Mona Kayhan

Latest posts by Mona Kayhan

Industry City's New Pop-Up Mini Golf Course Is a Hole in One

Submitted by Mona Kayhan on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 11:30am

Industry City's Sunset Park has recently earned a little buzz as trendy food stalls, shops, and art and entertainment move in. This summer it ups the family-friendly appeal with a brand-new pop-up mini golf course (NYC's first new one in some years), ping pong, and concerts, all part of its "Summer Spree" programming launched May 20.

I've visited the 6-million-square-foot mixed-use space in this Brooklyn neighborhood a few times over the last couple years, but this is the first time I've thought of it as a destination for my family. But my pre-K-age kid had such a blast with the Brooklyn-themed mini golf and racing around the spacious outdoor courtyards that we've already made a family pact to make it a regular destination.

Sweet Mother’s Day Brunch Spots in Brooklyn for Kids and Mom

Submitted by Mona Kayhan on Thu, 04/27/2017 - 5:00pm

Celebrating mom with a special brunch is a time-honored tradition. This year we’ve rounded up 11 of our favorite Brooklyn restaurants, where the food is outstanding and the vibe is special yet still family friendly. Mark your calendars: Mother's Day is Sunday, May 14.

Each of our picks serves a standout brunch—and offers high chairs. Be sure to reserve or show up early as these spots fill up quickly. If you’ve got young kids in tow, consider packing a few snacks and small toys to keep them busy while you wait to be seated.

Need more ideas? Check out our suggestions for Mother's Day brunch in Manhattan or in Queens.

Persian New Year Events to Celebrate with NYC Kids

Submitted by Mona Kayhan on Sun, 03/12/2017 - 3:00pm

This year, March 21 is the second official day of spring, but also the holiday of Nowruz (new day), the Iranian, or Persian, New Year. For those unfamiliar with the tradition, this 3,000-year old holiday, celebrated at the time of the vernal equinox, is rooted in the pre-Islamic traditions of the Zoroastrian religion. Friends and family spend quality time together and enjoy delicious Persian food. Houses are deep-cleaned, gifts are exchanged, and symbolic traditions are brought to life.

In New York City, there are family-friendly Nowruz-themed events galore to ring in spring in a truly unique and memorable way. Here are seven great ways to celebrate Nowruz with your little globalists, exposing them to a beautiful and centuries-old culture.

Looking to learn more about Muslim culture? Take little ones to the America to Zanzibar interactive exhibit on Muslim cultures across the globe. It was recently extended for another year.

Wilderness Camp Exhibit Offers Woodsy Play in Brooklyn

Submitted by Mona Kayhan on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 11:00am

Dreaming of summer camping with the family? While a winter campout strikes us as bit chilly, kids with the nature bug can check out an indoor camping-inspired art experience that just opened this winter at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.

Wilderness Camp, the latest installation by Staten Island artist Tattfoo Tan, celebrates the natural world and sets kids on a discovery voyage, complete with camping gear like a flashlight and tents. Mini skills workshops like knot tying are also taking place with the exhibit.

Read on for our full review, and find more winter art in our NYC Museum Guide, including the just opened Hello from Japan!

Broadway Playhouse: Interactive Musical Theater for NYC Kids

Submitted by Mona Kayhan on Fri, 02/10/2017 - 12:00pm

A trip to Broadway is always a treat, and one I can't wait to enjoy with my son—when he's a little older! Still, this is NYC, so of course there's a great show for everyone. The Broadway Playhouse, an NYC institution gently introduces kids ages 4-11 to the fun of Broadway by incorporating interactive elements into each performance, including sing-alongs, games, and even discussions with the actors.

It sounded just about right for my music-loving family, enough so that we made the trek from Brooklyn to the Upper West Side with a toddler in tow for a special kid-friendly tribute to the legendary Jazz Age songwriting duo, George and Ira Gershwin.

Family Dance Party: A NYC Kindie Band Playlist for Kids

Submitted by Mona Kayhan on Tue, 01/31/2017 - 11:06am

There's no doubt about it: The kindie band movement is thriving in New York City. Although I make it a point to expose my son to kid-friendly “grown-up” music, I also have a soft spot for kindie bands—even hopping on the bandwagon and heading Putumayo Kids and producing Kindiefest, Brooklyn’s Family Music Conference.

For those of you new to the kindie music scene—or well-versed but looking for some variety—I've pulled together a curated list of my top picks for NYC-based artists available for streaming on both Pandora and Spotify. Of course, these artists reflect the multicultural city that New York is and draw on their many diverse backgrounds, producing bilingual and global tunes.

Got a little music fan? Find upcoming NYC kindie band concerts, including these artists below, in our Event Calendar, or check out these parent and me baby music classes. The big kids might consider music camp, too!

Preschooler Fun in NYC this Winter: 25 Top Events

Submitted by Mona Kayhan on Fri, 01/13/2017 - 4:30pm

Winter in the Big Apple can seem daunting when you have a preschooler in tow. Luckily, the winter season is full of tot-friendly fun throughout the city, from kid-friendly MLK celebrations, to museum exhibits, live concerts designed for young ears, loads of theater, and so much more.

To help make your planning easier—and curb that urban cabin fever—we've rounded up more than two dozen top event picks for outings with kids under the age of 5. For more ideas, be sure to check out Winter Fun Guide, January GoList, and daily Event Calendar.

A Lego Pop-Up Has Landed in Brooklyn for the Holidays

Submitted by Mona Kayhan on Tue, 12/13/2016 - 12:00pm

An interactive Lego pop-up play zone from the folks behind Brick Fest Live opened in Downtown Brooklyn last weekend for a limited two-week engagement. You'll find Legos to play and build with, video games, a Lego block pit, walk-through exhibits made of Legos, collaborative projects, a Star Wars theme, and yes, shopping options. I visited with my 3.5 year old son over the weekend, so read on for what he (and I) thought of it!

The 1,500-square-foot Lego Holiday Experience is located in Brooklyn’s new City Point Brooklyn, an ongoing development project set to house a Target, Trader Joe’s, movie theater, giant food court, and other retail stores. While the website says it’s “open now," the only store that is actually open is Century 21 and this LEGO pop-up, so don’t count on getting food or much shopping done inside of the complex.