Diana Kim

Diana Kim

Latest posts by Diana Kim

Brooklyn Outdoor Eats: Restaurants with Kid-Friendly Backyards

Submitted by Diana Kim on

Brooklyn boasts its share of restaurants with sidewalk tables, but those of us with kids enjoy those eateries with more spacious outdoor dining. A backyard, picnic tables, roof decks, or sometimes even a bit of grass? We're sold!

Just in time for summer, we've rounded up of our favorite spots from across Brooklyn that feature ample outdoor space, serve delicious food, and welcome families with children. If you're in the mood for variety, we've included a mix of cuisines: Japanese, Mexican, Cuban, Southern comfort and of course, pizza and New American.  

Headed to Brooklyn from a surrounding area? Browse our Brooklyn Kids Guide to take full advantage of the borough while you're there, or peruse our NYC Restaurant Guide for more family-friendly eats.

Brooklyn's Best Hot Chocolate Spots

Submitted by Diana Kim on

Delicious, steaming hot cocoa topped with pillowy marshmallows is a kids staple during the winter months, warming little hands from the very first sip. You can make it at home, of course, but foodie Brooklyn offers a multitude of independent chocolatiers, coffee shops, and cafes serving up rich, creamy and inventive hot chocolates.

We recently covered the best spots to get hot chocolate in Manhattan, as well as Queens, but Brooklyn, home to the city's artisanal food scene, has plenty to offer, too. Read on for 10 of our favorite spots to pick up a cup of hot chocolate with the kids in this family-oriented borough.

16 NYC Restaurants Serving Family Thanksgiving Dinner

Submitted by Diana Kim on

Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings—and to spend hours in the kitchen, right? Eh, we New Yorkers of small space fame and rapid-fire takeout options often prefer to let someone else handle our annual turkey fest. Of course, in New York City we can choose from a number of award-winning restaurants for that amazing dinner. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a number of options in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens to make this November 24 as easy and delicious as possible.

Now, instead of deep-cleaning your apartment to meet those far-flung relatives (and their expectations), you can spend the night before in a more festive way—say watching the inflation of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons. After all, what could be of a more New York City Thanksgiving experience than that?

Prenatal Massage: 7 Top Spots for Moms in Manhattan

Submitted by Diana Kim on

Therapeutic massage offers both physical and psychological benefits for an expectant mother. It's a great way to relax, feel good, and help relieve many of the aches and stress of pregnancy, especially for NYC mamas who are hoofing it all over town and up and down those subway stairs.

We recently rounded up great options for prenatal massage in Brooklyn, and now we're spotlighting places in Manhattan where you can enjoy the healing and soothing benefits of prenatal massage. All offer side-lying positions and some also have special pillows and tables that allow you to lie face down, even with a pregnant belly.

Check out our NYC Baby and Pregnancy Guide for more new mom info, including fun baby and me classes and where to meet other parents.

New Cinderella Rocks Sneakers, Sisters in Drag and Inner Beauty

Submitted by Diana Kim on

We've probably all seen at least one production of Cinderella, whether in film form or onstage. But have you ever seen the fairy godmother roll in on skates? Or the evil stepsisters played in drag? The Commedia Cinderella, presented by Ragtag Theatre Company, is a raucous and rambunctious adaption on the timeless fairy tale. From a furry, colorful sneaker in lieu of a glass slipper to song and dance numbers performed to pop hits, Commedia Cinderella, kept us in giggles, even if some of the jokes flew right over my kids' heads.

Read on for our full review of this Off-Broadway family show, playing in NYC through mid-summer 2016.

Park Slope with Kids: 50 Things to Do for NYC Families

Submitted by Diana Kim on

It's hard to beat Park Slope when it comes to picking a NYC neighborhood for a day of family fun. As we've posted in the past, Park Slope is a haven for families. With tree- and brownstone-lined streets, high-performing public schools, destination playgrounds, top restaurants and a host of cultural and kids' activities, it's no wonder families have flocked to and stayed in the neighborhood. 

The Slope is a true community: Local shopkeepers know their regulars by name, neighbors sit and chat on their front stoops and parents share info and swap baby items on the massive online board Park Slope Parents. For our purposes, we're defining Park Slope as Prospect Park West to Fourth Avenue and Flatbush Avenue to 15th Street. Here are our top 50 things to do with kids in Park Slope, from culture to eating, shopping and playing.

Check out our Brooklyn Neighborhood Guide for more great places to explore.

'Our City' Exhibit Delves into NYC Neighborhood Ties

Submitted by Diana Kim on

Whether it's Park Slope, Williamsburg, the Upper West Side or Tribeca, we all identify with the unique NYC neighborhoods we call home.

New York City is comprised of numerous diverse neighborhoods each with its own characteristic buildings, vibe and mix of people. A new exhibit called Our City at the Brooklyn Children's Museum features six contemporary artists examining different aspects of neighborhoods and life in New York City.  

Check our NYC Museum Guide for more current art exhibits and tips like FREE times to visit or how to score discounts.

10 Postnatal Workout Classes for NYC Moms

Submitted by Diana Kim on

Getting back into shape after having a baby can be daunting. But we know exercise gives us more energy, encourages a positive body image, and just seems to make us feel better. Don't know where to start? A postnatal exercise class geared toward new moms is a great way to get motivated, meet other new moms, and learn what exercises will help you look like your old self (or better).

We've rounded up 10 postnatal exercise classes in New York City that address the needs of your new body. Many are baby friendly and some offer free or discounted trial classes. As with any new exercise program, check with your doctor for the go-ahead.

Check our NYC Baby Guide from Pregnancy to Preschool for more new mom city info, or find more classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

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