Sonia Gonzalez

Sonia Gonzalez

Sonia is a veteran editor and writer for Mommy Poppins. She loves exploring greater New York with her husband and their three kids and is always on the looking out for innovative, educational and fun things to do with them. She is thrilled to have this platform to share what she finds with Mommy Poppins readers.

Latest posts by Sonia

Free Boat Rides in NYC from Kayaks to Sailboats and More

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Tue, 06/11/2024 - 1:11pm

Kids can join parents for kayaking in NYC at Hudson River Park. Photo courtesy the Manhattan Community Boathouse

With all the water surrounding New York City, it's no wonder there are so many sightseeing cruises and fun ferry rides to great kid destinations. If you want to be your own captain, NYC offers many seasonal opportunities for families to get out on the water by themselves with FREE sailing, canoeing, rowing, and kayaking in NYC.

We've rounded up 11 great New York City organizations offering boating sessions on the local waterways. Find more fun ways to get wet in our Guide to Beaches and Lakes Near NYC.

Best Inexpensive Drop-in Play Spaces in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 12:05pm

Hit the supermarket at the imaginative Twinkle play space in Williamsburg. Photo courtesy of the venue

New York City is packed with fun indoor play spaces to keep kids active all year. From indoor playgrounds to kid-centric museums, there is no shortage of fun activities perfect for bad-weather days or just because. But, keeping kids entertained can cost a pretty penny. So, we've rounded up 16 affordable indoor play spaces in NYC offering drop-in play for $20 or less a visit, and a few of these indoor playgrounds in NYC are significantly cheaper!

Read on for our picks for budget-friendly play spaces in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx, and find more fun places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Indoor Activities.

Horseback Riding in NYC: Lessons and Rides for Kids

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 9:27am

Learn horseback riding basics with Gallop NYC. Photo courtesy of Gallop NYC

Did you know you can go horseback riding in New York City? While your NYC apartment probably won't accommodate a pet pony, you can indulge your child’s love of horses without leaving town. There are several options for family-friendly horseback riding and grooming lessons, plus drop-in trail riding experiences, which offer a unique way to experience the great outdoors in NYC.

While, sadly, there are no stables in Manhattan, you can go horseback riding in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. If that's not enough animal fun for your kid, consider booking an overnight at one of these local farms, and find more animal fun in our Guide to Family-Friendly Farms and Pick-Your-Own Fun near NYC.

Take the Kids Back in Time at the New York Renaissance Faire

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 5:57am

It's a family-affair at the New York Renaissance Faire, which opens in Sterling Forest on Saturday, August 22.

The New York Renaissance Faire descends on Sterling Forest again this fall, running on weekends and holidays from late August through early October. This annual festival transforms the state park in Tuxedo into a 16th-century village complete with period costumes, music, theater, and crafts.

The massive 65-acre "Renn Faire," as locals call it, has been taking place since 1977, and it kicks off again Saturday, August 26, 2023. Read on for details on what to see there with the kids, ticket discounts, and more.

Looking for more fun in the Hudson Valley? Take a look at our Family Day Trips Guide and our picks for 35 things to do in the region with kids.

Retro Roller Skating Rink Coming to Rockefeller Center This Spring

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Thu, 03/17/2022 - 12:47pm

Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace at The Rink is set to bring roller skating to Rockefeller Center beginning Friday, April 15.

Rockefeller Center’s famed ice skating rink is scheduled to close for the season this weekend, but those not yet ready to give up skating at The Rink are in luck. Skaters of all ages will be able to take to the rink this spring and summer—the roller skating rink, that is! Read on for details about the brand new roller skating rink coming to the already family-friendly Rockefeller Center complex this spring.

Family-Friendly NYC Outings Inspired by Storybooks

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 4:02pm

Play out your Eloise fantasies at The Plaza Hotel, where you can stay in a suite inspired by the precocious storybook character. Photo courtesy of The Plaza/a Fairmount Managed Hotel

There are countless books that use NYC as their setting—and with good reason. It’s a marvelous, one-of-a-kind city. So, we’ve put together some outings inspired by six of our favorite kid-lit characters and storylines. From picture books to chapter books, we’ve rounded up fun-filled destinations for all ages.

Find more storybook inspiration on our list of 100 kids' books every child should read before they grow up and find more outing inspiration in our Family Activity Calendar.

Planned Atlantic City Water Park Promises Year-Round Jersey Shore Fun

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Thu, 01/27/2022 - 10:07am

Sun, surf, slides, and splashes are on the horizon when Atlantic City welcomes ISLAND Waterpark in 2023.

Atlantic City, most commonly associated with casinos, may not be the first place that comes to mind for kid-friendly fun. We see the seaside town differently and, apparently, so does the Philly-based developer behind the plan to add to Atlantic City’s family appeal with a brand new, fun-for-all-ages, year-round water park, dubbed ISLAND Waterpark. Read on for details on this exciting project, which is sure to land on our list of the best things to do with kids in Atlantic City. And don’t forget to check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide for more family-fun options up and down the region.

Exploring Arthur Avenue: The Bronx's Own Little Italy

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 2:11pm

Colorful murals pay homage to the famed Arthur Avenue and its starring roll in pop culture.

The Bronx’s famed Arthur Avenue probably needs no introduction. Often dubbed NYC’s “real” Little Italy, this area in the Belmont section of NYC’s northernmost borough has been known for its Italian heritage dating back to the 1850s. The neighborhood has been featured in many films and TV shows—most notably, A Bronx Tale, Robert DeNiro’s directorial debut starring DeNiro, Chazz Palminteri, and Lillo Brancato.

In many ways, Arthur Avenue remains the same as it has for decades—distinct Italian bakeries, delis, restaurants, and markets—and in other ways, it has evolved in the way many NYC neighborhoods do. Mexican eateries like Estrellita Pablana and Rancho Estella on 187th dot the area, while Mexican specialty store Panderia Lucero offers fresh-baked sweet breads, Mexican candy, piñatas, and more.

Arthur Avenue's location, conveniently close to the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden, makes it a fun stop en route to the attractions, though it's a worthy destination in its own right. Now is a great time to visit—the city is starting to thaw, and spring excitement is in the air, so read on for nine things to do in the Bronx's Little Italy with kids.

Sonia Gonzalez

Latest posts by Sonia

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