Drew Kristofik

Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Drew

Best Halloween Parades in New York City for Kids in 2025

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 7:39am

The Dumboween parade features live music and puppets on Halloween. Photo by Ming Fai Chan

There's nothing quite like a neighborhood Halloween parade in NYC, from the iconic Village Halloween Parade on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan to the smaller, kid-friendly NYC neighborhood Halloween parades, including the Jackson Heights Halloween Parade, the famed Park Slope march, and the Bleecker Playground fest for little ones.

Our list of top NYC Halloween parades even includes pet parades and costume contests that allow dogs to line up in fantastic outfits in Carl Schurz Park and beyond.

If you don't live in a great trick-or-treating neighborhood, these Halloween parades in NYC are a wonderful way to hunt for candy in another neighborhood. Find more 2025 Halloween fun in our New York City Kids Guide to Halloween, which includes our picks for the best FREE Halloween events in NYC.

Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend in NYC: Harvest Fests, Halloween, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 7:34am

The Brooklyn Children's Museum and North American Indigenous Center of New York host a two-day celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day. Photo by Winston Williams/courtesy of the museum

It's Indigenous Peoples Day weekend in NYC, and we've found tons of things to do with kids. Here are our top picks for family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long holiday weekend.

Indigenous Peoples Day falls on Monday, October 13, and families can make corn husk dolls at Wave Hill or head to Randall's Island to celebrate native New Yorkers on Sunday and Monday. The Brooklyn Children's Museum stages a two-day celebration, too. Columbus Day celebrations linger, including the Columbus Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. And, if you're ready to flip the page on fall, take note: Rockefeller Center's ice skating rink opens for the season Saturday!

All that, plus the New York Botanical Garden stages a salute to Wicked and the NY Aquarium transforms into Ascarium on Coney Island.

Best 2025 Día de los Muertos and Day of the Dead Celebrations in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 10/03/2025 - 10:07am

Día de los Muertos in the Flatiron District kicks off Friday, October 10, with interactive activities and events running all month long. Photo courtesy of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership

Día de los Muertos is a vibrant Mexican holiday, and we've rounded up 15 Day of the Dead events in NYC where kids and families can celebrate the holiday while honoring the memories of loved ones.

Families can enjoy a celebration at the Children's Museum of Manhattan, complete with performances, crafts, and storytimes, create nicho boxes at Wave Hill, or spend an entire day in Green-Wood Cemetery.

Read on for all our top picks, and find more seasonal things to do in our NYC Kids Guide to Fall Fun.

62 Top Free Activities in NYC October 2025 for Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 10/02/2025 - 3:56pm

Cirque Kikasse brings its zany show—with a food truck as a stage—to Lincoln Center for one weekend only. Photo by Doug Combe/courtesy of Lincoln Center

October is bubbling over with bushels of free things to do in NYC. In addition to our huge, spooky pile of free Halloween activities, we've found tons more cost-free fun happening in NYC this month, from St. John the Divine's heavenly Blessing of the Animals to Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, a big Diwali celebration in Times Square, Open House New York, and the return of Bryant Park's Winter Village.

Read on for all our picks for free activities in New York City this October, including events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Find more top events on our best-of-October list. Of course, our Guide to Fall Activities and New York City Kids Guide to Halloween have all the seasonal must-do's.

Halloween and More Things To Do in NYC with Kids October 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Sun, 09/28/2025 - 11:41am

The Little Red Lighthouse welcomes fall with an all-ages, waterfront festival on Saturday, October 4. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

In October, New York City is crawling with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and, of course, trick-or-treating—so many opportunities to wear Halloween costumes! But Halloween isn't the only game in town.

We're super psyched for all the other glorious shenanigans October has in store, including the 50th annual Atlantic Antic (we'll be there, too!), snooping behind the scenes at Open House NY, and the new Calder's Circus exhibit at the Whitney. Plus, the American Museum of Natural History is bringing back its Night at the Museum sleepovers this month.

Of course, Halloween lurks at month's end, and, never fear, we have you covered when it comes to FREE Halloween fun. Find all our top picks for the spooky season in our New York City Kids' Guide to Halloween.

Top Free Halloween Events in NYC in 2025: BAMBoo!, Great PUPkin, Labubu Fest, and More

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 09/26/2025 - 2:33pm

Hit The High Line in costume to celebrate all things creepy and crawly on Saturday, October 25. Photo by Liz Ligon/courtesy of The High Line

What's the one way to make costume-and-candy-filled NYC Halloween events even sweeter? Make them free! In New York City, there are loads of no-cost Halloween celebrations in 2025, whether you're looking for preschooler Halloween events or you've got a teen who can't wait to be spooked.

There are no tricks here: We're giving parents the best treat of all with this roundup of free Halloween events in New York City for kids, including big annual favorites like downtown Brooklyn's BAMBoo!, the Pumpkin Pageant in Inwood, and much more. We'll even tell you how to score a free Halloween costume or two.

So, get dolled up and leave your wallets at home for these free Halloween events in New York City, and find everything from NYC's best trick-or-treating spots to splurge-worthy Halloween events in our New York City Kids' Guide to Halloween.

Best Halloween Events in NYC 2025 for Kids and Families

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Sun, 09/21/2025 - 6:58am

The Bronx Zoo celebrates Boo at the Zoo with family activities all October long. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher

Halloween is one of the best nights to be a kid in NYC, and our 2025 list of the best Halloween events in New York City includes can't-miss Halloween activities from Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and even some top-notch picks in the 'burbs.

We've rounded up our favorite 2025 Halloween events in NYC for families, including perennial kid-pleasers, like BAMBoo!, Boo at the Zoo, and the big Village Halloween Parade.

So, read on for our curated list of the best Halloween events in New York City for kids, and start planning your spooky fun. Our Family Activity Calendar, and our New York City Kids' Halloween Guide are jam-packed with more seasonal fun, including top pumpkin patches and the best local costume stores to get you ready for the big night.

Best 2025 Pumpkin Patches and Harvest Festivals in NYC

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 09/18/2025 - 12:46pm

Don your costumes and get your hands on some pumpkins and plenty of seasonal fun at Brooklyn Bridge Park's annual Harvest Festival. Photo by Etienne Frossard/courtesy of the park

If you think harvest festivals are the stuff of far-flung farmland, we're here to tell you that you don't have to leave NYC for an authentic harvest experience. NYC is jam-packed with fall activities, including pumpkin patches, hayrides, and even our very own corn maze. So, grab the kids and get primed for fall fun, no car rental necessary.

Of course, if you're looking for a more traditional pumpkin-picking experience, be sure to check out our favorite pumpkin patches near NYC. You can find more seasonal picks in our NYC Kids' Guide to Fall Fun, including our favorite fall festivals in NYC.

Drew Kristofik

Latest posts by Drew

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