can focus on the big stuff is a total parenting game-changer.

Turns out, delegating the small stuff to AI so that you can focus on the big stuff is a total parenting game-changer. Here are my 8 favorite prompts:

Longtime readers know we're always on the hunt for New York City's best playgrounds, but even our favorites get a revamp from time to time. When it's time for a refresh, some of NYC's beloved playground animals are put out to pasture—literally in the Home for Retired Playground Animals, an enchanting destination in the middle of the sprawling Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

A lovely spot to visit in any season—or a diversion from the action at the nearby Billie Jean King National Tennis Center—here's where to find this hidden gem for families in NYC. You can bookmark our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds for all our favorite outdoor places to play.

NY Kids Club–the beloved private enrichment space offering classes, afterschool, camps, birthday parties, drop-in play, and preschool at locations across New York City–just unveiled some big changes. To reflect its growth into a more comprehensive early education setting for children ages 3 months through elementary school, the popular program is now dubbed NY Preschool & Kids Club.

The rebrand coincides with other big changes to their offerings and the grand opening of a brand-new Park Slope-Gowanus location, a state-of-the-art facility designed to nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection. With modern classrooms, expansive play areas, and even a rock-climbing wall, the new space is set up to engage and inspire kids of all ages.

Garden City Park in Nassau County has debuted a new, interactive playground experience at Broadway Park. The playground recently underwent a massive renovation, and its reopening has delighted the community. Families with younger and older kids can enjoy the completely renovated play space, along with an awesome splash pad.

My kids had a blast exploring the new equipment, games area, and of course, cooling off in the sprinklers! 

Read on for the exciting details of this new Long Island playground for North Hempstead residents. For even more family outdoor adventures, check out our Guide to Park and Playgrounds on Long Island. 

Throwing a Halloween party is a fun way to celebrate the spooky season with kids. But when you've got tweens or teens, you need to think beyond the cute Halloween activities and crafts and come up with ideas that are a little more active and inventive. In other words, you need to up your Halloween party game—literally. Luckily, there are so many great Halloween party game ideas for teens (and tweens and even just bigger kids).

Start planning your Halloween party with these 25 Halloween party game ideas for tweens and teens that will make your next Halloween party epic. If you've got younger kids, check out our list of 25 fun Halloween games for preschoolers and little kids.

For great Halloween activities near you check your local Halloween Activities Guide, and for Halloween movies, games, crafts, costumes, and treats all season long, see our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.