Anna Fader

Viewing the beautiful cherry blossoms in New York City or attending a local cherry blossom festival is one of the most delightful rites of spring. In Japan, cherry blossom viewing is taken to almost religious heights. Blooming flowers are carefully watched, enjoyed, and celebrated. Traditional Sakura Hanami parties feature eating, drinking, and music. There are many places to enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms in NYC this spring, and take note—the cherry blossoms are just beginning to burst to life.…

These easy indoor exercise ideas get everyone moving, laughing, and tired out.

When the flakes fly, the sledding hills in New York City really come to life. Families flock to these local sledding spots spread across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island for wintertime fun with the kids. In compiling our list of the best sledding hills in NYC, we asked our readers, family, and Mommy Poppins writers and editors for their top recommendations for sledding hills citywide. Looking for more snowy day activities? Read our roundup of snow day boredom busters, an…

Keep kids happily entertained on a snow day before sledding begins.

Best Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids

Update: There is no elephant parade in 2014 due to the circus playing in Brooklyn.. Once again the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus is heading into town and since the circus elephants can’t go up the Penn Station escalators, they need to get off the circus train a stop early in Queens and walk through the Mid-Town Tunnel, and straight across Manhattan to Madison Square Garden. Posting this event is always controversial because some people feel that watching the circus elephants march across Manhattan is supporting their mistreatment in the circus. On the other hand, I get lots of emails every year asking me when it 's happening. My position is that this is a pretty crazy thing that happens in NYC and I'm letting people know. Do what you like with the information.  

Santa Claus is coming to town and New York City kids have plenty of places to take pictures with Santa this season. From the heartwarming experience at Macy’s Santaland to appearances at area malls—Santa is popping up and posing all over town. Read on for our favorite spots to take pictures with Santa all across the five boroughs, including plenty of venues offering FREE pictures with Santa in NYC. Our rundown of Christmas tree lightings in NYC offers more opportunities to see jolly old St. Nick…

Will Nursery University Preschool Documentary Make "Park Bench Wisdom" Wiser?

When it comes to saving money on culture, there are tons of free museum days and free admission hours offered at a wide variety of New York City’s top museums, zoos, gardens, and cultural institutions. Many of these local cultural hubs offer free or reduced admission on certain nights, days, or hours at least once a month—a city perk no busy, cash-strapped parent should miss! Plus, many grown-up museums let kids in for free year-round. It can be hard to keep track of when and where these free mu…

Sony Wonder Technology Lab

If you think it’s hard to trick-or-treat in New York City, think again. One of my favorite childhood memories of growing up in NYC was Halloween in Greenwich Village, when the Village Halloween Parade was just a couple hundred artists and others who marched through the neighborhood. Afterward, we would trick-or-treat up and down the brownstone blocks. Everyone was friendly, and we would come home with our shopping bags filled. It was magical. Although the parade and Greenwich Village have change…

Baltimore’s walkable Inner Harbor and other neighborhoods offer tons of family fun.

When people think of Washington, DC, the National Mall and Memorial Parks are typically the first place that comes to mind. Home to over 100 monuments and memorials, it tops our list of the best tourist attractions in DC. But finding good, kid-friendly food near the National Mall can be a real challenge—one you really don’t need when you and your kids are hungry and tired from a long day of walking. To help you fill your families’ tummies fast, here are our favorite kid-friendly restaurants and…

It’s easy to embrace winter at these family-friendly ski areas near NYC. We’ve rounded up 10 local ski areas sure to entertain any family, whether you’re bringing along beginners, looking for an all-inclusive weekend away, or want entertaining perks beyond the slopes. A winter sport like skiing is a great way to get outdoors as a family. Read on to find out which of these family-friendly ski areas near NYC matches your skill level and interest. Want more family-friendly ski areas or picks for ot…