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

Best Soccer Classes for Kids in New York City

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 12:14pm

Get those feet moving at Soccer Shots. Photo courtesy of Soccer Shots

Soccer is a year-round sport in NYC and these soccer classes in New York City for kids get them ready to hit the pitch. We've found a variety of soccer classes for budding athletes, from preschoolers just learning to kick to middle schoolers ready to master fancy footwork. For advanced players, some of these soccer classes in NYC offer travel teams and competitive leagues.

For more great classes for kids, including everything from gymnastics classes to ninja warrior and parkour classes, check out our New York City Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.

Brooklyn Museum Guide For Kids - Everything You Need to Know Before Your Family Visit

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 08/18/2023 - 1:34pm

The Brooklyn Museum is a premier art museum, with floors of treasures and outdoor art, too.

The Brooklyn Museum is one of the world's premier art museums, yet often overlooked for its more famous Manhattan neighbor, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. But, the Brooklyn Museum is truly worth a visit, whether you're a local or just visiting. Home to an eclectic permanent collection and a rotation of buzzy, crowd-pleasing special exhibitions, the Brooklyn Museum is located in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building right off of family-friendly Prospect Park and definitely worth visiting with kids. Its calendar is packed with kid-friendly programming and family events. We've got tips about the best exhibits to see, things to do, and places to eat during your visit to the Brooklyn Museum with kids.

We've got all our picks for the best museums to visit with kids in NYC and more tips for NYC's top culture spots in our Guide to Family-Friendly Museums in NYC.

Woodloch Resort Review: An All-Inclusive Family Vacation in the Poconos

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 08/17/2023 - 2:16pm

Woodloch Pines Resort offers a beautiful setting for an activity-packed, all-inclusive getaway in the Pocono Mountains. Photo courtesy of the resort

Woodloch Resort's Woodloch Pines is a perfect destination for a family getaway any time of the year. Located in the heart of Pennsylvania's Poconos Mountains, Woodloch Resort is an all-inclusive resort made for families, with tons of all-seasons activities, an on-site kids' club, pool, lake, water activities, spacious accommodations, entertainment, and delicious meals.

Read on for our top picks for fun things to do at Woodloch Resort, and our tips for planning your own Woodloch Pines getaway. While you're in the area, we've got 70 fun things to do in the Poconos with kids, plus you can find more fun family resorts in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids near NYC

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 08/11/2023 - 1:53pm

Take a high-flying lesson in trapeze alongside the Hudson River at the New York School of Trapeze.

If you're raising a daredevil who loves extreme sports and high-thrill activities, we've got you covered. From parkour classes to go-karts, zip lines, and axe-throwing, we've rounded up 12 thrilling, adrenaline-pumping things to do in NYC. These extreme sports offer excitement and thrills in a safe and controlled environment so parents don't have to worry.

Make sure to take note of any age or height restrictions before heading out or risk being shut out of these extreme sports in NYC. Find more heart-pumping activities and things to do in our Guide to Kids Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones in NYC.

18 Best Arts and Crafts Classes in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Sun, 08/06/2023 - 8:19am

Barking Cat Studio provides instruction in a variety of mediums. Photo courtesy of the studio

Arts and crafts classes in NYC offer a fun way to break up the monotony of the every day for kids (and adults!) of all ages. No matter where you are in New York City, you don't have to go far to find a creative outlet. We've rounded up 18 arts and crafts studios from Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island where creative kids can take arts and crafts classes in NYC in disciplines including beading, painting, pottery, drawing, textiles, slime-making, paper crafts, ceramic decorating, and more.

Some of these studios offer a mixture of in-person arts and crafts classes and virtual class options, and some provide supplies. You can find more arts and crafts classes for kids in NYC, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check out our New York City Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

Single-Day Camps and Classes in NYC You Can Book Today

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 1:36pm

One of the best parts of Playday’s amazing art classes is the flexibility it offers families.

Between the end of the school year and the start of summer camp, families often need classes and activities that offer last-minute, drop-in options or single-day summer camps to keep kids busy. We've rounded up eight local summer camps and classes that offer programming during this time and give parents lots of scheduling flexibility, so you can sign up at the last minute. Lest you think this list is just for summer camp, keep it handy: Many offer of these single-day summer camps also offer programming during the random days off that pepper the NYC public school calendar. There's even a cool workspace on the list that provides childcare and kids' activities while parents get some work done.

If you need more coverage than these one-day summer camps and classes offer, bookmark our Summer Camp Guide and NYC Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps in NYC by type, age, and neighborhood.

Rockaways with Kids: 25 Things To Do at Rockaway Beach and Beyond

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 05/18/2023 - 6:01pm

The sandy shores at Rockaway Beach span more than 5 1/2 miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Photo courtesy of NYCGo

Rockaway Beach is home to soft sand and formidable Atlantic Ocean waves—it's the only shore in NYC where you're allowed to surf. Although this area was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy, the boardwalk and Rockaway Park have been renovated with amazing playgrounds and water play areas. It's a perfect spot for a beachy daycation and much closer to home for locals than The Hamptons.

Read on for all you need to know about spending a day at Rockaway Beach with kids. Beyond the basics—sand! surf!—we've outlined need-to-know info like how to get to Rockaway Beach and the best things to do when you arrive at this NYC summer favorite. Find more local beaches to explore in our Guide to NYC Beaches, Pools, and Water Parks.

Best Outdoor Dining in Brooklyn at Family-Friendly Restaurants

Submitted by Diana Kim on Fri, 05/12/2023 - 4:20pm

Eat on the rooftop at Fornino on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6. Photo by Lisa Seibold-Winder

Now that outdoor dining season is upon us, you'll be pleased to know Brooklyn boasts its share of restaurants with outdoor seating that go far behind simple sidewalk tables. We know parents are looking for more spacious outdoor dining at restaurants with patios, a backyard, picnic tables, and sometimes even a bit of grass!

Just in time for summer, we've rounded up our favorite restaurants for outdoor dining in Brooklyn. These family-friendly restaurants feature ample outdoor space, serve delicious food, and welcome families with children. If you're in the mood for variety, we've included a mix of cuisines: Japanese, Mexican, Cuban, southern comfort, and, of course, pizza, barbecue, and new American.

Headed to Brooklyn from a neighboring area? Browse our Brooklyn Kids Guide to take full advantage of the borough while you're there, or peruse our NYC Restaurant Guide for more family-friendly eats.

Diana Kim

Latest posts by Diana

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