Baby

Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Theater District Open House, AIA Sandcastle Contest, Aug. 24-25

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Wed, 08/21/2019 - 10:59pm

School may be back in session, but the summer heat hasn't quit just yet, and that means we're still looking to pack in one last little bit of summer fun! To help you make the most of summer's inevitable end, we came up with a list of 14 things to do before summer ends, whcih is packed with fun family activities like family bingo night, a trip to Candytopia, and Kroger Family Sundays with the Houston Astros.

That being said, we also know that some of you are ready to wash your hands of summer and jump right back into the school routine, and this weekend has some awesome back to school events to help facilitate that as well. Saturday you can head to Memorial City Mall for an After School Activities Fair or to Pasadena for their annual Back to School Market, and Sunday Kingwood is hosting a Back 2 School Market. We also rounded up several free and cheap after-school programs and classes for all the parents who need and/or want a little extra for their kids in those awkward hours between the end of the school day and the end of the work day.

Our event calendar and August GoList are both always good sources of idea inspiration when you need something to do, and you can sign up for our weekly newslette r to have all of our newly published content delivered straight to your inbox.

Now let's check out what's happening around town this weekend.

Money-Saving Deals on Boston Area Kids Classes

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 08/20/2019 - 2:02pm

If you're on the hunt for fall kids activities, your wallet will thank you for this one! Some much-loved children's programs across the Boston area have offered to extend special offers to Mommy Poppins readers just in time for fall 2019 registration. Read on to find deals on STEAM courses, theater and dance classes, soccer lessons, and more for Boston kids.

Don't drag your feet, because these deals will literally disappear as they expire. If you don't see a deal listed below it means the offer is no longer available. If you're looking for even more kids classes, visit our Boston Classes Guide, or you can even search our Directory by location and age!

Great Party Spots in Brooklyn for Baby's First Birthday

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Fri, 08/16/2019 - 11:30am

Let’s face it: Your baby's first birthday isn’t just about celebrating the start of toddlerhood. It’s about acknowledging the fact that you’re still standing after a whole year of parenting, even if you can’t remember the last time you slept!

At this age, the kids in attendance probably won't be running in circles (in fact, many of them might not be walking), so you don't need as much space as you will in a few years, and there’s a good chance that your guest list is heavy on the grown-ups. We've already rounded up great best first birthday spots in Manhattan, and now we've put together a list of top Brooklyn baby-friendly first birthday bash spots that adults and kids will appreciate.

Looking for more party-perfect ideas? Take a look at these Brooklyn gym parties, or visit our handy Party Guide and Directory to find entertainers and more.

Favorite Mommy and Me Classes in NYC

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 08/15/2019 - 1:00pm

Mommy and Me (or Daddy and Me) classes rule, and not just because little ones learn something new. In a city like NYC, taking a swim class or music class with your infant or toddler is a great way to meet other parents, and a social baby is a happy baby. Extra plus? All that learning and making friends sometimes translates to excellent sleeping (for both of you).

The hardest part of signing up for parent-child classes in New York City might be choosing from one of the hundreds of options, so we've rounded up a few of the spots our community of expert parents recommend most. Some of our favorite spots even multi-task, so you can move from a swim class at Bronx House to a creative movement or art class, for example, or bop from a music class at Kids at Work to "Mess it Up" (art) or Mandarin lessons.

If you need something close to home, remember that YMCAs and JCCs all host classes for little humans, from swimming to gymnastics (special shout out to the 14th St and 92nd St Ys for their dazzling range of programs).

As always, you can find even more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Detective Days, Houston Restaurant Weeks, Aug. 17-18

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Wed, 08/14/2019 - 6:09pm

With temperatures climbing above 100 degrees, it seems a little silly to say that summer has ended, which is why we came up with 14 things you should do with the kids before the summer is over. School may have started, but that doesn't mean the fun has ended!

