Hudson Valley
Apple Picking Near NYC Especially for Families with Toddlers
Posted on October 2nd, 2008 by mommy
It's the height of apple and pumpkin picking season and the weather is perfect for it. But what about the little ones? We went looking for some of the best places to go apple picking within one hour of New York City that are good for families with toddlers: low down trees so that toddlers can reach the apples from their small stature, plus other fun stuff for kids like hay rides, petting zoos, and more. Read more »
New York Apple Picking and Fall Festivals
Posted on September 21st, 2008 by mommy
[UPDATED: 9/21/08]
Growing up in New York City, one of our family traditions was going apple picking in the Hudson Valley every Fall. It's a tradition I've enjoying continuing with my own kids because it's a great day out in the country, it's economical (considering the price of apples from FreshDirect), and it's even trendy (if you're into the locavore thing).
It's a great activity for Columbus Day Weekend, but there are also a bunch of free Apple Festivals right here in NYC if you don't feel like taking the kids traveling. Read more »
Family Friendly Day Trips from NYC Without a Car
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 by mommyIn my post about the farms you can visit in Westchester, I mentioned that it is easy to get to Philipsburg Manor and Stone Barn Farms without a car, using public transportation. I thought it would be cool to write about some of the other day tips you can take from NYC using public transportation. There's really no reason to be stuck in the city just because you're carless (or want to save your gas money on, say, the down payment on an apartment). There are plenty of fun family day trips that can be easily accessed using Metro-North trains or busses.
The MTA actually has an entire section of their website dedicated to what they so romantically dub MTA Getaways . You've probably seen this advertised in the subway, but I know I never really looked into it before. Many of the trips you could do any time, but the MTA has also worked with local tours and groups to create specific event packages.
Dutchess County Fair
For instance, this weekend you could take Metro North up to the Dutchess County Fair and buy a discounted ticket that includes your train ticket and admission to the fair. The package costs about $30 per adult (children get in free to the fair and are only $1.50 RT on the train). I figure this out at about a $7 discount. Keep in mind that once you take Metro North to Poughkeepsie you have to take a one hour connecting bus ride to the fair grounds for a total travel time of almost 3 hours, so I don't know if I would recommend this unless you did it as an overnighter.
But here are some other ones that are definitely worth a try: Read more »
Visit the Farms of Westchester
Posted on August 11th, 2008 by mommyLast week Shea filled us in on the farms of Long Island. I'm happy to report that I've gotten to visit a couple of them and it's been a blast. More details on that later. But, did you know that there are also farms in Westchester that you can visit with kids? Seriously, in under an hour of New York City, your kids could be gamboling with sheep, rounding up chickens, and milking cows.
The first one we hit was Muscoot Farm. It's the furthest away (about an hour) in Somers, NY in Northern Westchester. I was amazed at how rural that part of Westchester is. It really feels like the country and it's so close. Muscoot is actually a Westchester County park and is free to visit. They also have free or inexpensive programs, workshops and occasional festivals. There is also a farmers market on Sundays with vendors from area farms selling produce, honey, baked goods and wool. There are also hiking trails and picnic areas available to everyone.
There are workshops for preschoolers (aged 3-5) and older kids that let children really get into and learn about farm work and the nature on a farm. For instance, Read more »
Reader Tips: Water Taxi Bird Watching, Jump and Last Licks
Posted on July 22nd, 2008 by mommy
We have been getting lots of great tips from readers in our in box and in the comment section of the site. It's been hard for me to keep up with it all on top of our regular posting. Some of them I've been able to slip into regular posts, but the tips are all too good to let go, so this week and next week I set aside some days that I am going to be posting the great ideas for things to do with kids in New York that you have been sharing.
If you have some tips you'd like to share with us please send them to me.
Thanks to Sharon Kleinhandler, Tricia Gillespie and Neeta Vallab for these tips: Read more »
Farm Fun for City Kids at NY State County Fairs
Posted on July 16th, 2008 by NinaAre you raising a city kid who thinks that milk comes in a carton and apples are from the bodega? On second thought, we all know New York City kids are way too precocious for that but I would bet that most of your kids feel more comfortable on a subway than they do on a farm. And, even though they "know" where milk comes from, have they ever actually milked a cow?
