Sally Chaffin Brooks

Latest posts by Sally Chaffin Brooks

How to Get the Most Out of a Nanny or Babysitter Interview

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Mon, 08/06/2018 - 4:02pm

Prepare in advance for your caregiver interview with key questions about expectations, fit, and experience.

Whether you’ve found them through personal recommendations, a nanny agency, a local parenting website, or even a chance encounter at the playground, you’ve narrowed your potential-Mary-Poppins list down to a few great choices. Now it’s time to conduct the in-person interviews. But can you really figure out, in one meeting, which caregiver will be the best fit for your kids—and for you? With preparation and some self-reflection, you can use a caregiver interview to help decide whether this is someone you feel not just comfortable with, but excited about. Read on for the top eight interview questions to ask in a caregiver interview.

Tickets on Sale Now for New Trolls Experience Near Times Square

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Fri, 07/27/2018 - 10:00am

A rendering of DreamWorks Trolls The Experience opening this fall. Rendering courtesy of Feld Entertainment Inc.

Fans of Poppy, Branch and Guy Diamond, hold onto your glitter-filled hats, because the Trolls are coming to New York City. Opening on Thursday, November 15, DreamWorks Trolls The Experience, an interactive Trolls extravaganza, will open a stone's throw from the only place befitting all its sparkle and shine—Times Square. While you’ll have to wait until the fall to shimmy down the rainbow path with DJ Suki, you can grab your tickets now (and have some indoor fun to look forward to when the weather turns cool).

Read on for details on all the glittery goodness.

Domino Park and Playground Get Ready to Open in Williamsburg

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Thu, 06/07/2018 - 3:47pm

The waterfront park includes green space and playgrounds.

The NYC summer just got a little sweeter with the news that Domino Park on Williamsburg’s waterfront will be open to the public on Sunday, June 10.

With a sugar-factory-inspired playground, kid-friendly water feature, open lawn, urban beach, taqueria from Danny Meyer, and so much more, we suspect this new Brooklyn park is about to become one of the top fun things to do with kids this season.

Hot Dog Bus Serves Art (and Free Food) at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Wed, 06/06/2018 - 10:10am

The Hot Dog Bus serves up free hot dogs this summer.

On the hunt for free things to do with kids in New York City this summer? Starting June 9, Brooklyn Bridge Park hosts a public art exhibition that celebrates an iconic New York City street food, with a reimagined VW bus serving FREE hot dogs every weekend.

Flushing's Peek-a-BooO Play Area Brings Super-Sized Kid Fun

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Mon, 04/23/2018 - 10:00am

This interactive video wall is fun for little and big people, alike.

Kids in New York City are used to making the most out of small spaces, so when you find a wide open place where they can roam free, it’s a real treat. At over 6,000 square feet, Flushing’s new play space, Peek-a-booO, is a super-sized delight. And it’s not just huge, it’s filled with modern, bright, fun climbing equipment, ball pits, interactive games, toys, and so much more!

Read on to find out all the details about this massive new Queens indoor play area.

Mini Land Play Gives Long Island City Tots a New Indoor Hot Spot

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Thu, 04/19/2018 - 10:35am

Like most New York City parents, I’m always on the lookout for new indoor play spaces to occupy my active kid when the weather isn't great. So when I find a unique play area in a cool neighborhood that doesn’t eat up my entire entertainment budget for the month, I feel like an explorer who’s made a groundbreaking discovery. Mini Land Play in Long Island City, Queens is exactly this kind of rare find: a crazy-fun indoor playground with toddler-friendly rides that is only $12 for unlimited play during the week.

Read on to find out how you can discover this new neighborhood gem for yourself.

Little Dreamers Kingdom Gives Toddlers a Bright Play Space in Queens

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Fri, 04/13/2018 - 10:30am

With more and more indoor play areas for kids opening in Queens, it can be hard for new spaces to stand out in the crowd. But Little Neck’s Little Dreamers Kingdom is doing just that by exclusively focusing on toddlers and preschoolers. With a smaller space and tot-sized playthings, caregivers can keep an eye on their little ones without hovering. It also offers a variety of fun toddler class offerings and birthday parties.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the space, including hours and recommended ages.

Hey Jamaica! Mini Galaxy Play Cafe Opens for Queens Kids

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Fri, 03/30/2018 - 12:09am

Jamaica families, your wait is over! A brand-new play café has arrived in the neighborhood, and it is a treat for kids and parents alike. With play spaces popping up all over Queens and Brooklyn, it was only a matter of time before Jamaica got in on the action.

Located just two blocks from the F train on Jamaica Avenue, Mini Galaxy Play Café is a bright, open space that is set up so that caregivers can sit back with a cup of coffee (or delicious pastry) while watching their little ones have a blast.