Another fun month at Mommy Poppins:
I was interviewed for a fun article about how to not spoil your kids during the holidays that ran all over the country. I even had some country radio guys in Minnesota try to trick me into coming onto their morning zoo show so they could make farting sounds at […]

Filed under: Top Posts | 2 Comments »

Worrying about lead paint, the environment, and the extinction of small, local businesses and artisans is not the only reason to look for alternatives to big box stores and toys. How about the pure pleasure of giving and having absolutely melt-in-your-mouth beautiful, simple, hand-crafted, heirloom toys that will inspire kids to use their imaginations and […]

Filed under: Giveaways, Other Sites, Stores, Toys | 66 Comments »

Big movies for Little Kids
Playground season is (slowly) winding to a close and it’s time to figure out how to entertain your little New Yorkers during the cold winter days. Fortunately there are free movies for little kids all around New York City.
Sony Wonder Technology Lab
Movies are completely free in the Sony Wonder Labs […]

Filed under: By Age: Little Kids, By Age: Toddler, By Area: Brooklyn, By Area: Downtown, Film, Free Activities, Indoor Activities, Performances | 1 Comment »

photo by slapjack
—or how to get the biggest, nicest, cheapest Xmas tree in NYC
This morning they were setting up the Christmas tree stall on the corner of our school’s block and my kids ooh’ed and ahh’ed at the gorgeous, giant trees. The light rain made walking past them smell fabulous. Even for a Grinch like […]

Filed under: Holidays, Other Sites, Services | 2 Comments »

photo by misocrazy
This Holiday season seems more fraught than any other for some reason. Maybe it’s the whole Chinese Year of the Recall debacle. Maybe it’s just the cumulation of years of increasing commercialization. Either way, I think a lot of people are starting to feel like it’s time to push back a little bit.
I […]

Filed under: Holidays | 5 Comments »

While the masses are distracted with the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting on November 28, you can sneak off to these much more interesting Holiday lighting events:
South Street Seaport Chorus Tree Lighting
The South Street Seaport Christmas Tree stands over 50 feet high and will be lit tonight, Friday, November 24th, at 6 PM. The […]

Filed under: Holidays | No Comments »

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Photo by PapaPaolo
I’m sure most of us have closets full of toys that our kids barely touch. Wouldn’t it be nice to […]

Filed under: Events, Holidays | 2 Comments »

Wondering what to do with your kids for the long Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend? How about visiting some of the amazing holiday train shows. The one at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is outstanding and Granny Poppins gives you the inside scoop on how to make it into a perfect day for everyone. […]

Filed under: Holidays | 1 Comment »

Christmas Windows at Saks 2006 — Photo by John Morton
It doesn’t matter if you live in New York or just come to visit, New York City is a great place to treat kids to all kinds of fun. Just in time for all those visiting relatives, we’re going to be exploring all the special stuff […]

Filed under: Free Activities, Holidays, Neighborhood Excursions | 2 Comments »

There are lots of places to go ice skating in New York if you don’t mind waiting on line and skating shoulder to shoulder with rowdy teenagers. We’ve picked out the best places to ice skate with kids in NYC where you can avoid the lines and the crowds. All of these places offer skating […]

Filed under: By Age: Big Kids, By Age: Little Kids, By Area: Brooklyn, By Area: Downtown, By Area: Uptown, Free Activities, Outdoor Activities, Sports | 6 Comments »