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

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.

New Amusement Park Rides Coming to the Tristate Area for Summer 2021

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 5:08pm

Following a year of shutdowns and closures, summer is firmly on the horizon, and we're all anticipating the return of cherished summer rituals, like visiting our favorite amusement parks and water parks. Following shortened season or limited runs in 2020, many amusement parks in the tristate area are set to reopen with a bang this summer. After an offseason of busy behind-the-scenes building, thrilling new rides and attractions await at amusement parks in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

From the debut world's fastest single-rail roller coaster at New Jersey's Six Flags Great Adventure to the new Legoland Resort opening in upstate New York, we've got a sneak peek at what's in store when it comes to summer thrills.

KAWS: What Party Brings Large-Scale Pop Art to the Brooklyn Museum

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 03/01/2021 - 11:33am

KAWS: What Party, at the Brooklyn Museum, features larger-than-life sculptures, furniture, pop art-inspired pieces, and more.

A pop art-inspired, larger-than-life exhibition has opened at the Brooklyn Museum. KAWS: What Party is a fun, delightful display of contemporary art-meets-pop culture icons that parents and older children alike will enjoy. Read on to determine whether you should visit with your kids, what to know before you go, and how to score tickets.

Find more museum-inspired fun in our Museums and Galleries Guide.

Amusement Parks, Summer Camps Get Green Light to Reopen in New York

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 02/19/2021 - 11:24am

Legoland New York Resort is poised for a springtime opening thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo's recent announcement. Photo courtesy of Legoland

New York families can finally start looking forward to a more "normal" summer thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo's announcement this week that summer day camps and sleepaway camps can begin making plans to reopen. Another boon to families: Indoor family entertainment centers and outdoor amusement parks have also been given the green light to reopen.

Read on for details on these newest reopening plans, and be sure to bookmark our list of what's open now in NYC for kids to keep up on all the developments as they happen.

15 NYC Birthday Party Spots to Celebrate at Right Now

Submitted by Diana Kim on Sun, 02/14/2021 - 2:34pm

Playday offers creative birthday parties at its Brooklyn and Queens locations that can be customized to your birthday kid's interest.

With some light finally emerging at the end of the tunnel, families can now start looking beyond Zoom parties to celebrate birthdays. While many of our favorite indoor spaces still aren't open, more and more play spaces and venues are opening their doors for small-group celebrations while taking all necessary COVID-precautions. But, time marches on, and you need a place to celebrate now. We've rounded up 15 unique places citywide where you can host birthday parties now, both indoors and out.

Remember to keep your group small and wear masks. If you're still not keen on venturing indoors, check out our roundup of virtual birthday party ideas and the best virtual party performers, and find more party inspiration in our Guide to Kids Birthday Parties.

Day Trip to Olana State Historic Site to See Frederic Church's Living Masterpiece

Submitted by Diana Kim on Wed, 01/20/2021 - 11:04am

Access to Olana’s 250-acre landscape is free, and a visit is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors. Photo courtesy of the State Historic Site

One of my favorite places to visit with my family in the Hudson Valley is the Olana State Historic Site. It encapsulates what's so great about the area—natural beauty, history, and amazing art, design, and architecture. With breathtaking views of the Hudson River, it's a great destination for the whole family, offering sights and activities for kids as well as their parents.

We've visited Olana in the summer and winter and enjoyed ourselves equally on each visit. Whether you're taking a day trip or spending a long weekend upstate, make sure to have Olana on your list. You can find plenty more getaway inspiration in our Day Trips and Getaways Guide.

Diana Kim

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