Baby

Father's Day Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Fun Runs, Barbecue & Brews, June 15-16

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 4:38pm

To all the dads, grandfathers, and men who fill the role of dad: Happy Father's Day from all of us on the Mommy Poppins Houston team! You guys are the best!

If you're starting to panic because you still don't have anything planned to celebrate Dad, we can help. In addition to a weekend packed with Father's Day specific events, we also put together a unique list of Father's Day ideas we know Dad will actually love, ensuring that your Father's Day will be anything but boring. This weekend is also the launch of super sweet interactive exhibit Candytopia in West Houston.

In case you missed it, we have had a lot of fun posts pop up on Mommy Poppins recently that are packed with fun summer ideas:

10 Great Private Swimming Classes and Swim Schools for LA Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 06/10/2019 - 1:47pm

Finding goup swim classes at a local YMCA or community pool is usually easy and inexpensive; but since quality on these classes can vary widely (even within a single facility), we’re here to tell you where Angelenos who are serious about getting the job done keep their kids afloat—and it doesn't have to cost a mint. Private and semi-private lessons don't necessarily require a private pool, and they do get kids on the fast track to independent swimming. Several popular swim instructors and schools make use of public pools or swing deals with private pool owners to make private instruction accessible to everyone. Check out these great options...

Historic Carousel and New Ferris Wheel in Forest Park Are Sweet Rides for Preschoolers

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Wed, 06/05/2019 - 10:00am

Good news for pint-sized thrill seekers in Queens: There's a new ferris wheel just for kids at the preschooler-friendly Forest Park Carousel Amusement Village, now open for the season. This leafy, old-fashioned mini amusement park in Forest Park (located in the park on the bandshell side of Woodhaven Boulevard) has long been a hidden-gem favorite of Queens families, with its historic carousel, rides, and games. The opening of a ferris wheel specifically designed with little ones in mind makes the park the perfect activity for a slow summer's day. Here's what to know before you go.

Kid-Friendly Waterfront Restaurants in NYC for Dinner with a View

Submitted by Allison Steinberg on Mon, 05/27/2019 - 4:00pm

After a day of running around in the hot city sun, we're all craving that cool breeze that comes off the water. What better way to end a day full of parks and playgrounds than with a delicious meal at one of NYC's many waterfront restaurants? Whether you're facing the East River, the Hudson, or one of the many basins and other bodies of water that feed the mighty rivers and ocean that outline our great city, there are plenty of places to get dinner overlooking the water (even if you're not literally on the water). Check out our list of family-friendly restaurants around the city, and see below for some kid-friendly dining destinations across all five boroughs to line up your delicious dinner with a water view for the whole family.

Free Outdoor Concerts for Families This Summer in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Fri, 05/24/2019 - 2:00pm

What's better than a spectacular, outdoor, family-friendly, FREE music performance? A whole season of free outdoor concerts! We're rounding up all the free concerts in June, July, and August, to keep the kids grooving all summer.

There are free concert series for kids in parks, playgrounds, piers, and plazas across the five boroughs, so scroll, click, and set reminders with your favorites. With top family bands playing annual series like Madison Square Kids and Hudson RiverKids, you're sure to find something the whole family can shake a tail feather to.

Best Water Parks for Toddlers Near NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 05/24/2019 - 9:15am

When temperatures soar, there's always New York's FREE neighborhood pools or sprinklers for a quick cool down with the kids, but on particularly hot summer days, nothing beats the heat like a trip to a water park near NYC.

Families with toddlers in tow aren't looking for big slides or big waves, though, so we've rounded up our top splash pads for the preschool set. Prepare to find toddler-sized attractions, along with perks such as nursing stations and FREE mini life jackets—and don't worry, there's plenty of big-kid fun to go around, too. So read on for details on 12 parks within two hours of New York City that cater to the littlest water explorers.

Check out our NYC Beaches, Pools, and Water Fun Guide for more family-friendly ideas on how to cool down in the city and beyond.

Best Amusement Parks for Preschoolers in and Near NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/16/2019 - 1:30pm

For young children, a ride on a carousel’s painted pony, a spin with dad around the bumper car track, and a dripping swirl of frozen custard are the stuff summer memories are made of. No need to seek out the latest scary high-tech roller coasters (which means you can cross Luna Park's most scary rides off your list).

Rides that look mild (or frankly, downright boring) to big people usually provide just the right amount of thrills for toddlers and preschoolers. Happily, there are a number of amusement and water parks in or near the New York City metro area that offer these kinds of tame attractions. Here's our roundup of theme parks perfect for the pint-sized.

Find more seasonal rides in our Theme and Water Parks Guide for families.

CozyKin Makes Finding Childcare Stress Free— Get Our Promo Code

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 05/16/2019 - 12:00pm

Finding childcare for your infant or toddler can be totally overwhelming. Deciding between enrolling your kiddo in daycare and hiring a nanny is enough to make your head spin, but there's another popular option that could save you some stress: a nanny share.

Not familiar? While a nanny share can mean a couple of different things, I'm talking about one nanny caring for two children at the same time. This smart set-up combines the socialization and curriculum you expect from a daycare environment with the personalized care and flexibility that comes with a nanny—plus, it's convenient and cost-efficient. Now, a service called CozyKin makes finding a nanny share, getting set-up, and managing the share super easy (the service even handles contracts, training, taxes, and sick and vacation time). Read on to learn more about CozyKin nanny shares and, if it's the right childcare option for your family, how you can save. Hint: they're giving Mommy Poppins readers up to $700 off their deposit!

The Wonder Opens in Tribeca: New Members-Only Family Hub

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 05/15/2019 - 10:06am

Play spaces are big business in NYC, with new kid-friendly play spots popping up annually. Some offer drop-in play while others are members-only, and all are seemingly kid-centered, with padded walls and brightly colored playthings. Now there's a new kid on the block attempting to reinvent family fun, with the arrival of The Wonder in the stroller-packed Tribeca neighborhood.

This new members-only space offers an ultra-cool hangout spot that aims to cater to both adults and children. Co-owned by two NYC moms who wanted somewhere other than their apartments to connect with each other—and their kids—over a glass of wine and playtime, The Wonder isn't cheap, but it just might be a new model for play spaces in NYC. Read on for a peek inside.

10 Places to Host a First Birthday Party in the Philly Area

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Tue, 05/14/2019 - 10:00am

It's here! Your baby is turning 1. This birthday is a huge, bittersweet milestone for you and your babe, and your family and friends will love to celebrate with you. Your baby may even be walking by now and it's a great time to get together, eat cake, and have fun. If you are looking to celebrate your triumph of making it through the first year, you can always opt for a great family-friendly dining spot (especially one with outdoor space in warmer months). But if you are looking for the traditional birthday experience, we've rounded up some great places in the area to host a first birthday party for your growing little bean.