Free And Cheap After-school Programs for Philadelphia Kids

Literacy Enrichment After-School Program fosters an inclusive, informal learning environment for children, teens, families, and caregivers.  Photo courtesy ofThe Free Library of Philadelphia

School doesn't have to end when the bell rings; there are plenty of free and inexpensive options for enrichment in Philadelphia's after-school programs. If you’re looking for a fun and educational way for your kids to spend their late afternoons and early evenings, you’ll be happy to hear that after-school programs don’t have to break the bank. These programs are a great way to help kids stay ahead of their schoolwork, and also hone in on their specific interests.

Looking for more classes for Philly kids? Check out our Classes Guide for more great learning opportunities.

31 (Mostly) FREE Hidden Gems & Secret Spots for Kids in Los Angeles

Planes next to a playground? The Proud Bird is a gem. Photo by Lindsay Halladay

Discover the best hidden gems and secret spots for for kids in Los Angeles that some locals don't even know about! 

Tired of the same old LA attractions with the kids? We've rounded up the best free hidden gems in Los Angeles, packed with wonder, history, and quirkiness—without the crowds or admission fees. Whether your child is a budding explorer, history buff, or just in it for the snacks, these secret spots are perfect for family outings that feel like true discoveries. When you've had your fill of exploring our favorite finds, start planning your next LA getaway with the kids, or check out our list of the best free things to do in LA with the kids. 

For more secret spots families will enjoy in Los Angeles, check out these awesome under-the-radar museums for kids in Los Angeles, and discover hidden gem beaches. Uncover more family adventures in our Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families

Free and Cheap After-School Classes in NYC for Kids

The Children's Aid Society provides free and low-cost after-school classes to kids in New York City.

After a summer of expensive entertainment, we could all use this list of free and cheap after-school classes in NYC for kids!

The school year has arrived, and that means it's (past) time to start thinking about after-school classes in NYC, too. Families looking for reasonably priced, enriching, and even free after-school programs for kids in New York City have plenty to choose from. There are tons of after-school programs for sports, arts, academics, and other options to choose from. With offerings in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem, and more, you're bound to find a great inexpensive or free after-school program for your kids, no matter their ages, interests, or address.

We've rounded up 18 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school classes in NYC for kids, tweens, and teens throughout the five boroughs. If you're looking for more options, see our New York City Kids' Guide to Classes, and use our directory to search for programs by age, interest, and neighborhood.

25 Hilariously Spooky Halloween Jokes for Kids

Add a dose of humor to the holiday with these Halloween jokes.

Get your little goblins giggling with these hilarious Halloween jokes for kids, including monster jokes, mummy jokes, and Halloween knock knock jokes. They're all rated G and sure to lead to more laughs than scares!

Read on for our favorite Halloween jokes for kids, and find all the best things to do this spooky season in our local Halloween activities guides, from pumpkin patches to fun events.

For more at-home Halloween fun—from the best Kids' Halloween movies to easy pumpkin carving ideas and more—check out our Halloween Activities Guide for Families.

My Honest Review of Stitch Fix for Kids and a Discount on Your First Order

Stitch Fix is an online styling service available for kids ages 2-18–and adults too!

Stitch Fix is an online styling and shopping service that delivers personalized kids clothes right to your door. Here’s my honest review after trying it for my daughter.

Keeping up with my ever-growing kid’s wardrobe sometimes feels like a part-time job, so when I heard there was an opportunity to try out Stitch Fix–a digital styling service that delivers a box of hand-picked children’s clothing right to your door–I jumped at the chance. One online Style Quiz later, my 9-year-old daughter’s first personalized “Fix” had arrived at our home.

Read on for my honest Stitch Fix review, including how it works, what came in our box, and whether the service is worth it.

8 Genius AI Parenting Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind

Let a chatbot help you decide what to make for dinner with picky kids and a limited pantry.

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:

Hidden Gem in NYC: Home for Retired Playground Animals in Flushing Meadows Park

Come nose-to-nose with the adorable aardvark at the Home for Retired Playground Animals in Queens.

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 Rebrands as NY Preschool & Kids Club—Plus a New State-of-the-Art Brooklyn Campus

NY Kids Club–the beloved private enrichment space–has a brand new name and a stunning new Brooklyn campus.

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.

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