Baby

Top Mommy-and-Me Baby Classes on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 5:10pm

From Zumba to yoga, cooking and art, there are plenty of ways to nurture your baby’s mind, body, and creative spirit. Not to mention your own.

We’ve rounded up some of the best mommy-and-me classes on Long Island, ideal if you want to to stay fit or learn a new craft. You and your baby will have fun, meet other moms and tots, and, most importantly, spend precious time together.

Of course, classes are open to dads, grandparents, and other caregivers. Be sure to check class websites for times, costs, and registration details.

For more suggestions on inexpensive ways to entertain your kids, check out our guide to FREE activities on Long Island. Our classes and enrichment guide also offers a host of ideas to stimulate your child's learning.

Have fun.

15 Best Indoor Birthday Party Ideas for LA Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 5:26pm

There is a special kind of stress—both emotional and financial—that planning a birthday party can cause if you have kids born between the months of November and March. Oh sure, everyone struggles with the great birthday party question, but those moms who gave birth in LA in August are pretty safe claiming a corner of a public park or throwing down some blankets on the beach. If you have a December baby, you may have tried that, but at some point probably cried "Never again!" LA might not have a proper winter, but it has a proper Indoor Birthday Party season, if only for the sanity of the parents. Allow us to share some of our favorite options for entertaining the masses without stressing about the weather.

Indoor Gardens Where Boston Kids and Families Can Escape Winter

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 02/10/2019 - 8:00pm

Could your family use an escape from the New England chill? A warm, green space is closer than you may think. Several fabulous indoor gardens around Boston keep their greenhouse and atrium doors open throughout the winter. With controlled balmy temperatures—be sure to bring a bag for stashing ski jackets!—these sunlit spaces feature exotic plants and animals as well as plenty of space for children for roam, discover, and daydream.

18 Fun Baby and Me Classes in Chicago

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 2:52pm

For new parents in Chicago, getting out of the house with your little one is well worth packing a few snacks and wipes for. And when you're ready for an adventure beyond exploring a new playspace or hitting the local playground, there are dozens of baby and me classes you and your little one can try out together. Fortunately for toddlers and preschoolers (and their parents), there are plenty of parent-child classes for older kiddos too. Ready to explore yoga, nature, movement, dance, music, swimming, cooking—or even beatboxing? Read on for our list of fun "mom and me" classes to take with kids in Chicago.

9 Drop-In Indoor Playgrounds Where Boston Kids Can Get Their Energy Out

Submitted by Tara D on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 11:08am

As temperatures hover around freezing and even trusty toys are getting tiresome, every parent is looking for fun winter activities that can help kids expend energy and get their sillies out indoors. Just in time for February school vacation, we’ve rounded up 10 indoor play spaces where little and big kids can slide, climb, dodge, play pretend, and make friends—just as they might on their favorite outdoor playgrounds. Most are a drive outside city limits, but all have lots enough space and options for high-energy fun to make a day trip feel well worth it.

Best Indoor Play Spaces for Entertaining Orange County Kids

Submitted by Phylicia Q on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 3:37am

Rain or shine, a list of indoor play spaces can be like a Golden Ticket in your pocket. On a rainy day, it can be the place to let your kids run (or jump) free and stay dry. Even on a sunny day, an indoor play space can be the answer to “What are we doing today?” If you’re in the Los Angeles area, there are plenty of indoor play spaces to choose from; but Orange County also has many play places that are fun to visit—and even worth the drive if you’re outside the area. And of course all of the indoor playgrounds below are great birthday party options, too.

NYC Restroom Map: A Godsend for City Parents

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 02/07/2019 - 4:00pm

When you gotta go, you gotta go...but when you're out and about and have a potty-training preschooler or an infant in need of a diaper change you don't always have the luxury of advance planning. You need to find the closest, (hopefully) cleanest, publicly accessible bathroom—and fast.

Have we ever got a list for you. Thanks to the work of one thoughtful, brilliant Rutgers professor, Dr. Wansoo Im, (hey, Jersey's good for something!) we now have an interactive map of every city bathroom. Get your bookmarks ready.

10 LA Libraries with Great Play Spaces You Have To Try

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 12:37am

The Southland's rainy season may be short lived, but even if we're thrust into blazing heat again next week, either way having fun, free, indoor options for the kiddos is a must. You probably already know some local storytimes at LA libraries. Maybe you've checked out a few of our drive-worthy special libraries or any number of the awesome free perks your library card offers. But do you know the libraries where you can get a great book and engage your little one in some good old-fashioned indoor fun? You're in luck; here are our picks for LA's 10 best libraries with play spaces where you can do just that.

Play Cafes in Brooklyn and Queens: Play Spaces for Kids, Coffee for Grownups

Submitted by Yuliya Geikhman on Sun, 02/03/2019 - 11:05am

If you're looking for a new spot to grab your morning coffee or merely want to enjoy brunch in peace, these kid-friendly play cafes can't be beat. At these Brooklyn and Queens cafes you will find a welcoming environment, great food, and a caffeine jolt, as well as dedicated and safe play areas for your kids. Several of them are actually play spaces first, and cafes second.

So turn your meal into a play date with a friend, or just sit back and take some well-deserved breathing space. Either way, both you and your kids are sure to have a good time.

Check out our NYC Restaurant Guide for more great eateries, or our Play Spaces Guide for more romper rooms.

Where to Get Free Infant Sleep Sacks This Winter

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 01/30/2019 - 10:00am

With cold winter weather upon us, the New York City Administration for Children's Services is lending a helping hand to families, distributing free, wearable baby blankets at each of its 16 city locations in an effort to ensure the youngest New Yorkers are kept safe during the season's chill. Read on to learn more about the program and where you can pick up a free wearable sleeping blanket for your infant.