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

Children's Film Festivals and Indie Movie Theaters in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 02/01/2022 - 6:40pm

Anne Frank's story is immortalized and introduced to a new generation in NYICFF's opening night presentation of 'Where is Anne Frank.'

A visit to the movies is tempting in the cold of winter, but if you're not quite ready for the crowds at the local mega theater, now is the perfect time to rediscover the magic of the movies with a visit to one of the children's film festivals and independent theaters that call New York City home.

The midwinter season is home to a trio of indie film fests that cater to the kid-sized set, with the BAMkids Film Festival and FIAF's Animation First Fest taking to the screens in February, while the New York International Children's Film Festival brings back in-person programming in March. Read on for details on these children's film festivals, plus other local festivals and film series catering to kids.

15 Family-Friendly Catskills Resorts for Your Next Weekend Getaway

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 01/27/2022 - 4:00pm

The historic Kenoza Hall is perched on a hillside, boasts lake-front views, and soon family-friendly bungalows. Photo by the author

When it comes to travel convenience, charm, and a real feeling of escaping every day, it's hard to beat a getaway to New York's Catskills. Near enough to the NYC metro area for a quick weekend trip, the region is packed with small-town charm, yet overflows with family-friendly destinations from ski resorts to alpaca farms and everything in between.

In short, if you're looking for a family-friendly weekend escape, look no further than this list of 15 family-friendly Catskills resorts. Once you've booked your accommodations, start plotting your other must-do's with our picks for 25 things to do in the Catskills with kids and find more local travel inspiration in our Guide to Weekend Getaways and Family Day Trips.

New in NYC: 14 Family-Friendly Openings We're Looking Forward to in 2022

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 4:12pm

Soar over NYC landmarks with RiseNY. Photo courtesy of the RiseNY

Despite nearly two years of pandemic parenting, I'm still a "glass-half-full" kind of gal. With that in mind, I went on the hunt for hope on the horizon, compiling this list of 14 family-friendly openings in NYC we can't wait for in 2022. Our list of new fun for New Yorkers includes everything from new parks and playgrounds to immersive experiences, museums, and more. Read on for our list and bookmark our Guide to News and Openings to keep track of all the fun things to do all year long.

The Battery Playscape Brings Nature-Inspired Playground to Lower Manhattan

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 01/10/2022 - 4:00pm

A new playground is always cause for celebration in our book, and the debut of the long-awaited Battery Playscape in Lower Manhattan brought a spectacular, new, expanded play area to the neighborhood. We recently checked out the 1.5-acre playground, which is destined to land on our list of the city's best playgrounds.

Read on for the details on this new romping spot and find more of our favorite places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

Use Your Library Card to Get into 66 NYC Museums and Gardens for Free

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 01/04/2022 - 6:49pm

Take advantage of Culture Pass for access to world class museums and programs, like those at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of BCM

New York is home to some of the world's greatest cultural institutions, but visiting them all with your family regularly can seriously add up. We're always on the hunt for free times to visit and other ways to save on the best family fun in NYC, but with the help of a library card, FREE museum admission is just a few keystrokes away, thanks to the city's Culture Pass program. If you're a current cardholder at the New York, Brooklyn, or Queens Public Library, you're going to want to read on.

15 Awesome Kid-Friendly Openings in NYC in 2021

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 11:50am

Seeing Lincoln Center's transformation to The GREEN and its calendar of free alfresco programming was a kid-friendly highlight of 2021.

As 2021 draws to a close, we're looking back on the year that was in NYC. There were highs that let us touch the sky, and lows that left us reeling, regrouping, and reevaluating. But in between it all, we managed to get out and enjoy a revitalized, rebounding city that packed plenty of kid-friendly fun. With that in mind, here are 15 highlights that make up our annual best kid-friendly openings in NYC.

Step Inside FAO Schwarz for Wonder, Magic, Tons of Toys

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 12/16/2021 - 12:09pm

It's hard to leave iconic NYC toy retailer FAO Schwarz empty handed!

Real-life toy soldiers who salute you when you enter, shelves overflowing the larger-than-life stuffed friends, toys classic and contemporary, and dozens of charismatic salespeople waiting to blow your mind with magic tricks, monster makers, and more—walking into the iconic FAO Schwarz at Rockefeller Center is an all-senses immersion into childhood wonder—and we haven't even mentioned the dance-on piano!

With lines stretching down the block, the well-known toy store has reinvented itself and re-established its spot as a must-visit destination for tourists, but it's also one of our favorite indoor places to play on bad weather days. Read on for nine reasons we love FAO Schwarz, the iconic, long-running toy retailer.

Masks & Vaccinations Policies in New York: Key to NYC and Safety Protocols for Kids and Visitors

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/13/2021 - 10:30am

Whether you're visiting NYC or live here, you'll need to take into account the Key to NYC vaccine requirement. Photo by author

Local families and visitors take note: New York state has reinstituted its mask mandate, while New York City's COVID vaccine requirement rules now apply to children ages 5+. Here's what you need to know about where vaccines are required and the latest on mask mandates in NYC and nearby so you can enjoy all the city has to offer during the magical holiday season and beyond.