Sarah Gonser - NYC Writer
Sarah is a Brooklyn-based health, education and parenting journalist. A former business reporter, she finds writing about parenting and kid-related happenings a whole lot more fun and engaging. She loves the flexibility of freelance writing as it leaves plenty of opportunities (between deadlines) to spend quality time with her two sons. With Prospect Park their daily stomping grounds and Manhattan just a few subway stops away, she and her husband feel lucky to be raising their kids in NYC.
Sarah's Latest Gallery Posts on Mommy Poppins:
Fort Tryon Park & Fort Washington Park
New Williamsburg Play Space: Twinkle
New Drop-In Art Space in Bed-Stuy
Three Brooklyn Museums You've Never Heard Of
Fort Greene Clinton Hill: 35 Things to Do for NYC Families
Submitted by Sarah G on
The annual World Science Festival opens June 1 at venues across New York City. Now in its ninth year, the festival adds to its already engaging, kid-friendly lineup a new traveling, interactive mini-fest that debuts in the Bronx and will continue on to other boroughs later this spring.
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Whether your kid is just learning to ollie or is an advanced skater perfecting her frontside noseslide, there are plenty of skateboarding masters around NYC ready to teach the next generation.
We rounded up six great skateboarding classes where kids ages 4 and up can hone their skills from Manhattan to Staten Island, and of course, Brooklyn. Worried about this new sport involving possible asphalt face-plants that your kid is hounding you about? Well, it’s also a great workout, building strength, flexibility and coordination—oh, and a decent mode of transportation!
Find more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.
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Williamsburg might still be Brooklyn's hipster haven, but it's also filled with baby boutiques, play spaces and other family attractions, including a slew of cool kid-friendly restaurants. Back in my single childless days, I lived in Williamsburg for a decade. I probably saw two strollers during that entire time. OK, that's a slight exaggeration. Still, much has changed in Williamsburg over the past few years. McCarren Park is often the center of neighborhood family activities, and there's a new Museum of Food and Drink that hosts kid workshops.
Even with the new family vibe, it can be intimidating to saddle up to any NYC restaurant with kids in tow. Sometimes you just pray they'll let you in without THAT face. But actually we had a hard time whittling down our list of family favorite dining spots in this hood! Our 15 picks all feature delicious eats for kids (and adults, of course), low-key or welcoming atmospheres, high chairs or boosters and sometimes even changing tables. From A-Z, read on for our our top places to eat with kids in Williamsburg.
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A pole and aerial dance studio does not sound like the most G-rated spot for a Sunday morning kids class. As a parent, a visit to Body & Pole’s website certainly didn’t instill optimism: the color scheme, the photos, the skimpy outfits all seemed to translate into a not-so-kid-friendly vibe—but boy was I wrong.
We’ve written about circus arts, trapeze classes for children and even rhythmic gymnastics, but we’ve yet to review a kids aerial class, where the session next-door might be adults-only Hammock Fluidity or Aerial Contortion. With my brave 9-year-old in tow, we decided to give it a whirl.
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We've rounded up 14 of the city's best spring events for the preschooler and toddler set just as we near the end (we hope) of sub-zero temps and snow! We've included buzzy shows like Peppa Pig Live!, mellow but lovely performances like Curious George: The Golden Meatball, the always blow-your-socks-off Sakura Matsuri spring festival, a preschooler-friendly ballet and much more happening in April and May 2016 for New York City's younger kids.
Even more family springtime entertainment ideas can be found in our 2016 GoList, March GoList and our Event Calendar.
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Pregnancy, for all its blissful reward, takes an undeniable physical toll on a woman’s body. Along with regular prenatal care, a top-notch therapeutic massage can work wonders to relieve muscle aches, reduce swelling and lower stress and anxiety for the mama-to-be. Not to mention growing humans is hard work and opportunities to indulge should never be passed up.
With the aches and pains of pregnancy still vivid in our minds, we rounded up six of our favorite Brooklyn prenatal massage spots. Among our picks, Swedish massage, with its focus on gentle muscle relaxation and boosting blood and lymphatic circulation, is often the prenatal massage therapy of choice, with add-on services available. Check out our NYC Baby Guide for more pre- and postnatal tips and services.
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School-age kids with an interest in food—its history, culture and the science behind its production—won't want to miss the Museum of Food and Drink at its first (although temporary) brick-and-mortar location in Williamsburg, near McCarren Park, in Brooklyn.
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Looking for a creative art class for your toddler or preschooler without a long-term commitment? Drop-in classes are often the perfect solution for little kid entertainment. We pulled together six great drop-in art options in Brooklyn for budding Picassos eager to go beyond finger paints and crayons at home. These artsy spots provide all kinds of materials and guide tots as they explore art and have fun creating their own masterpieces.
Looking for more options? Check out our Classes Guide and Directory. Our Indoor Activity Guide has even more craft options.
