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Jody Mercier's picture

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

NYC's Best Parks and Playgrounds for Kids Birthday Parties

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 8:08am

NYC park attractions, like Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn Bride Park, make great, budget-friendly spots to host a birthday party. Photo courtesy of the carousel

Savvy DIY parents know New York City's parks make a fun (and inexpensive) backdrop for a birthday bash during the warmer months. Granted, this type of party requires more work than booking one of those all-inclusive packages, but you get to control most of the details, including the cost (though sadly, not the weather).

Find more party spots in our NYC Birthday Guide.

Read more.

Play Fountains in NYC Where Kids Can Get Totally Soaked

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/21/2023 - 7:19am

The Pier 6 Waterlab has been one of our favorite NYC splash pads since it opened in 2010. Photo by Sara M

While all three of my kids love to go for a dip, these NYC splash pads and play fountains offer more spontaneous fun than a swim in one of NYC's public pools. For those hot summer days when we're out and about or need a last-minute distraction, I keep this list of play fountains and splash pads in my back pocket.

A more immersive experience than standard NYC sprinkler parks, these mega splash pads and play fountains feature wading pools, plus jets shooting water sky-high. Play fountains are the perfect place for kids to frolic and get completely doused without mommy having to go all-in—literally. Best of all? They're all completely FREE. Here are 10 fun mega-sized splash pads in NYC where kids can get absolutely soaked.

Read more.

Historic Hudson Valley Expands Tour Offerings for Summer Visitors

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 07/19/2023 - 11:52am

There are even more opportunities to explore the Hudson Valley history this summer at Phillipsburg Manor and beyond. Photo courtesy of Historic Hudson Valley

If your summer travels take you to the Hudson Valley, make note: The Historic Hudson Valley is extending tour hours for its collection of properties that allow locals and tourists alike to get a glimpse into the region's past. Whether you decide to visit the grand Kykuit estate of the Rockefellers, dive into local lore at Sleepy Hollow, explore the working farm at Phillipsburg Manor, or take in the glorious stained glass masterpieces at Union Church of Pocantico Hills, there's no time like the present.

Read on for details on how to visit these historic properties, and find more fun things to do on our list of the best things to do in the Hudson Valley with kids.

Read more.

Rockefeller Studios Brings The Eric Carle Story Show to NYC; Readers Get First Access to Tickets

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 5:39pm

The Eric Carle Story brings a new batch of beloved children's books to the stage in NYC. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Productions

Kid-lit lovers take note: The Eric Carle Story Show is coming to NYC next month, and Mommy Poppins has the exclusive details on how to nab tickets to this latest page-to-stage adaptation that's a perfect first theatergoing experience for tots to preschoolers. The puppet-powered performance is produced by Jonathan Rockefeller, the creative force behind the very popular and colorful adaptation of Carle's most famous story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.

The Eric Carle Story Show debuts Sunday, August 13, and is sure to be a hot ticket for the toddler set. Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Children's Theater for more stories like this.

Read more.

Heat Wave Hot List: 50 Cool Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 07/09/2023 - 6:51am

Make a splash at Coney Island when you need to beat the heat in NYC. Photo by author

As summer weather sizzles, we're searching for the best things to do to beat the heat in New York City. There's no denying the heat and humidity can get under the skin of even the most tropical-weather-loving New Yorker. To beat the heat, my kids (and my inner child) insist any outing includes water, industrial-strength air conditioning, or a visit to a local ice cream parlor.

While we enjoy hitting NYC's FREE public pools and running around the sprinklers (oh yes, I get in there, too), lately, we've been longing for more diverse destinations. That inspired us to round up 50 ways to beat the heat in New York City this summer.

Read more.

Luna Park Guide: New Rides and Tips for Visiting Coney Island with Kids

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/07/2023 - 10:02am

A ride on Lynn's Trapeze puts a smile on the face of visitors young and old.

Luna Park has lured generations of New Yorkers to Coney Island for summertime fun, and the newest iteration of its famed boardwalk amusement park is celebrating 120 years of fun on Coney Island with a huge expansion that brings a brand new ropes course and adventure zone, plus a family-friendly roller coaster, and wet-and-wild log flume ride to the already action-packed park. That, in addition to classic crowd-pleasers like the iconic Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster, and all the fun along the Coney Island boardwalk and beach make Luna Park a bucket list destination for ultimate summer fun.

Whether you want to make a day of it, or just duck into the amusement park for some carnival games en route to the beach, here are our top things to do at Luna Park, plus some parent-tested tricks to keep you sane during a visit. Find more epic seasonal destinations in our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Read more.

Bronx Zoo's New Budgie Landing Lets You Interact with the Birds

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 07/06/2023 - 1:56pm

Budgie Landing invites guests into the habitat of 1,000 free-flying mini-parrots for a chance to feed them from a stick.

It's no secret the Bronx Zoo is one of our favorite local haunts, and we love that it's always reinventing its offerings. The latest addition to the fun at the Bronx Zoo is Budgie Landing. The exhibit transports visitors to the open woodlands of Australia, where 1,000 budgies—small, colorful, and social parrots—fly freely and visitors have a chance to feed them.

These free-flying beautiful birds provided plenty of entertainment for my daughter and I. Read on for our tips for visiting Budgie Landing at the Bronx Zoo and find more fun animal encounters in our Guide to Zoos and Gardens for NYC Kids.

Read more.

Best Free Swimming Pools in NYC for Families

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 06/25/2023 - 6:16am

Head to the Bronx's Haffen Pool, one of our favorite free pools in NYC, to enjoy a day of swimming and splashing.

It's summertime and if you want to go all-in on the wet-and-wild fun, take note: the FREE swimming pools in NYC open on Thursday, June 29, shortly after public schools let out. With more than 50 free swimming pools in NYC to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to find the right outdoor swimming pool for your outing. We've done the legwork, though, rounding up our picks for the most family-friendly of the FREE swimming pools in NYC. These local swimming pools are all places we've visited personally or have come highly recommended by families we know. Read on and get ready to dive in!

Find more cool places to play this summer in our Guide to Swimming Pools and Sprinkler Parks in NYC, plus all our picks for FREE fun on this list of 100 FREE things to do in NYC this summer.

Read more.

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