Celebrate the Festival of Eid. Photo of girl celebrating by Chris Dunn, courtesy of Asia Society Texas
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Camp Lindenmere is a jam-packed Pennsylvania summer camp offering sports, circus arts, creative activities, and more. Photo courtesy of the camp
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Visit DC in the spring for warm temps and maybe even cherry blossoms. Photo by m01229 via Flickr
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How about a birthday celebration at a local park for free! Photo by Antonius Ferret vis Pexels
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Starbucks birthday freebies can include cake pops, drinks, or other treats! Photo by Heather Cox Rosenberg
Birthday Freebies for Kids: 63 Places To Get Free Stuff on Your Birthday
High school girls (and non-binary kids) interested in computer science are encouraged to apply. Photo courtesy Girls Who Code
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Test your family's knowledge with this fun list of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader questions.
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Make memories to last a lifetime at the all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos.
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Printable word search puzzles are a great way to keep little brains engaged.
Printable Word Puzzles for Kids: Great Sites for Word Searches, Crosswords, & Word Scrambles
Would you rather drink hot chocolate or chocolate milk? Photo by the author
100 Best 'Would You Rather' Questions for Clever Kids
Have sweet dreams of all the free baby stuff you'll get. Photo by Garrett Jackson courtesy of Unsplash
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These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
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The Saguaro in Palm Springs, California, beckons families with its pool and more.
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All you need for Crazy Hair Day are some cupcake baking cups! Photo by the author
Easy School Spirit Week Ideas: Crazy Hair Day, Anything But a Backpack Day, and Beyond
Timber Ridge Lodge in Geneva, Wisconsin features both an indoor water park and outdoor pools.
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Teachers have found inspiring ways to be there for our kids. Here are some ways to show our appreciation. Photo by Yan Krukov, Pexels
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A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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Kids love these jokes that require audience participation. Photo by Jay Wood via Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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Unicorn parties never go out of style! Photo by Malcolm Garrett/Pexels
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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
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Go ahead. Hand them the iPad; these websites for kids are fun and at least a little educational. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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Belize is the perfect tropical vacation destination for families.
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Photo of girl laughing by Amina Filkins via Pexels
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Toys make perfect first birthday gifts for budding toddlers! But which ones? We've got you covered.
Best First Birthday Gifts: Toys and More for 1-Year-Olds
Get a sunscreen they won't mind slathering on! Babyganics Mineral Sunscreen Lotion image courtesy of the company
Reef-Safe Sunscreen for Kids: Protecting Their Skin and the Planet
Skip the candy and the plastic that ends up in a landfill with these creative goody bag and party favor ideas. Photo courtesy of Hannah Rodrigo/Unsplash
Unique Goody Bag and Party Favor Ideas for Kids' Birthday Parties
Being a dad is one of the two best jobs on earth. Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Collins, Colorado
Preparing for Fatherhood: Parenting Tips From Our Favorite Dads
Photo by Liz Baill
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Kids can play these daily word games alone or with a friend. Photo by Sara Marentette
7 Games Like Wordle for Kids: Daily Word Games Online
Sea otters really don't want to get lost! Photo courtesy Joe Robertson/CC BY 2.0
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These questions to ask grandparents help kids get to know their favorite people a little better.
101 Questions To Ask Grandparents About Their Lives
It's time to plan the ultimate Bluey birthday party!
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Adorable? Yes. Useful? No way. Babies don't need shoes.
Deinfluencing Your Baby Registry: Baby Products You Totally Don’t Need
Starface's star-shaped pimple patches make kids look and feel awesome while dealing with pimples.
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Kudos diapers use four times more plant-based materials than competing brands. Photo courtesy of Shark Tank Products
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It's up to kids to save our planet, with a little guidance from us. Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels
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There are so many fun ways to reuse your Imperfect Foods boxes. Photo courtesy of Imperfect Foods
How To Get Free Stuff, Save Money, and Reduce Waste
Grab your list and head out for a scavenger hunt with the kids!
Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids - Plus Cute Printables!
Now we can send you articles about things to do in your neighborhood that match your interests!
Mommy Poppins' New Web App and Notifications Are the Easiest Way To Find Fun Things To Do
Walking, talking, grabbing, holding, smiling, laughing... it's all coming. But when? Photo by Tatiana Syrikova, via Pexels
Developmental Milestones for Babies in the First Year
One top tip is getting kids involved from the planning stage, and they'll want to help cook! Photo by Brooke Lark, via Pexels
Family Dinner Secrets from Savvy Parents: Weekly Menu Planners and Meal Planning Made Easy
Just one kid composting can save 400 pounds of food waste a year. So yes, one kid can make a difference! Photo by Maureen Wilkey
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When kids are bored, bored, bored, it's handy to have a whole list of fun things to do. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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There's nothing like a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a cold day. Photo courtesy of Cotton Bro Studios
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Disney turns 100 and there will be celebrations from coast to coast. Photo courtesy of Disneyland
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It's easier than you'd think to turn a simple paper lunch bag into a festive piñata!
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Learn some random fun facts that will leave your kids laughing. Photo by Sara Marentette
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Trader Joe's how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: for being inexpensive, gourmet and friendly.
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Snuggle up with one of these beloved bedtime stories for kids. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
41 Best Bedtime Stories for Kids, Including Free Bedtime Stories Online
Screen time doesn't have to be a solo activity with these free, safe (no download) online games for kids to play with friends.
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Take a spin around the lazy river at Mandalay Bay.
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Las Vegas, Nevada: 49 Awesome Things To Do in Vegas with Kids
