Drew Kristofik

Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Drew

Best Preschools on the Upper West Side

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 08/14/2025 - 10:01am

Nature inspires art at Columbus Preschool. Photo courtesy of the school

When it comes to finding the best preschool in NYC, the family-packed Upper West Side offers plenty of choices. With preschool spots in high demand, it can feel as if you're trying to get your toddler into college!

Take heart, though, great preschools on the Upper West Side are plentiful, so with a little legwork, you'll find the right fit for your family. We're outlining some top Upper West Side preschools below, and we've divided them by type to help you start your search. Don't forget our Preschool Directory is an excellent resource to find more programs as well.

For more help, we've compiled a helpful list of preschool admissions tips, plus 10 questions to ask during a preschool tour.

109 Free Activities for Kids in NYC: Best Things To Do in August 2025

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 07/31/2025 - 2:26pm

When Broadway’s dark, the waterfront is alive at Hudson River Park’s Clinton Cove. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park

NYC empties in August, but free fun abounds for those who stay in town. The lull before back-to-school is anything but dull, and we've found more than 100 fun, free August activities in NYC for families, including Summer Streets, which sets kids loose with awesome activities at rest stops along the way, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Fest, and the always-lovely Hindu Lamp Ceremony.

Plus, Shakespeare shimmers in free outdoor performances all around town—including at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater with The Public's version of Twelfth Night, and you can end the month love all, when Arthur Ashe Kids' Day returns during the US Open Fan Week.

Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids August 2025

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Sun, 07/27/2025 - 9:33am

See Double Dutch routines from championship teams at Lincoln Center. Photo by Photo by Kevin Yatarola

Summer's not over, and there are so many fun things to do in New York City this August! Enjoy outdoor movies and concerts, summer festivals, and the best beach days.

Back-to-school season is right around the corner, but it's not here quite yet. August is the perfect time to coast down traffic-free Summer Streets, cheer athletes at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Fest, and discover your inner Michelangelo while making sand sculptures on Coney Island. Kids' Night on Broadway's summer edition offers free tickets for kids.

Plus, Shakespeare in the Park is back at the newly remodeled Delacorte with a dazzling production of Twelfth Night.

Best Summer Fairs and Street Festivals in NYC August 2025

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 07/24/2025 - 11:26am

The annual Aarti Hindu Lamp Ceremony returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pebble Beach! Photo by Etienne Frossard

August ushers in the final round of summer festivals in NYC. This last gasp of summer celebrations includes some of our favorite summer festivals in NYC like Summer Streets, which stretches nearly the length of Manhattan, Brooklyn's gorgeous Hindu Lamp Ceremony, the Sand Sculpting Contest on Coney Island, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Fest, and, of course, Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the US Open. We've found more than two dozen summer festivals in NYC this August and the best part: They're (almost) all FREE.

Best Family-Friendly Street Fairs and Summer Festivals in NYC July 2025

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 07/04/2025 - 10:23am

Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York leads a celebration of Mexican culture in Socrates Sculpture Park during Guelaguetza. Photo by Bob Krasner

We're entering peak season for the family-friendly festivals that pop up all over NYC all summer long. Our list of fun summer festivals for kids in July 2025 includes annual favorites like City of Water Day and the blocks-long Bastille Day, plus little-kid picks like Sprinkler Day at Asphalt Green.

From Riveride Park's Goatham to MoMath's Math Fest and the Poetry Festival on Governors Island, there's no shortage of extraordinary festivities for NYC families in July.

4th of July Weekend in NYC: Macy's Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 07/04/2025 - 10:20am

Skip the standard Fourth of July cookout and enjoy an evening cruise and front-row seat to the Macy's fireworks display. Photo courtesy Event Cruises NYC

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this 4th of July weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long holiday weekend.

We've got the 411 for the big Macy's 4th of July fireworks show, plus plenty of other fireworks displays from Richmond Town in Staten Island to Coney Island's sparklers.

Plus: Sharks are partying at the New York Aquarium, Memnon opens at the Marcus Garvey Amphitheater, Mr. Puppy debuts at AMT, and families can immerse themselves in magic during a performance of the Broadway Magic Hour at the Broadway Comedy Club.

Free Activities in July: 81 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 07/03/2025 - 11:55am

Slip and slide your way to smiles during Asphalt Green's Sprinkler Day. Photo courtesy of Asphalt Green

July is hot, but it's packed with cool free things to do in NYC for families, from Macy's 4th of July fireworks to City of Water Day and the BAAND Together Dance Fest. We've got all the details on free summer concerts, including the rooftop series at Pier 57, and fab fests, including the West Side Fest, Bastille Day, and Sprinkler Day!

Read on for more than 80 fun, free things to do in NYC this July, and find more fun this month in our Ultimate NYC Kids' Summer Fun Guide.

20 Best Things To Do in NYC July 2025 with Kids: Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and More

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Sun, 06/29/2025 - 10:57am

Celebrate all things French when Bastille Day takes over Madison Avenue with a blocks-long street fest. Photo by Michael George

Cue the fireworks, because July is here, bringing with it tons of 4th of July fun, plus plenty more family-friendly things to do in New York City.

Independence Day kickstarts July with a bang, and fireworks are exploding all over town, including the big Macy's 4th of July display, which returns to the Lower East Side. Annual favorite festivals help beat the heat with the seafaring-inspired City of Water Day and the wet-and-wild Sprinkler Day at Asphalt Green.

July's greatest hits also include the West Side Fest and a Bastille Day blockbuster on Madison Avenue.

Keep an eye on our lists of FREE outdoor movies and summer concerts, which are frequently updated, and find more top July fun on our list of 100 FREE things to do this summer in NYC and our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Drew Kristofik

Latest posts by Drew

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