Rosalind Muggeridge

When not busy trekking across NYC with her two little explorers in tow, Rosalind Muggeridge is covering events for Mommy Poppins for Brooklyn and Queens. Her career includes 10 years in the nonprofit world followed by four years as the events editor at Brooklyn Parent Magazine. She can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Rosalind

Best Neighborhood Christmas Lights Displays and Holiday Lights in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Fri, 11/17/2023 - 9:40am

Enjoy the magic of Christmas in Dyker Heights as the neighborhood lights up for the festive season. Photo courtesy of Dyker Heights Lights

Every year it seems the Christmas light installations in New York City get more elaborate, making a visit to the top holiday lights displays a must-do seasonal activity.

We've rounded up the best holiday lights displays in NYC. Most of these attractions are in the far-flung stretches of the five boroughs, such as Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, the Rockaways and Howard Beach in Queens, and on Staten Island, but all of these holiday houses are worth the trip.

So, start your own holiday tradition this year by checking out these spectacular Christmas lights when dusk hits. To find more seasonal fun, visit our NYC Kids' Guide to Holiday Fun.

What's Open Thanksgiving Day in NYC: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Mon, 11/13/2023 - 5:33pm

Bring your skates and you can hit the ice for free at Bryant Park. Photo by Colin Miller for the Winter Village

Whether you're a local or a visitor, you may be wondering what's open on Thanksgiving Day in NYC. Once you've watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float through town, this list of fun things to do on Thanksgiving Day in NYC is filled with kid-friendly activities that go beyond feasting on turkey.

All our top picks for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend can be found in our Guide to Thanksgiving in New York City. From all of us at Mommy Poppins, we're wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving. We're grateful you're here with us.

NYC Hotels with Views of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Thu, 10/12/2023 - 12:45pm

Take in views of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at the JW Marriott Essex House New York.

Chances are you're not even thinking about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade yet. After all, we still have Halloween to get through! But anyone familiar with NYC hotels will tell families looking to book an NYC hotel room where they can watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2023 to begin doing so up to a year ahead of time. If you want to score one of these NYC hotels with a view of Snoopy, Spidey, Hello Kitty, and their friends, you've got to plan in advance.

It's not just NYC tourists who splurge on hotels for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over the past few years, we've had many New Yorkers write in asking which NYC hotels look out on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route. While some of these NYC hotels still have availability as of this writing, call right away, as everything will likely sell out. If you do get shut out, it's worth checking closer to Thanksgiving since there are sometimes last-minute cancelations.

Brooklyn Children's Museum Guide: Everything You Need to Know for Your Visit

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Thu, 09/21/2023 - 4:47pm

There's art as far as the eye can see in the ColorLab at the Brooklyn Children's Museum.

As the world’s first children’s museum, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum has been a beloved NYC destination since 1899. This Crown Heights institution offers three floors of rotating and permanent interactive exhibits plus hands-on cultural and science programs for little ones, ages 6 months to 10 years. The Brooklyn Children's Museum aims to inspire children to ask questions and discover answers through exploration and play.

My children and I have spent countless hours in the Totally Tots exhibit and graduated to explore all the Brooklyn Children's Museum offers. Read on to learn why the Brooklyn Children's Museum is one of our top NYC museums for kids, and find all our top culture spots in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC for Kids.

43 Things To Do on a Rainy Day Indoors in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Fri, 09/15/2023 - 12:42pm

Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier

Next time it rains, bring the fun inside with one of these 43 indoor activities in NYC. Our list of rainy day activities for kids brightens up even the dreariest day. We've included picks for NYC's most kid-friendly museums, fun stores where kids can play, and plenty more parent-tested picks.

Of course, if you'd rather stay cozy at home, we’ve got you covered there, too, with creative indoor activities in our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids.

17 Swim Lessons in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Sun, 08/13/2023 - 6:46am

Swimming lessons start as young as 7 months at Commonpoint Queens, which uses the Red Cross curriculum. Photo courtesy of the venue

When it comes to swimming lessons in NYC, we've rounded up 17 local organizations offering swim lessons whether you're looking to give your kids a refresher or introduce them to the water for the first time.

From swimming lessons in Manhattan to swimming lessons in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, many of these local swim schools have multiple locations. We've found swimming lessons in NYC that offer everything from mommy-and-me swim classes for babies and toddlers to private swim lessons and even competitive swim teams for big kids.

You can find more swimming lessons in NYC for kids, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our NYC Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

25 Things To Do on Father's Day in NYC

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Thu, 06/08/2023 - 11:56am

Pack a picnic and enjoy an alfresco lunch with dad at Wave Hill on Father's Day. Photo courtesy of Wave Hill

If you're looking for things to do on Father's Day, you've come to the right place. This year, Father's Day falls on Sunday, January 18, and it's time to start scheming on how to celebrate the dads, grandpas, and father figures in our lives. We've found 25 kid-and-dad-approved things to do in NYC that are sure your make Father's Day extra special.

If you're thinking about taking the Father's Day party outside the city, be sure to peruse our Guide to Day Trips or our Theme Parks Guide for lots of great ideas.

Free in June: 51 Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on Thu, 06/01/2023 - 4:33pm

Lincoln Center’s Family Programming takes center stage at Summer for the City this June. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center

June marks the kick off to the summer season and its free things to do in NYC. From the Lower East Side's Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival to the Mermaid Parade on Coney Island, plus lots of Juneteenth and Pride events, we've found 50 family-friendly free things to do in NYC this June with kids.

Find more fun this month on our list of the best things to do this June and bookmark our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide for even more top picks.