Raven Snook

Raven is a writer, editor, performer and mom, who was born and bred in NYC, just like her husband, her mother and now, her daughter. As a writer, she's contributed articles to New York Magazine, Time Out New York, The Village Voice, the New York Post, TV Guide, Better Homes and Gardens, iVillage, AOL TV and Moviefone, Parents.com, and worked as an in-house editor for ParentsConnect.com and TimeOutKids.com. As a performer, she's appeared on many downtown stages (sometimes even for pay!), a couple of obscure films and TV shows, and The Maury Povich Show as a female drag queen. She's also the founder of Hot Mama Burlesque, the world's only all-moms burlesque show. After being the NYC editor from March 2011-March 2015, she is now happy to just be a blogger as she pursues additional writing opportunities.

Latest posts by Raven Snook

Inside Out Parent Review: Is Pixar's Amazing New Movie Good for All Ages?

Submitted by Raven Snook on Wed, 06/17/2015 - 12:31pm

There was a time when the release of any Pixar movie seemed like a major event. Even before I became a mom, I ran to the theater on opening weekend to see Toy Story 1 and 2, Finding Nemo and Monsters, Inc. After my daughter was born, we enjoyed WALL-E, Up and Toy Story 3 together. But I admit, our Pixar fever waned a bit over the past few years, perhaps due to increased animation competition, or maybe it was just those awful Planes movies (technically not Pixar flicks, but spun off from Cars). So my 9-year-old kid and I were thrilled to discover that Pixar's brand-new adventure, Inside Out, harks back to the studio's best work. It's got Toy Story's perfectly balanced blend of wistfulness and whimsy, mixed with a surreal, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind-style take on the complex emotions and memories that make us tick.

At the advance screening we attended, kids and grown-ups were enthralled—even the group of rowdy teens in front of us stopped texting, they were so into it. At times, each group laughed out loud (or cried) at different scenes, proof that the movie works on multiple levels. And yet, even though this is the first must-see family film of the summer, is it good for all ages? It's rated PG for a reason, so here's what you need to know before taking young children to see Inside Out.

10 Ways to Celebrate Father's Day in NYC, Chosen by Real-Life Dads

Submitted by Raven Snook on Mon, 06/15/2015 - 5:17pm

Father's Day is supposed to be all about dad, and yet, every year when I ask my husband how he wants to mark the occasion, he replies, "Whatever you want, honey." Agreeable, sure, but helpful? Nope. So this year I decided to turn to the experts for advice: all the other dads I know.

I gave them two rules for their Father's Day wish lists—keep it PG and include the whole family. The result was an eclectic list of fantastic (and many FREE) ways to celebrate Father's Day in New York City that both parents and kids can enjoy. Even better, many of these ideas aren't unique to this Sunday—you can try most of them anytime. So whether you're a partner left to plan the big day or a father looking for inspiration, here are 10 things real-life dads would love to do on Father's Day in NYC.

5 NYC Playgrounds with Artwork by Famous Artists: Awesome Kid Photo Ops

Submitted by Raven Snook on Tue, 06/02/2015 - 1:26pm

New York City overflows with art. From world-class museums to offbeat public art installations, you can find creativity all around town. But there's one place you might not think to look: the playground. Turns out a handful of famous NYC artists designed permanent play structures and murals for some local playgrounds. While I'll admit they're not necessarily active play destinations, these romping spots are definitely worth a visit if you want to snap a few amazing, only-in-NYC pics of your kid in front of works by the likes of late graffiti great Keith Haring and sculptor Tom Otterness.

See Immersive Art in Central Park & Snag Some Free Ice Cream

Submitted by Raven Snook on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 5:20pm

My 9-year-old may not have a big backyard like her suburban peers, but she does have Central Park. The northeastern corner of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux's 843-acre masterpiece is literally across the street from our apartment. But while it's got some amazing attractions, like the recently renovated East 110th Street Playground, the Lasker Rink and Pool, the Harlem Meer for catch-and-release fishing and the gorgeous Conservatory Garden, this part of the park isn't as well known as the rest. That's why the Central Park Conservancy decided to make it the setting for Drifting in Daylight, a new immersive pubic art installation celebrating the nonprofit's 35th anniversary.

