Preschoolers

Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Fireworks, Freedom Celebration, July 1-2

Submitted by Shary G-P on Wed, 06/28/2017 - 11:02pm

July is here! And you don't have to wait until the Fourth of July to enjoy fireworks shows. This weekend you can find them all over town starting Friday. Be sure to check out our list of places where to see the Fourth of July fireworks around Houston.

This month is the perfect one to enjoy a dip into a free local pool or a visit to a nearby water park. Don't miss the opportunity to get your children into swimming lessons to get them ready for summer fun. If you have a summer birthday, check out our birthday party guide for ideas, like many places to host both indoor and outdoor birthday pool parties in Houston!

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

Heading to Galveston this weekend? Here is our list of top things to do with kids.
Maybe planning a road trip to San Antonio? Have fun with the entire family with our tips.
Visit The Woodlands with the family for fun activities too!

Summer is in full swing! Check out the complete event calendar to find the best things to do this month. Did you know can also submit your own events? Have this post delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Now let's check out what's going on this weekend:

Surfer's Cove Opens: LEGOLAND's Water Park Gets Even Cooler

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 06/28/2017 - 7:48pm

I've always found plenty to love about SoCal's fun-filled brick wonderland, but Legoland's new water park expansion this summer adds one more reason to visit. Surfer's Cove is a whole new section at Legoland's water park, upgrading the seasonal attraction from a park add-on to a summer experience worthy of a visit all its own. The new area brings more slides, more waves, and more ways to get wet for kids of all ages. Could you fit all of Legoland's action into one day? Anything's possible, but the bigger, better water park makes a family want to take advantage of one of the many deals that include keeping the fun going all year. Allow me to explain what makes Legoland so darned special.

Independence Day Weekend Fun: Fireworks, Lobsters, and Reel Nostalgia

Submitted by Donald Eng on Wed, 06/28/2017 - 7:15pm

As you can imagine, there is plenty to do this Independence Day weekend. From the traditional fireworks displays and carnivals, to a celebration of all things lobster, to touring the first ship to spot the New World, there is plenty for everyone. As always, be sure to check with the venues directly for any outdoor activities in the event of weather-related schedule changes.

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!

New Indoor Play Space in Central NJ Is a Magical Spot for Small Kids

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Wed, 06/28/2017 - 10:00am

Something magical has come to Morganville, NJ: Magic Sky Play, a new indoor play facility for young children (7 and under).

Magic Sky is a 2017 Mommy Poppins Bestie Awards Winner, for good reason. Its bright, open layout and creative activities are perfectly suited to a young child's imagination (and the needs of his or her parent). I recently visited with my 6- and 3-year-olds, and we had a blast exploring this sweet new spot.

Free Admission for Active Duty Military Families with Blue Star Museums

Submitted by Toby B on Tue, 06/27/2017 - 1:43pm

Free museum admission is not just for kids in the summer months. More than 2000 museums across the country have joined the Blue Star initiative, offering free admission to active military personnel and their families* all summer long, from Memorial Day (Monday May 29 through Labor Day (Monday September 4). Spread the word; if you don't have active military in your own family, let your friends know that from the Automobile Driving Museum to the Santa Monica Aquarium and a whole slew in between, the men and women who protect all of our families can treat their families this summer.

Where to Pick Blueberries with Kids in the Boston Area

Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on Tue, 06/27/2017 - 10:55am

Strawberries? Raspberries? Blueberries? Our family debate over which is the best berry may never be resolved, but this time of year, the blueberry is everyone's favorite pick. This tart little superfood just may be the easiest fruit to pick, prepare, and serve: There's no peeling, pitting, coring, or cutting. Plus, they attract fewer natural pests other than birds, so much of the fruit is grown pesticide-free.

The pick-your-own blueberry season begins early July and continues through late August or early September. We’ve rounded up some farms in the Boston area which are beginning to open up for blueberry picking, plus we've included a few helpful tips. At the end of the post, you'll find a recipe for our favorite blueberry treat: the classic blueberry buckle.

10 Kid-Friendly Restaurants with Room to Play in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 06/26/2017 - 9:00am

Relaxing on the patio with good food and drinks is something that, prior to kids, we used to love to do... and then we had kids and going out to eat became nothing short of a nightmare that quickly got nixed from our weekend plans. Where we once sat back and talked uninterrupted about our respective weeks, we now went through constant rounds of "don't touch that!" and, "honey, leave those nice people alone." All seemed lost, and we resigned ourselves to spending our evenings out at Chick-fil-A... until we found restaurants with play spaces for kids (and the skies parted and the sun shone through!).

Talk about a game changer - it's like these restaurants knew that us parents needed a space to unwind a bit with the kids in tow, and they delivered with patios that opened up to enclosed playgrounds, sand pits (ok, this one is a catch-22 because of sand everywhere) and toys. So when you find yourself wanting to let someone else do the cooking and need a venue that caters to your kids without being solely for them, look no further than here. (However, if you are looking for something outdoors to do with the kids one evening, be sure to check out these free movies under the stars!)

Weekday Picks: Fireflies, Fireworks, and Strawberry Shortcake, June 26-30, 2017

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Sun, 06/25/2017 - 2:42pm

Last week was our first full week of summer vacation, and one thing is clear: if we're going to make it through this summer with our sanity and our sense of humor in tact, I'm going to have to up my planning game. Fortunately, there's no shortage of things to do! Free outdoor family concert and/or movie series are up and running in West Hartford, Trumbull, Westport, and Groton (for more ideas, check the events calendar).

You'll have your pick of early Independence Day celebrations on Friday night in Stamford, Hamden, and Killingly among many others--for a full run down of more than 40 fireworks celebrations across the state, click here. Check back here often and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest so that you don't miss a thing. Happy Summer!

100 Free Things To Do This Summer with Kids in New York City

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Sun, 06/25/2017 - 2:05pm

Summer is the season of FREE in NYC—and here it comes. There's no-cost fun everywhere you turn, from festivals, outdoor movies, and concerts, to kayaking, and fireworks. With the public school break upon us, and the kids are itching to play (and swim), we've rounded up FREE things for families to do every single day of summer vacation. Starting with Thursday, June 29 and running all the way through Wednesday, September 6, 2017, we've compiled the best FREE children's entertainment in NYC all summer!

Of course, this list isn't comprehensive. There are literally hundreds of FREE fun events happening across our city this school break. You can find more cool seasonal activities and destinations in our Summer Fun Guide, including beach day trips, FREE splash pads, and more. Peruse our Events Calendar for more events.

Still searching for a summer camp for a week or two? Check out our NYC summer camp directory and guide.

Great Summer Fairs and Festivals for Long Island Families

Submitted by Thien August on Sun, 06/25/2017 - 1:00pm

The smell of funnel cake is in the air as fairs and festivals kick off the summer season on Long Island. Summers are perfect for spending time outside with the family and getting to know your neighbors and community.

From old-fashioned street fairs to ethnic celebrations such as Native American powwows and the Highland Games, these family-friendly events are sure to leave everyone smiling. Festivals take place in Nassau and Suffolk counties and all the way to the East End. For more seasonal fun, be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide.