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

See Yayoi Kusama's Whimsical Art at NYBG's Newly Opened Exhibition

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/15/2021 - 4:46pm

See Starry Pumpkin on display in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the NYBG during Yayoi Kusama's

A visit to the family-friendly New York Botanical Garden is a treat in any season, but a trip now means not only close encounters with the garden's living collection but also the larger-than-life art of Yayoi Kusama.

Kusama: Cosmic Nature opened at the garden last weekend and runs through Halloween. Read on to learn more about the exhibit and why it's worth a visit—or two—before fall.

New Mini-Golf Course Comes to Brooklyn Waterfront for Summer Fun

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 10:00am

River Ring's long-term development includes a new protected public beach on the East River; for now, visitors to the space can enjoy a new mini-golf course and sustainable far.

Brooklyn's already family-friendly waterfront is getting a cool new feature just in time for summer 2021: A new 18-hole mini-golf course dubbed Putting GREEN is set to open in Williamsburg.

Read on for more details on the project, which also includes a 20,000-square-foot sustainable farm, and start planning your summer day trip to explore all the fun along Brooklyn's East River shores from Brooklyn Bridge Park to Domino Park and beyond.

Sea Life Aquarium, Legoland Discovery Center Set to Open May 4 at American Dream

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 03/10/2021 - 10:46am

Tropical fish, rays, sharks and more are on view at Sea Life Aquarium.

Editor's note: As of April 21, 2021, the opening day has again been delayed. Organizers hope the attractions will open sometime during summer 2021. The Sea Life Aquarium at the American Dream entertainment complex in New Jersey has set its grand opening date for Tuesday, May 4, 2021. With a "city under the sea theme," its interactive exhibits showcase more than 3,000 sea creatures from jellyfish to sharks. Opening alongside the attraction is a Legoland Discovery Center. Both were slated for spring 2020 openings but saw their debuts pushed back by the pandemic.

The first Sea Life to open in the Northeast, the New Jersey aquarium joins nine other locations across the U.S., including aquariums in San Antonio, Texas, Orlando, Florida, and Carlsbad, California.

Step Inside the Artwork at Artechouse NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 03/09/2021 - 3:00pm

Walls, floors, and visitors themselves become part of the canvas at the immersive Artechouse NYC.

Large-scale, step-inside, immersive art displays are having their moment in NYC, but you don't have to wait until the late-spring Van Gogh Exhibition to step inside a sprawling art-filled space. Artechouse NYC, located in the lovely and packed with family-friendly amenities, Chelsea Market, has just debuted a brand new show, and it's worth adding a visit to your calendar.

Read on for our Artechouse NYC review and find more fun art-inspired destinations in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibitions.

Dance Through Domino Park on a New Illuminated Public Art Installation

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/08/2021 - 11:30am

Reflect at Domino Park is fun for all ages with its light-up circles that respond to footsteps.

With one more week before daylight time savings begins, we've found something fun to light up your evenings: Domino Park has debuted a new public art display, Reflect, from artist Jen Lewin.

The installation in the park's popular summertime sprinkler area had us running, jumping, frolicking, and generally enjoying its colorful interactive nature. Read on for the details, and find more great public art to explore in Lower Manhattan, too.

Spring Break Camps for Westchester Kids in 2021

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 03/05/2021 - 6:01pm

Nory STEM camps offer plenty of educational, hands on fun. Photo courtesy of NORY Stem/taken pre-pandemic

Spring break is nearly here, and you may be wondering how to keep the kids busy during their time off. Spring break camps offer a great way to keep them active, learning, and engaged (not to mention out of your hair) while they're out of school.

We've rounded up eight camps for the upcoming spring break, with options for kids who want to get their hands dirty in the great outdoors, build STEM skills in a classroom, and even hone their sports skills.

Be sure to check out our Event Calendar for more fun things to do during the break. And if you're looking ahead to the end of the school year, don't miss our Summer Camp Guide for Westchester Kids.

Share Your Pandemic Parenting Photos for Public Art Display in Dumbo

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 03/05/2021 - 10:00am

Pandemic parenting moments take centerstage in Dumbo during a new public art exhibit honoring parents this spring. Photo by Andy Lin/courtesy Dumbo Improvement District

It's no secret parenting through a pandemic can be many things: maddening, endearing, frustrating, creative, crazy...we could keep going. But, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and the Dumbo Improvement District is counting on NYC parents to supply it with photos to fuel a new public art display in their honor.

At-Home Heroes: An Homage to Parenting Through a Pandemic runs from Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9, through Father's Day, Sunday, June 20, and you can submit your memorable parenting moments now. Chosen photos will be projected in 65-foot-by-40-foot glory on the Manhattan Bridge nightly from dusk to 10pm. Public viewing takes place from the Pearl Street Triangle.

So, start scrolling through your photostream, whether it's filled with silver linings, family resolutions, or something far messier.

Supersized Bouldering Gym Opens in Harlem

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 4:31pm

With 15,000-square-feet of space, and nearly 150 bouldering problem to solve, The Cliffs at Harlem keeps kids big and little entertained for hours.

If you're tired of your kids climbing the walls inside the apartment, we've got some good news: The Cliffs at Harlem is now open, bringing with it the city's largest bouldering gym, conveniently housed in a historic building smack dab in the middle of 125th Street.

The Cliffs at Harlem is the newest addition to The Cliffs' family, which already includes locations in Long Island City, Gowanus, and the seasonal outdoor bouldering wall in Brooklyn Bridge Park, plus locations in Westchester and Philadelphia.

Read on for our review of NYC's newest—and largest—kid-friendly rock climbing gym.