Jessica Delfino

Jessica Delfino is a writer, among other things, whose work has been featured in The New York Times Parenting, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, SELF, and in the book Family Travel (Gestalten). Her new joke book Dumb Jokes For Smart Folks (Humorist Books) is a #1 Amazon bestseller. She lives in New York City with one husband, one son, and one cat—and on Instagram @JessicaDelfino.

Latest posts by Jessica

17 Family-Friendly Restaurants with Outdoor Dining in NYC: Igloo Dining and More

Submitted by Jessica Delfino on Tue, 12/20/2022 - 4:45pm

Revel with the family in your own private igloo at Bryant Park's Winter Village. Photo by Kevin Ornelas

Though indoor dining has returned in full force, these family-friendly restaurants are still offering outdoor dining in NYC with an ambiance cool enough to keep them filled for a third winter season running. Here you can find a restaurant-quality meal enjoyed from the comfort of an igloo, shed, and more inventive setups, which all make for a memorable family night out.

You can find more great spots for dining out with kids in our Family-Friendly NYC Restaurant Guide.

Smorgasburg, Queens Night Market, and More Kid-Friendly Foodie Destinations for Summer

Submitted by Jessica Delfino on Mon, 07/05/2021 - 1:45pm

The options are endless at the Queens Night Market. Photo courtesy of the market

Summer evenings scream for alfresco eats, and New Yorkers have plenty of options, from kid-friendly restaurants with outdoor space to family-friendly beer gardens. Another option: the spate of outdoor markets popping up across the boroughs, with international eats, live music, and plenty of people watching. Even better, we’ve perused the options and culled a selection of eateries in these popular markets to please even the pickiest kids. Read on to find your next favorite outdoor family dinner spot.

25 Best Mom Jokes and Funny #momlife Memes

Submitted by Jessica Delfino on Tue, 05/04/2021 - 11:23am

Sometimes #momlife just makes you laugh.

Momming is hard work. What gets a lot of us through the day is knowing we're not alone, something these mom jokes are great at doing. Someone else is feeling our pain!

Hopefully, these funny mom jokes and memes about motherhood and #momlife will help give you something to laugh about and a reason to smile, even on a busy or rough day. Want to laugh at #dadlife too? No problem! We've got a bunch of dad jokes, too. After all, sometimes they make it too easy... And if your kids hear you lol and ask what's giving you giggles, share these kid-friendly jokes that will leave the whole family in stitches. Because sometimes, all you can do is laugh!

Goodnight House Lets Visitors Step Inside a Beloved Children's Book

Submitted by Jessica Delfino on Fri, 04/09/2021 - 12:26pm

Step inside Margaret Wise Brown's beloved children's book, Goodnight Moon, at a new gallery exhibit at Fort Makers.

If you and your family have cherished Margaret Wise Brown's sweet, simple story, Goodnight Moon, and enjoyed Clement Hurd's illustrations, Goodnight House, a group exhibit at downtown art gallery Fort Makers is a must-visit, letting patrons step into a 3D re-imagining of the book.

Read on for details on this whimsical, immersive exhibit, and find more cool art installations to visit with kids in our roundup of 15 pieces of public art to see this spring.

15 Pieces of Public Art to See With NYC Kids in Spring 2021

Submitted by Jessica Delfino on Tue, 03/30/2021 - 1:50pm

Even in the bright sunlight, Reflect, in Domino Park is a sight to behold. Photo by Sara M.

What better way to stretch legs and get some fresh air this spring than doing so while taking in colorful, wondrous, outdoor public art displays all over the city?

These sculptures, artworks, and installations are all located in public spaces allowing for nearly all-hours viewing. Some of these 15 pieces of public art to see this spring are gearing up to debut, while others are wrapping up soon.

If this list of NYC locations only whets your appetite, perhaps it's time to plan an outdoor art day trip or book some tickets to one of our favorite kid-friendly museums in NYC.

13 April Fools Day Food Pranks To Play on Your Kids

Submitted by Jessica Delfino on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 8:13am

April Fools Day is around the corner, and if you’re like me, you relish the opportunity to play a fun April Fools prank on your kids. Food pranks are a great choice because kids can be so fickle with their food, and these pranks offer a great opportunity to break out of habits or try something a bit more playful in an area where they may feel stress or hesitation. So get your grocery list together, set aside about the same amount of prep time as you would for a simple recipe, and let’s food prank your kids!

Want more silly and super easy April Fools Day jokes to play on kids? We've got 17 truly simple prank ideas that will leave little ones laughing (and check out these favorite kid jokes that will keep them giggling all day long).

Waterline Square Park Is a Hidden Gem on the West Side

Submitted by Jessica Delfino on Tue, 03/16/2021 - 11:15am

Waterline Square Park offers a tucked-away oasis for the community.

New York City doesn't lack outdoor spaces for families to enjoy in all five boroughs, but there's always room for more. As Manhattan's far west side springs to life with new developments, we're excited to see brand new parks like Waterline Square Park opening, too.

At 2.6 acres, the green space, situated between 59th Street and 61st Street along 12th Avenue is a bright, artsy addition to the neighborhood, and its boldly designed children's playground does not disappoint.

Read on for our review of Manhattan's newest public park and find more great outdoor destinations in our Guide to NYC Parks and Playgrounds.

Shawnee Mountain Offers Big Poconos Fun in Small Resort Setting

Submitted by Jessica Delfino on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 3:53pm

Shawnee Mountain offers tons of attractions to keep your family entertained, from snow tubing, to lessons, snowboarding, and downhill skiing. Photo courtesy of the resort

If you haven't gotten enough winter sports close to home, Shawnee Mountain, nestled in the family-friendly Pocono Mountains, offers enough action for a late-season snow sports day trip.

We recently visited the 1,350-foot peak, which offers a 700-foot vertical drop, 23 trails, two terrain parks, and one of our favorite snow tubing parks. Its location near the Delaware Water Gap makes it an easy, family-friendly day trip from the New York City metro area, New Jersey, and even Philadelphia.

Read on for our review of Shawnee Mountain, and find more area destinations in our Poconos Family Vacation Guide and this list of 60+ all-season activities in the region.