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 Sports Summer Camps in NYC

Submitted by Diana Kim on Wed, 02/15/2023 - 10:18am

Chelsea Piers sports summer camp offers instruction in a variety of disciplines from beginner to elite levels. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Piers

When it comes to sports summer camps, New York City kids can choose from a number of programs that help them build their athleticism in facilities outfitted with everything from massive rock-climbing walls to indoor ice rinks, outdoor ball fields, Olympic-sized pools, and more state-of-the-art sports complexes.

Read on for our picks for the best sports summer camps in New York City, from Brooklyn to the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Find more summer camp options in our New York City Summer Camp Guide, which has our picks for the best free and cheap summer camps in NYC, the best preschool summer camps in NYC, and even the top sleepaway summer camps in the Northeast. Don't forget to bookmark our Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for camps by interest, age, and borough.

37 Best Things To Do in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 02/06/2023 - 6:26pm

Make sure to visit the India Street Murals on your next visit to Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Photo courtesy of Groundswell

Greenpoint, Brooklyn is situated on the northernmost border of the borough and provides a delightful mix of old and new, trendy and vintage, traditional and hipster. While Greenpoint, Brooklyn has a large, established Polish community, newer restaurants, shops, and businesses are popping up and adding to the diverse and lively community. Artists and entrepreneurs have long been drawn to Greenpoint, Brooklyn for its creative vibe and its proximity to Williamsburg and Manhattan. So, you'll find traditional Polish restaurants next to art galleries, trendy boutiques, and upscale eateries.

Families flock to Greenpoint, Brooklyn for its cheaper rents, impressive green spaces, and lots of kid-friendly businesses and activities. Greenpoint lives up to its name with a number of well-kept green spaces like Monsignor McGolrick park, and the 35-acre McCarren Park, which spills over into Williamsburg and the revitalized East River waterfront. To help you get the most out of Greenpoint, Brooklyn we've rounded up the top 37 things to do in Greenpoint with kids. Find more fun neighborhoods to explore in our New York City Kids Neighborhood Guide.

NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families

Submitted by Diana Kim on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 1:25pm

Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier

NYC is notoriously expensive, but there are plenty of cheap things to do if you know where to look. We've done the legwork to bring you our best NYC money-saving tips, including how to save on everything from museum outings to Broadway tickets, kid gear, and where to score the best cheap eats.

Whether you're a local or a tourist visiting the Big Apple, here are our top tips for cheap things to do in NYC. If that's not enough, we've got an entire list of 100 FREE things to do in NYC with kids, and our Guide to Free, Fun Things To Do in NYC contains more parent-tested tips, tricks, and outings. While there's no doubt New York is an expensive place, there are also lots of free and cheap activities if you know where to look, and that's where this list of 42 cheap things to do in NYC comes in.

Mission Trips for Teens: 7 Summer Service Programs That Help Kids Give Back

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 4:58pm

Visions Service Adventures leads mission trips for teens to a variety of locations.

If your teen is looking for an enriching summer experience but has aged out of summer camp, embarking on one of these mission trips or service projects for teens could be a good fit. While teens can stick around and enjoy a summer internship in NYC or try to nail down a summer job, these summer service projects offer a different kind of real-world experience that allows kids to travel while giving back.

Each of these summer programs offers a service-oriented experience allowing teens to immerse themselves in a foreign culture while helping local communities and assisting in conservation projects, teaching teens empathy, leadership skills, and cultural appreciation in the process. On many of these mission trips, there's an opportunity to enjoy recreational activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, sightseeing, hiking, and cultural exploration, too.

Ready to explore? Read on for seven orgs offering mission trips for teens and find more teen-approved things to do in our NYC Teens Guide.

City Point Brooklyn and DeKalb Market Hall: Where to Eat, Shop, and Play with Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 11/08/2022 - 3:52pm

City Point Brooklyn's outpost of CAMP hosts Cosmic Camp, which allows families to tackle an intergalactic adventure. Photo by author

The City Point Brooklyn complex has so much to offer families. It's a dining, shopping, and entertainment destination with offerings for all ages. Parents can appreciate the convenience of Target and Trader Joe’s, while specialty retailers cater to unique interests, and the whole family can enjoy the sleek dine-in movie theater and the vast DeKalb Market Hall, one of our favorite local food halls in NYC, with its delicious offerings from dozens of vendors.

We've rounded up the best things to do with kids at City Point Brooklyn below. You can find even more things to do nearby in our roundup of family-friendly destinations in Fort Green and Clinton Hill.

KPOP the Musical Brings Full-Scale K-pop Concert to Broadway Stage

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 11/08/2022 - 10:00am

Go behind the scenes with fictional K-pop stars during KPOP the musical on Broadway. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Editor's note: KPOP the musical plays its final Broadway performance on Sunday, December 11, 2022.
If your kids are fans of K-pop, you won't want to miss seeing KPOP the musical, an original production that's landed on Broadway and our list of the best Broadway shows to see with kids this season. Starring current and former K-pop stars, KPOP the musical is a lively and energetic show that will have you dancing in your seats.

Fresh off a viewing of KPOP the musical with my 12-year-old daughter and her friends, here's what you need to know about bringing your kids to this new Broadway show. Find more great productions for all ages in our Guide to Children's Theater and Shows in NYC.

Visiting the Whitney Museum in NYC with Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Diana Kim on Tue, 10/18/2022 - 4:59pm

The Whitney Museum of American Art covers decades of contemporary work from American artists.

There's no shortage of art museums in New York City, but the Whitney Museum of American Art is the only one devoted to showcasing contemporary American art. While displaying the works of many well-established American artists, the Whitney Museum is unique in its dedication to presenting the works of living artists whose works often contains social messages.

The Whitney Museum in NYC is a must-see for families and kids to learn about important artists making their mark in the present day. Since modern art can be a bit intimidating even for grown-ups, we've gathered our top tips for a family-friendly outing to this unique museum and our favorite kids' activities to enjoy while you're there.

Read on for our top tips for visiting the Whitney Museum in NYC, and find all our top culture spots for kids in our New York City Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits Guide.

19 Special Needs Programs in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Diana Kim on Mon, 09/26/2022 - 4:56pm

The Adaptive Climbing Group introduces kids of all ages to the adventure of rock climbing with its unique special needs program. Photo courtesy of the group

Finding the right special needs program for your child can be a challenge. Whether your child has a developmental challenge, disability, or disorder, it's important to find appropriate special needs programs that can accommodate their unique needs. Luckily, there are several special needs programs in NYC for children of every ability and interest.

We've rounded up 19 special needs programs in New York City. When reaching out to these venues, don't forget to ask about special needs summer camps and holiday mini camps. Many of these special needs programs offer them, too.

You can find more special needs programs for kids, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our New York City Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests. Bookmark our Special Needs Guide for more special needs programs in NYC, including sensory gyms, support groups, and sensory activities.

Diana Kim

Latest posts by Diana

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