Mommy Poppins

3-Day Itinerary in Hot Springs, VA: The Perfect Winter Getaway with Kids at the Omni Homestead Resort

Stephanie Shipman — 02/13/2026

Hot Springs, Virginia is less than a four-hour drive west of DC proper, but it feels like a world away. Home to what it is named for—a natural warm spring that even families can enjoy—it's a great place to escape to in the winter.

In Hot Springs, families can explore nature preserves and overlooks, take in a concert at the local music center, and enjoy plenty of snow sports like skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. Spring and summer are also popular times to visit, but there is something for everyone to enjoy in the town in the winter.

Read ahead for the perfect winter weekend itinerary in Hot Springs, VA. Then check out our DC Winter Day Trips Guide for more winter family fun.

Hot Springs, Virginia is less than a four-hour drive west of DC proper, but it feels like a world away. Home to what it is named for—a natural Warm Spring that even families can enjoy—it's a great place to escape to in the winter.

Read ahead for the perfect winter weekend itinerary in Hot Springs, VA. Then check out our DC Winter Day Trips Guide for more winter family fun.

28 Best Things To Do on Mother's Day in NYC

Jody Mercier — 05/05/2026

Celebrate Mother’s Day 2026 in New York City with experiences moms actually enjoy. Discover unique family activities, events, and outings for moms with babies, toddlers, kids, and teens.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10, 2026, and mothers everywhere deserve a great weekend. Start planning a day mom won't forget by giving her one of these 50 Mother's Day gifts moms actually want, and don't forget to book your Mother's Day brunch reservations. Once that's done, read on for our list of the best Mother's Day outings and family-friendly things to do in NYC to round out mom's special day. No matter how you choose to celebrate, Happy Mother's Day from the team at Mommy Poppins.

How to Plan a Graduation Party: Timeline, Checklist, & Budget Breakdown

N Ferreira — 05/05/2026

Planning a graduation party sounds simple…until it’s not. Between guest lists, food, decorations, and trying to make it feel meaningful (without going completely overboard), it can quickly turn into a lot. After planning my first graduation party (and over-researching like it was my full-time job), I realized something quickly: this isn’t just a party—it’s a milestone moment wrapped in logistics, emotions, and a surprising number of paper goods.

Between Pinterest pressure and real-life budgets, it’s easy to overdo it—or forget something important entirely. This guide to graduation party planning is everything I wish I had from the start: practical, honest, and all about how to plan a graduation party that feels special, celebratory, and very doable. Our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties has more great ideas for food, games, and more that can also be applied to a graduation bash!

Planning a graduation party? Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:

A step-by-step graduation party timeline (from 2–3 months out to day-of)
A downloadable graduation party checklist so nothing gets missed
A realistic graduation party budget breakdown (what’s worth it vs. skip it)
Easy, low-stress graduation open house ideas
Crowd-pleasing graduation party food ideas (that don’t require a catering degree)
Fun, low-cringe graduation party games for teens
Thoughtful graduation gift ideas for kindergarten through high school grads

Graduation season has a way of sneaking up—and suddenly there’s a cap, a gown, and a calendar filling up quickly with parties, ceremonies, and “wait, when are we doing ours?”

Planning a graduation party? Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:

A step-by-step graduation party timeline (from 2–3 months out to day-of)
A downloadable graduation party checklist so nothing gets missed
A realistic graduation party budget breakdown (what’s worth it vs. skip it)
Easy, low-stress graduation open house ideas
Crowd-pleasing graduation party food ideas (that don’t require a catering degree)
Fun, low-cringe graduation party games for teens
Thoughtful graduation gift ideas for kindergarten through high school grads

I Took My Kids to My Play Space in Babylon—Here’s The Honest Parent Guide

Jessica Booth — 05/04/2026

My Play Space in Babylon has been open for less than a year, but here's why it's become my family's go-to indoor playground on a bad weather day.

There is no shortage of indoor play spaces on Long Island, but one of my family’s absolute favorites is a relative newcomer: My Play Space in Babylon. Located on Montauk Highway in the heart of Babylon Village, My Play Space is a dreamy sensory playground for toddlers and older kids alike to enjoy some much-needed creative play.

With rooms full of bright sunlight, colorful murals covering many of the walls, and a wide array of toys to choose from, My Play Space has a welcoming vibe that makes even the most shy kids feel comfortable. And, with plenty of fun events and open play sessions, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Here’s my guide on everything you should know before you plan your next rainy day adventure.

Be sure to bookmark our Long Island Kids Guide to Indoor Play for all our favorite indoor play picks, including the 20 best indoor playgrounds in Suffolk County.

17 Best Things To Do in Gramercy with Kids

Tali Dalbaha — 05/04/2026

While Gramercy Park is (mostly) off-limits, the lovely neighborhood of Gramercy in Manhattan is still a beautiful place to explore. Here are our favorite things to see, do, and eat with kids.

