Sonia Gonzalez

Sonia Gonzalez

Sonia is a veteran editor and writer for Mommy Poppins. She loves exploring greater New York with her husband and their three kids and is always on the looking out for innovative, educational and fun things to do with them. She is thrilled to have this platform to share what she finds with Mommy Poppins readers.

Latest posts by Sonia

National Geographic's Interactive Ocean Odyssey Makes Waves in Times Square

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 11/06/2017 - 10:00am

A new experience is making a major splash in Times Square. National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey takes visitors on a virtual underwater journey beneath the Pacific Ocean, unlike anything we've ever seen before. Using breathtaking state-of-the-art technology, lighting, and audio effects, the self-guided walk-through journey explores different areas of a wondrous undersea world including coral reefs, kelp forests, and open ocean expanses.

Ocean Odyssey opened in mid-October, and my family and I couldn't wait to go. The visit left us awestruck and eager to return. It's a fantastic destination for all ages, filled with stunning visuals and interesting facts about ocean wildlife and habitats, human impact, and what each of us can do to help keep our oceans beautiful and clean—all without getting wet! Read on for more about this amazing new experience, plus what you need to know before visiting with kids.

Boo at the Zoo: New Thrills and Attractions at the Bronx Zoo's Halloween Event

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Tue, 10/10/2017 - 10:00am

Fall has arrived in New York City and with it, a fantastic array of seasonal activities that make saying goodbye to summer feel more like a celebration than a somber farewell. And with Halloween just around the corner, one of my family's favorite Halloween-themed outings—the Bronx Zoo's annual Boo at the Zoo—is already underway!

For years, we've enjoyed donning our costumes and exploring the zoo, joining the Halloween parade, marveling at the pumpkin carving demos and displays, and, of course, visiting and learning about the majestic resident animals. This year, we're particularly excited to visit as the zoo has revamped its programming with new activities and attractions, including a Haunted Forest geared at older kids, a hayride, and a corn maze. Read on for all the details on returning favorites and new offerings, including price details and best times to visit.

New Victory Theater: Best Family Shows for 2017-18 Season

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 10/02/2017 - 12:35pm

The New Victory Theater enters its 22nd season with a full lineup of awe-inspiring and affordable performances for all ages. In addition to its incredible shows, the award-winning theater helps foster a lifelong love of the stage by offering a range of educational programming from hands-on workshops, to performances tailored for audiences with special needs, and interactive pre- and post-show activities.

Mommy Poppins is partnering with the New Victory for the fifth straight year, starting with a preview of the 2017-2018 season, which includes recommendations for every age and the best way to save on tickets.

Fall Festivals in Westchester: Cider, Donuts, Pumpkin Carving & Hayrides

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Fri, 09/08/2017 - 1:30pm

Usher in the fall season in Westchester with a host of family autumn festivals. The area's harvest celebrations are packed with fun seasonal activities for kids, including pumpkin fun, hayrides, apple-cidering, doughnuts and more.

We've rounded up details on the best upcoming fall festivals in Westchester, several of which made our September GoList. Be sure to consult our guide to best places for apple picking, many of which include festival-like added attractions.

Looking for more family fun? Get the most out of the season with our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

Frozen the Musical Heads for Broadway: What You Need to Know

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 09/04/2017 - 4:50pm

This winter in NYC brings an extra dose of snow and ice, but of the magical Disney variety. One of the favorite princesses of the last decade and ice queen extraordinaire, Elsa, and her sister Anna, will make their Broadway debut in New York City this February. If you're familiar with the Let It Go-cult of Elsa, then you probably already knew a Frozen musical was en route, but we're here to give you the scoop on what to expect, including ticket prices and for which ages this show is best.

Joining family hits The Lion King and Aladdin, the buzz is strong for Disney's latest musical adaptation. The official opening night is set for March 22 (preview performances begin in February), but tickets for Frozen went on sale this month, and of course, are already going fast (hey, it's never too early to consider holiday gifts the whole family can enjoy).

We're pretty confident this Broadway production deserves a spot on your family's 2018 bucket list if you're willing and able to go for this extra special splurge.

Family Weekend Getaway: River Rafting with Kids in the Catskills

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 08/28/2017 - 10:00am

I've wanted to take my kids river rafting since my teenage son was a toddler, yet we never managed to get around to it—until this summer. After spending a wonderful day on the Delaware River in the Sullivan Catskills, my only regret is that we didn't go sooner.

With three kids ranging from 8 to 13, finding an outing we can all enjoy is sometimes a challenge. River rafting hit the mark beautifully, providing a completely unplugged experience that's fun for all ages. Plus, clocking in at just under two hours from New York City (and even less for Westchester residents), rafting in the Catskills is an easy day trip or a quick weekend getaway. We opted to make a weekend out of it, so we've got the scoop on where to go rafting and what to expect, plus where to stay overnight.

For more weekend getaway ideas, consult our Day Trips & Getaways Guide and sign up for our newsletters.

Zylofone: Music Workshops for Hudson Valley Families with Special Needs

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Tue, 08/15/2017 - 10:00am

Finding supportive and inspiring arts and development programs for children with special needs isn't always easy. Luckily, families in Orange County and surrounding areas have Zylofone, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing such quality programming and opportunities. This Campbell Hall-based group provides music-centered workshops that promote creativity and growth in both physical and cognitive abilities.

Founded by a single mother who raised twin boys with special needs, Zylofone offers engaging and tailored programming designed to be compassionate, encouraging, educational and fun for students of all ages and their families.

Looking for more creative programming for children in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Consult our Classes Guide and sign up for our newsletters.

Westchester Summer Camps with Availability — Yes, Even Now!

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:00am

The school year is winding down and kids all over Westchester are rejoicing. As for their parents? Not so much. Sure, there's the silver lining coming of not having to drive to school or argue about homework during the lazy summer months, but blissful loses its luster pretty quickly in the face of "What are we going to do today?"—particularly if you already know that what YOU have to do doesn't involve sprinklers or beaches.

We know we should have squared away summer camp for the kids by now. We have the flyers, we've read about the fantastic programs going on—programs that are probably already filled up with kids whose parents got on this weeks ago. But there's no need to panic! We've compiled a list of Westchester summer camps that still have space available as of this publish date.