Karyn Marciniak

Karyn has been studying children and families for over 10 years. She has her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science, where she studied sibling relationships and became an expert on families with 3 or more children. The only thing she loves more than sibling groups is New York City! A compulsive need to learn, experience, and organize has driven her to dive into city life with a passion for finding ways to help strengthen families in New York.

Latest posts by Karyn

Lincoln Center with Kids: 10 Fun & Mostly Free Things to Do at the Performing Arts Complex

Submitted by Karyn Marciniak on Wed, 06/08/2016 - 11:00am

Lincoln Center, the grand performing arts mecca on Manhattan's Upper West Side may seem out of reach to many. Prices for the fancy, high-culture shows are beyond family budgets, but that shouldn't keep you away. From watching the iconic fountain dance to rooting out hidden gem performances which cost little-to-nothing, Lincoln Center is a rich cultural destination you don't need to be rich to enjoy. Here are our top 10 FREE and cheap things to do with kids at Lincoln Center.

10 Ways to Play With Kids While You're Waiting

Submitted by Karyn Marciniak on Mon, 09/29/2014 - 10:30am

A recent study estimates that the average adult spends about an hour a day waiting for something—the bathroom, the cashier, the bus, you name it. But parents seem to wait around even more than that. Plus we get the added bonus of hearing our kids whine, "I'm bored!" and beg incessantly for our smartphones.

But waiting with your kids doesn't have to be dull. You can turn that downtime into quality family time by finding ways to play together (and no, we're not talking about Candy Crush). Inspired by our series of SUMMER OF PLAY posts, here are 10 no-tech activities to try when you're stuck waiting somewhere—hopefully you won't be there long enough blow through all of them in one go!

NYC Kids' Clothes: Boys' Suits & Formal Wear Shops

Submitted by Karyn Marciniak on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 2:00pm

It's one of those annoying double standards you deal with as a parent: While fancy dresses seem to beckon from shop windows everywhere, finding a nice and affordable kids' suit feels like going on a scavenger hunt. Just how far do you have to search for boys' formal wear for the next wedding/graduation/holiday/picture day? And how much do you have to pay? At the rate kids grow, they'll probably only wear it once or twice.

Scouring second-hand kids' clothing shops is a good first option (remember, most of these suits were barely used). But if that's not your thing or you can't find a good fit, we came up with a list of NYC stores where you can buy boys' suits without having to take out a second mortgage.

5 NYC Children's Books to Inspire Fun, History-Filled Family Outings

Submitted by Karyn Marciniak on Sun, 05/11/2014 - 10:00am

With all of the amazing things there are to do with kids in NYC, it's no wonder that a slew of children's books are set right here in the Big Apple. We've written about a bunch of our favorites in the past, and even rounded up kids' books about NYC museums to help families get excited about visiting MoMA, the Met and the Guggenheim.

However, in honor of Children's Book Week (coming up May 12 to 18), we decided to write a new post featuring five history-filled NYC picture books that we hope will inspire enriching family outings. Three of these titles recount real-life NYC events. The other two, though fictional, give a peek at what life was like on the Lower East Side and Upper East Side circa 1900 and 1960, respectively. All are wonderful jumping off points to spark your own NYC adventures.

Toy Rental Services: Get Lego Sets, Baby Toys & Other Playthings Delivered to Your Door

Submitted by Karyn Marciniak on Mon, 02/24/2014 - 10:00am

A young child’s interest in toys changes quickly. A new plaything that was a huge hit when first received is forgotten just a few days (make that hours) later. That can be frustrating for parents as the clutter and the bills mount up. That's why a toy rental service makes so much sense. It saves money, space and the environment. Less junk to throw in the landfill!

Toy rental websites offer Netflix-style subscriptions so your kid can try out new playthings on a regular basis. These services are also great for when your child goes on an extended visit to a grandparent or another relative who doesn't have playthings lying around the house. Traveling families can also benefit from shipping toys to a destination to lighten the luggage, just like you might rent strollers or car seats on the road. Here are some toy rental websites that ship packages throughout the United States.