Kimberly Rae Miller

Kimberly Rae Miller is the best-selling author of the memoirs Coming Clean and Beautiful Bodies. Before making little humans, she made her mark as an award-winning health and fitness writer, with credits in AARP, SELF, Women’s Health, Dr. Oz the Good Life, and Eat This! Not That!, among others. With her two tots in tow, she’s ventured into more mom related musings, with a regular column in Cal Grocer Magazine as the Mommy Blogger, Scary Mommy, and of course Mommy Poppins. She can be reached at kim@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Kimberly Rae

Toys Sure to Entertain Kids for Hours and Hours Again and Again

Submitted by Kimberly Rae Miller on Tue, 05/19/2020 - 12:50pm

Toys dominate the landscape in any family home, yet hardly any toys get played with for more than a few minutes before cries of, "I'm boooooored!" echo down hallways and through walls. As long as there have been families, parents have searched for the perfect toy, the one that one keeps children entertained for hours. This quest is perhaps magnified now more than ever, as we're all sheltering at home.

We've surveyed our friends and family, conferred with colleagues, and our social media audience and asked them all the same question: What toys keep your kids busy for hours? The answers probably aren't too surprising to longtime parents. The gimmicky toys your kids just have to have didn't make our list of all-star toys. Instead, here are 12 classics that did. All of these highly recommended picks force kids to use their imaginations and build worlds of their own, which, in turn, translates to more extended playtime, and a little more peace for parents.

For more ways to keep kids busy at home, visit our Stay-at-Home Guide, which is filled with boredom busters and hundreds of things to do with kids of all ages. We've also got parent-tested picks for the best outdoor toys to entertain kids and this great big list of ways to keep kids busy while Mom and Dad are working from home.

6 Secret Recipes Revealed: Disney's Dole Whip, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Ikea Meatballs

Submitted by Kimberly Rae Miller on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 11:46am

Is quarantine making you go a little stir crazy? Do you wish you could go to a restaurant and let someone else cook for your family tonight? Well, while we can't magically make the world reopen, we have the scoop on some family-friendly secret recipes, and we're sharing them with you. Whether you're jonesing for some comforting Swedish meatballs from Ikea's cafe, or want to whisk yourself away on a virtual vacation with a scoop of Disney's iconic Dole Whip, consider whipping up one of these top restaurant recipes in your kitchen.

For more easy-to-make recipes, check out our Mommy Poppins-approved one-pot meals, or bow out and let the kids take over the kitchen and cook our kid-friendly Mother's Day brunch recipes. For more ways to keep kids busy at home, check out our Stay-at-Home Guide and our list of great ways kids can help during coronavirus.

Car Parades, Zoom Calls, Neighborhood Howls, and More: How Families Connect in Quarantine

Submitted by Kimberly Rae Miller on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 1:30pm

Even in the midst of a global pandemic, there are silver linings to be found. As communities across the nation join together in social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19, our creativity and commitment to supporting one another has never been more palpable.

Staying connected may take a little more ingenuity these days, but amidst all the uncertainty, prioritizing and spending time with friends and loved ones is what your kids (and you) will most likely remember from this period.

If you’re looking for ways to stay connected during Coronavirus and show your friends, loved ones, and neighbors that you care, we’ve compiled a great list. For more ways to keep kids busy at home, check out our Stay-at-Home Guide and our list of great ways kids can help during Coronavirus.

March GoList: Best Things to Do with Long Island Kids This Month

Submitted by Kimberly Rae Miller on Sun, 02/23/2020 - 10:00am

In March, we'll bid farewell to all the winter fun (and cabin fever) we've had and welcome in a new season of family fun and mischief on Long Island.

Start the month by going back in time at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park for the Camellia Festival, where the flowers are in prime bloom in the greenhouse, and a magician and barbershop quartet set the mood at historic Coe Hall.

Have you already exhausted all the options on Disney+? Greenport Village Cinema is showing family-friendly films every Saturday night in March. So grab some popcorn and enjoy family movie night in style.

Little train lovers will have a blast at the Thomas & Friends interactive exhibit at the LICM, and hero worshippers can meet (and dress up as) their favorite caped crusader at Superhero Day at the Long Island Aquarium.

Faith and Begorrah, we can't forget about St. Patrick's Day! Whether you're of Irish descent or not, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day. The March calendar is brimming with St. Patrick's Day celebrations to keep you in green all month long.

Start planning your spring shenanigans with our Spring Fun Guide, and be sure to check out our list of tried and true rainy day activities for keeping busy during all those showers for which spring is known.

As always, check out our events calendar for more opportunities as they emerge.

February GoList: The Best Things to Do With Long Island Kids

Submitted by Kimberly Rae Miller on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 5:30am

February doesn't get enough credit. Sure, it's a short month and a little (a lot!) on the chilly side, but there's so much to celebrate. February is one big party, especially this year, when we get an extra day to enjoy.

Start the month off by celebrating the Lunar New Year with Chinese cultural celebrations in Stony Brook, and Port Washington, and Locust Valley. And then quickly find out from Holtsville Hal, Long Island's favorite Groundhog, whether or not to expect an early spring. And don't forget to root for your favorite team on Superbowl Sunday!

Mid-month, we'll celebrate those we care for on Valentine's Day, followed by a week off from school that kids will really love. It's never too early, or too late, to sign them up for enriching President's Week Break classes and camps.

And before things thaw out for good, celebrate the final days of winter at Sag Harbor's annual winter celebration or the inaugural Port Jefferson Village Ice Festival.

For more inspiration to combat those winter blues, visit our Winter Fun Guide. And don't forget that our Long Island Events Calendar offers exciting family options as they develop throughout the month.

Tel Aviv with Kids: 35 Top Things to Do in Tel Aviv

Submitted by Kimberly Rae Miller on Sat, 01/18/2020 - 2:39pm

A trip to Tel Aviv delivers crystal clear beaches, mindblowing museums, history and modernism meeting on every corner—and some of the best food you’ll ever have. All of it makes Tel Aviv the ultimate blend of beach lounging, historical sightseeing, and urban exploring.

The Israeli city is kid-friendly to boot! My husband is Israeli, so although we live in New York, my family rents an apartment in Tel Aviv for a few weeks every year. Kids are welcome anywhere adults are and public playgrounds are ubiquitous. Just about everyone speaks English, the weather is phenomenal, and the area is super walkable, meaning touring Tel Aviv is easy even with kiddos.

I might be a bit biased when it comes to this beautiful city, but there are plenty of fun things to do in Tel Aviv, so I think it makes a great vacation spot for families. Find more fun cities to visit in our Family Travel Guide, including Stockholm or unique trips, such as exploring Iceland.

Kimberly Rae Miller

Kimberly Rae Miller

Latest posts by Kimberly Rae

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