Allison

Allison Hilton - NYC Writer

Allison loves living in NYC. After working as a TV news producer, she now stays at home on the Upper West Side to raise her son. When they're not traveling, they're enjoying city life and contributing to Mommy Poppins.

More About Allison

What's your favorite place to hang out with kids in NYC?
Any of the amazing parks. There's always something new to discover, and great people watching.

What do you do when you're kid-free?
This year I got to travel solo to China! But usually I like to go to the theater or try some new restaurant, exhibit or other NYC cultural experience I've read about.

What's your best parenting moment?
Whenever my son's face lights up when he accomplishes something for the first time, and says "I did it!"

What's your least favorite thing about raising kids in NYC?
Our extended families aren't here.

Latest posts by Allison

Best Places for Kids Haircuts in Manhattan for Baby or Toddler’s First Cut

Submitted by Allison on Tue, 04/18/2023 - 4:35pm

You don't have to wait until after your haircut to get a sweet at Milk and Cookies hair Salon.

Getting your kid's hair cut can be hard. Even a harmless trim can turn into an ordeal if you have a little one who squirms and squeals and refuses to sit still. Have you ever seen a stylist try to snip a moving target? Thankfully, NYC's top children's hair salons pull out all the stops to turn haircuts into a fun experience for families, plying young clients with balloons, bubbles, cartoons, toys, funky chairs, and lots of coddling.

Why trust us? As native New Yorkers with more than 15 years of experience sharing the best of NYC with kids, our editorial team has tried nearly all these kid salons and more firsthand. Here are our recommendations for the top eight kid-friendly salons where you can take your tot for (hopefully tear-free) haircuts in New York City. Plus some tips on how to pick the right hairstyle for your kid and hair-cutting tips for kids with anxiety or sensory issues. If you'd rather DIY, we've got some tips for at-home haircuts, too.

Museum Sleepovers in NYC

Submitted by Allison on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 4:32pm

Bring your sleeping bag and join the New York Aquarium after hours to explore the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit in Sharks After Dark. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher.

Museum sleepovers were all the rage before the pandemic and are making a comeback in NYC. And while a night chaperoning a group of small night owls might not rank high on your to-do list, kids will get a big kick out of sleeping over at one of their favorite cultural institutions. From the Bronx Zoo to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum to the Sharks! exhibit at Coney Island, there's a museum sleepover to fit every kid's interests. And you'll earn some serious cool parent cred—some of these overnight adventures are so extravagant, they landed on our list of NYC splurges worth doing at least once.

Where to Eat in Central Park Beyond the Pretzel Vendors

Submitted by Allison on Fri, 04/19/2019 - 8:23am

Stop by Wafels and Dinges for a delicious, sweet waffle. Photo courtesy of the kiosk

You're in Central Park with the kids and haven't packed a lunch. What are your food options when hunger strikes? It used to be tough to find much in the park other than pretzels, hot dogs, and ice cream. City food staples? Yes. Healthy or yummy? Not so much. Now, thankfully, there are some better, and healthier, places to grab a bite and refuel in between your playground hopping. Here's a look at some food stops now open around Central Park and some that are coming soon.

Where to See a Movie with a Baby in NYC

Submitted by Allison on Mon, 03/11/2019 - 9:44am

Some NYC movie theaters host special screenings just for new parents with babies.

I hadn't been to the movies in 10 months since having a baby and I missed it. I missed debating over the listings with my husband. I missed smuggling in Duane Reade candy and rating the preview trailers. I missed the dark that settles over the theater like few other places in this city, allowing you to escape for two hours, even though you're rubbing elbows with a stranger in the next seat.

Still, while I miss Fandangoing, I have a hard time justifying a babysitter when there is Netflix, so I was intrigued when a friend told me about a local movie theater that not only allows, but encourages, parents to come with their babies, and there are actually several spots around New York City where new moms can arrive with infants and all the gear for a matinee showing—judgement free.

5 Baby Gear Essentials for a Small One Bedroom Apartment

Submitted by Allison on Mon, 05/14/2018 - 10:00am

When I was pregnant the question I was asked most often—after "What are you having?"—was, "When are you going to move out of the city?" So many people, especially non-NYC dwellers, wanted to know where we planned to put all of the baby's stuff in our small, one bedroom Manhattan apartment. They were shocked to see the baby registry and find out that we planned to get by without so much of the "stuff" they told us we needed.

Sprinkler Season at NYC Playgrounds: When it Starts and More

Submitted by Allison on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 4:48pm

When does the city turn on the sprinklers in NYC parks? That's a question we get asked every year as the weather starts to heat up. It's getting to be that time when going to the playground can pretty much guarantee getting wet. All of those sprinklers, fountains, rivers and other cool water features will be spouting soon.

In fact, we were surprised to find the water already on one hot day recently at our favorite play spot. I had no towel or change of clothes for my son, but try explaining that to a 1-and-a-half-year-old. Now, it's no big deal for kids to play in their diapers, really. But to spare you having to strap a soaking wet toddler into a stroller, as I did, here is some information that can help prepare you for sprinkler season!

Once the water's a-flowing, here are some favorite water playgrounds and splashpads in NYC where you can have buckets of fun. Find more seasonal activities in our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide!

What's for Dinner? Meal-Planning Sites and Apps for Families

Submitted by Allison on Sat, 07/18/2015 - 11:00am

Eons ago (OK, just five years) we did a post on family meal planning. In fact, it was one of the very first things we blogged about here at Mommy Poppins. But a lot's changed since then, and the rise of smartphones, social networks and a gazillion new websites gives us many new options to chew on when it comes to making meals.

You can't overestimate the importance of sitting down to family meals. Studies show that eating as a family benefits everyone, especially children, who are then less likely to become obese, fall into substance abuse or have low self-esteem. Of course preparing dinner (and breakfast and brunch and lunch) isn't always easy to pull off. Happily, there are a slew of online meal-planning sites, mobile apps and meal swapping tools to help get healthy, budget-friendly meals on your table. Here are some of our current favorites.

Spa Parties for NYC Kids: Mini-Manicures, Hairstyles and Makeup for Girls

Submitted by Allison on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 4:00pm

Even once little girls get over the whole princess fantasy, they still enjoy being pretty and pampered. So a spa birthday party can be a real treat, especially for kids and tweens who get a big kick out of dressing up, getting mani-pedis and having their hair styled. (Somehow once you become a mom, these all become chores you can't find time to do!)

If going to an adult spa or salon seems a bit much, there are lots of kid-centric spots that offer in-house party packages, as well as local providers that will bring the whole shebang right to your apartment: nail polish, facial lotions, hair extensions, robes, magazines, the works. Hey, this might be the perfect opportunity for you to get a makeover, too.