Tucked between Union Square, Flatiron, and Kips Bay, the Gramercy neighborhood of Manhattan feels like a small village in the middle of New York City. With leafy streets, historic brownstones, creative institutions, and one of NYC’s only private parks, Gramercy offers families a rare mix of calm and convenience.

Everything is walkable. Playgrounds are close together. Indoor enrichment spaces are within blocks of each other. Restaurants have a local feel—rather than a touristy hustle. And, for families lucky enough to live nearby, there’s a true sense of community woven into daily life.

Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Gramercy with kids. Find more fun, local enclaves to explore in our NYC Kids Neighborhood Guides.

Gramercy Guide At-a-Glance

In this guide, you'll find

The best things to do near Gramercy Park with kids, updated for 2026
The semi-secret times you can get into the beloved park—without a key
All our favorite places to play with kids in Gramercy
Parent-tested picks for the most family-friendly restaurants in Gramercy, NYC

What Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day (50 Gifts Moms Actually Want)

Meghan Rose — 05/04/2026

Shouldn't moms get the Mother's Day gifts they really want? Of course. So, if you’re searching for what moms really want for Mother’s Day, here’s our honest take.

Moms deserve the world, so shouldn't they get the Mother's Day gifts they really want? Of course. So, if you’re searching for what moms really want for Mother’s Day, here’s the honest answer: it’s probably not flowers, candles, or another robe.

We asked real moms what they actually want—and their answers were loud and clear. While a thoughtful gift is always nice, most moms are craving something much simpler: more rest, less stress, and (TBH) a break!

So before you panic-buy another scented candle, read this first. These Mother’s Day gifts moms actually want range from totally free to slightly indulgent—but all of them hit the same goal: making Mom’s life easier (and quieter).

Free Outdoor Movies in DC This Summer for Kids

Stephanie Shipman — 05/03/2026

It doesn't get much better than enjoying free outdoor movies on a warm summer evening. This summer, the DC area is brimming with outdoor movies for families in parks, plazas, town greens, and more.

Here are some of the best family-friendly outdoor movie series DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia have to offer. Grab your lawn chairs or blankets, pack a picnic, and find out why outdoor movies are some of the best free summer activities DC has.

Our Outdoor Activities Guide for DC Kids has even more ideas for fresh-air fun, like free concerts and outdoor music festivals. And, be sure to keep checking our DC events calendar as more outdoor movies are announced.

It doesn't get much better than enjoying free outdoor movies on a warm summer evening. This summer, the DC area is brimming with outdoor movies for families in parks, plazas, town greens, and more.

Free Outdoor Movies in Atlanta This Summer for Kids

Elsa Simcik — 05/03/2026

Watching outdoor movies in Atlanta under the stars is an ideal summertime bucket list item. Moviegoers enjoy the cooler evening weather, a family-friendly flick, and best of all, FREE admission!

Watching outdoor movies in Atlanta under the stars is an ideal summertime bucket list item. Moviegoers enjoy the cooler evening weather, a family-friendly flick, and best of all, FREE admission! These free outdoor movies in Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs last all summer long, and most include fun activities before the show: bounce houses, face painting, food trucks, and more. Dust off the picnic blankets and lawn chairs, and enjoy the show!

Drive-In Movie Theaters Near Boston for a Summer Night to Remember

Tara D — 05/03/2026

These drive-in movie theaters near Boston provide an old-fashioned and fun family experience.

Some activities just scream summer — a day at the beach, a night under the stars, and yes, cozying up for a drive-in movie with the family. While picnic blanket movie nights in the park are fun, there’s something extra magical about watching a big-screen adventure from the comfort of the family car (or a couple of lawn chairs piled high with blankets).

Whether it’s your first drive-in night or a yearly tradition, these family-favorite drive-in movie theaters near Boston deliver all the summer vibes. Some are a bit of a drive (think just over an hour), but that’s part of the adventure — pack the PJs, grab some snacks, and enjoy the ride home with snoozing kids in the backseat.

Get ready for popcorn, stargazing, and memories in the making. And if you're looking for even more warm-weather adventures, don’t miss our picks for the Best Summer Day Trips from Boston for Families!

Free Outdoor Movies in Houston This Summer for Kids

Rachael Cherry — 05/03/2026

Summer nights are a great time to enjoy FREE kid-friendly, outdoor movie screenings.

Check out a free outdoor movie in Houston on those summer nights when the sun finally sets and the heat starts to ease up. Houston offers plenty of free, kid-friendly outdoor movies throughout the summer—perfect for a fun family night under the stars without spending a dime.

We have a list of free outdoor movies inside the Loop and another for free outdoor movies in Houston's suburbs.