Diana Kim

Diana Kim has been a contributor to Mommy Poppins for nearly 8 years. A Brooklyn mom of three (ages 7-16), she loves exploring family-friendly events and activities in Brooklyn and sharing the best finds with readers.

Latest posts by Diana

Haunted Houses and Walks in NYC for All-Ages

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 10/09/2025 - 12:29pm

The Bronx Zoo hosts a pair of Halloween events, including the after-dark Harvest Glow. Photo by Terria Clay/courtesy of the Bronx Zoo

When it comes to Halloween thrills with kids, a tricked-out haunted house or spooky Halloween walk might be the right kind of boo for you. Haunted houses have long been popular suburban Halloween staples, but haunted houses in NYC are more limited. The most spooky picks, like Blood Manor, are definitely for teens and older. There are, however, a handful of haunted houses in New York City offering gentler Halloween chills for families.

Read on for the scoop on kid-friendly haunted houses in NYC, plus a few more scary options for tweens and teens. Be sure to heed the scare factor. While grade-school kids can attend most of these, not all are suitable for preschoolers. We've got the scoop on NYC's top Halloween events and plenty more spooky fun in our New York City Kids' Halloween Fun Guide.

Creepy and Cool Teen-Approved Halloween Events in NYC

Submitted by Diana Kim on Sun, 10/05/2025 - 5:48am

Blood Manor isn't for the faint of heart—or those under age 14—as it serves up some serious scares. Photo courtesy of Union Square Advertising

Halloween in NYC is just as much fun for teens as it is for little ones. While teens may no longer go trick-or-treating, they still want to hit the streets and celebrate with their friends. Many of our favorite kid-friendly Halloween activities don't appeal to teens, but that doesn't mean there aren't Halloween activities and events in NYC for teens.

We've rounded up the best Halloween events in New York City for teens to help them plan their spooky night. From Halloween-related performances to the world-famous Village Halloween Parade and blood-curdling haunted houses, teens have a lot of options when it comes to Halloween in New York City.

Read on for our teen-approved picks for a ghoulish Halloween in NYC. To give your teens more ideas on how to spend a night out in NYC, check out our recent piece on the best after-dark teen activities in NYC and our entire NYC Teens Guide to Fun Things To Do.

Kid-Friendly NYC Public Art Scavenger Hunts You Can Do Any Day

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 09/25/2025 - 11:26am

A walk along The High Line is always filled with colorful, artsy surprises no matter the season. Photo by Liz Ligon/courtesy of High Line

New York City is home to some of the world's top museums and art galleries. Eye-popping art, however, isn't just limited to The Met, MoMA, and the Whitney. NYC has a thriving public outdoor art scene where you'll find both established and up-and-coming artists displaying their work in parks, on sidewalks, on buildings, and in public plazas—and admission to see these large-scale pieces is always FREE.

One of our favorite ways to see public art in NYC with kids is to embark on a scavenger hunt. Public art scavenger hunts are a great family-friendly activity that's fun, educational, and can lead you to a whole new corner of NYC.

We've rounded up our favorite neighborhoods to seek out public art in NYC, whether you're into large-scale sculptures, colorful murals and graffiti, or something else. We've even listed some picks for guided walking tours that highlight some of the stunning pieces right in our own backyard.

Check out our comprehensive NYC Kids' Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits for more family-friendly suggestions on where to see art with your kids. And, for more places to view outdoor art with kids, we've rounded up 11 outdoor art destinations near NYC.

Your 2-Day Itinerary for a Kid-Approved Fall Weekend in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 09/12/2025 - 10:27am

Apple picking is one of the family-friendly fall activities you can enjoy in the Hudson Valley with Kids. Photo courtesy of the author

While the Hudson Valley is a great family getaway destination year-round, it's especially gorgeous for family weekend trips in the fall. With the colorful foliage on full display, the weather is perfect for going apple picking, navigating corn mazes, taking scenic drives, and attending fall festivals.

There's so much to do in the Hudson Valley in the fall, it's hard to know where to start if you've never been. I've created an ideal two-day itinerary for a fall family getaway that takes advantage of the best that the Hudson Valley has to offer. Read on for my top picks for things to do during a seasonal family weekend trip.

Looking for more ideas for family-friendly getaways? Consider one of these 30 fall day trips from NYC, and find more ideas for fall travel in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Top NYC Views for Kids: Best Observation Decks and Tips for Visiting

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 09/05/2025 - 10:13am

Innovative design brings the skyline inside the observation deck at Summit One Vanderbilt. Photo by Jody Mercier

New Yorkers and tourists alike love a view, and when it comes to finding a NYC observation deck to take in the sights, there are five to choose from. Each offers breathtaking NYC views of the iconic skyline.

From Lower Manhattan's One World Observatory to the classic experience at Midtown's Empire State Building and the awesome inside-out immersion of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, how do you choose which observation deck in NYC to visit with kids for the best views?

We've done the legwork for you, visiting each of NYC's iconic observation decks and detailing the experiences so you can choose the best observation deck in NYC for you and your family. Take heart, though, no matter which NYC observation deck you choose, there's no bad view in sight.

For more insider tips, check out our local guide to NYC's top attractions and our comprehensive NYC Visitors Guide.

From Swings to Spray Showers: Rainey Park Reopens in Astoria with a Kid-Friendly Makeover

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 08/26/2025 - 12:00pm

Rainey Park is fresh off a full renovation that brought new playground equipment and accessible features.

Queens residents have a new public space for their enjoyment with the reopening of Rainey Park in Astoria. After extensive renovations, Rainey Park boasts new playground equipment, fitness areas, spray showers, a new greenway, and increased access for those with disabilities. Read on to find out all you need to know about this new park.

Find more places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds and the our list of the best things to do in Queens.

Heat Wave Hot List: 51 Cool Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 07/25/2025 - 10:26am

Make a splash at Coney Island when you need to beat the heat in NYC. Photo by author

As summer weather sizzles, we're searching for the best things to do to beat the heat in New York City. There's no denying the heat and humidity can get under the skin of even the most tropical-weather-loving New Yorker. To beat the heat, my kids (and my inner child) insist any outing includes water, industrial-strength air conditioning, or a visit to a local ice cream parlor.

While we enjoy hitting NYC's FREE public pools and running around the sprinklers (oh yes, I get in there, too), lately, we've been longing for more diverse destinations to keep kids cool during a heat wave. That inspired us to round up 51 cool places to beat the heat in New York City this summer.

NYC After-Dark Activities for Teens: Fun, Safe Things for Teens To Do

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 07/18/2025 - 10:01am

Teens love competing at Beat the Bomb, where they'll be paint bombed if they don't escape in time. Photo by the author

New York City teens are so fortunate to have the city at their fingertips. While NYC teens want to go out and enjoy the nightlife, parents want to ensure the NYC teen activities they're engaging in are safe. For parents with teens looking for things to do after hours, we've rounded up a great list of NYC teen activities that are fun, safe, and affordable.

After dark, the city is full of teen activities from teen nights at local museums to reduced-fare Broadway shows, thrilling escape rooms, game nights, and sporting events. These activities are all teen-approved and cover a wide range of interests and passions.

Find more things to do in NYC with teens in our NYC Teens Guide to Fun Things To Do, and bookmark this list of anytime teen-friendly activities in NYC.

Diana Kim

Latest posts by Diana

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