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

Best Family Resorts with Water Parks: All-Inclusive Family Resorts and More

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 07/09/2022 - 11:23am

Timber Ridge Lodge in Geneva, Wisconsin features both an indoor water park and outdoor pools.

When it comes time to book your next visit to a family resort, consider a trip to one of these great resorts with water parks. At these family resorts, the hotel can be the destination—not just a place to lay your head—thanks to larger-than-life water slides for thrill-seekers; kid-friendly, water-drenched playgrounds for tots; and lazy rivers to float on when you need a bit of relaxation yourself.

Read on for 29 family resorts with water parks. Our picks include both indoor water parks for all-seasons fun and outdoor water parks to visit this summer. They span the US from the Northeast to Hawaii and everywhere in between. We've even thrown in a few all-inclusive family resorts and Caribbean resorts with water parks as a bonus.

Looking for more family resorts with water parks? Bookmark this list of hotels with outdoor water parks or our picks for the best Orlando hotels with water parks, plus our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks for local options closer to home.

10 Museum Exhibits and Immersive Pop-Ups to See this Summer in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 9:06am

Looks can be deceiving at Arcadia Earth, where this sparkling kaleidoscope of colors is, in fact, a collection of plastic waste and a lesson in environmental conservation.

New York City kids are lucky to live in the shadow of some of the world-class museums and cultural institutions, and summer's arrival brings with it a spate of new (or nearly new) museum exhibits and exciting pop-ups that are perfect outings on days when you need to mix up your usual summer routine of hitting the swimming pool or splash pad.

We've found 10 museum exhibits, interactive pop-ups, and immersive installations worth your time this summer, ranging from Disney-inspired magic at CAMP to an activist-inspired look at Title IX at the New-York Historical Society. No matter your children's ages, here's where to find some cool culture this summer. Be sure to bookmark our Museums, Galleries, and Exhibit Guide to NYC for more picks and tips like when you can visit these top institutions for FREE.

Legoland New York Hotel Extends the Bricktastic Fun Past Bedtime

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/23/2022 - 4:14pm

It's kid-friendly fun at first sight when you visit the Legoland New York Hotel, just steps away from the theme park.

If you're looking for a family-friendly getaway near NYC, it's hard to beat a trip to the brick-built wonderland that is Legoland New York, and if you really want to up the ante on family fun, consider pairing your theme park visit with an overnight at the kid-centered Legoland NY Hotel.

From the moment you step in the door of the Legoland NY Hotel, it's clear kids are in for a treat, and there are enough grown-up touches to ensure adults are happy, too. Read on for our review of our overnight at the property and find more family-friendly escapes in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

The DiscOasis in Central Park Brings Funky Summer Fun to NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 5:14pm

Glide to old-school beats at The DiscOasis in Central Park this summer.

Roller fever is taking the city by storm this summer and nowhere is that more evident than at the newly opened DiscOasis in Central Park. Located at the revitalized Wollman Rink, The DiscOasis offers plenty of old-school fun with an interactive, immersive experience that marries roller skating with a funky soundtrack, a garden of disco balls, shimmering lights, and plenty of epic people-watching.

Want to share this roller disco fever with your kids? Read on for our review of visiting The DiscOasis with kids, and learn how to score deeply discounted tickets to this family-friendly event that's lighting up Central Park through Saturday, October 1.

London With Kids: 60+ Best Things To Do in London on a UK Family Vacation

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 06/18/2022 - 1:07pm

Enjoy stunning views of the Thames River.

If you're considering an international family vacation, a visit to London is the perfect place to start. A world-class city that marries centuries-old history with contemporary culture, there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in London. The fact that there's no language barrier to deal with makes visitors feel at ease as soon as they set foot in the city.

Whether you want to visit London for its new history (hello, Harry Potter studio tour!) or you're more interested in snapping a photo of the crown jewels at the Tower of London, here are 60+ fun things to do in London during a family vacation.

If you're looking for more international destinations for your next family vacation, bookmark our European Travel Guide for Families.

Best Children's Museums in NYC for Families to Visit

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 05/27/2022 - 1:25pm

The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH

New York City doesn't lack for world-class museums, so when it comes to rooting out the best children's museums in NYC, there are plenty of options! While I've been to MoMA more times than I can count and can while away an afternoon at The Whitney no problem, sometimes my kids need something with a little more action.

That's where these family-friendly children's museums in NYC come in. We've rounded up a dozen of our favorites, ranging from those with totally interactive playspaces to spots for making art, studying history, and much more. All of these children's museums in NYC provide plenty of fun things to do and are great indoor activities whether you're beating the summer heat or escaping winter's chill. Stay up to date on all of our favorite culture spots and exhibits by bookmarking our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC.

The Best Trampoline Parks in NYC and Nearby for Kids of All Ages

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 05/09/2022 - 4:56pm

Battle your friends at Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park. Located in Yonkers, its one of our top picks for a fun trampoline park near NYC.

If you've got active kids and hop-happy toddlers to entertain, nothing cures the bad-weather blues like a trip to a trampoline park or an indoor bounce inflatable park.

NYC is home to several high-flying trampoline parks, where fun includes trampolines, long bouncy slides, tunnels, and obstacle courses. Best of all each trampoline park near NYC included in our list hosts regular open-bounce sessions, so your kids can jump all they want for one low price. Find more ideas for indoor activities in our Top Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones Guide.

Visiting Governors Island: 20 Secrets for Things To Do and See

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/05/2022 - 5:18pm

There's plenty for New Yorkers to love on Governors Island. Photo by Julienne Schaer

Governors Island, located in New York Harbor, is a slice of green space heaven with more than 172 acres of car-free parkland to explore. From playgrounds, art exhibits, museums, and sports to food trucks and concerts, there's something for everyone to do and see. Now that Governors Island is open year-round, New Yorkers and tourists can enjoy all that Governors Island has to offer through all four seasons.

Read on for the scoop on the very best things to do on Governors Island with kids, plus important visitor tips—such as ferry schedules and where to score FREE biking and kayaking.