Kids

Top 10 Reasons Orange County Is the Best Place To Raise Kids

Submitted by Dana Zepeda on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 3:04pm

Disneyland may be the Happiest Place on Earth, but it's far from the only reason locals brag about living in Orange County. Great beaches, picturesque parks, and close proximity to the desert and mountains are just a few of the many perks of raising your kids within a stone's throw of Mickey Mouse. That, and the fact that it's not LA. Here are the top 10 reasons why children and parents alike love growing up in The OC.

Weekend Fun: Harvest Fairs, Waterfalls, and a Celebration of Nature

Submitted by Donald Eng on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 2:25pm

Summer weather is scheduled to make a comeback this weekend, with unseasonable temperatures expected to climb back into the mid-80s Saturday and Sunday. The warm sunny weekend is perfect for checking out Connecticut's largest annual agricultural fair. There's more outdoor fun to be had at the Fair Weather Acres Fall Festival and in Newington at the annual Waterfall Fest. Head to Trumbull for a celebration of crisp fall apples, or just relax and spend some time learning about that most peaceful of critters, the monarch butterfly. As always, we recommend calling ahead in the event of rain to make sure outdoor events are still on.

We hope you'll follow Mommy Poppins Connecticut on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and subscribe to our newsletters to stay in touch. Have a great weekend!

See NYC's Only Corn Maze and More Fall Fun at this Queens Farm

Submitted by Sydney Ng on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 4:42pm

There aren't many better ways to get the family excited for the fall in NYC than taking the kids for a tour through a three-acre corn maze in the middle of Queens and letting their imaginations run wild. The Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze opens for the season September 23, and it's just one of the quintessential fall activities happening at this New York City institution.

The Amazing Maize Maze is the only corn maze in the city. My family and I have conquered lots of these mazes and can happily say that the one at the Queens County Farm Museum is just as much fun as its country counterparts. We made it through in just about one hour—even with a pair of 8-year-olds leading the way. That left us plenty of time to enjoy other farm fun. We've got some tips for how to make the most of your visit to the farm and the corn maze. But no, we aren't giving you the route. You'll still need to figure that out yourself!

Where to Find Halloween Costumes on a Budget in Fairfield County

Submitted by Elizabeth Howard on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 2:35pm

Not to panic you, but if you don't start planning your kids' Halloween costumes pretty soon, you know they are going to spend this Halloween as a hobo, like I did most years. My kids always seem to know exactly what they want to be for Halloween -- IN JUNE. But then they completely forget by the time I ask them again in September. And I know better than to wander the aisles of expensive seasonal costume stores with them, trying to explain to an 8-year-old what a "Sexy Trash Monster Costume" is.

After years of experience in costume building, conjuring, finagling, trading, repairing, and trussing, below is my shopping guide for kids Halloween costumes on a budget. Once you get the kids decked out, be sure to make good use of the costumes by pouring over our awesome Connecticut Guide to Halloween.

25 Things To Do around Thousand Oaks with Kids

Submitted by Martha Hall on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 1:54pm

Thousand Oaks, named (and incorporated) in the 1960s to honor the many majestic oaks in the area, may be the perfect SoCal suburb; it can feel as far from city or as close to city as you like. If you have little ones and live in Thousand Oaks, you probably know some of the must-see spots on our list below—but have you visited them all? So much to do! And when you've exhausted your options and are ready to travel elsewhere in the Southland or beyond, take a peek at one of our many city lists. From Culver City to Pasadena, Redondo Beach to Hollywood, Marina Del Rey to Burbank our lists have got you covered. We'll even guide you through Anaheim on your way in and out of Disneyland. But today, the rolling hills and cultural allure of Thousand Oaks.

Indoor Play Space for Big & Little Westchester Kids: LIFE, The Place to Be

Submitted by Susan Miele on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 12:58pm

Looking for a place to burn off energy (and maybe some calories)? Our profile of indoor play spaces in Westchester continues with a recent visit to LIFE, The Place to Be in Ardsley.

Perfect for those bad-weather days and indoor fun, the assorted activities at the 29,000-square-foot facility will keep kids occupied for a couple hours, with something for every taste. The only dilemma my kids faced was which one to do first!

Read on for our first-hand review of why this is indeed the place to be. To find more indoor fun, check out our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters.

STEM Classes For Kids in Houston

Submitted by Ashley Jones on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 11:10am

Does your kid love robots, LEGOs, computers, and NASA? What about multiplication, division, and science experiments? If so, your little ones will love participating in a fun and education STEM-centered class. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) classes create a space where kids can learn how to use science and math skills to create their own video games, build computer systems, experiment with chemical reactions (safely), and so much more. Check out our top picks for STEM classes in the greater Houston area for your budding engineer.

SpongeBob SquarePants Aims for a Broadway Splash This Fall

Submitted by Raven Snook on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 11:07am

Although you'll have to wait until spring to catch the highly anticipated stage adaptations of Frozen and Harry Potter on Broadway, there's another popular kids' character hitting the boards this fall. After a well-reviewed Chicago run, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants musical sails into town this November featuring all the beloved Bikini Bottom denizens including Patrick, Squidward, and the endlessly optimistic title character who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

While I realize this production may sound like a soulless cash grab by Nickelodeon, which has long been interested in getting into the theater biz like its rival Disney, there are actually several reasons I expect this production to make a splash on Broadway. In fact, I think this may be one of those rare family shows that works on multiple levels, thrilling the brand's young fans while also winning over grown-ups with its stunning design, quirky humor, and songs by some of the biggest rock stars of all time—including the late David Bowie.

Extracurricular Classes in Houston for Children With Special Needs

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Mon, 09/18/2017 - 11:13pm

One of the many benefits of living in a large city is that there are many, many resources (and places to play) for children of all abilities. While this is not a comprehensive list, here are some great options for classes, lessons, and activities around Houston for children of all ages with disabilities. For more ideas on classes and enrichment opportunities, check out our classes guide for Houston kids. And please send us a note at editor@mommypoppins.com if you would like to recommend an organization to add to our list.

American Girl Gets a Makeover with a Brand-New NYC Store

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 09/18/2017 - 12:00pm

If your daughter's a fan of Samantha, Kit, MaryEllen, or Melody, or it's a major announcement in your house when the annual Girl of the Year is revealed, we've got news for you: American Girl is relocating and revamping its flagship Midtown store just in time for the holiday rush.

Those familiar with its current location just east of Rockefeller Plaza won't have to reroute themselves too far to find signature dolls' new home.