Kids

The Best Indoor Play Spaces for Houston Kids

Submitted by Kate M on

Living in Houston means navigating weather that is often hot and humid or wet and stormy. Fortunately, there are many options for activities to do indoors, such as free museum days, trampoline parks, and fun indoor play spaces. But where should you go when you want the best of the best indoor spaces to play? Read on for our recommendations of where to play when going outside is not an option and why each of these Houston spots are some of our absolute favorites for any day of the year.

The Top 15 Indoor Play Spaces Across New York City

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

You've probably already bookmarked our lists of the best spots to play in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. (Oh, you haven't yet? Hint: Now's your chance.) To cap off your indoor-fun inspiration and ensure you never hear the words "I'm bored" again, we present the best of the best: the top 15 indoor play spaces across New York City. So when you need a break from your neighborhood spots, venture out to the rest of the city to cross every one of these awesome locations off the list.

Visit our Indoor Play Spaces Guide for more indoor fun, or our Family Fun Guide to all of NYC's top family attractions.

10 Great Indoor Places to Have a Kid’s Birthday Party in or Near Boston

Tara D's picture Submitted by Tara D on

If you want to have a wonderful party for your child, but you’re overwhelmed by the choices and don't have time to mine for information, I have a gift for you: Recommendations for 10 great indoor birthday party places in the Boston area, and everything you need to know about them.

The places featured are different in many ways, but they all have some things in common: They have been recommended by local parents, are indoors (so you don't have to worry about the weather), minimize the amount of work you have to do, and offer parties that kids with a wide range of interests enjoy. So read on, pick a place, and have a party your child will be talking about for a long time to come. Since prices may fluctuate and there's a range of packages at many places, we give you an idea of costs ranging from $ (inexpensive) to $$$ (more pricey).

If your child is a little older and prefers parties with more of a sporty spin, you may want to also consider our picks for indoor parties for active kids in Boston, the North suburbs, South suburbs, and MetroWest.

Outdoor Ice Rinks on Long Island for Family Skating

Ian Stark's picture Submitted by Ian Stark on

Sure it might be cold this time of year. But if your kids like the outdoors there’s no reason not to enjoy one of Long Island's outdoor ice skating rinks this winter.

From Nassau County to the north shore of Suffolk and out to the East End, we've put together a list of the top outdoor skating venues on Long Island. Most are inexpensive and offer skate rentals, as well as lessons for those still mastering their steps and stops. Weather permitting, most of these rinks are open until the beginning of spring. All are open to the public without significant restrictions, but keep in mind admission can be higher for nonresidents.

If the weather doesn't cooperate, there are plenty of indoor rinks across Long Island worth a try. So if the weather is nasty or it’s offseason, families can skate all year long, even during beach weather.

25 Fun and Free Things to Do with CT Kids Over Holiday Break

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on

The December holiday break from school gives most of us the chance to spend quality time together before the new year begins. Whether you're looking forward to visiting light shows or gingerbread displays, there are many activities happening throughout the state, and the best news is that many of them are completely free. Here' s a list of 25 things to do with the kids over holiday break. For more great ideas to keep the entire family entertained, check out the frequently updated Mommy Poppins Events Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide. 

What's Open on Christmas Day in LA: 25 Fun Things To Do

Roberta B's picture Submitted by Roberta B on

Not everyone spends Christmas Day opening presents and singing Christmas carols. If Christmas at your house feels much like any other day but without as much to do—or if your family are just really fast unwrappers—Mommy Poppins has you covered with everything from whales to festivals, and someplace to eat at the end of the day. Ready for 25 suggestions of things to do and places to go on Christmas Day that have (mostly) nothing to do with chestnuts or open fire?

30 Fun Things to Do Over the Holiday Break with Philly Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on

With its train rides, holiday lights, and Philly area must-do activities, Christmas is almost here and so is winter break. Having the kids around the house for a week (or more) can be great, but it can also be exhausting. With cold weather here to stay, getting out of the house may be a little tougher than usual, but Philadelphia has plenty of fun activities to keep kids busy. Check out Disney on Ice, history come alive at a museum, the world's largest underwater Christmas tree at the aquarium, or see a show at the Arden Theatre!

NJ Has Ice Rink Bumper Cars – and We Can't Wait To Try Them

Michelle Vames's picture Submitted by Michelle Vames on

No ice skating skills? No problem. You can still have tons of fun on the ice at Ocean Ice Palace in Brick, NJ, home of the state's first ice bumper cars. This hot (or should we say cool?) new trend has been popping up at ice rinks across the country over the past year or so, including one in Providence, Rhode Island, but you don't have to travel to New England to experience it for yourself.

The Brick-based rink introduced the cars in February, and now that winter is upon us once again, we're super excited to have another option for keeping the kiddos entertained indoors. 

And of course, we're all for snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding—but if you're looking for winter fun that requires less effort, gear, and money, ice bumper cars might be worth a whirl.

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Tribeca

Sarah G's picture Submitted by Sarah G on

Tribeca has no shortage of great places to eat with the family. In general, places to eat in Tribeca either tend to be upscale or little holes-in-the-wall, with a handful of options in between. Since Tribeca is such a family-oriented neighborhood, many eateries welcome kids and even offer children's menus. Plus there's a wide range of cuisine to try, from good old American comfort food to French bistro dishes to authentic Cuban eats, plus incredible bakeries. Read on for our favorite places to eat with kids in Tribeca.

Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Wizard of Oz Panto, Beach Wonderland, Disney on Ice

Submitted by Toby B on

We here at Mommy Poppins love all our events equally. The Christmas lights, the boat parades, the holiday-themed train rides. What's not to love? It's just that we love some a little more equally than others.

Like Disney on Ice. The touring ice show is the perfect match of world class athleticism and stunning artistry, paired with the most beloved characters known to childhood. Oh, how we love Disney on Ice.

And the Lythgoe Family Panto productions: Broadway caliber showmanship paired with absolute inability to take anything, least of all itself, seriously. Laughs and awestruck gasps and this year the Wizard of Oz played by, what now, Kermit the Frog?!? Hold me, Kermie, I think I may get the vapors!

Do we love the latest Disney Animation feature, breaking the internet and ruling the box office, currently holding strong as the favorite movie of all time in our household? Or do we love the (don't try to tell me it's not real) Virtual Reality experience that takes us INTO that movie, so that we are running with, talking to, and shooting milkshakes at our favorite characters from the movie because we are IN IT? How do we choose? Why should we? If there's one thing we've learned as mothers, it's that there is more than enough love to go around.

Keep reading for our choices for this weekend, all equally loved, including the ones that are loved more.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Kids