Raven Snook

Raven is a writer, editor, performer and mom, who was born and bred in NYC, just like her husband, her mother and now, her daughter. As a writer, she's contributed articles to New York Magazine, Time Out New York, The Village Voice, the New York Post, TV Guide, Better Homes and Gardens, iVillage, AOL TV and Moviefone, Parents.com, and worked as an in-house editor for ParentsConnect.com and TimeOutKids.com. As a performer, she's appeared on many downtown stages (sometimes even for pay!), a couple of obscure films and TV shows, and The Maury Povich Show as a female drag queen. She's also the founder of Hot Mama Burlesque, the world's only all-moms burlesque show. After being the NYC editor from March 2011-March 2015, she is now happy to just be a blogger as she pursues additional writing opportunities.

Latest posts by Raven Snook

This Week: February Break Fun in NYC & Beyond, No-Car Ski Trips, Mommy Poppins Night at the New Victory Theater

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 02/12/2015 - 4:00pm

All the talk in the schoolyard is about February break, which starts this Presidents' Day weekend. It's just about your last chance to book an enriching midwinter recess camp or plan a family vacation.

Of course, if you're sticking around NYC for a staycation like my family, you'll find plenty of fun things to do in our Winter Guide, which has a whole February break section filled with ideas for every day the kids are off from school, from Lunar New Year celebrations to warm indoor destinations to creative at-home activities. If you're looking for nearby seasonal getaways, our Snow Sports Guide is packed with great options like our just-posted review of Stowe, Vermont's awesome Stoweflake Resort and Spa along with nearer ski and snowtubing spots, including a few that don't require a car.

Want a kid-friendly way to celebrate Valentine's Day this Saturday? Then join us for a special performance of the percussive dance spectacle Cambuyón at the New Victory Theater, hosted by Mommy Poppins. Our readers enjoy a 20% discount on tickets and exclusive post-show cookie decorating with our friends at Cookie Party. I'll be there with my kid as will Stephanie so be sure to say hello.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

This Week: February Break Travel Deals, Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations, Maple Sugaring on Long Island, Mommy Poppins Is Hiring

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 02/05/2015 - 4:00pm

Well, at least the snow looks pretty. That's what I keep telling myself as my daughter and I try to navigate slushy corners and slippery curbs. We're hoping for a snow-free (or at least ice-free) February break when we'll finally have enough free time to check out all of the cool museum exhibits, children's film festivals and family theater shows we've been writing about.

If you just can't take winter anymore and need to get out of town, our Travel site has a roundup of last-minute February break getaway deals including Disney, the Berkshires and ski resorts. Don't want to stray so far? You'll find lots of day trip inspiration on our tri-state area sites, like maple sugaring on Long Island, great small towns to explore in New Jersey and 100 things to do with kids in Westchester.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

This Week: Best February Events for Kids in NYC, Cheap February Break Camps, Winter Fun in the Adirondacks Near Lake George, Best Sledding Hills in NYC

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 01/29/2015 - 4:00pm

Well that was a wild week! Although Tuesday's snow day was milder than predicted, like most NYC kids, my daughter had a fun day off from school hitting our favorite sledding hills and doing some cool crafts at home. Clearly winter is going to keep us on our toes this year, regardless of what the groundhogs tell us on Monday.

Sunday marks the first day of February so we posted a brand-new GoList highlighting the absolute best things to do with kids throughout the month, including annual favorites like Chinatown's Lunar New Year Parade. February also brings midwinter break for NYC public school kids. If you're thinking about a family getaway, we have lots of ideas on our Travel site like skiing and snow tubing in the Adirondacks near Lake George, plus our Snow Sports Guide featuring resorts throughout the tri-state area.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

This Week: Best Ways to Escape the Cold from Indoor Water Parks to Tropical Vacations, Winter Deals & Free Summer Camps, Amazing Weekend Events

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 01/22/2015 - 4:00pm

As you can see from the pic of my kid with the Lego Olaf, my daughter is dying to build a snowman. She should get her wish this weekend: Not only are flurries in the forecast but the Parks Department is hosting its annual Winter Jam in Central Park featuring fresh blown snow courtesy of Gore Mountain. Of course, not everyone embraces winter. Personally, I've been dreaming about a warm getaway, like the 25 toasty winter family vacations we rounded up on our Travel site. Our New Jersey site has warmth on the brain, too, with its list of 10 ways to enjoy a virtual summer in winter—many suggestions are just a short drive from NYC. And of course, our Los Angeles peeps are always about sun and fun. Their list of 50 things to do with kids in San Diego, including Legoland, is making me seriously consider it for spring break.

