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 Summer Fairs and Street Festivals in NYC August 2025

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 07/24/2025 - 11:26am

The annual Aarti Hindu Lamp Ceremony returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pebble Beach! Photo by Etienne Frossard

August ushers in the final round of summer festivals in NYC. This last gasp of summer celebrations includes some of our favorite summer festivals in NYC like Summer Streets, which stretches nearly the length of Manhattan, Brooklyn's gorgeous Hindu Lamp Ceremony, the Sand Sculpting Contest on Coney Island, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Fest, and, of course, Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the US Open. We've found more than two dozen summer festivals in NYC this August and the best part: They're (almost) all FREE.

Best Family-Friendly Street Fairs and Summer Festivals in NYC July 2025

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 07/04/2025 - 10:23am

Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York leads a celebration of Mexican culture in Socrates Sculpture Park during Guelaguetza. Photo by Bob Krasner

We're entering peak season for the family-friendly festivals that pop up all over NYC all summer long. Our list of fun summer festivals for kids in July 2025 includes annual favorites like City of Water Day and the blocks-long Bastille Day, plus little-kid picks like Sprinkler Day at Asphalt Green.

From Riveride Park's Goatham to MoMath's Math Fest and the Poetry Festival on Governors Island, there's no shortage of extraordinary festivities for NYC families in July.

4th of July Weekend in NYC: Macy's Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 07/04/2025 - 10:20am

Skip the standard Fourth of July cookout and enjoy an evening cruise and front-row seat to the Macy's fireworks display. Photo courtesy Event Cruises NYC

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this 4th of July weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long holiday weekend.

We've got the 411 for the big Macy's 4th of July fireworks show, plus plenty of other fireworks displays from Richmond Town in Staten Island to Coney Island's sparklers.

Plus: Sharks are partying at the New York Aquarium, Memnon opens at the Marcus Garvey Amphitheater, Mr. Puppy debuts at AMT, and families can immerse themselves in magic during a performance of the Broadway Magic Hour at the Broadway Comedy Club.

Free Activities in July: 81 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Thu, 07/03/2025 - 11:55am

Slip and slide your way to smiles during Asphalt Green's Sprinkler Day. Photo courtesy of Asphalt Green

July is hot, but it's packed with cool free things to do in NYC for families, from Macy's 4th of July fireworks to City of Water Day and the BAAND Together Dance Fest. We've got all the details on free summer concerts, including the rooftop series at Pier 57, and fab fests, including the West Side Fest, Bastille Day, and Sprinkler Day!

Read on for more than 80 fun, free things to do in NYC this July, and find more fun this month in our Ultimate NYC Kids' Summer Fun Guide.

20 Best Things To Do in NYC July 2025 with Kids: Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and More

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Sun, 06/29/2025 - 10:57am

Celebrate all things French when Bastille Day takes over Madison Avenue with a blocks-long street fest. Photo by Michael George

Cue the fireworks, because July is here, bringing with it tons of 4th of July fun, plus plenty more family-friendly things to do in New York City.

Independence Day kickstarts July with a bang, and fireworks are exploding all over town, including the big Macy's 4th of July display, which returns to the Lower East Side. Annual favorite festivals help beat the heat with the seafaring-inspired City of Water Day and the wet-and-wild Sprinkler Day at Asphalt Green.

July's greatest hits also include the West Side Fest and a Bastille Day blockbuster on Madison Avenue.

Keep an eye on our lists of FREE outdoor movies and summer concerts, which are frequently updated, and find more top July fun on our list of 100 FREE things to do this summer in NYC and our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Father's Day Weekend 2025 Things To Do in NYC: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth and More

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 10:41am

The Museum at Eldridge Street presents the annual Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival. Photo courtesy of the museum

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

Dads are in the spotlight this weekend, with Father's Day-focused festivities at the fore at Wave Hill and CMOM. Families can also get the jump on Juneteenth fun in Rockefeller Park, and explore NYC's melting pot at the Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival.

We've tons of excellent options for family fun this weekend, including a Pride celebration at St. John the Divine. Here's hoping the weather finally cooperates!

You can stay on top of all of our top picks by bookmarking our NYC Family Activity Calendar or joining our Poppins Parents Group, where we share deals and sneak peeks with our fans!

Free Outdoor Movies in NYC Summer 2025 for Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 06/06/2025 - 7:38am

Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard

When the summer sun goes down in NYC, the town lights up outdoor movie screens in all five boroughs, and these free outdoor movie screenings are perfect for kids and families.

We keep an eye on these special outdoor summer movie screenings all season long, including the Movies Under the Stars series, which offers screenings in some of our favorite parks and playgrounds in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx, and annual favorites like Bryant Park Movie Nights, the Summer on the Hudson Pier I Picture Show, and Movies with a View in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Read on for our favorite free outdoor summer movies in NYC and bookmark our NYC Kids' Summer Fun Guide for more free things to do with kids all season long.

23 Best Things To Do in New York City June 2025 with Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 05/30/2025 - 10:11am

Bring a picnic to the New York Philharmonic's annual free concerts across New York City with post-concert fireworks. Photo Van Cortlandt Park/Chris Lee

Get ready for summer! June in NYC brings festivals for Juneteenth, Father's Day, Pride, and even some early fireworks.

June is jam-packed with amazing family fun, and the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks get it started with the season's first fireworks! Mommy Poppins is hosting our own train-inspired fest at Grand Central, and beloved favorite annual festivals, including the Museum Mile Festival, Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas, and PrideFest keep the fun rolling all month long.

Drew Kristofik

Latest posts by Drew

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