Now also seems like the perfect time to head down to Galveston for the weekend, and the Island is promising to deliver some fun events for the family! Saturday, you can spend the morning learning how to build sandcastles on Stewart Beach, then lace up your running shoes and head to East Beach at night for the popular Sand Crab 5k & 10k (they have a Kids Mile, too!). Kick off Sunday morning with Bay Explorations at Galveston Island State Park, visit the Galveston's Own Farmers Market at The Bryan Museum after, and cap it off by partaking in the Galveston Family Beach Challenge at Stewart Beach during the day. A whole weekend of family activities at the beach sounds like a pretty perfect way to beat the heat

Not in the mood to leave the city? We've got a whole host of other activities you can choose from, just head to our event calendar for a day-by-day breakdown of what's happening in Houston or take a look at our August GoList for a monthly overview of the coolest things happening this month. And make sure you sign up for our weekly newslette r so you can have everything that gets published on Mommy Poppins delivered to your inbox; it makes planning a breeze.

For anyone who is planning an activity, we would love to make sure it has a spot on our calendar as well! All you have to do is submit your event to our calendar. Once it's submitted, we'll review it and publish it so it gets shared with all of our readers.

Let's see what this weekend has to offer.

25 Things to Do With Chicago Kids Before School Starts

Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on Tue, 08/13/2019 - 11:00am

Summer days, driftin' away...If seeing school supply lists is sending you and your kids into a panic over the impending end of summer, stay calm, and summer on! We've done the research (not a bad gig, honestly), and rounded up the ultimate Chicago Summer Bucket List, complete with all the outdoor movies, festivals, and FREE summer activities for families in Chicago that you'll want to fit in before school starts up again on Tuesday, September 3.

Mommy and Me and Baby Classes in Fairfield County, CT

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Sun, 08/11/2019 - 12:29pm

A great way to boost babies' motor and social skills while making some new friends yourself is by enrolling in various baby classes. From stroller hikes to mudpie making, Fairfield County offers no shortage of Mommy and Me classes. Pack up the diaper bag, grab a latte, and sign up for a session or two: These classes are designed for new moms (and dads and other caregivers, too!) with their babies in Fairfield County.

13 Coolest Places in NYC to Take Photos of Your Kids

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Sun, 08/11/2019 - 11:15am

Not to brag, but New York City is pretty darn photogenic. The glittering buildings, the amazing public art, the bright blue rivers, the buzzing neighborhood streets...It might just be the coolest family photo studio on Earth. No wonder you can hardly turn a corner in this town without running into a movie shoot.

Whether you're looking for the perfect backdrop for a family photo or just looking to take your Instagram game up a notch, we've rounded up a list of the best spots in the city to take pics of your kids (way beyond the classic "waving in front of the Statue of Liberty"...not that there's anything wrong with that). But of course, it's not just about getting that perfect shot—it's about having a perfect NYC memory, too. Each of these spots is also a great family destination in its own right, with playgrounds, parks, and museums to explore.

Be sure to follow Mommy Poppins on Instagram for more cool places to discover in NYC with your kids, with or without your camera.

Top Mommy-and-Me Classes for NJ Babies and Toddlers

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 08/11/2019 - 8:00am

Parent-and-child classes can be some of the most wonderful bonding activities during those early years (and months)—plus it's a great excuse to get out of the house! These interactive mommy-and-me classes throughout New Jersey help babies, toddlers, and preschoolers forge new friendships with others, sample a host of playthings, and test out new skills.

The choices seem to multiply every year: in music, gymnastics, dance, languages, swimming, and more. And don’t expect these sessions to be filled with just moms—dads, nannies, grandparents, and all types of caregivers can join in the fun. Some classes offer independent play for toddlers, or even options where siblings can attend.

Read on for a sampling of the best baby classes around New Jersey. Find even more options in our NJ Classes Guide and Directory of Listings.

Mommy and Me Swim Classes in New York City for Babies and Tots

Submitted by Nicole on Fri, 08/09/2019 - 7:30am

Mommy and me swim classes (or daddy and me) are a wonderful way to spend time with your baby or toddler. Ideally, these lessons should be enjoyable, stress-free, educational, and a good source of exercise for kids and parents.

During the summer, swim lessons offer overheated families the chance to cool off while young kids become comfortable in the water, a skill they'll certainly use a lot in the coming years, what with all the great swimming pools and beaches in NYC. Parent-child swim classes are also offered around the city throughout the fall, winter, and spring, both on weekends and after school.

Most classes for wee ones and their caretakers take place in indoor pools. Except for the free swim lessons offered via lottery by the New York City Parks Department, mommy and me classes invariably cost something. We've rounded up the top parent-child swim programs across the city (and for more options, see our roundups of swimming classes for all ages in Brooklyn and Queens).