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

Top Teen and Tween Summer Camps in NYC

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 03/17/2025 - 12:54pm

QBK Sports Beach Volleyball Camp is located in the heart of Long Island City, Queens. Photo courtesy QBK Sports

Summer camp is a great way for tweens and teens to explore their interests, make new friends, and stay active during the summer. Whether they're interested in sports summer camps, film summer camps, theater summer camps, or STEAM summer camps, there are tons of summer camps in NYC for teens and tweens to find the right fit.

We've rounded up the best summer camps in NYC for teens and tweens below, and you can find more summer camp options like the best free and cheap summer camps and the top sleepaway summer camps in the Northeast in our NYC Kids Guide to Summer Camps. You can also search our Camp Directory to find summer camps by age, interest, and neighborhood.

Secrets of MoMA: A Parent's Guide to Getting the Most Out of a Visit with Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Sun, 03/09/2025 - 9:28am

The Museum of Modern Art has always been one of our favorite NYC museums to visit with kids. It's a gem among the city's world-class cultural institutions. You'll see some of the world's most famous artwork alongside exciting, new contemporary exhibits, and soaring sculptural pieces. In recent years, MoMA has made great strides to make its art accessible and fun for kids with family programming and events, kid-friendly gallery guides, tours, and interactive art labs.

The space and collection at MoMA are vast. With nearly 165,000-square-feet of art spanning five floors of galleries and more than 200,000 pieces ranging from paintings and sculptures to drawings, prints, photographs, and film, it's impossible to explore the entire museum in one day. To help families get the most out of their visit, here are our favorite family-friendly finds, tips, and activities at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Find more of our top tips and museum picks in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC.

Indoor Swimming Pools in NYC with Day Passes

Submitted by Diana Kim on Sun, 02/09/2025 - 8:50am

Asphalt Green has a pair of campuses with beautiful indoor pools.

It's easy to find a swimming pool in NYC during the summer months when there are plenty of FREE swimming pools to visit, but if you're looking for year-round options or less-crowded waters, the possibilities are more limited. We've rounded up the best indoor swimming pools in NYC offering day passes, from private pools to off-the-beaten-path community spots. All are kid-friendly and welcome families for swimming and other water fun.

Read on for our top picks for indoor swimming pools in NYC, and find more options for family fun in our NYC Kids Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones.

School Break Camps in NYC: Winter and Spring Break Camps to Keep Kids Busy on Days Off

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 01/24/2025 - 10:37am

SKATEYOGI camps are designed for students ages 5-14 of all skill levels. Photo courtesy of SKATEYOGI

Finding great school break camps in NYC to keep kids busy during spring break and other NYC school vacations is a breeze thanks to these local school break camps. If kids need something to do, these NYC winter and spring break camps offer activities ranging from STEM to sports, visual arts, performing arts, cooking, and more. Many offer programming during week-long breaks and single days off. We have found school break camps in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, and we're sharing them all below.

Be sure to check out our NYC Kids Guide to Camps for more options for school holidays and all summer long, and find more top NYC spring and winter break camps in our camp directory.

Family-Friendly Hotels for a New York Staycation

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 12/19/2024 - 1:47pm

The TWA Hotel isn't far from home, but offers a little mid-century glam and some unique views.

These family-friendly hotels in New York State are a perfect solution for a quick vacation if this isn't the year for traveling to a far-flung destination. With these local hotels, you don't have to forego an escape or hard-earned rest and relaxation just because you don't want to get on a plane. New Yorkers are fortunate to have a variety of family-friendly hotels right at their fingertips.

Whether you want to stay at a family-friendly hotel in New York City and masquerade as a tourist, drive a few hours to enjoy an authentic farm stay, find a place to truly recharge, or seek action and adventure, we've rounded up the 13 family-friendly New York hotels for a staycation.

To find more local destinations to explore, bookmark our Day Trips and Getaway Guide.

Sesame Street’s Learn and Play Experience Now Open at American Dream Mall

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 11/22/2024 - 11:25am

Play and pose with Oscar the Grouch and many other popular character at Sesame Street Play and Learn.

Young fans of the beloved show Sesame Street can now step into the iconic neighborhood thanks to Sesame Street Learn and Play, a brand new educational play space just opened at American Dream Mall.

Little ones can immerse themselves in the world of Sesame Street—and all its famed, furry and feathered characters—thanks to this first-of-its kind play space, which is destined for a spot on our list of the best Northern New Jersey play spaces.

NYC Subway Primer: How to Get Around with Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 11/12/2024 - 3:08pm

Off to new adventures with an OMNY card in hand!

The New York City subway is the largest public transportation network of its kind in America with 472 stations on 25 routes, spread along 665 miles of track. Riding the subway is the fastest, easiest way to get from point A to point B in NYC, and it's a great way to travel with kids.

But, if you're not 100% familiar with the subway system, are traveling with a stroller, or hit schedule changes, it can really stink. The subway system can be a little daunting to navigate, so we've got all the info you need to ride the subway. We've also rounded up the best online resources to make it easier to get around NYC by subway, especially with kids.

If you're visiting NYC, be sure to bookmark our Visitors Guide, which includes a ton of parent-tested tips plus our top picks for the best attractions in NYC and how to make the most of a budget-friendly visit, too.

Safari with Kids: Planning a Perfect Family African Safari Vacation

Submitted by Diana Kim on Sat, 10/26/2024 - 12:00pm

Kids can capture the king of the savannah on camera from the safety of a safari bus. Photo by the author

An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure where you can see wildlife up close and revel in stunning natural landscapes. It’s also a wonderful way to learn about different cultures and wildlife conservation, and to expose kids to the richness and diversity that comprise Africa.

A safari is great for families who want adventure and the chance to have new experiences. There are a lot of factors to consider when planning an African safari, such as where in Africa to go, whether to use a tour operator, what type of lodgings to choose, and what activities to prioritize.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about planning an African safari for your family. Check out our International Travel Guide for even more amazing places to visit, from the Caribbean to our favorite European cities.

Diana Kim

Latest posts by Diana

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