As we all have learned over the past few months, working from home, social distancing and homeschooling can be isolating and overwhelming. One of the only things that makes it bearable is knowing that everyone else is dealing with the same issues. Which is why staying connected online is a necessity these days. To help, we’ve found almost 30 NYC parenting Facebook groups you can join to reach out and connect with other parents in your community, whatever, and wherever that is. Read on to find that support, shared knowledge and camaraderie are just a few clicks away in a local online group for parents. (P.S. not all groups have Facebook pages: find more NYC parenting groups here!)

Facebook Groups for Manhattan Parents

Daisy Beatty Photography

Chelsea Mommas, 2.0K members
Open to moms and families in general, head here for happenings in the nabe, recs and community. 

Harlem Moms, 2.2K members
A private group for uptown moms offering the scoop on events, activities, classes and more.

Hudson River Park Mommas, 2.1K members
A public group for parents in lower Manhattan neighborhoods, HRPM is a place for info, support, helpful programming on all kinds of parenting issues and more.

Madison Square Park Moms, 6K members 
A private group with 6000 members, this active forum is a place to to ask questions, find kid activities and events, share experiences, milestones, and frustrations, and post important info such as safety issues, recalls, great deals, etc.

Manhattan Freecycle, 2.4K members
Give, receive, all for free. 

Manhattan Twins  NYC, 1.3K members
Got double the trouble (or twice the love?). This private group of parents with twins in Manhattan will share wisdom, tips, and photos.

NYC Moms- Upper East Side, 21.4K members
Safe place for moms on the UES to connect with local parents.

NYC Moms-Lower East Side/East Village/Lower Manhattan, 2.5K members
Downtown ladies on the east side connect here for tips, advice, activities and community. 

Parenting in Tribeca, 2.3K members
A public group for families in the downtown area, "because it's all about tribes."

Upper East and Upper West Side, 5.1K members 
One of the newer NYC parent Facebook groups (it was founded in 2018), this group still boasts over 5000 members. Head here to network, buy, sell, swap, get recs and advice and more. 

Upper East Side Moms, 39K members
With almost 40,000 members, UES Mommas is a wealth of knowledge, support, referrals and recommendations. (It's also not without its disagreements between members, which have sometimes led to the group suspending activity temporarily.) Still, that's a lot of mom brain to pick and the members just keep coming to this private Facebook group.

Upper West Side Mammas, 19K members
Similar to the Upper East Side group, but for the UWS.

Washington Heights/Inwood Moms, 2.3K members 
Moms in this northern nabe can find and help each other here. 

Facebook Groups for Brooklyn Parents

Amy N. via Yelp

Bay Ridge Parents, 6.9K members
This private moderated group is a place where area parents can talk schools, events, local businesses, kids items for sale, parenting or other family-related advice, plus advice or steam-releasing vents about living and parenting in Bay Ridge. 

Bed Stuy Parents, 2.7K members
Connect online with other parents in Bed-Stuy with this private group.

Brooklyn Baby Hui, 4K members
Parents from the neighborhoods of North Brooklyn (Williamsburg, Greenpoint) share experiences, resources and stories to empower each other in this private group. (It's pronounced "Hoo-ee.")

Brooklyn NY Freecycle, 3.2K members 
Great for getting and giving, this site facilitates passing along items and keeping them out of landfills. Swapping is also allowed, but NO money should change hands.

Brooklyn Bridge Parents, 1.9K members
Join this public group for news and info for parents in Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and DUMBO.

Ditmas Park Families, 3.2K members
Connect with other families in the neighborhood on just about everything, from class recs to restaurants reviews, day trips, swapping and selling. 

DUMBO Moms, 2.2K members
A private group for moms of all kinds—new, experienced, etc—to share info, recs, frustrations, etc. 

Parents Around the Hill, 1.2 K members
Connect with other families in the Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy neighborhoods with this group. 

Park Slope Parents, 8.3K members
Despite its name, this Facebook group for the longtime popular Brooklyn parenting resource is open and visible to all families in Brooklyn. To access all the resources of the group, join Park Slope Parents for a reasonable annual fee. 

Windsor Terrace/Kensington Parents, 1.1K members 
Parents and soon-to-be parents can buy/sell/swap, share tips and recommendations and more in this group. 

Facebook Groups for Queens Parents

Queens County Corn Maze via Yabome M.K. Casper
Yabome M.K. Casper

BushRidge Parents, 2.6K Members  
Yes, this is a Brooklyn/Queens group, as the parents in Bushwick in Brooklyn and Ridgewood in Queens are close neighbors and hang together.  Connect, share info and support, and let each other know about local events and issues here.  

Forest Hills Parents, 10.7K members
Join the army of parents in Forest Hills at this Facebook page, for all things parenting in the area. P.S. There's a smaller, Progressive Parents of Forest Hills group here

Mommies of Long Island City, 3.3K members
For recs, advice and community in this booming area, head here. 

MOMally Parenting, 6.3 members
An offshoot of the MOMally Astoria page (which is more focused on reducing parenting anxiety), this group is the place to come with parenting questions and to receive support from area parents. Another option in the area is Astoria, NY Families, which has 4.6K members. 

Sunnyside Moms, 3K members
A private group for parents in the Sunnyside and Woodside communities, this group is open to parents of all kinds, including if your baby "was delivered to you by an alien." (They obviously have a sense of humor!)

Facebook Groups for Bronx Parents

WCS

Bronx Moms, 1.7K members
Head here to join a group of like-minded moms in the Bronx sharing everything from parenting tips, events, free stuff and funny stories. 

Bronx & Westchester Moms Group, 6.2K members
These moms may technically live in different cities, but they are close neighbors. Join this private group for info on area happenings, advice and supports. 

Facebook Groups for Staten Island Parents

Staten Island Children's Museum

Staten Island Moms & Dads, 6K members
One of the largest Staten Island parenting groups with 6,000 members, offering info on what's happening on the island for area families. 

Staten Island Moms, 2.1K members 
Join this public group for resources, support and buying and selling among Staten Island mothers. 

Staten Island Parents of Special Needs Children, 2.5K members 
A group created to help parents navigate the educational system, and offer support, info, and socialization.

Specialty Facebook Groups for NYC Parents

Caitlin Childs via Flickr

LGBTQ+ Moms, 2.9K members
This private group for mothers of LGBTQ+ kids is a place to come together online and share in their daily experiences of motherhood.

NYC Dads Group, 4K members
A popular online place for NYC dads sharing events, tips, discussions and more. 

NYC Parents of Kiddies with Special Needs, 2.6K members 
This is a private group for NYC parents of kids who have special needs, ranging from very minor speech/language/OT, to severe. Parents can ask questions, as well as share ideas and resources, and receive support from fellow members.

New Moms in NYC, 17.6K members
Connect early (and often) with this group for new NYC mothers. 

Bilingual Families of NYC, 2.3K members
Connect, get info, schedule playdates and more.

Single Parents By Choice, 200+ members
A private group for those parents who had a child without a partner.

New York Adoptive, Foster and Kinship Parenting Support Group, 1.3k members
A private group for families and parents with adopted or fostered kids, or those taking care of a child through kinship. 

The Parents & Nannies of NYC, 5.2k members
A private group created to connect families with nannies and nannies with families. 

—Mimi O’Connor

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This talk show is out of this world. On Fri. Sept. 4, Disney+ will debut 10 episodes of its first original talk show Earth to Ned. The fresh take on the late-night format stars larger-than-life extraterrestrial creatures Ned and Cornelius as they interview some of the biggest stars in our galaxy.

This brand new talk show comes from The Jim Henson Company. Hosted by alien commander Ned and his lieutenant Cornelius, who call off the invasion of Earth after they fall in love with human culture. Broadcasting from the bridge of their spaceship, hidden deep underground, Ned and Cornelius interview Earth’s greatest resource, celebrities. With the help of the ship’s artificial intelligence, BETI, and the destructive CLODs (Cloned Living Organisms of Destruction), Ned must keep his show a secret from his home planet or suffer the wrath of his father, the Admiral of the Galactic Fleet. 

Each episode focuses on a topic or theme that is both equally unique to earthlings and fascinating to Ned, including comedy, sports, social media, and fashion. Ned beams in celebrity guests from across the known universe to put on the ultimate chat show, and the more he learns about our human culture, the more obsessed he becomes.

Guests include Bindi and Robert Irwin, NeNe Leakes, Joel McHale, Andy Richter, RuPaul, Jenny Slate, and Raven Symoné.

Ned, Cornelius, their Artificial Intelligence BETI, and army of CLODs are brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, the team behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic characters.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Disney+

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Photo: Yoto

Do you have childhood memories of listening to tape cassettes on long drives? Or maybe it was stashes of CDs in the glove box? Great audio can turn long drives with the family into exciting adventures, and podcasts are a great way to entertain and engage young minds and stimulate interesting family chats.

We’re big fans of family-friendly podcasts—we even make one ourselves called Yoto Daily! And if you’re looking for the best podcasts for kids on long road trips, then here are five of our favorites.

1. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids If you want to spark some interesting drive-time conversations with your kids, then this is the place to start. But Why asks kids to send in their own questions, and then answers them with the help of subject matter experts. Questions vary from the small (why do ladybugs have spots?) to the big (What is the Coronavirus?) and episodes cover a wide range of subjects in between—cooking, science, language, and more. But Why is always entertaining, and breaks down complex subject matter into terms kids can understand and relate to.

2. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: This inspiring podcast isn’t just for bedtime, and it’s not just for girls! The publishers of the excellent Rebel Girls books bring some of their favorite biographies to life in the form of audio fairy tales. Each episode explores the lives of famous (and famously overlooked) women including Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Frida Kahlo, and Margaret Hamilton, and will no doubt inspire some fascinating conversation in your car and beyond.

3. The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian: This interstellar adventure podcast follows an 8-year-old boy, Finn Caspain, who lives on an interplanetary space station with his friends and their pet robots. Each episode is packed with sharp-witted humor and great sound effects, and the creator’s son, Griffin, makes regular guest appearances as the show’s Editor. There are over 100 episodes (around 13 hours) of this podcast available, making it perfect for enjoying over the course of a long family holiday.

4. Story Shed: When he’s not creating Yoto’s own kids’ podcast, Yoto Daily, Jake Harris is at home on the Story Shed podcast. Each episode features a new and original story for kids of all ages, often written with teachable lessons in mind – in fact, Jake was a school teacher himself before joining Yoto! Story Shed stories are great fun, often teeming with Roald Dahl-esque tension and humor. If your kids are into reading, they’ll love listening to these stories and uncovering the deeper meanings hidden within them.

5. Ear Snacks: This podcast is created by award-winning musical duo, Andrew and Polly, and explores the big wide world in all of its absurd, melodic glory. Young kids will learn about simple everyday things (rain, shadows, fruit) and delight in all the funny voices and eccentricities of the two hosts. Each episode features some terrific original tunes which will have the whole car bopping along, and submissions from listeners make the show feel relatable for young listeners.

 

 

Ben Drury is a father of two and the CEO of Yoto, a screen-free audio platform for kids.

Oh.My.God. You may not agree if Ross and Rachel were on a break, but you’ll definitely agree on this epic collaboration. The Lisa Frank x Friends collab from Warner Bros. Consumer Products features Ross, Rachel surrounded by colorful artwork from Lisa Frank. This limited-edition line launches tonight.

 Lisa Frank x Friends

 

The tee shirt features our favorite couple embracing. They are surrounded by neon hearts, bright doodles and a sweet alien couple. The sweatpants feature a similar look with brightly colored doodles. Friends (heart) Lisa Frank is written up the leg. 

 Lisa Frank x Friends

 

Fans can find this selection and more of the apparel collection tonight on the Lisa Frank website. The collection will officially launch at midnight ET tonight (9 p.m. PT.)

 Lisa Frank x Friends

This new line retails for: $39.95 Black Tee, $43.95 Vintage Tees (Black, Blossom [Pink], Orchid [Purple]) and $79.95 Sweatpants.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Lisa Frank

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The summer’s here, and you’re already half-way through the year. Without big-screen blockbusters showing in crowded commercial cinemas, you may not have noticed the fab lineup of recently released kid-friendly flicks. If you’re not sure what to titles to add to your family’s at-home film fest, check out the best kids movies of 2020—so far.

The Call of the Wild

20th Century Studios via YouTube

Harrison Ford stars in this PG adaptation of the literary classic. The live-action film is the story of a man and his dog—and some pretty amazing adventures. Find The Call of the Wild on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, Microsoft, Movies Anywhere, Google Play, Fandango Now and YouTube.

Farmageddon

Shaun the Sheep via YouTube

A Shaun the Sheep Movie, Farmageddon, is the G-rated Netflix original flick fans of the beloved animated sheep will flock to. This alien-inspired movie is perfect for parents too!

The Willoughbys

Netflix via YouTube

Are you looking for the best kid movies on Netflix? The Willoughbys is a Netflix original, released in 2020! The PG-rated movie tells the story of four sibs who plot to send their parents away. Voiced by some serious star-power, such as Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Ricky Gervais and Alessia Cara, you can stream this animated movie here.

Scoob!

Warner Bros. Pictures via YouTube

The beloved pup is back for a 2020 update. Scoob! gives your kiddo the chance to see how the animated pup and his BFF shaggy first met. Your fam can catch Scoob! (rated PG) on Prime Video, Fandango Now, YouTube, Vudu, Xfinity, Google Play, Movies Anywhere, Redbox, Direct TV, My Dish, Microsoft, Row8 or Apple TV.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Paramount Pictures via YouTube

Sonic is back in the much-anticipated 2020 film. The PG flick stars James Marsden and Jim Carrey. When it comes to movies for kids, the beloved blue hedgehog is the perfect pick for older children and tweens. Watch Sonic the Hedgehog on Blu-ray or 4K Ultra HD, or stream it on Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, Fandango Now or Apple TV.

