Preschoolers

59 Things To Do with Orange County Kids Before They Grow Up

Submitted by Li Starr on Sun, 06/16/2019 - 7:11pm

Orange County may sometimes be considered second fiddle compared to Los Angeles for fun eats, kid-friendly parks, family outings, and outdoor adventures; but the OC has plenty of all of these—with the benefits of better air and less traffic (sorry, Angelenos!). If your kids are growing up the OC way, here are some key places to take them for the ultimate childhood experience behind the Orange curtain.

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

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 06/16/2019 - 10:00am

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 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 27 and running all the way through Wednesday, September 4, we've compiled the best FREE things to do with kids 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. Check out our Events Calendar for more fun happenings.

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

Shane's Inspiration Re-Opens: What's New at LA's Most Famous Playground

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 3:00pm

Shane's Inspiration in Griffith Park, LA's original all-access playground, has always been a favorite in our family, and this summer my kids are even more excited to visit this local gem than ever before. The reason? Shane's Inspiration recently reopened with all new playground structures and sensory elements, and the new stuff is awesome!

Best Amusement Parks Near NYC Reachable by Public Transportation

Submitted by Katie Nave Freeman on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 2:00pm

If you're feeling nostalgic for a summer adventure filled with cotton candy and Ferris wheel rides, it might be time for some family-friendly fun at a nearby theme park. There's no shortage of amusement parks and water parks for New York City-based thrill-seekers, but if you don't have a car, some parks can seem out of reach. Fear not, we’ve rounded up the best amusement parks that are easily accessible from NYC via public transportation. Remember the sunscreen—and forget the parking (and rental) headaches.

Find more summer fun in our Theme and Water Parks Guide.

Swimming Pools with Day Passes and Seasonal Memberships for Families Around Hartford, CT

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 9:00am

Once the school year is a wrap, it's key to find where kids can spend July and August summer days when they aren't in camp. Mommy Poppins has created a convenient list of places where you and the kids can take a real dip—not just get a little wet—during in the upcoming months. If you have toddlers who aren't ready for swimming, you might want to check out our list of awesome splash pads in the area too. One thing's for sure: There are plenty of ways to get wet this summer!

20 Things to Do with Your Preschooler in Philadelphia this Summer

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 11:00am

Entertaining a preschooler is no joke, especially if they have moved on past their nap times! Some parents are truly excellent at coming up with daily plans for their little ones, exposing them to all the arts and sciences and play, making creative quiet books, and other Pinterest-worthy activities. Whether you are excellent at curating preschooler activities or not, you can always count on Philadelphia's selection of parks, playgrounds, and programming throughout the city to expand your little one's interests and experiences. If you want to beat the heat or embrace the summer swelter, here are 20 spots that are sure to be family favorites for you and your crew this summer:

Dinosaurs Visit the Houston Zoo: Animatronic Fun Kids Will Love

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 10:20am

The Houston Zoo, one of our favorite city attractions, has some new inhabidants that are out of this world (or at least time period). Seventeen life-size dinosaurs have arrived at the Houston Zoo for kids to gawk at through the end of the summer. We took our kids for a trip to see if the exhibit lived up to the hype, and we're here to tell you it absolutely does!

Father's Day Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Fun Runs, Barbecue & Brews, June 15-16

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 4:38pm

To all the dads, grandfathers, and men who fill the role of dad: Happy Father's Day from all of us on the Mommy Poppins Houston team! You guys are the best!

If you're starting to panic because you still don't have anything planned to celebrate Dad, we can help. In addition to a weekend packed with Father's Day specific events, we also put together a unique list of Father's Day ideas we know Dad will actually love, ensuring that your Father's Day will be anything but boring. This weekend is also the launch of super sweet interactive exhibit Candytopia in West Houston.

In case you missed it, we have had a lot of fun posts pop up on Mommy Poppins recently that are packed with fun summer ideas:

Build-A-Bear Has a New Pay-Your-Age Contest, without the Lines

Submitted by Li Starr on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 6:29pm

Making a puffy, fuzzy DIY toy at Build-A-Bear is a great experience, especially for a birthday gift, but those bears are far from free. So it was no surprise last year that the company's big Pay-Your-Age Day (5 years old, get any toy for $5) resulted in lines not only out of the stores but out of the buildings—and lots of angry parents when lines were shut down. The good news? Build-A-Bear is doing the popular event again, but doing it differently this year.

Kids' Summer Theater Guide 2019: The Best Shows for NYC Families This Summer

Submitted by Raven Snook on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 4:00pm

Think the dog days of summer are a cultural wasteland? That's not the case when it comes to the stage—New York City's family theater scene is hotter than an unshaded sandbox during the summer months, and this year is no exception.

There are shows for all ages, interests, and budgets throughout the summer season, including FREE options such as high-quality Shakespeare, a stage adaptation of Disney's beloved animated movie Hercules, and a puppet show touring to parks throughout the five boroughs. Best of all, most tickets cost less than $25 per seat. Read on for our complete guide to the best summer shows in NYC for kids and families.