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

61 Free Activities in NYC September 2025 for Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Mon, 09/01/2025 - 12:29pm

Italian pride—and tasty eats—are on the menu at the annual Feast of San Gennaro, which takes over Little Italy in September. Photo by Jody Mercier

Back-to-school season can be expensive, but we've found 61 free things to do in NYC with kids this September. Our picks for free things to do include the last few bites of summer fun at Little Italy's Feast of San Gennaro, the big Brooklyn Book Festival (with a special appearance by Mommy Poppins herself, Anna Fader!), and a Mommy Poppins-sponsored back-to-school bash at Pier 57.

Plus, Broadway is staging a free concert in celebration of NYC's 400th birthday!

Read on for the best free things to do in New York City this September with kids, including events in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Find more top events on our always-packed Family Activity Calendar.

Best 2025 Fall Festivals and Fairs in NYC this September and October

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Sun, 08/31/2025 - 10:08am

Try your hand at corn husking and more analog entertainment during the Corn Fest at the Queens County Farm Museum. Photo courtesy of the Queens County Farm Museum

Fall festivals in NYC punctuate the changing of seasons with all the pleasures autumn conjures: apple cider doughnuts, hay rides, the hunt for the perfect pumpkin, and cozy family vibes. New York City fall festival favorites include the Richmond County Fair, the West Side County Fair, and the Brooklyn Children's Book Fair. Plus, Mommy Poppins is hosting a Back to School Fall Fest at Pier 57 on Sunday, September 21, and programming Playtopia at the Atlantic Antic on Sunday, October 5, with help from our friends at Brooklyn Bridge Parents.

There are also some cool under-the-radar events you may not have heard of, including an Italian fair in the Bronx that is a lot less crowded than Little Italy's San Gennaro and the Annual Bus Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

22 Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids September 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 08/29/2025 - 7:54am

All aboard for a day of fun when vintage transit vehicles take over Brooklyn Bridge Park for the New York Transit Museum's annual bus festival. Photo courtesy of the museum

Labor Day kicks off September's activities, launching New York City's season of apple picking, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.

September is here, and even though the kids are heading back to school, there's still plenty of time for fun. The West Side County Fair provides some end-of-summer thrills with rides, games, and plenty of live music. Broadway salutes New York's 400th birthday with a massive free concert. And, Morningside Lights and San Gennaro light up the town from the Heights to Little Italy.

Meanwhile, we're hosting a very special Back-to-School Fall Fest in Chelsea. And, by month's end, things are getting spooky—read on for all the seasonal picks!

Labor Day Weekend 2025 in NYC: Festivals, Fairs, and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 08/29/2025 - 7:42am

Enjoy roving performers, kid-friendly activities, and plenty of good eats when the Richmond County Fair takes over Historic Richmond Town for its annual run. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this Labor Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Summer takes a final victory lap this weekend, and the Labor Day holiday means the NYC Unicycle Festival is one-wheeling all around town, the Richmond County Fair brings rides and carnival classics to Staten Island, Bryant Park is saluting both accordions and Sly Stone (but not at the same time!), and A Midsummer Night's Dream romps through Central park, unrehearsed.

Best Tennis Classes in NYC for Kids: Top Spots for Indoor and Outdoor Lessons

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 08/28/2025 - 11:09am

Advantage Tennis offers kid-friendly tennis classes at a variety of locations citywide. Photo courtesy of Advantage Tennis

From tots to teens, New York City is home to kids' tennis classes for a wide range of ages and abilities. From outdoor tennis courts to some intriguing indoor options, you can find many tennis lessons in NYC, plus youth tennis leagues running year-round.

Find more tennis classes and tennis programs in NYC for kids in our directory of classes and listings. Bookmark our New York City Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes in NYC for kids of all ages and interests.

Best Preschools on the Upper West Side

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 08/14/2025 - 10:01am

Nature inspires art at Columbus Preschool. Photo courtesy of the school

When it comes to finding the best preschool in NYC, the family-packed Upper West Side offers plenty of choices. With preschool spots in high demand, it can feel as if you're trying to get your toddler into college!

Take heart, though, great preschools on the Upper West Side are plentiful, so with a little legwork, you'll find the right fit for your family. We're outlining some top Upper West Side preschools below, and we've divided them by type to help you start your search. Don't forget our Preschool Directory is an excellent resource to find more programs as well.

For more help, we've compiled a helpful list of preschool admissions tips, plus 10 questions to ask during a preschool tour.

109 Free Activities for Kids in NYC: Best Things To Do in August 2025

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 07/31/2025 - 2:26pm

When Broadway’s dark, the waterfront is alive at Hudson River Park’s Clinton Cove. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park

NYC empties in August, but free fun abounds for those who stay in town. The lull before back-to-school is anything but dull, and we've found more than 100 fun, free August activities in NYC for families, including Summer Streets, which sets kids loose with awesome activities at rest stops along the way, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Fest, and the always-lovely Hindu Lamp Ceremony.

Plus, Shakespeare shimmers in free outdoor performances all around town—including at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater with The Public's version of Twelfth Night, and you can end the month love all, when Arthur Ashe Kids' Day returns during the US Open Fan Week.

Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids August 2025

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Sun, 07/27/2025 - 9:33am

See Double Dutch routines from championship teams at Lincoln Center. Photo by Photo by Kevin Yatarola

Summer's not over, and there are so many fun things to do in New York City this August! Enjoy outdoor movies and concerts, summer festivals, and the best beach days.

Back-to-school season is right around the corner, but it's not here quite yet. August is the perfect time to coast down traffic-free Summer Streets, cheer athletes at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Fest, and discover your inner Michelangelo while making sand sculptures on Coney Island. Kids' Night on Broadway's summer edition offers free tickets for kids.

Plus, Shakespeare in the Park is back at the newly remodeled Delacorte with a dazzling production of Twelfth Night.

Drew Kristofik

Latest posts by Drew

Pages