The Conservancy collaborated with Creative Time to curate eight site-specific works of art, including special performances and experiences, that complement this serene section of Central Park. Some are so subtle, you and your kids may not even notice them! And that's exactly the point. Drifting in Daylight isn't about spectacle; it's about creating memories. From listening to soothing classical music, to watching recreations of famous movie scenes, to indulging in FREE ice cream (definitely the kid-friendliest piece of the bunch), Drifting in Daylight is a great reason to discover (or revisit) northern Central Park with kids.

Celebrating Mother's Day in NYC: 15 Awesome Family Outings Chosen by Real-Life Moms

Submitted by Raven Snook on Mon, 05/04/2015 - 4:41pm

For busy moms who already spend so much time planning fun and enriching activities for their families, Mother's Day can feel like yet another chore. Sure, a fancy or even not-so-fancy Mother's Day brunch is nice and easy to organize. But finding cool activities for the rest of the day that both the kids and mom will truly enjoy? That's not so simple.

So this year we turned to the experts, our fellow mamas, for inspiration. We asked our readers and bloggers to share their favorite things to do on Mother's Day and while it's true many said, "Sleep!," others had some pretty creative and memorable ways to celebrate with their families. Best of all, these ideas aren't unique to Mother's Day—you can try most of them anytime. I've always said Mother's Day should be a monthly holiday.

9 Morningside Heights Places to Play: Parks, Landscaped Grounds & a Drop-in Play Space

Submitted by Raven Snook on Tue, 04/21/2015 - 4:00pm

We finish up our series of posts on Morningside Heights with a roundup of the best places to play in the area, both outside and indoors. Considering its relatively small size, the neighborhood has an impressive number of green spaces, from traditional parks and playgrounds, to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine's gorgeous grounds and Columbia University's campus, which are both open to the public. And if it's rainy or cold outside, there are a handful of indoor romping spots, including Manhattan's least expensive drop-in play space. Here are our top nine places to play in Morningside Heights.

Bronx Culture Trolley: A Fun and Free Way to Explore the South Bronx

Submitted by Raven Snook on Wed, 04/15/2015 - 2:19pm

Taking a trip on the Bronx Culture Trolley had been on my activity wish list forever (along with things like visiting the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, swimming at Jacob Riis beach and getting a full eight hours of sleep). So earlier this month on a drizzly afternoon, I decided to finally cross it off. My five-year-old daughter and I put on our raincoats, grabbed her sketch book and headed up to Hostos Community College to catch the old-fashioned, green-and-red ride.

The free trolley, which is sponsored by the Bronx Council on the Arts, offers hop-on-hop-off service to various culture spots in the borough, and it’s great for art-loving families. We wrote about it back in 2007, when it used to leave from midtown Manhattan and go to famous institutions like the Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden and Little Italy on Arthur Avenue. These days, the trolley departs on the first Wednesday of every month from the Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College (easily accessible by the 2, 4 and 5 subways), and makes a loop through the South Bronx, stopping at lesser known but vibrant places like the Pregones Theater, BronxArtSpace and the Bronx Museum of the Arts.

If you’ve never been to the area (or heck, the borough!), this is a fun and free way to sample a bit of what the Bronx has to offer—beyond the Yankees and the zoo.

Mother's Day Brunch in NYC 2015: Mama's Choice

Submitted by Raven Snook on Fri, 03/27/2015 - 4:00pm

Figuring out where to eat on Mother's Day always gives me heartburn. Trying to find a place that will please me, my husband, my 9-year-old and my own mother (since she lives in NYC, too) is quite a challenge.

So this year, instead of stressing out about where I'll end up on Sunday, May 10, I decided to turn to the experts: my fellow NYC moms. In addition to updating our list of fancy Mother's Day brunch spots in New York City, we asked our always knowledgeable Mommy Poppins readers to recommend their favorite restaurants for the holiday—or any day.

For even more family-friendly brunch suggestions, check out our NYC Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.

Raven Snook

Raven Snook

Latest posts by Raven Snook

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