If you are looking for a way to get your kids to connect more to the food on their plate, try taking them to one of New York State's county fairs. County fairs are filled with animals, award winning vegetables and lots of farm demonstrations. With county fairs every day of the week throughout New York State for all of July and August if you are planning on heading out of the city you should check these listings to see if you can bring Old Macdonald to life for your little one. Read more »
Day Trippin' - get more out of getting out of NYC
Posted on July 1st, 2008 by Nina
We love NYC in the summer, there is so much to do and it's less crowded. But, its also great to get out of town to spend some time in nature, swim in the ocean and check out new places. For all of July and August, in addition to our regular posts, we will be posting suggestions for fun day and weekend trips that you can take with kids. Here are a few quick suggestions to get you started. Any of these ideas would be great for something to do with the kids this Fourth of July Weekend. Read more »
NYC Family Summer Fun Guide 2008
For many New Yorkers, as soon as the weather warms up, it signals a primordial urge to flee, but summer is one of the most fun times to be in New York. In the summer you can take advantage all the City has to offer — amazing beaches, gardens, pools, outdoor concerts and movies, events and activities. And much of it is completely free, turning New York in the summer into one big fest...and we don't mean a big "sweat-fest" — there's a million ways to stay cool and enjoy the summer in NYC with your family.
Whether you are visiting New York for the day, a week or hanging here with your kids for the whole summer, our Summer Fun Guide will tell you everything you need know to have an incredible summer right here in the city with the kids.
Be sure to check out our Free Fun Summer: A free activity a day for the entire summer!
Summer Concerts and Festivals
The Best Grown-Up Outdoor Music Festivals for Families
The Under(play)ground Music Scene
Free Outdoor Shakespeare for Families
Free Outdoor Movies at Waterside Plaza

Water Fun
Best Free and Cheap Swimming pools
Best New Swimming Pools for NYC Kids
Best Free Swimming Pools in Brooklyn
Top 5 Beaches Near NYC for a Family Daycation
5 Water Theme Parks Close to NYC
Best Water Playgrounds around NYC
Best Boat Rides for Families in NYC
Outdoor Fun
Four Excellent Summer Outings for NYC Kids
Where to discover wildflowers in NYC
Free Sports Programs in NYC Parks
Free Summer Sports Activities for Kids in NYC
Free Bike Rentals in Manhattan
Children Blossom at Free Brooklyn Botanic Garden Programs
Go Around to NYC's Nine Carousels
Indoor Activities
The Early Childhood Resource and Information Center
5 Museums You've Never Heard Of
Free Family Museum Programs:
Cool Stuff at the Queens Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Tips for visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Kids
Day Trips and Daycations
Long Island Farms to Visit with Kids
Farm Fun for City Kids at NY State County Fairs
Day Trips: Long Island's Best Parks
Four Ideas for Day Trips from NYC
Summer Family Travel
Top Resources for Family Travel
Taking a Babysitter on Vacation with You
How to bring your own water on the airplane
Neighborhood Outings and Expeditions Exploring the city is another great thing to do while the weather is warm. Just hop on the train or bus and head to a neighborhood you haven't been to before or would like to explore more. We've got loads of neighborhood outings and expeditions for you to explore in our Neighborhood Guide.
Summer Camps Just looking at all this make you exhausted? It's not too late to find a camp. Check out our Camp Guide.
Like what you see? Subscribe to Mommy Poppins through RSS or our free email newsletter and never miss out on all the great stuff going on for kids in NYC.
The Best Grown-Up Outdoor Music Festivals for Families
Posted on June 16th, 2008 by Nina
The great thing about New York City's outdoor festivals is that everyone can enjoy them. If it's kids music, at least the grown ups can enjoy being outdoors on a lovely day or evening, relaxing. And, generally kids will put up with an outdoor concert or performance if they can run around, dance, play and picnic while you enjoy a little grown up entertainment for once.
The following (mostly) free outdoor festivals are not specifically children's festivals, but they, for the most part, each have at least one kids performance and otherwise offer great performances in great outdoor environments around NYC, making a fun day or evening out with the kids either way. Read more »
Labor Day Weekend: Wrap Summer Up at 5 NY Fairs
Posted on August 28th, 2007 by mommy
Labor Day Weekend is the last weekend of the summer for NYC kids. Time for one last fling with fun. One last chance to lose yourself to the joys of summer. Labor Day Weekend is also the time for The Fair.
Just a short drive from NYC families can find themselves in 4H country. State and county fairs boast agricultural exhibits where farm kids compete for the best rabbits, chickens, goats, pigs, cows, crafts and more. It's a wonderful view into a completely different type of childhood experience, not to mention a great big petting zoo.
After the jump, a run-down of the state, county and other fairs in the area this weekend. Plus find out how any NYC child can participate in the county fair experience right here in NYC. Read more »















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