Sonia Gonzalez

Sonia Gonzalez

Sonia is a veteran editor and writer for Mommy Poppins. She loves exploring greater New York with her husband and their three kids and is always on the looking out for innovative, educational and fun things to do with them. She is thrilled to have this platform to share what she finds with Mommy Poppins readers.

Latest posts by Sonia

Christmas Tree and Menorah Lightings for Holidays in Westchester

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Sun, 11/18/2018 - 1:56pm

Get into the holiday spirit at the Cross County Shopping Center Christmas Tree Lighting. Photo courtesy of the shopping center

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to herald its arrival than with the lighting of Christmas trees and menorahs? You don't have to head to Rockefeller Center to enjoy that holiday magic.

Many tree lighting events in Westchester have live music, toasty refreshments, a visit from Santa himself and—in some cases—some extra bells and whistles. Menorah lighting celebrations include parties, music, and plenty of tasty treats.

We’ve rounded up several lighting festivities, ranging from big celebrations to cozy, small-town affairs.

Looking for more seasonal fun? Check out our November GoList and be sure to browse our Event Calendar. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletters to keep up to date on our latest info.

Orchard Beach with Kids: Swimming, Playgrounds, Sports, and Sun

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 9:23am

Orchard Beach Playground is right on the beach!

Affectionately known as the Bronx Riviera, Orchard Beach sits at the northeastern tip of the Bronx, a stone's throw from City Island and part of the larger Pelham Bay Park. This manmade beach on the Long Island Sound stretches just over a mile and spans 115 acres. Love it or hate it, it's the only beach in the Bronx and actually has much to offer families. If you're considering a visit, we've got tips to know before you go, including the best time to visit and what the beach offers beyond sunbathing and swimming.

Pelham Bay Park with Kids: Bike, Hike, Play in the Sand

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 1:30pm

Pelham Bay Park's shady paths are great for scooting, biking, walking, or running.

Pelham Bay Park is the crown jewel of the Bronx. At nearly 3,000 acres, Pelham Bay Park is three times the size of Central Park, and packed with awesome family attractions including Orchard Beach, four playgrounds, miles of paths to bike or hike, tennis courts, mini golf, two nature centers, a horseback riding stable, and a historic 19th-century mansion-turned-museum. How many other NYC parks boast all that? None!

My family and I are lucky enough to live nearby, but even though we've been to Pelham Bay Park countless times, we never tire of visiting. There's so much to do here, you can't possibly cover it all in one day. We've highlighted the best activities and attractions in the park for families in our top 12 ways to enjoy Pelham Bay Park with kids.

Unseen Oceans: Explore Aquatic Wonders at New AMNH Exhibit

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Sun, 03/11/2018 - 3:04pm

With last year's opening of National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey and the much-anticipated opening of Ocean Wonder: Sharks! at the New York Aquarium this summer, there seems to be a renewed interest in our oceans—and with good reason. Oceans cover 70 percent of the earth's surface and new science and technological advances have allowed marine explorers to learn more about our oceans than ever before.

The American Museum of Natural History is at the forefront of oceanic exploration and discovery, and its newest exhibit, Unseen Oceans, is designed to take visitors deep beneath the surface of the sea to a world scientists are just now beginning to understand—all presented in a series of family-friendly, easy to understand, visually stunning galleries.

New NYC Spyscape Museum Offers Global Spy Action for Kids

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Fri, 03/09/2018 - 3:33pm

Calling all junior special-ops hopefuls and history buffs: Spyscape is Midtown Manhattan's newest destination for spy fans. Using immersive technology, interactive challenges, and true stories, this new museum explores the exciting, daring, and groundbreaking work of intelligence agencies and spies worldwide.

My 14-year-old son and I couldn't wait to check it out, and we were not disappointed. This family-friendly destination—not too far from Gulliver's Gate and National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey—offers a unique experience, especially for your older kids and teens. Read on for full details.

The 15 Most Exciting Things Coming to NYC This Year for Kids

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 01/15/2018 - 11:44am

One constant about New York City is that it's always changing. New attractions, shows, exhibitions, and more pop up regularly—it's one reason we love living here, right? As we march into 2018, we are delighted to share some of the new exciting things opening this year in the city for kids and families. Lego Live descends on NYC, new family-friendly Broadway shows are on the horizon, plus fantastic new exhibits come to the American Museum of Natural History and the New-York Historical Society.

Brooklynites have a new kid-friendly play place and a new movie theater to look forward to, not to mention the much-anticipated opening of the New York Aquarium's expanded space and brand-new exhibit.

New or newly renovated parks and playgrounds are also slated to open this year, plus two new routes on the NYC Ferry. We've got details on all this more in our roundup of the best new openings in 2018 for kids and families in New York City.

What to Do on Christmas Day with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Fri, 12/22/2017 - 2:00pm

Looking for some Christmas Day fun? You might find yourself searching for a way to spend the afternoon after the presents have been ripped open—or maybe you don't celebrate Christmas and are looking for some fun activities for your kids. No worries, there are a few things to do in Westchester on Christmas Day.

Read on for some ideas for fun around town, and be sure to sign up for our newsletters to stay in the holiday loop!

20 Best Holiday Events in NYC for Preschool Age Kids

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Thu, 11/23/2017 - 1:00pm

Take a family stroll to see the 2018 holiday window displays at NYC department stores. Photo by Diane Bondareff for AP

New York City's annual transformation into a wonderland of holiday magic never gets old, especially with kids in tow. For preschoolers, however, crowds can be daunting and there's little patience for lines and lots of noise. Still, it's a magical time to introduce toddlers and preschoolers to amazing seasonal spectacles—the lights, music, ballets, trains, Santa, and more.

We've rounded events that cater to the preschool set. From abridged performances to gingerbread mania and interactive events and workshops, there's plenty of holiday magic to go around.

Sonia Gonzalez

Latest posts by Sonia

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