Baby

Kids Eat Free Restaurants in the Philadelphia Area

Submitted by Maureen Rayburn on Tue, 09/27/2016 - 10:00am

Not only does the Philly area have a plethora of fun adventures for families, it's also a haven for food freebies and discounts for kids. Whether you're visiting the city or the suburbs, you will find chain restaurants and local spots that offer a break on the bill for kiddos. Want to plan an itinerary for the day or weekend? Check out our events calendar, choose a restaurant near your activity, and you're on your way! Don't forget to confirm these deals with the restaurants before you head out.

Where to Find Mommy and Baby Music Classes

Submitted by Kate Marder on Sun, 09/25/2016 - 12:10am

Babies love music. Music can feel like a secret weapon when you discover a song that soothes or excites your baby. My husband and I found that singing the "skinnamarinky dinky do" song worked wonders in stressful moments and usually led to a happier baby. If you don't know it, the song is from "The Elephant Show," which is an 80s gem - and it's on YouTube! Because my daughter seemed so interested in music, and research shows there are many benefits of early music education, I decided to enroll my 2-month-old daughter in a mommy and baby music class. Her dad attended the class frequently as well, and we found that the class taught us playful ways to interact with her and ways to incorporate music into our lives at home. It was a hit with our family and was a great opportunity to meet other new parents with babies close in age to our daughter. There are lots of options for music classes to choose from in the greater Houston area, and many offer a free demo class.

Weekday Picks for LI Kids: Making Silly Scarecrows

Submitted by Andrew G. Rosen on Sun, 09/25/2016 - 12:00am

Another exciting autumnal week is upon us here on Long Island and that means plenty of scary rides and kooky crafts.

10 Things To Know Before Hiring Your Houston Nanny

Submitted by Shary G-P on Fri, 09/23/2016 - 12:32pm

Being a mom is a challenging job. And if you are like me, finding someone to take care of my child when I went back to work was even more challenging. While daycare is a popular option, many moms look at hiring a nanny to stay home with their kids. Finding a nanny in a big city like Houston is not a simple task, and there are many things to consider when looking for the right candidate who will work so closely with your family. For the second year in a row, we surveyed 240 local moms to find out what to ask and what to consider when hiring a nanny. Below are some tips and facts based on the 2016 survey results.

7 Long Island Historic Sites That Kids Will Love

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 09/21/2016 - 12:00am

History is plentiful here on Long Island, you just have to know where to find it. Famous residents have included poets and presidents, and there is no shortage of Gold Coast mansions and military installations as well. This all adds up to an impressive roster of historic sites, many which offer great photo opportunities and fun for kids.

For more educational spaces on Long Island, check out our Museum Guide.

Fall Fairs and Festivals on Long Island 2016

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 09/19/2016 - 4:55pm

From pumpkin picking to folk music, Long Island is ripe with fall fairs and festivals. Some offer carnival rides and games, while others have craft vendors and kiddie corners. But they all offer a fun day out for the entire family. Take a peek at our round up for ideas on how to spend your weekends in autumn. And for more seasonal fun, check out our Long Island Halloween Guide, as well as sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Reasons Why You Will Love Mommy and Baby Yoga Classes

Submitted by Kate Marder on Sun, 09/18/2016 - 10:32pm

As a yoga teacher, I love that Houston has tons of yoga studios and varieties of yoga to choose from. From hot yoga, live music, partner yoga or practicing in a brewery - if there is a way to practice yoga, you can find it in Houston! Yoga offers a multitude of benefits, from increasing strength and flexibility to decreasing stress and tension. I credit yoga with decreasing my anxiety, improving my posture and helping me to become more mindful in my daily life.

When I was pregnant, prenatal yoga helped me to embrace my changing body while allowing my busy mind to quiet down. Once my baby arrived, I was no longer sure how to incorporate yoga into my life. I felt intimidated by the idea of attending a traditional yoga class as my body was still recovering. I also had to contend with the new challenge of finding somewhere for my baby to be. Fortunately, Houston’s yoga community did not disappoint, and I found two great mommy and baby yoga classes that offer two very different approaches.

A Dozen Baby and Me Music Classes Around NYC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 09/18/2016 - 5:03pm

Music classes are often the first "mommy and me" experience parents try, so it's no coincidence such classes are offered all over the city. When you're ready to get out and spend some time jamming with other adults and their wee ones, check out one of these 12 baby music classes in Manhattan and beyond.

We also have roundups of parent and child classes in Queens and music classes in Brooklyn. As always, you can find even more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

Weekday Picks for LI Kids: Merry Merry Library (and carnivals!)

Submitted by Andrew G. Rosen on Sun, 09/18/2016 - 3:15pm

This week, Long Island's libraries shine with unique programs and events for children of all ages. From making entrepreneurship fun in Brentwood to asking difficult parent-related questions in Westbury (is my kid the only one not sleeping through the night?), dust off that library card and enjoy some free air conditioning.

RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns: 5,000 Pumpkins Light up the Night

Submitted by Linda DiProperzio on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 1:18pm

There are many levels of pumpkin carving. There's picking up a pumpkin at the grocery store and stabbing a crooked smile onto it. There's downloading a stencil and spending an afternoon with a $5 carving kit creating Jack Skellington. And then there's taking 5,000 fresh pumpkins per week and turning them into multi-gourd masterpieces never before conceived out of fruit. That last thing? That's Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns.

Halloween enthusiasts on Long Island have long enjoyed this gloriously over the top pumpkin extravaganza, but it is still relatively new to Los Angeles area families, and completely new this season to our readers in New Jersey and Boston. That's a whole lot more families getting to experience the glowing, walk-through exhibit, that brings out the Halloween spirit in visitors of all ages. Read on to find out all about this amazing spectacle and get a Mommy Poppins promo code!