Jody Mercier

When asked to illustrate her dream job as a first grader, Jody drew a picture of a mom with one kid on each hip and another clinging to her leg. All these years later, that is her reality, raising three kids in New York City. Since that gig only pays in hugs and kisses, she has spent her professional career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting topics. She's currently the regional editor overseeing the Mommy Poppins NYC, New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester sites and can be reached at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

2023-24 NYC Public School Calendar: New Holidays, Plus 2024 & 2025 Calendars

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/22/2023 - 4:56pm

NYC school kids head back to school on Thursday, September 7, 2023, according to the newly released NYC public school calendar. Photo by Al De Ingeniis

If you've got a child in public school, you live by the public school calendar. Since its initial release last spring, the DOE has added four more days off to the public school calendar, including Easter Monday, two days of Passover, and Eid al-Adha. Many local NYC preschools follow the public school schedule, too. The New York City Department of Education's calendar for the 2023-2024 school year is below, and you'll want to bookmark it now for reference—and to help with planning school break camp coverage.

Once again, there will be no snow days. Plan on logging your kiddos on for a day of remote learning whenever buildings are closed for snow or other emergencies.

These are all of the dates you can count on your kiddos being out of school during the 2023-24 school year. Looking to make long-term plans? The DOE has already released its 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 NYC public school calendars, too, and we've got all those important dates, too.

111 Ideas for College Care Packages

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/22/2023 - 12:21pm

Those dorm rooms look pretty bare. Send some fun goodies to your college kids! Photo by Dan Douglas courtesy of Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Sending a college care package to your college student is a rite of passage for both of you. Whether your college kid is at StateU or has traveled across the country, being on the receiving end of one of these college care packages is sure to make them feel special, especially during high-stress times!

So, whether you're sending a college care package to your first college kid, or you’re a recent empty nester who has already sent your fair share of college care packages, we’ve got 100 college care package ideas to inspire your next trip to the post office. Find more back-to-school tips for kids from pre-school to post-grad in our Back-to-School Guide for Kids.

Free and Cheap After-School Programs in NYC for Kids and Teens

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 08/20/2023 - 7:24am

The Children's Aid Society provides free and low-cost after-school classes to kids in New York City.

After a summer of expensive entertainment, we could all use a great list of free and cheap after-school programs in NYC for kids!

The school year is barreling toward us and that means it's (past) time to start thinking about after-school programs, too. Families looking for reasonably priced, enriching, and even free after-school programs in New York City for kids have tons of sports, arts, academics, and other classes from which to choose. With offerings in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem, and more, you're bound to find a great inexpensive or free after-school program for your kids, no matter their ages, interests, or where you live.

We've rounded up 15 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school programs for kids, tweens, and teens throughout the five boroughs. If you're looking for more options, be sure to see our New York City Classes for Kids Guide and use our directory to search for programs by age, interest, and neighborhood.

The Met Meets Roblox in New App that Lets Visitors Interact with the Artwork

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/15/2023 - 4:59pm

The Met Replica lets users scan artwork to learn more about the pieces and add it to their collection to outfit their Roblox characters.

I'm always game for a visit to The Met, but sometimes my kids need a little convincing. They don't know how good they've got it, but this week's visit was an easy sell for my 10-year-old, thanks to the launch of The Met Replica, a brand-new, interactive app that mashes up the power of play—in the form of Roblox characters—with The Met's masterpieces, introducing the art in a whole new way.

I turned my phone over to my daughter and let her lead the way on our hours-long quest to find all the artwork highlighted by this new app, and we emerged hours later filled with new knowledge and excitement to return again soon. Find out why this app is a cool new guide to one of our favorite museums in NYC to visit with kids, and get all our tips for the city's top culture spots in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits for NYC Kids.

AMNH and More Places to Get Scientific in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/08/2023 - 1:23pm

Kids can get up close to live insects at AMNH's new Gilder Center. Photo by Drew Kristofik

Sure the American Museum of Natural History is the most well-known science museum in NYC, but curious city kids have so many options, with loads of STEM-inspired spots and science museums in New York that encourage kid-focused scientific exploration and creation. From the American Museum of Natural History to the New York Hall of Science, local maker spaces, brain-boosting playgrounds, STEM-focused camps, and quirky, curiosity-inducing off-beat stores, there are tons of spots for kids to get scientific in New York City. We've rounded up 13 of the best below.

Find more great geeky ideas in our STEM Guide and more cool museums to explore in our Guide to NYC Museums.

Legoland New York Set to Giveaway 100 Season Passes as Summer Temps Soar

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 08/02/2023 - 10:10am

Legoland New York has locals and visitors alike begging for a mercury-popping day thanks to a hot new giveaway that's triggered by 100-degree temperatures! To add a little fun to the sweltering summer heat, the park is set to give away 100 FREE season passes every time the mercury tops 100.

Find out what it takes to enter and read about all the fun at Legoland New York, which checks in at No. 22 on our list of the 100 best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley before kids grow up.

20 Things To Do in NYC with Babies Before they Turn 1

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/01/2023 - 1:45pm

Take your city baby to Rockaway Beach. All you need is a MetroCard and a sense of adventure.

Looking for the best things to do in NYC with babies? You've come to the right place. We've got parent-tested picks for family fun from birth to big kids.

The whole "New York City is a terrible place to raise babies" debate never seems to die, but as a mom of three NYC babies, I disagree. Yes, it can be a nuisance to find subway stations with working elevators and contend with tiny spaces and noisy neighbors. Still, there are so many enriching first-time experiences to share with your city baby that it's worth muddling through the inconveniences.

So stock your diaper bag, strap your infant into a stroller or carrier, and try these 20 things to do in NYC with babies before age 1. Be sure to bookmark our NYC Baby Guide for all our top tips and picks for making the most of NYC with a little one in tow.

40 Things To Do in NYC Before School Starts

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/28/2023 - 12:55pm

Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette

With August upon us and the start of a new school year looming, my kids and I are in a panic about all the fun, summery things to do in NYC we haven't yet crossed off our NYC summer bucket list.

Sure, we've had a lot of fun tooling around the city, enjoying our favorite local swimming pool, reigniting a love for some of the best playgrounds in NYC, chilling out with some kid-pleasing ice-cold treats, and soaking up all the FREE things to do in NYC with kids in the summer. But, there are plenty of great activities we haven't gotten to. So, we've crafted this list of 40 things to do in NYC before summer ends.

For more ideas from Brooklyn to the Bronx, and even at home, check out our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide, before summer vacation is a mere memory.