James Smith

James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.

Latest posts by James

Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend With Kids: Snow Fun, Science, Schoolhouse Rock

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 01/08/2020 - 11:30am

Thrill to fun in the snow at Snow Island in Roswell. Photo courtesy of Lanier Islands

The holiday season has come to a close in Atlanta. But that doesn't mean the fun has to stop.

The city is brimming with activity on the first weekend back from holiday break. Enjoy snow tubing and more in Roswell, a museum afternoon in Atlanta, or perhaps a fun, family portrait session right in the downtown.

Back in Roswell, kids can enjoy a nature walk or perhaps a stage presentation of Schoolhouse Rock. (Who could ever forget "Conjunction Junction"?) A few holiday events remain if you just can't let go of the season, including train rides and light shows.

Whatever you do, know your friends at Mommy Poppins Atlanta will be with you all through 2020.

Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend: Science, Space, Holiday Events

Submitted by James Smith on Thu, 01/02/2020 - 10:33am

Enjoy an out-of-this-world play experience at Toys R' Us Adventure. Photo courtesy of Toys R' Us

Happy New Year, Atlanta. You've survived the gift-giving rush, Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, and now can focus ahead to a bright 2020.

This weekend you can usher in the new year with a space adventure at the Fernbank Science Center, a nature hike in Roswell, even a toy adventure in Atlanta And that's just the beginning: Enjoy a makers club meeting just for girls, skating at a number of local rinks, and more.

Why not check out some final holiday happenings at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Centennial Olympic Park, and Stone Mountain before those events end their seasonal runs. Whatever you do, know your friends at Mommy Poppins Atlanta will be with you all through 2020.

Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend: State Parks, Nature Hikes, Holiday Happenings

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 01/01/2020 - 1:45pm

Thrill to the Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Happy New Year, Orlando. You've survived the gift-giving rush, Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, and now can focus ahead to a bright 2020.

This weekend you can usher in the new year with a state park celebration, a nature hike, musical storytime, even a toy show. And that's just the beginning: Enjoy family movie night in Kissimmee, big air without the sensory chaos in Sanford, and drop-in gymnastics in Winter Garden.

Why not check out some final holiday happenings at the University of Central Florida, Waterford Lakes Town Center, and Lake Nona before those events end their seasonal runs. Whatever you do, know your friends at Mommy Poppins Orlando will be with you all through 2020.

Things to Do in DC This Weekend: Science, Dinosaurs, Children's Theater

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 01/01/2020 - 1:32pm

Treat your toddler to a morning of learning. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center

Happy New Year, DC. You've survived the gift-giving rush, Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, and now can focus ahead to a bright 2020.

This weekend you can usher in the new year with science adventures in Washington, DC and Baltimore, dinosaur discovery in Laurel, even some toddler time at the Smithsonian Early Education Center. And that's just the beginning: Enjoy children's theater in DC, ice skating at a local rink, and more.

Why not check out some final holiday happenings at the Botanic Garden Conservatory before the seasonal run ends. Whatever you do, know your friends at Mommy Poppins DC will be with you all through 2020.

January GoList: The Best Things To Do With Long Island Kids

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 12/27/2019 - 8:00am

Meteorologists tell us January is the coldest month on Long Island. It’s also one of the longest.

As we endure a seemingly endless run of Arctic days and nights, it might be natural to fall into a post-holidays depression. After all, once the tree comes down, what do we have to look forward to but three months of head colds and commuting nightmares, right?

Not so fast. While January presents its challenges, parents with a little imagination can find plenty of ways to stave off cabin fever, which is where we come in.

Find a sledding hill and challenge the local powder. Indulge your inner Olympian with a day at a local ice rink. Stimulate young intellects with a trip to a nearby children’s museum. Our guide to indoor play spaces on Long Island can provide even more inspiration.

Our January GoList is laced with events from New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King weekend right through to the end of the month.

Things to Do in Atlanta this Weekend with Kids: Santa Parties, Nutcracker, Cirque du Soleil

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 12/11/2019 - 11:15am

Celebrate the season at the natural wonderland of Stone Mountain. Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain

Hard to believe, isn't it? But Santa's arrival in Atlanta is a mere two weeks away. Assuming you have sufficiently completed your shopping and have some free time on your hands this weekend, why not take advantage of all the metro area has to offer this holiday season.

This weekend, families can thrill to the acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, create warm holiday memories at a performance of The Nutcracker, or maybe see a new take on the time-honored classic in the Urban Nutcracker. Kids can enjoy a dance party with Santa, and a pajama party, too. Your little princess will thrill to brunch with the American Girl roster and even your four-legged friend gets to share his or her wish list with Santa.

Things to Do in Orlando this Weekend with Kids: Winter Fest, Holiday Parades, Polar Express

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 12/11/2019 - 11:00am

Snow is in the forecast for Wekiva Island's Winter Wonderland. Photo by Jessica Swatts

Impossible to believe, isn't it? But in just two weeks Santa visits the Orlando area. And while we might not be expecting snow, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Assuming you've completed a sufficient amount of your shopping, this is an ideal weekend to sample a host of Central Florida's holiday offerings. Things like: a holiday parade in Oviedo; a boat parade in Winter Park; a parade of holiday lights in Kissimmee; winter festivals in Longwood, Maitland, and Oviedo; and of course, a pair of Disney holiday events.

Things to Do in DC with Kids this Weekend: Holiday Theater, Lights, Movies

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 12/11/2019 - 11:00am

Join Santa for a ride aboard the B&O Railroad. Photo courtesy of B&O Railroad Museum

It might be difficult to believe, but in a mere two weeks Santa visits the nation's capital and surrounding areas. So why not take a breather from shopping and take in some of the capital area's best holiday offerings. You've earned it.

Things like: holiday theater in DC; train rides with Santa in Baltimore; and a Christmas movie festival in Arlington. There's also a toy drive in Alexandria for truck fans, and holiday lights all around the city, including at Nationals Park.

James Smith

Latest posts by James

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