Dolittle

Universal Pictures via YouTube

Older kids will get a kick out of this animal-centered live-action flick. Dolittle (rated PG) stars Robert Downey Jr. as the famed doctor and veterinarian in this updated version of the classic tale. Watch Dolittle digitally on Prime Video, Fandango Now, iTunes, Verizon FIOS, Xfinity, Vudu or Google Play. 

Trolls World Tour

Trolls World Tour
Trolls via Instagram

Starring Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake, Trolls World Tour is an animated adventure filled with musical awesomeness. Join Poppy, Branch, Barb and all your kiddo's faves on the small screen right now. Stream this PG pick on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, YouTube, Fandango Now, Xfinity or Google Play. 

Onward

Pixar via YouTube

This Disney Pixar animated flick features the story of two teenage elf brothers and their magic-filled quest. Starring celebs such as Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Octavia Spencer and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Onward is rated PG. Catch the adventure on Blu-ray, DVD, or screen it on Disney+

—Erica Loop

 

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Hooray, its almost National Pizza Party Day! If you’re looking to celebrate the big day this Fri., May 15th then keep scrolling.

In honor of the annual holiday, as well as the 25th anniversary of the first Toy Story film, Disney is releasing a tasty pizza recipe the whole family will love. Whip up some alien veggie meatballs with funny faces on whole wheat dough and you not only have a tasty meal, but a healthy one, too!

Looking to dress up for the occasion or stock up on Pizza Planet gear? shopDisney and other retailers have stocked plenty of must-have Pizza Planet gear!

Toy Story Pizza Maker

Available at Box Lunch, $50

Toy Story Acacia Pizza Paddle

Available at Amazon, Target, Hot Topic, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl's JC Penney, Home Depot, Macy's and Wayfair, $57.95

Pizza Planet Logo Ringer T-Shirt

$24.99

Toy Story Aliens T-Shirt for Adults

$24.95

 

––Karly Wood

 

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This Valentine’s Day you could settle in for a romantic film with your partner, or you could round up the entire fam for a Netflix sesh because A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon hits homes on Feb. 14!

Mossy Bottom Farm has a new visitor when an alien named LU-LA crash lands from outer space. Shaun the Sheep and his buds soon learn all about this adorable, yet magical visitor in the whimsical trailer below.

In an attempt to get LU-LA back to her spaceship, Shaun and his flock embark on an out of this world journey, only to discover that an alien-hunting agency is in their wake. Can the gang prevent Farmageddon?

 

To get the entire family excited for the newest installment of Shaun, Netflix is sharing a few fun ways to get into the Farmageddon spirit. If your kiddos love drawing, you’ll want to check out tutorials on how to draw LU-LA and Shaun. Stay tuned for three activity sheets to download to get your kiddos even more excited about the film!

A Shaun of the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is only available on Netflix and drops this Friday, Feb. 14.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Netflix

 

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Missing Baby Yoda now that The Mandalorian is over? You can bring one home of your very own to love!

Sideshow is selling a life-sized collectible replica of The Child. The little alien is incredibly life-like from the fuzz on his head down to his fabric coat swaddle and his size, which is a 1:1 scale replica. He measures 16.5 inches high including the display base he’s standing on. The curious little creature is also grasping his favorite toy, the shifter knob.

photo: Sideshow

Of course, owning an adorable Baby Yoda of your own will cost you a steep price––about as high as the bounty on the Mandalorian himself. Sideshow is currently taking pre-sale orders for the limited edition collectible for $350.

photo: Sideshow

The Child Life-Sized figure is currently expected to be delivered between Aug. and Oct. 2020. You can order your own from Sideshow here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Disney+

 

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The whole “Baby on Board” car window sign just got an upgrade! Shop Disney now has a “The Child on Board” car magnet—and yes, it features “baby Yoda.”

Out of all Disney+’s The Mandalorian’s characters, “The Child” (a.k.a., baby Yoda) has made the greatest impact on Star Wars fans. As if the original green alien wasn’t popular enough, the new version of Yoda has become an instant icon and fan fave.

photo: Shop Disney

The Child “On Board” car magnet ($14.99) is perfect for parents who are also major fans of The Mandalorian, too. To get yours, visit Shop Disney here.

If you’re not into the popular, “My child…” bumper stickers, Disney has another “The Child” solution. The “My child can levitate your child” magnet ($14.99) features the young Yoda star and provides plenty of cosmic coolness to your car.

—Erica Loop

 

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