New Jersey

[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 »

The Ciao Bella Gelato Mobile will be in New York over the next week, giving out free scoops of gelato and sorbet, beginning with the Park Avenue Summerfest this weekend. The flavor options are: Tahitian vanilla gelato, pistachio gelato, maple ginger snap gelato, blood orange sorbet, blackberry cabernet sorbet and coconut sorbet. Yum.

You'll find the gelato mobile at the Park Avenue Summerfest on Saturday July 12th between 17^th and 23^rd streets, from 11am-6 pm.

On Tuesday, July 15th, you get a second chance at the Flatiron Chefs event when the truck will be parked on Madison and 24th from 5:30 to 8:30pm.

And then in Tribeca on Friday, 7/18 at the Civic Community Day Fair from 11am-6pm (Murray Street from Broadway to Church Streets).

The truck will also be at the following locations in New Jersey: Read more »

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 »

You read our post about free outdoor movie series this summer, but there are also some regular indoor movies in theaters that kids can see for free or for just $1. Read more »

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 »

New York City can get pretty crazy during the Holidays, but, in fact, with seven circuses in town, New York has never been more of a circus than it is now. Hailing from Moscow, Harlem, French Canada, China and good old fashioned New York, in typical New York style even the circuses can teach children about different cultures. Perhaps this holiday break you'll take your children on a trip around the world NYC circus style.

The Apollo Big Show Circus Only through December 23rd, this Harlem circus stars hip-hop acrobats, African dancers and drummers, double-Dutch jump-ropers, trapeze artists and Rappin’ Granny.

New Shanghai Circus at the New Victory Theater through Jan. 6. Chinese acrobats, aerialists and athletes perform astounding acts in the tradition dating back to the harvest festivals of 2,000 years ago performed in with gloriously modern choreography, music and lights. Read more »

This is a reader-submitted question. Do you have a question for Mommy Poppins about kid stuff in NYC? Email us.

Q: I'm interested in swimming lessons for and with my 14 month old son. I live in Washington Heights but don't mind traveling for a good class. Any suggestions? Thanks! - Sheryl Read more »

I think I love being out in nature in the Fall better even than in the summer. The smell of the damp leaves on the ground, the crisp autumn air, it's very relaxing and great being outdoors with the kids at this time of year.

But you don't need to hop in the car to get your walk in the woods. There are woods all around us and the NYC Parks Department has tons of programs to help families enjoy them and teach NYC kids about nature. There are too many in one weekend to even list, but here's the top ones in every borough. Read more »

THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED. READ THE NEW VERSION HERE.

When you are a new parent New York can be like a sea of humanity: people, people everywhere, but not a soul to commiserate with. Finding the right parenting group can give you an instant social network to share the trials and tribulations of parenthood. Some mothers groups plan events and get-togethers, some offer seminars and discussions on pertinent topics, and some are just a place to chat on-line. Here are ten twelve NYC parenting groups for moms and dads of every stripe. Read more »

When we were growing up, playgrounds had sprinklers. Now, playgrounds have "water features." (This is where I would define what a water feature is, but I really have no idea how I would do that without just saying that it's a feature that has to do with water.) I guess, the point is that playground designers have gotten creative and gone outside the sprinkler to create all different kinds of play elements that involve water.

Rather than just traditional sprinklers, newer playgrounds have fountains, geysers, rivers, pumps, and beautiful bronze spraying animals....And the kids love them. Whether the kids love them more than traditional sprinklers only history will tell, but the important thing is that parents prefer to go to new fancy playgrounds cause they are pretty and cool and make us feel like our exorbitant housing costs are totally worth it to live in a city with such great playgrounds.

So, here's a bunch of playgrounds that you will enjoy spending a day at, and your kids will love too. Do you have a favorite water park to contribute? Read more »