Judy Young

I am a native NYer and mother of a 9 year old girl and an 8 year old boy. I've been a licensed tour guide for over 20 years and love roaming near and far, finding awesome things to do with my family.

Latest posts by Judy

Camp, Bird and Climb for Free in NYC Parks

Submitted by Judy Young on Sat, 07/23/2016 - 4:00pm

Outsiders might see New York City as just a "concrete jungle," but New Yorkers know its nearly 2,000 parks offer some of our best urban-living perks. For families, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation runs a ton of free kid activities and programs, helping us get the most out of our parks year-round. Of course, you have to know when and how to score these freebies!

At Mommy Poppins we've tried out a number of these programs and now we're sharing a few of our favorites with you, including all the details on what's coming up this fall and when to register, from kid swim lessons and archery to the balance beam act you see in the photo above. The catch? Availability is limited and participants are selected through a lottery. Read on for details on how to claim your spot.

Living History Museums Near NYC: 3 Day Trips for Families

Submitted by Judy Young on Mon, 02/15/2016 - 9:00am

Does your kid start nodding off at the mere mention of a history lesson? Well, make it fun with a visit to a nearby living history museum and you might just spark a lifelong interest in the past.

While Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia is the biggest and most famous living history museum in the world, there are several others that make a great day trip from NYC—one is actually within the five boroughs on Staten Island.

So time travel back to the past at these three enriching getaways, and suddenly your family isn't just learning about history, you're experiencing it firsthand, watching period craftsmen work, seeing thrilling reenactments and even chatting with vintage VIPs.

Fly High at Staten Island's New Trampoline Park

Submitted by Judy Young on Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:30am

Ready, set, bounce! New York has finally scored a kid-friendly trampoline park of its own. Fly High opened on Staten Island earlier this year with an indoor sports gym that offers wall-to-wall trampolines in a center area about the size of an official basketball court. Extra activities like a bungee slingshot and flying foam pit up the thrill for everyone.

We've reviewed a number of trampoline parks in New Jersey, Westchester, Long Island and Connecticut, but this suburban staple had yet to arrive in NYC, so we're excited to welcome Fly High as a dedicated family fun and fitness venue with birthday party packages and even court-side massage chairs for parents in need of a break.

Read on for our parent review of Fly High, including what to expect, what to wear, safety tips and more. Looking for more indoor gyms and play spaces for kids? Check our NYC Indoor Play Guide.

Dylan's Candy Bar Opens in Union Square

Submitted by Judy Young on Fri, 09/04/2015 - 4:00pm

Ready those toothbrushes! Dylan's Candy Bar opened a new outpost in Union Square September 1, and it's full of sweet temptations for NYC kids—and adults.

The store is laid out on a single floor, measuring a little over 3,000 square feet, making it smaller than the sweet spot's three-floor Upper East Side flagship. While it lacks the square footage and bar of its uptown sibling (yes, Dylan's makes a mean martini), this boutique version has a fun downtown flare that fits right into the neighborhood.

Shaun the Sheep Movie Parent Review: Ewe'll Love It!

Submitted by Judy Young on Fri, 08/07/2015 - 5:05am

Shaun the Sheep Movie, the latest feature from Britain's Oscar-winning Aardman Animation team behind Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and The Pirates!, opens nationwide this week. The film is mostly charming, frequently hilarious, and likely to be a great choice for many families to see together. We got an early peek, so we can help you decide if it's right for your flock.

Massive Indoor Water Park Arrives in the Poconos: Kalahari Resorts

Submitted by Judy Young on Tue, 07/28/2015 - 1:00pm

Summer vacation just isn't complete without water adventures to keep you cool. Beaches and lakes are always a sure bet, but water parks top many a kid's bucket list. We've written about Great Wolf Lodge and other indoor water parks close to home, but now we're happy to review the opening of another nearby water park and hotel option: the Poconos' Kalahari Resorts.

Just down the road from Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari offers an immersive, African-safari-themed experience with both indoor and outdoor water parks, a massive family entertainment area and so much more. The creators of Kalahari were inspired by the African philosophy of Ubunto, a belief that everyone's humanity is connected and that each person's actions affect the entire world. The notion of preservation is pervasive and, despite its grand scale, Kalahari offered an intimate, friendly and low-pressure vibe, which makes for a relaxing family experience.

Splish Splash Water Park: Fun in the Sun for the Entire Family

Submitted by Judy Young on Tue, 07/07/2015 - 10:00am

The heat and humidity in the summer months leave many parents looking for fun ways to cool off with the kids, and one of my family’s favorite activities involves careening down a water slide. We’d previously stayed with the smaller water parks that cater to little kids, but recently we had the chance to pay our sponsor Splish Splash a visit. I was a bit apprehensive about graduating to bigger (and more intense) water slides, but I didn’t need to worry. With its tree-lined paths, kid-friendly coves and thrilling-themed slides, my two kids (ages 8 and 9 years old) both agreed that Splish Splash is the "best water park ever." Even my husband—who is not a big fan of amusement parks—had a fantastic day!

NYC's Flying Tiger Offers Fun, Affordable Household & Kid-Friendly Wares

Submitted by Judy Young on Tue, 06/09/2015 - 5:49pm

Kids (and parents, too) will go crazy for Flying Tiger, the new ultra-affordable Danish design store that recently opened its first U.S. location right here in New York City. The 5,000-square-foot Flatiron shop is bright, colorful, fun and, for my two kids, instantly addictive. They wanted one of almost everything, which was okay since 85 percent of the merchandise is under $10.

Here you'll find everything from soup bowls to socks, place mats to Post-its, bike bells to a bevy of brushes—that's paint, tooth, hair, dish and toilet bowl brushes, that last one in the shape of a potted flower, no less. Even kids who usually think shopping is a chore will enjoy browsing this tchotchke paradise.