Drew Kristofik

Drew Kristofik's early career editing teen magazines somehow morphed into a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a very long sojourn at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick online and then Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com local. She was a founding member of the WebbyAward winning GoCityKids, has written for Family Fun Magazine, Vanity Fair, and New York, and her novel for middle schoolers, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. She strives to keep the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar packed and accurate, and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Drew

Drive-In Movie Theaters Near DC, Plus More Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 05/13/2022 - 9:11am

You'll love the retro feel of the Family Drive-in Theatre. Photo courtesy of the theatre on Facebook

Watching a movie is a fun family activity no matter where and when you do it. But watching a movie outdoors on a warm summer evening? That's downright magical.

While drive-in movie theaters were all the rage in the past (and made a temporary resurgence in the first two years of the pandemic), few remain in the DC area. The ones that do are worth a visit. We've listed four drive-in movie theaters near DC below, along with some of our top picks for outdoor movies under the stars. Pack a picnic, load up the car, and get ready to cozy up for a drive-in or outdoor movie night with the kids.

For more fun al fresco this spring and summer, check out our spring fun guide and our summer activities guide for DC kids. And of course, we are constantly adding more fun things to do to our DC events calendar!

Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari Brings Dinos Roaring Back to Life

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 04/15/2022 - 9:55am

The Bronx Zoo's Dinosaur Safari presents prehistoric beasts in life-like scenes on a 1/4-mile walk-through trail.

They roar, brandish their teeth, and swing their tails and claws at you, but these prehistoric giants can't hurt anyone. They’re all part of the Dinosaur Safari at the Bronx Zoo, which opened on Monday, April 11, just in time to land on our list of the top things to do during spring break.

If you visited the last Dinosaur Safari at the Bronx Zoo, take note: The wagon ride has been replaced with a walk-through experience, following a trail through a prehistoric-themed display featuring 52 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs. Read on for all the details on this fun revamped attraction for kids at the Bronx Zoo, including how to get tickets and must-know tips for families.

St. Patrick's Day 2022 in NYC: Parades and Kid-Friendly Events

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 03/04/2022 - 12:27pm

The big St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of the many things to do in NYC to celebrate the holiday. Photo by Marine Corps NYC via Flickr

If your days of celebrating until you're green around the gills on St. Patrick's Day are a distant memory, don't worry: There are plenty of kid-friendly ways to mark St. Patrick's Day in NYC this March. After all, everyone feels a wee bit Irish around the holiday. Best of all? Most of these festivities are FREE.

St. Patrick's Day falls on Thursday, March 17, but it's really a month-long celebration, with the Queens County Rockaway Parade kicking things off Saturday, March 5, and the final procession taking place in Bay Ridge on Saturday, March 27. In addition to St. Patrick's Day parades in all five boroughs, there are family fests, step-dancing performances (and lessons), plus food workshops and kids' flicks.

Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate Irish culture and St. Patrick's Day in NYC. Sláinte!

Popular Upper East Side Preschools and How to Choose the Best One for Your Kid

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Tue, 01/11/2022 - 6:54pm

Preschoolers at All Souls get plenty of play time to romp on the rooftop playground. Photo courtesy of the school

The great preschool hunt might seem especially daunting these days, but schools are stepping up to help parents through the process, offering everything from videotaped interviews to virtual tours. And while preschool spots are always in high demand on the Upper East Side, this might actually be the perfect time to score a spot at some of the most sought-after early childhood schools. Remember that some preschools still require you to apply in September the year before your child enrolls, after which you'll be invited to visit and confirm your interest in the school (some have early admissions and wait lists!), with final acceptance letters going out in February or March. In short, there's no time like the present to get the process started.

We've rounded up some of the top preschools on the Upper East Side below and broken them down into categories to help you decide which may be best for your family. Your odds of finding a comfortable fit for your family are excellent. We've also compiled our best preschool admissions tips as well as 10 questions to ask during a preschool tour, and don't forget that our Preschools Directory is an excellent resource.

Chinese Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in NYC

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Mon, 12/20/2021 - 5:01pm

Mazu's modern Szechuan menu packs a punch, and parents can appreciate its signature cocktails.

It is a tradition among many of our friends—and not only the Jewish ones—to order Chinese food on Christmas Day. It makes perfect sense: You're exhausted from staying up all night trying to conjure up holiday magic, so why not have something everyone loves delivered to your door? If you don't celebrate Christmas, a day when just about everything is closed is still an excellent excuse to order in from one of these Chinese restaurants open on Christmas and watch family movies.

While you might already have your own "go-to" local restaurants on speed dial, we've rounded up a bunch of particularly good ones to share with you. If you're looking for a more traditional holiday feast, consider these restaurants open on Christmas serving everything from holiday ham to the Feast of the Seven fishes.

Where to See Holiday Concerts and Sing Christmas Carols in NYC This Season

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 12:23pm

Sing Christmas carols during the annual winter edition of Make Music New York this holiday season. Photo courtesy of Make Music New York

Crooning Christmas carols on a brisk evening in the company of neighbors, pals, or friendly strangers is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season. Carolers of all levels mingle at these events—even the occasional Broadway star has been spotted from time to time—to serenade the city with a message of peace and joy. We've rounded up more than a dozen gatherings where you can literally sing in the holidays, and don't forget to check out all of the Christmas tree lightings—they often include caroling in their programs, too

If you'd rather just listen, consider booking tickets to a holiday concert to get everyone in the spirit. We've got our top picks for those, plus, we couldn't resist including a collection of NYC's many salutes to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

However you spend the holidays, we wish you all the joy of the season. Don't forget to check our Family Activity Calendar and Guide to Holiday Events for more seasonal picks.

Free Outdoor Movies in NYC This October

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 10:25am

Jack Skellington gives a new meaning to Christmas Spirit in The Nightmare Before Christmas, which is one of the free outdoor movies streaming in NYC this October.

New York City's FREE summer movie season is anticipated annually, but in 2021 New Yorkers are in for a special treat! The FREE outdoor movies are extending well into the fall. There are enough FREE outdoor movies playing in October, they warrant a list of their own. Our list of FREE outdoor movies playing this October includes the SHOCKTOBERFEST series in Brooklyn, which offers screenings in some of our favorite parks and playgrounds.

Movies usually begin when evening falls, so take note of the earlier showtimes this season. Plan to arrive early to stake out a good viewing spot. Even if your local park is screening a flick you've watched a dozen times before, it's a totally different experience viewing it in the open air alongside other fans. It's a thrilling, communal event, and a rite of passage for New Yorkers of all ages. Plan to practice social distancing and bring your masks; they're required for the unvaccinated.

Best Dance Classes for Kids Near DC

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Sun, 08/08/2021 - 8:00am

Unlock your child's love of dance at a DC-area class or studio. Photo by Jay Williams

One perk of raising children in the DC area is the volume of high-quality classes for kids. If you have a budding ballerina or Baryshnikov—or a kid who wants to learn some smooth K-pop moves at an area dance class—have no fear. We have all the info on dance classes for kids and toddlers near DC.