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

Step Inside Thrilling New 'Squid Game' Experience in Midtown Manhattan

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 10/17/2024 - 12:19pm

Would you dare to set foot on the glass bridge at the new Squid Game Experience at the Manhattan Mall?

Fans of the hit Netflix show Squid Game can now play experience the thrills and excitement of the games in real life. At the new, immersive pop-up Squid Game: The Experience, players compete in five different games inspired by the show—but only one will win.

Unlike the actual show, this new experience is totally safe and family-friendly. I recently went to experience the games with my 8-year-old son, and we had a fantastic time. Read on for everything you need to know about Squid Game: The Experience

Find all of our recommendations or the best new things to do in NYC with kids in our Guide to New Openings for Kids in NYC.

17 Best Things To Do in NYC with Teens

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 10/14/2024 - 3:32pm

Supersized climbing walls are always a thrill for teens. Photo by Jody Mercier

It can be tough to find things to do in New York City for teens. They're too old to want parents to accompany them everywhere, but many teen activities require adult supervision. If your high schooler's social life has been reduced to online gaming or scrolling TikTok, help them mix it up by sharing this roundup of 17 things to do in NYC for teens. They're all engaging activities that teens can do on their own and a few were even created by NYC teens.

Many of these teen activities in NYC are FREE or inexpensive, so you won't have to raise their allowance. Find more things to do in NYC with teens in our Teen and Tweens Guide to NYC and our jam-packed Family Activity Calendar.

Area 53 Is the Solution To Fun on Bad Weather Days in NYC

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 10/08/2024 - 1:53pm

Hone your battle skills at Area 53 NYC's Adventure Park. Photo by Diana Kim

If your tween or teen has the energy to burn, we have found the place for them: Area 53 NYC is home to a ton of action-packed adventures spread over a trio of locations in Brooklyn. Area 53 NYC offers laser tag, paintball, mini-bowling, and an indoor adventure park with a dozen games and activities.

Read on for our review of these thrilling attractions—as well as our parent-tested, know-before-you-go intel, pulled together after visiting with three kids ages 8-16.

Great Preschools in Brooklyn for Little Learners

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 09/30/2024 - 12:19pm

Students can enter Brooklyn Heights Montessori and continue their educational journey all the way through eighth grade. Photo courtesy of the school

Brooklyn families are fortunate to have a number of great Brooklyn preschools at their doorsteps. The borough is home to a wide range of preschools, which vary in size, educational philosophy, and scheduling flexibility.

To help families find the right preschool fit, we've rounded up 16 great Brooklyn preschools and divided them into categories, including traditional Brooklyn preschools, year-round Brooklyn preschools, Montessori and Reggio Emilia preschools in Brooklyn, and religious preschools in Brooklyn.

Preschool spots are always in high demand, so it's important to start your school search early. Most NYC preschools require you to apply in the fall a year before your child enrolls, with acceptance letters going out in February or March. The process begins by researching preschools' websites, taking tours, talking to other families, and considering what's most important for your family in a preschool.

For a comprehensive list of NYC preschools, check out our Preschools Directory, which includes our top picks for preschools in Park Slope, plus many more resources, including our best preschool admissions tips as well as 10 questions to ask during a preschool tour.

33 Best Things To Do in the Financial District with Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 06/27/2024 - 12:04pm

The SeaGlass Carousel is a dreamy destination in the Financial District no matter the season. Photo by Anna Afanaseva

The Financial District is a booming family neighborhood in Lower Manhattan. Towering office building to high-end condo conversions were followed in short order by family-friendly businesses. There are excellent schools, unique playgrounds, indoor play spaces, and off-the-beaten-path museums.

It’s hard to tell now with all the modern skyscrapers, but the Financial District—aka FiDi—is the oldest settled part of NYC and a great place to learn about the city's storied history. Plus, almost every subway line stops in the Financial District, making it a super-convenient neighborhood to explore. Read on for our top 30 picks for things to do, see, and eat with kids in the Financial District and find more fun neighborhoods to explore in our Manhattan Kids Guide, which includes looks at the nearby enclaves of the South Street Seaport and Battery Park City.

Rainbow Playspace Brings Bright, New Indoor Playground to Brooklyn

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 05/13/2024 - 1:04pm

Climb, crawl, jump, and slide on the mutli-level play structures at Rainbow Playspace.

When it comes to indoor playgrounds in NYC, you can never have too many options. Rainbow Playspace recently opened its doors in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and features a gigantic ball pit, slides, swings, obstacle courses, toys, foam blocks, trampolines, and more. It's the perfect place for kids to jump, bounce, run, swing, climb, slide, and play, especially when it's rainy or cold outside.

Read on for all the details and what you need to know about Rainbow Playspace, and find all our top local romping spots on this list of Brooklyn's best indoor play spaces, and visit our comprehensive NYC Kids' Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones for more places to play citywide.

Bed-Stuy Welcomes Awesome New Indoor Playground Flying Apple

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 04/08/2024 - 1:22pm

Flying Apple is the perfect place for play dates, parties, exploring, playing, and climbing!

Families in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn have a fantastic new indoor playground to explore. Flying Apple debuted last fall and features swings, soft ball pits, obstacle courses, illuminated slides, and games. It's a great option on bad weather days when your kids need to run around and expend some energy.

We recently visited Flying Apple on a rainy afternoon and the kids had so much fun. Read on to get all the details about this new indoor playground, which has already earned its spot on our list of top indoor play spaces in Brooklyn. Check out our comprehensive NYC Kids' Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones for more romping spots.

Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Galapagos Islands with Kids: A Family Vacation You'll Never Forget

Submitted by Diana Kim on Sat, 04/06/2024 - 12:00pm

Head across the Pacific Ocean to meet the amazing creatures of the Galapagos Islands.

If you're looking for the family vacation of a lifetime, consider a trip to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. One of the most beautiful and pristine natural landscapes in the world, the Galapagos Islands offer cruise adventures, breathtaking scenery, close encounters with sea turtles and other animals, and the chance to see flora and fauna that exists nowhere else.

The Galapagos Islands are also a great place for families to witness real conservation work in action and to learn about the revolutionary work of Charles Darwin. While getting to the Galapagos takes a little advance planning, it is is absolutely worth the effort to visit.

Read on to learn all about visiting the Galapagos Islands with kids, including how to get there, the various cruise options, and other tips and tricks. You'll find even more exciting places to visit, from sunny spots in the Caribbean to culture-filled European cities, in our International Travel Guide.

Diana Kim

Latest posts by Diana

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