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

Spooky Halloween Walks and Haunted Houses in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 10/09/2022 - 12:58pm

It's a monster mash at the Queens County Farm Museum's thrilling Halloween on the Farm event, which includes a haunted house. Photo courtesy of the museum

When it comes to Halloween thrills with kids, a tricked-out haunted house or slightly spooky Halloween trail just might be the right kind of boo for you. Haunted houses have long been popular suburban Halloween staples, and we've got the scoop on Long Island haunted houses and Westchester's top spooky attractions. For city kids, haunted houses in NYC are more limited. The most spooky picks, like Blood Manor, are definitely grown-ups only. There are, however, a handful of haunted houses in New York City offering gentler Halloween chills for families.

Read on for the scoop on these kid-friendly haunted houses in NYC, plus Halloween walks with more gentle thrills—and heed the age warnings. While grade-school kids can attend most of these, not all are suitable for preschoolers. We've got the scoop on NYC's top Halloween events and plenty more spooky fun in our New York City Halloween Fun Guide.

Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in NYC for Toddlers and Preschoolers in 2022

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 6:23am

Join the Pumpkin Parade at the New York Botanical Garden in your best Halloween costume! Photo courtesy of NYBG

Halloween in NYC can be magical with over-the-top decorations and plenty of family-friendly Halloween events, but little revelers are often overwhelmed by its trappings. With that in mind, we've tracked down a bunch of Halloween activities for preschoolers, which deliver just the right amount of "treats" for the pint-sized crowd, including our very own FREE Mommy Poppins Halloween bash.

Enjoy these gentle Halloween events while you can—your kids will be celebrating at the Village Halloween Parade before you know it. You can find more festive happenings for all age groups in our New York City Kids Halloween Guide, and our Family Activity Calendar, which is continually updated with new, fun events as we learn about them.

Best Things To Do on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 3:49pm

Visit the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden for seasonal, kid-friendly celebrations on Columbus Day and all October long. Photo courtesy of NYBG

Columbus Day is on the horizon and that means New York City kids are staring down another day off. Officially rechristened Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples Day on the school-year calendar, the holiday falls on Monday, October 10, 2022. If it's snuck up on you, don't panic! There are plenty of things to do in New York City whether you're celebrating Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.

Fall offers the perfect chance to hit one of New York City's many destination playgrounds, of course. Still, we've also scoured our Family Activity Calendar and museum listings, and combed through our day trip guides to put together this list of 25 things to do with the family on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. So, step away from the screen and step outside to enjoy all the city has to offer.

6 Unique Halloween Costume Stores in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 2:27pm

These Halloween costume stores in NYC have everything you need to perfect your look for October 31 and all the festivities leading up to Halloween. Photo by Sara Marentette

For parents, the spookiest part of Halloween might just be searching for the perfect look for their kids, but these Halloween costume stores in NYC make the chore a little easier. If you're looking for unique-to-NYC Halloween costume stores, look no further. These dedicated, year-round costume shops have tons of accessories to pair with the perfect costume.

Once you've nailed the look at these Halloween costume stores in NYC, be sure to bookmark our New York City Halloween Guide to find all top Halloween events and FREE Halloween activities in NYC for kids. After all, a Halloween costume can cost a pretty penny, so you'll want to get as much mileage out of it this Halloween season as you can! Of course, we know all the best spots for trick-or-treating in NYC for the main event, too.

This New Birthday Party Place in NYC is MAD Fun

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/13/2022 - 4:07pm

Celebrate your next birthday party in NYC at the Museum of Arts and Design.

When it comes to birthday party planning, I'm usually an intrepid DIY-er. We've partied in plenty of parks and playgrounds perfect for a fete, and my not-so-hidden talent is definitely cake decorating, but celebrating my daughter's recent birthday at the Museum of Arts and Design was so much fun and so stress-free, I just might leave my independent birthday party planning streak behind.

Though the venue is new to the New York City birthday party scene, our Museum of Arts and Design's birthday party had it all: A stunning, private party space with a spectacular view of Central Park, a welcoming energetic staff who kept the party moving and took care of every last detail, and an artist-led workshop that was fun and sent everyone home with a cool keepsake. Read on for more details on our cool birthday party at the Museum of Arts and Design, and find more tips for planning your kid's next milestone celebration in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 35 Top Things To Do in NYC this Fall

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 09/09/2022 - 12:25pm

Candy corn, critters, and plenty of sweet treats await when the Boo at the Zoo takes over the Bronx Zoo this fall in NYC. Photo by Ally Noel

With Labor Day behind us, it's official: The seasons are shifting, and that leaves us searching for fun, fall bucket list-worthy activities in NYC. Instead of lamenting the summer that was, let's look forward to all the fall activities that await.

With that in mind, here's our season-long look at the best things to do in the fall in NYC. After all, we've got assorted school holidays, plus a few long weekends to fill before the weather really changes. Without further ado, here is our fall bucket list, chock full of 35 things to do in NYC with kids. Find our top picks for family-friendly fall day trips and more seasonal fun in our Guide to Fall Fun in NYC.

Pittsfield, MA with Kids: 35 Things To Do in The Berkshires Town

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/01/2022 - 1:00pm

Walk The Melville Trail or enjoy the view from the famous author's study on a visit to the Herman Melville's Arrowhead Estate in Pittsfield.

Located in the heart of The Berkshires, find the town of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. With its walkable main street draped with red, white, and blue buntings and bespeckled with the work of local artists, it's a charming mix of old and new, befitting a region that's experienced a re-birth as a regional travel destination thanks to the pandemic.

Its location is convenient for visitors from major metropolitan areas in Boston and New York City, and it manages to balance a certain small-town allure with arts, culture, recreation, and a burgeoning foodie scene to lure a variety of visitors. Whether you're heading for a hike in the hills outside of town or craving top-notch theater without big-city prices, Pittsfield has something for you. Read on for 35 things to do in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, with kids, and find more fun things to do nearby on our list of the best things to do in The Berkshires with kids. Be sure to bookmark our New England Family Travel Guide for more regional travel destinations.

Chelsea Piers with Kids: 10 Things To Do at the Waterfront Complex

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 12:30pm

Whether you scoot, stroll, run, or ride, a visit to Chelsea Piers is an action-packed adventure full of all-ages entertainment.

When it comes to fun places to play as a family, it's hard to beat Chelsea Piers. This action-packed stretch along Hudson River Park is filled with family-friendly activities. You can easily while a day away here, hitting everything from the destination-worthy Chelsea Waterside Park Playground to teeing off at the Chelsea Piers Golf Center and gliding across the ice at the Sky Rink.

Read on for 10 things to do at this all-seasons entertainment complex, which covers 28 acres from West 17th Street to West 23rd Street, and find more fun things to do nearby on our list of 50 fun things to do in Chelsea with kids.