SingleCare offers major savings on more than 10,000 prescription drugs through its free app.
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The outdoors are a natural playground for curious kids.
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Remember getting your first Cabbage Patch Kid? Photo by Charlotte B
100 Classic Toys for Kids: Favorite Classic Toys, Retro Toys, and Vintage Toys
Photo by Leah Kelley via Pexels
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Are you brave enough for some of these spooky ghost stories?
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A perfectly packed lunchbox helps kick the school blues. Photo courtesy of www.YumboxLunch.com
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Revel in the dirty hands! Outdoor activities help kids sleep better and jumpstarts their imaginations.
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Rent a gorgeous backyard pool like this for your family for an hour or a day. Photo courtesy of Swimply
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Alphabet Soup. Photo courtesy of foodwithfeeling
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Gather 'round the campfire and sing some fun songs. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
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These funny jokes for kids will have them laughing in no time!
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Things like having a children's museum with a view like this make it easy to leave your heart in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area Discovery Museum
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Kids can give parents tickets if they forget to turn off the water to soap hands or brush teeth!
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A zip line and more await at Portland's Eagle's Nest Treehouse. Photo courtesy of julian@hipcamp
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Did you know a pillow fight is a great way to get proprioceptive input? Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Find a bare patch of soil to place your seed bomb. Spread them far and wide! Photo by the author
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The Outdoor Play Plaza at Greensboro Children's Museum in North Carolina.
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Enjoy stunning views of the Thames River.
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How does your garden grow? Photo by Filip Urban, Unsplash
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Enjoy the clear turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos.
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Watch as kids become entranced by a live show. Photo by Alexis Buatti Ramos, courtesy of the New Victory Theater
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Our guide to living a more earth-friendly life.
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Plan the perfect at-home kids' birthday party with these ideas and tips. Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels
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A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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We found plenty of things to do in Paris to fill our days and nights!
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Abracadabra! These videos teach kids how to do magic at home! Photo by Amina Filkins/Pexels
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Try wrapping your tongue around a few of these tantalizing twisters! Photo courtesy of Saeed Karimi via Unsplash
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Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
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Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
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The outdoors are a natural playground for curious kids.
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girl making apple pie courtesy of canva
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Need a kids' music playlist that will get you dancing, eating, and even learning state capitals? We found a playlist for every occasion.
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The Muppet Show never goes out of style. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprise, Inc.
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Photo courtesy of Language Workshop for Children
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Mexican Instant Pot Quinoa warms on a chilly night.
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Ride the San Diego Zoo Skyfari. Photo courtesy of Christina Simmons, for the San Diego Zoo.
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The Water's Edge Resort and Spa in Connecticut offers the beach and so much more. Photo courtesy the resort
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With Bestow, get a personalized term life insurance quote—no medical exam required—in as little as five minutes.
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The Saguaro in Palm Springs, California, beckons families with its pool and more.
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Cypress Springs Water Park at Gaylord Palms Resort has the perfect lazy river for families to enjoy together. Photo courtesy of the resort
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Climb to the highest point in Tennessee at Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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SeaWorld Orlando theme park, zoo and aquarium offers exciting rides and roller coasters, up-close animal encounters. Photo by the author
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Dessert charcutterie boards, like this S'mores Board, delight kids and parents alike.
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Build trains, cars, houses, and creatures with cardboard boxes!
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A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
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Romp with the triceratops and other dinos at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Leonia. Photo by Janet Bloom
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The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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Child Fares on the Subway and Bus?

3/4/08 - By Anna Fader

The MTA always seems to be raising its fares, which always begs the question: "When exactly do we start paying for our kids to ride the subway." I've gotten so used to shuffling them under the turnstile, it occurred to me that at some point I'm probably supposed to start paying for kids to ride the subway.

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Well, I looked it up and children are supposed to pay full fare when they are over 44 inches. By my calculations that means that you should start paying for your child when they are about five-years-old. Um, right, perfect timing... for my second child.

About the Author

Anna Fader

Founder of Mommy Poppins

A fourth-generation Brooklynite, Anna started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to help families find the best things to do with kids in NYC, with a particular emphasis on sharing activities that are free, affordable, and enriching. The site, used by millions of families, has grown to become the ultimate resource for parents in the major US cities, plus travel guides for 100s of destinations.

Anna is a believer in the magic of summer camps, traveling with kids, and that you can raise kids on a budget and still have a rich life full of amazing memories. Anna's first Mommy Poppins book, The Young Traveler's Journal and Activity Book, published in 2025 and co-written with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman, brings that ethos to life, in addition to this website.

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