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

Outdoor Swimming Pools and Beach Clubs Offering Day Passes in NYC

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 07/19/2021 - 4:00pm

Silver Gull Beach Club offers tons of waterfront fun, whether in its pools or its private stretch of sandy beach.. Photo by Sara Maretette

Sometimes all you want to do during New York's hot and humid summer is lounge around a pool all day. While New York has plenty of FREE public swimming pools, the rules can be overbearing, and it's nice to have some options that offer more amenities. At these beach clubs and private pools, you'll find extras like food, lounge chairs, cabanas, beach access, and amazing views. We've rounded up seven outdoor, family-friendly swimming pools offering day passes, and we even include a trio of state park pools to deliver big fun without breaking the bank. Find more cool options for the season in our Summer Fun Guide.

Hit the Roll-A-Rama Rink at the TWA Hotel for Retro Fun

Submitted by Diana Kim on Wed, 06/09/2021 - 11:25am

The Roll-A-Rama Rink is the latest addition to the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport.

The opening of the TWA Hotel has made JFK more than an airport—it's now a destination in its own right. There's the rooftop pool, swanky hotel rooms, trendy restaurants, museums, cool design and architecture, and now, a seasonal outdoor roller skating rink smack in the middle of the tarmac. Riding the roller skating craze that's taken over New York of late, the TWA's new Roll-A-Rama Runway Rink is the perfect way to stretch your legs before getting on your flight or following a long ride on the A train. Read on for the details on this retro-inspired destination. If you're not up for a trip to JFK, we've got the details on more roller skating rinks in the city and nearby 'burbs, too.

Greenpoint Public Library and Environmental Center Begins Welcoming Visitors

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 12:26pm

The Greenpoint Public Library and Environmental Center is striking indoors and out.

Bookworms rejoice! Brooklyn families can finally browse and borrow books from some of their favorite public libraries, including the newly reconstructed Greenpoint Library and Environmental Center, one of a handful of Brooklyn Public Library branches that have reopened for browsing and computer use after completely closing down last year. Across all boroughs and public library systems—NYPL, BPL, Queens Public Library—select branches have reopened. Still, none of the debuts is quite as exciting as the multi-million dollar overhaul in the heart of Greenpoint. Read on for details on this new community hub.

Alley Pond Park in Queens: 10 Things to Do in the Sprawling Urban Green Space

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 05/03/2021 - 6:15pm

Alley Pond Park is spacious and filled with old-growth trees making it easy to forget the urban jungle is just beyond its borders.

Spanning nearly 657 acres, Alley Pond Park is Queens' second-largest public green space behind Flushing Meadows Corona Park. While there are plenty of traditional, urban park attractions, like playgrounds and sports fields, what makes Alley Pond unique is its natural wonders—the forests, meadows, ponds, and wetlands. Its famous Adventure Course is the first challenge course in New York City and the largest challenge course in the metropolitan region.

Separated into three distinct sections by highway crossings, Alley Pond has an Environmental Center in its northern section, a Sports Center in its southern area, and in the middle section of the park, the oldest nature trails in NYC. With so much to do and see, Alley Pond Park is a perfect daycation. Here are our top 10 things to do with kids in Alley Pond Park.

See Alexander Calder's Work Up Close at New MoMA Exhibit

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 04/19/2021 - 10:00am

MoMA's new Calder exhibit explores some of the artist's earlier pieces.

One of the most important American sculptors of the 20th century, Alexander Calder, loved to incorporate motion, repurposed objects, and a sense of whimsy in his works. He is well-known for his mobiles, stabiles, wire sculptures, and large-scale, outdoor sculptures. We have good news for New Yorkers: All these are on display at MoMA's newest exhibition, Alexander Calder: Modern from the Start.

Read on for our full review of the installation at the family-friendly culture hub, which I recently explored with my 4.5-year-old son. He had been familiar with Calder's works from an art book, but seeing them in person took his appreciation to another level. As always, find more kid-friendly exhibits in our Guide to Museums and Galleries.

Car-Free Weekend Getaways From NYC

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 04/16/2021 - 4:00pm

Explore the friendly, coastal New England town of Norwalk, Connecticut, with it's well-known aquarium and kid-friendly eat, no car required. Photo by Ally Noel

One of the best things about living in New York City is that a car-free lifestyle is completely possible. With different modes of transportation at your fingertips, you can get around without ever having to worry about where to park, even if you want to get away from the city for a few days. To that end, we've rounded up one dozen car-free weekend getaways.

You can reach these fun, family-friendly destinations—ranging from beaches to amusement parks and iconic cultural institutions—via subway, train, bus, ferry, or cab. Find more great day trips and getaways in our Family Travel Guide.

Rides Return to Coney Island With Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and Luna Park Opening

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 04/01/2021 - 1:17pm

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is the first Coney Island amusement park to announce its reopening date. Photo courtesy of the park

After a year-long shutdown, two of New York City's favorite amusement parks are ready to roar back to life. Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and Luna Park, the heart of Coney Island, are set to reopen on Friday, April 9.

To mark the occasion, Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is holding its annual "Blessing of the Rides," that day, with locals gathering for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in an event honoring the city's essential workers and ushering in a belated birthday celebration for the namesake Wonder Wheel, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020. Look for more centennial celebrations later in the season.

Keeping with time-honored traditions, Luna Park will celebrate with its annual egg cream christening of the Cyclone. It will also honor essential workers by giving 500 frontline heroes free admission for the day and offering local hospital workers the first chance to ride the Cyclone.

10 Newly Renovated NYC Playgrounds to Visit in Spring 2021

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 03/22/2021 - 4:31pm

New York City's Outdoor spaces and playgrounds have been lifesavers for so many families in the past year, and when you had your fill of the local park, consider a visit to one of these 10 newly opened and refurbished playgrounds throughout the five boroughs. With funding from the Community Parks Initiative and local community groups, the NYC Parks Department worked through the pandemic to bring these new projects to completion.

Here's our list of 10 new and updated playgrounds worth visiting now. Of course, you can find plenty more destination-worthy jungle gyms in our Guide to Parks and Playground for NYC Kids.

Diana Kim

Latest posts by Diana

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