But that's enough vacation fantasizing! Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

This Week: Skiing & Snow Tubing Near NYC, MLK Day Weekend Picks, Winter Family Day Trips

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 01/15/2015 - 4:00pm

Seeing kids all bundled up for the winter puts me in a giddy mood. This morning, I spied a toddler decked out in a full-on Elmo costume to stay warm, and no, he wasn't working Times Square. It's worth pulling out your toastiest coats to enjoy all the seasonal fun winter has to offer. The three-day weekend is a great time to take a day trip to a nearby ski or snow tubing resort. Too cold for you? Our Weekend Trips Guide is filled with indoor options, and our Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester sites provide lots of destination inspiration, like outings in nearby Cold Spring, Lambertville or Old Saybrook.

Martin Luther King Day is also a National Day of Service, and all of our sites have ways families can give back to their communities. Whether you help beautify a local park, prepare care packages for the homeless, or bake treats for your favorite community organization, there are lots of ways to honor his legacy.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

This Week: Indoor Winter Fun in NYC, Best Family Travel of 2014, Weekday Picks in NYC & Beyond, Mommy Poppins Event at Symphony Space on Saturday

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 01/08/2015 - 4:00pm

It's so cold, my mother calls every morning to find out if her grandchild is dressed appropriately for the weather. (She never asks what I'm wearing so I guess I'm too old to worry about.) Winter is here to stay for a while and (once this deep freeze dissipates a bit), we're looking forward to enjoying skiing, snow tubing and other seasonal sports near NYC and beyond.

Of course if you're the type who plans to spend the next few months holed up inside as much as possible, there are lots of fun things to do indoors with kids. To inspire you, we put together a list of 50 drop-in destinations including play spaces, interactive museum installations, arcades and more offbeat options. If you're still pining for warmer climes, check out our Travel site's roundup of our favorite family travel destinations of 2014 and then start planning your next vacation—midwinter school break is coming up next month!

And what are you doing this Saturday? Hopefully joining us at our special Mommy Poppins-sponsored performance of the eye-popping show Stella, Queen of the Snow at Symphony Space. Our readers enjoy an exclusive preshow activity and save 35% on tickets. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

This Week: Best January Activities for Kids in NYC & Beyond, Mommy Poppins Event at Symphony Space, Top NYC Openings in 2014

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 01/01/2015 - 12:00pm

Are you ready for something new? I know my family is. 2014 has had a lot of ups and downs, so we're looking forward to all the healing and adventures we hope the New Year will bring.

To help us all kick off a fun-filled 2015, most of ours sites have posted brand-new January GOLists highlighting the absolute best things to do with kids throughout the month in NYC, New Jersey, on Long Island and beyond. Even though the jam-packed holiday season is coming to a close, there are plenty of amusements ahead, like next Saturday's special Mommy Poppins-sponsored performance of Stella, Queen of the Snow at Symphony Space that includes an adorable marshmallow snowman activity and a deep discount on tickets. We hope to see you there so we can celebrate 2015 together.

If you're itching to start your post-holiday purge, we have lists of where to donate toys and kids' clothes in New York City and on Long Island, and all the details on how to easily recycle your Christmas tree in NYC.

From all the moms at Mommy Poppins, we wish you and your family a fabulous New Year! Thank you for sharing 2014 with us. Here's what else we covered in NYC this week:

Best of New York City for Kids 2014: 21 New Must-See NYC Spots

Submitted by Raven Snook on Wed, 12/31/2014 - 2:00pm

One of my favorite things to do over holiday break is look back through the 500 or so posts we've published throughout the year to remind myself of all the cool places for kids that have opened since January. (Yeah, I'm nerdy like that.) Although we were sad to say goodbye to some big family destinations (The Moxie Spot, Bowlmor Union Square and the soon-to-shutter Scholastic Store), one of the great things about New York City is that there's always something new and interesting opening up.

In 2014, we welcomed a few new state-of-the-art parks and playgrounds, some offbeat indoor play spaces, and a couple of new or overhauled museum. Even if you're still working your way through our list of the best new family destinations for 2013 (or 2012 or 2011 or 2010), here are 21 brand-new New York City attractions to add to your must-explore list.