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

Wave Hill with Kids: Nature-Inspired Family Fun in Riverdale

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Sun, 06/04/2017 - 9:34am

If you've never been to Wave Hill—a bucolic 28-acre public garden and cultural center in Riverdale—you're missing a truly special NYC green space. Though much smaller than the sprawling 250-acre New York Botanical Garden, Wave Hill offers picturesque views of the Hudson River, sprawling grassy lawns that guests are encouraged to play and relax on, beautifully curated gardens, an art gallery, and unique character all its own.

My family has been visiting Wave Hill since my now-teenage son was just a toddler. With family art projects every weekend, nature and garden walks, and other kid-centered programming, plus comparably inexpensive admission prices, Wave Hill definitely deserves a spot on your summer fun bucket list.

Times Square's Biggest New Attraction for Kids Is Gulliver's Gate

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Fri, 04/14/2017 - 3:00pm

They say big things come in small packages. Gulliver's Gate, the newest attraction to arrive in Times Square, proves just that. Now open for previews—with its official opening slated for early May—this inspiring destination shrinks our global community into 49,000 square feet of captivating detail, giving visitors a glimpse at all corners of the world.

My daughters and I attended a preview and, even though some parts are still in the works, we agree Gulliver's Gate definitely deserves its spot on our 2017 GoList. We've got tips for exploring this exhibit with kids, including some fun facts about the displays, engaging interactive elements, and other perks.

SplashDown Beach: Family-Friendly Water Park in Hudson Valley

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Thu, 04/13/2017 - 8:30am

A water park is hard to beat on a hot summer day. With summer's heat on the horizon, I'm re-living the fun my family had at SplashDown Beach in Fishkill, New York last summer. We hardly noticed the blazing temperatures as we coasted along the lazy river and enjoyed the waterslides and other thrill rides. Dubbed "America's Biggest Little Water Park," this Hudson Valley park, about 90 minutes north of NYC, offers all the fun of its larger counterparts, with a solid family-friendly vibe, attentive staff, and fun rides for all ages. There's a reason we included SplashDown in our roundup of best water parks for toddlers, but really the fun extends to big kids, teens, and parents, too.

Don't forget to check out the Mommy Poppins Theme and Water Park Guide for more amusement park fun—and waterslides.

The Lightning Thief Review: Percy Jackson and Demigods Return

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Thu, 04/06/2017 - 4:00pm

Percy Jackson fans rejoice: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical has returned to the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Greenwich Village. You don't have to have read the books to enjoy this full-length musical production, though my son and I adore the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. We were disappointed we missed the Theatreworks hourlong production in 2014, so when we heard it was expanded and heading back to the stage we knew we had to check it out.

With amazing talent, catchy pop-rock songs, heaps of humor, and a storyline with themes kids can relate to, demigod or mere mortal, it's a must-see for fans, according to my 13-year-old son. Read on for our full review, or find more kid-friendly NYC theater in our spring theater picks for families.

ARTech: A Pop-Up Maker and Play Space for NYC Kids

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Thu, 03/09/2017 - 4:00pm

ARTech: Adventures in Art + Technology is a new STEAM-inspired pop-up activity center in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. After a visit with three experts (my kids, ages 13, 9, and 7), I can assert it's definitely a cool, if temporary, addition to the neighborhood, where kids can explore, create, tinker, and play for FREE.

Science- and technology-inspired fun is in high demand, as evidenced by the opening of several new maker spaces last year alone, including Geek Forest and Skill Mill NYC, plus new offerings in science and robotics. Sponsored by the Meatpacking Business Improvement District, ARTech taps into that enthusiasm with programming designed by two established NYC institutions—the New York Hall of Science and the Children's Museum of the Arts—and it definitely deserves its spot on our March GoList.

We've got the scoop on what to expect, when to visit, and how to reserve your spot at ARTech before this pop-up bids adieu at the end of April.

Summer Camp Open Houses in Westchester

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Sat, 03/04/2017 - 9:00am

The nearing of daylight saving time and a few days of blissfully warmer temperatures in our area can only mean one thing—time to pick a summer camp! As part of a mixed blessing, Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley have so many wonderful summer camps that it can be hard to choose.

One way to start is by attending an open house at a camp, many of which are coming up over the next couple of months. Take a look at the list we've gathered—you just might find your kids' next great summer experience.

We'll continue to update our Summer Camp Guide with up-to-date coverage on a variety of camp offerings, so be sure to check back often. Better yet, sign up for our FREE newsletters to stay up to date on everything Westchester has to offer families and kids.

11 Winter School Break Camps for Kids in Westchester

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Fri, 12/16/2016 - 8:00am

December is a busy month full of holiday festivities, including live shows, Santa sightings, shopping and more. Before you know it, the holiday break is upon us and you may find yourself wondering how to keep the kids entertained while off from school.

As much as kids love the break, we know how quickly they can become stir-crazy sitting around at home, even during the holidays. No worries—we've rounded up a ton of places that will keep your wee (and not so wee) ones busy and entertained. These drop-off camps include art, sports, games and other activities for kids of all ages.

Pip's Island Leads Kids on Captivating Theatrical Adventure

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Thu, 11/17/2016 - 12:00pm

Are the kids ready for an adventure? Or at least an interactive theater experience that doesn’t require sitting? Enter Pip's Island—a new live theater production for kids that just opened in NYC. You don’t even have to go to Midtown! It’s playing in Chelsea all holiday season long.

Although my NYC family has been to (and even acted in) plenty of children’s theater, I can easily say that this show was truly unlike any previous performance we’ve been to.

There is no stage; there are no seats. Instead, the production is crafted as more of a full-scale game of make-believe. Actors lead the kids on an hourlong quest, literally moving through rooms, and encourage them to help solve a mystery by locating and rescuing Amperes Wattson, leader of this magical, faraway world they are now inhabiting (Pip’s Island), from an ambitious villain, Joules Volter.

Read on for our full review.