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

Visit the NYPL Main Branch Like a Local: 6 Secrets for Things To Do and See

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 03/18/2022 - 5:02pm

Your visit to the NYPL really begins on the outside when you encounter the Library Lions, Patience and Fortitude, who flank the entrance.

Whether you’re a bibliophile or an architecture buff, the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is a charming destination. And, while a grand old library building may seem like the last place you want to visit with kids, we’re here to share our favorite kid-friendly things to do at this Midtown landmark.

Read on for six fun things to do at the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, and find more library fun nearby at the newly renovated Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library.

Best Free Annual Parades in New York City for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 5:10pm

The streets come alive with tons of dance genres during the lively New York Dance Parade each May. Photo by Leonard Rosmarin

As the saying goes, everyone loves a parade. And during the warmer months, there are parades in NYC practically every week celebrating a wide variety of cultures and causes, and all of them are FREE.

While it's always cool to watch the colorful costumes, floats, and performers pass by, there are certain annual parades in New York City that are particularly great for families. These processions are either exceptionally vibrant, like Chinatown's Lunar New Year Parade or the Three Kings Day Parade in East Harlem, or invite costumed kids to get in on the action, like the small, community-based Halloween Parades that are much less intense than the big one in Greenwich Village.

Included in our list are popular NYC parades we've attended—some many times—or those that come highly recommended. So, get out your calendar, and save these dates to see if you can catch them all!

Top Preschool Summer Camps in Lower Manhattan

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 03/06/2022 - 2:53pm

Green Ivy provides a warm and enriching summer camp experience for children ages 2-5. Photo courtesy of the school

When it comes time to enroll your little one in their first summer camp experience, you're likely looking for a summer camp that fits your parenting philosophy and won't overwhelm your first-time camper. These preschool summer day camps in Lower Manhattan fit the bill, by catering just to young campers or offering small, age-specific groups, enriching activities, and plenty of fun indoors and out.

We've found 10 preschool summer camps in the neighborhood—ranging from Chelsea all the way south to Battery Park and from river to river—practically guaranteed to get your little one excited to return day after hot summer day. For more summer camps in New York City, including picks for preschool summer camps citywide, free and cheap summer camps in NYC for kids, and more, be sure to bookmark our New York City Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and neighborhood.

25 Good-to-Know Tips for New Parents in New York City

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 03/01/2022 - 5:41pm

New baby on board? There are a few tricks to navigating NYC. Photo by the author

Whether you moved here as a 20-something, or are a lifelong New Yorker, you might think you've got this city figured out. After all, you know the ins and outs of roommate searches, you can score theater tickets on the cheap, or find the nearest happy hour or trendy bite to eat with the blink of an eye, but once you become a parent, New York City is a foreign land.

I've been in your shoes, going from a carefree young professional to a diaper-bag-toting mom seemingly overnight. Really, it was nine months of staring down my "new" New York while fighting off morning sickness and simultaneously searching for birthing spots, pediatricians, daycares, and baby gear. That was (ahem) 16 years and three kids ago...so I've picked up a few tricks and tools of the trade.

Here are 25 nuggets of NYC new parent advice. Find more baby and new parent hacks in our NYC Pregnancy and Baby Guide.

12 Cool NYC Escape Rooms for Kids to Conquer

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 02/25/2022 - 12:00pm

Kids embark on a quest at Ripley's Relic in Times Square. Photo by Stuart Ramson/AP Images

For parents, living in a tiny New York City apartment can feel like a constant escape game. The clutter is closing in on you and you've got to locate two toddler shoes, a missing must-have accessory for your tween, and your own MIA cell phone before you can unlock the door to take on the mean city streets. If your clever kids don't see the game in that routine, they might be up for a different kind of challenge. Consider splurging on an afternoon in one of these kid-friendly escape rooms, where their puzzle skills (and yours!) will be put to the test.

These escape rooms are all great for birthday parties or even just "I'm bored" days. For more outings that are perfect for birthdays or family fun days, check out our Guide to the Best Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.

Furry Friends, Camps, Classes, and More Await at The Art Farm

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 02/21/2022 - 4:00pm

Meet—and feed—the furry, friendly bunnies at The Art Farm.

Enter The Art Farm, and it’s easy to forget you’re in the heart of Manhattan. This out-of-the-ordinary learning center is full of unexpected surprises. Situated in a bustling corner of the family-friendly Upper East Side—a neighborhood it’s called home since its founding 20 years ago!—this nature-focused spot is a haven for animals and animal lovers alike.

From preschool to after-school, summer camp to drop-in classes and birthday parties to baking, The Art Farm seemingly has it all. Read on to learn about our visit, which was full of new, furry friends and even some chinchilla kisses.

Top Attractions in NYC: Best Things To See and Do With Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 02/18/2022 - 4:17pm

No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird

The city that never sleeps is an incredible spot for a family vacation. New York City’s museums are world-class, its food scene is diverse and ever reinventing, and the city teems with history ranging from colonial times to the 2000s. If you’re planning your next vacation for this urban wonderland, bookmark this list of the top 40 attractions in New York City for tourists.

So, get planning! We’ve got picks for the most family-friendly hotels for your next visit and our guides to Kid-Friendly Restaurants, the best Museums and Galleries in NYC, and the top Parks and Playgrounds offer even more family-friendly picks to explore during your visit to New York City.

Family Restaurants in NYC With Fun Things for Kids to Do and See

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 02/10/2022 - 8:40pm

You can't beat watching the amazing waitstaff at Ellen's Stardust Diner.

Whether you need a night off from cooking, or you're out and about in NYC and need a place to refuel, there's no shortage of family-friendly restaurants in NYC. Sometimes, though, it takes more than just a kid-friendly menu to get through a night out with your sanity intact. Food halls are one option, as are play cafes. But we've also rounded up 11 kid-friendly restaurants with entertainment in NYC. Enjoy everything from video games to kitty cats alongside kid-friendly eats. Read on for our picks and find all our top options for dining out in our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.