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

Winter Deals: Save Big on Music Lessons, Summer Camp, Art & Language Classes, Shows & Parties

Submitted by Raven Snook on Mon, 01/20/2014 - 10:00am

Winter is in full swing (or should we say freeze) but you can't hibernate all season, especially if you have stir crazy kids at home. Our latest edition of awesome NYC deals for kids includes a wide range of fun activities, from language, art and music classes, to cool family outings like family ballet and rock concerts, to discounts on birthday parties and summer camp. Don't wait to take advantage of these great bargains. Deals this good will be gone long before the ice thaws.

This Week: Introducing WeeWork Kids Crafts Series, Tech & Science Guide for NYC Kids, Best MLK Weekend Events for NYC Families

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 01/16/2014 - 4:00pm

It's ironic in an Alanis Morissette sort of way that the week we launch our Tech & Science Guide for Kids I end up losing my Internet access. Thank goodness for kind neighbors willing to share their WiFi connections with a blogger in need. (One of the upsides of living in such close quarters in NYC!) In this brand-new geeky guide, you'll find all kinds of high-tech fun for kids, including family-friendly NYC makerspaces, Minecraft clubs, cool apps, science museums and more.

Our other big debut this week is our brand-new series of WeeWork Posts. Beginning next week, we'll be sharing simple crafts, recipes, indoor games and other fun activities that you and your kids can do at home for FREE. Check out this great make-your-own indoor snowballs project for a taste of what's in store. Great for those dreary winter days when it's too cold to play outside.

And what are you doing on Saturday? Hopefully joining Mommy Poppins at a special New Victory Theater matinee of the kiddie cabaret Still Awake Still. We're cohosting exclusive pre- and post-show activities, and even offering a 20% discount on tickets to our readers.

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

This Week: Indoor Play Spaces for NYC Kids, Best Winter Exhibits for Families, Kids' Night on Broadway & More Theater Deals

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 01/09/2014 - 4:00pm

Before this week I thought the polar vortex was something Captain Picard battled on Star Trek. But now we know it just means winter can be really cold. The weather certainly impacted our posts this week: At first we were all about sledding and other snowy activities, but soon we were sharing fun places to play indoors as the temperatures dropped into the single digits. (Yeah, I know, let's not relive that.)

We really don't have it all that bad in NYC—just imagine if we lived in Montreal, Canada. Of course there are plenty of wonderful things to do in Montreal with kids, even in winter as our Travel site proved this week. All of our other Mommy Poppins sites were focused on winter fun, too, both indoors and out. Here in NYC, we updated our lists of drop-in indoor play spaces in Manhattan and Queens. Connecticut added a roundup of great family ski resorts to its Winter Fun Guide. And New Jersey has a slew of seasonal sports posts in its Winter Activity Guide.

And a quick plug for one last fun indoor activity for next Saturday, January 18: Join Mommy Poppins at a special performance of the cabaret-style kids' show Still Awake Still! at the New Victory Theater. There will be interactive pre- and post-show activities, plus Mommy Poppins readers can save 20% on tickets.

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

ASTC Passport Program: Get Free Admission to Museums & Science Centers Across the Country & Beyond

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 01/09/2014 - 9:00am

It's no secret that buying a family membership to one of NYC's kid-friendly museums can be a real money saver, especially if it's your go-to bad weather play spot. (My child has spent many a rainy day romping around the Hall of Gems at the American Museum of Natural History, just like I did when I was her age.) But some museum memberships come with more than just free admission to the one institution—they also get you access to other culture spots at no additional cost.

While recently researching our post on ways to save on the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, we were reminded of one of the best bargains like this for families: the Association of Science-Technology Centers' Passport Program, which potentially gets you free admission to hundreds of museums around the world. However, as with any good deal, there's some fine print. We've got the scoop on the rules and restrictions for the ASTC Passport Program to help you decide whether it's worth it for your family. All you need to do is a little math.

NYC Baby Gear Rentals: Strollers, Car Seats, Cribs

Submitted by Raven Snook on Sun, 01/05/2014 - 9:00am

New York City families with babies or toddlers usually have a crib, a changing table and a stroller or two crammed into their apartments. However, if you're visiting NYC with an infant in tow, there's no way you're going to be able to pack all of that stuff in your luggage. Sure, you can try to skip the usual amenities and just co-sleep, change the baby on the bed and wear a sling when running around town. But it would certainly be a lot easier on your body if you could just rent a crib, changing table and stroller—after all, vacation is supposed to be relaxing, right?

After receiving several emails from our NYC Kids Visitors Guide readers asking where they could rent baby gear, we decided to look into it. Turns out there are a number of companies that rent strollers, cribs and other baby equipment in New York City. They even deliver everything to you. So natives, the next time your sister-in-law swings into town asking to borrow your baby wheels, you know where to send her.

This Week: Best January Events for Kids in NYC & Beyond, Top NYC Openings in 2013, How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 01/02/2014 - 12:30pm

New is the word of the moment in NYC. We have a new Mayor, a new Schools Chancellor and we're all excited about the new adventures in store for our families in the New Year. To help get you started, all of our sites have posted brand-new January Go Lists highlighting the absolute best things to do with kids throughout the month in NYC, Westchester, New Jersey, on Long Island and beyond. Even though the fun of the holidays is behind us, there are some really amazing activities worth putting on your January calendar, including unique experiences like a family trivia competition in the East Village and a hands-on maker fest in Brooklyn.

With a snowstorm set to hit the city, we're also furiously updating our Winter Fun Guide for the season. Check out our roundup of the best sledding hills in NYC as well as posts on snow tubing, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing in the tri-state area.

Finally, if you're itching to start your post-holiday purge, we have posts about 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.

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

Best of New York City for Kids 2013: 20 New Must-See NYC Spots

Submitted by Raven Snook on Mon, 12/30/2013 - 1:00pm

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 new places for kids that have opened since January. (Yeah, I'm nerdy like that.) Every year, NYC welcomes new state-of-the-art parks and playgrounds, outdoor ice-skating rinks, interactive indoor play spaces and even a museum or two, and 2013 was no exception. Even if you're still working your way through our best new family destinations post from 2012 (or 2011 or 2010), here are 20 brand-new New York City attractions that opened in 2013 to add to your must-explore list.

This Week: Celebrate New Year's Eve with NYC Kids, Three Kings Day Parade, More Amazing Holiday Sights in NYC & Beyond

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 12/26/2013 - 12:00pm

Even though Christmas Day has come and gone, the holiday season is still in full swing in NYC and beyond. This week, we posted a slide show of over-the-top holiday houses from all of the regions we cover, even Los Angeles. And here in NYC, there's still a week left of school break to go out and try the 25 best things to do with kids over the holidays before the New Year comes.

Speaking of 2014, we have roundups of the best ways to celebrate New Year's Eve with kids in NYC, on Long Island, in New Jersey and further afield in Boston. Our Boston site also has a post on easy recipes to make with kids over break or anytime.

From all of the moms here at Mommy Poppins, we wish you and your family a fabulous New Year! Thank you for sharing 2013 with us. Here's what else we covered in NYC this week: