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

20 Outdoor Restaurants Ready to Welcome Families Across NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 4:19pm

Bono Trattoria's bright exterior and fresh flavors welcome guest for outdoor dining.

One of the most anticipated reopenings during Phase 2 of NY Forward is the return of sit-down restaurant service, and New York City's bustling dining scene is ready to welcome visitors back. The catch, though, is that all in-person dining must occur alfresco. So, if you're itching for a break from the kitchen, we've rounded up 20 outdoor restaurants throughout the five boroughs who are ready to serve you—and your kids—your next meal.

We've combed our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide to locate our favorite outdoor restaurants that have reopened, and added a few fresh picks to this list. But, keep in mind, even spots that don't usually serve meals outdoors have been allowed to add outdoor seating as NYC reopens, so be sure to check with your favorite local haunt, whether they've traditionally served meals on the sidewalk or not. They just might be ready to welcome you back, too.

20 Family Camps with Private Cabin Camping for Summer 2020

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 11:28am

Traditional summer camps are offering family cabin rentals and even family camp in 2020.Photo courtesy of Camp Danbee

Sleepaway camps from New England to the West Coast have abandoned a kids-only model for summer 2020. Instead, creative summer camp operators facing down sleepaway camp closures and cancellations are opening their bunkhouses to families for cabin camping and even family camp activities.

Some of these summer camps are offering just a cabin camping rental while others have designed a whole slew of family-friendly activities. Nearly all of these spots are serving up three meals a day via a dining hall and some offer extra perks like evening happy hours or movies under the stars. However, all of them have put COVID-19 safety precautions in place, including solo dining options and bring-your-own equipment in some cases. Whatever your family camp style, it's likely there's a cabin here waiting to welcome you for one out-of-the-ordinary but unforgettable summer camp 2020 experience.

Find more family vacation ideas in our Family Travel Guide, or a summer camp for the kids, whether in-person and outdoors, or virtual and at-home with our Summer Camps 2020 Guide.

10 Activities To Do with Grandparents on Zoom

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 06/15/2020 - 10:15am

Zoom became popular during the pandemic, but the video chat platform—and others like FaceTime and Skype—is great for more than just quarantine times. For families like mine, with grandparents spread across the country, a Zoom date is an easy, satisfying way to foster face-to-face connections between generations. While a casual chat is fun in itself, sometimes we like to up the ante and incorporate some fun activities into the video session. Here are our 10 favorite activities and games that kids can do with grandparents over Zoom.

For more fun Zoom tips, be sure to read our roundups of ways to make virtual hangouts more awesome and the best games to play with friends virtually.

17 Day Trips Near NYC for Summer 2020 Adventures

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 06/12/2020 - 11:15am

Take a leisurely familly hike at Rockefeller State Park. Photo by Sara M

Ready to get out and see a bit of the world again? Or maybe just take a drive? We've rounded up 17 summer day trips near NYC just right for area families ready to make a break for it. These destinations are all within easy driving distance from NYC, Long Island, and Westchester.

The tristate area is in various stages of reopening, so we've done our best to pick outdoor day trips from NYC where maintaining some social distance is possible. No matter where you travel, don't forget to bring your masks along (they're required in New York state and encouraged most places), plus plenty of hand sanitizer.

Visit our Days Trips Guide for more summer getaway inspiration, and our National Travel Guide if you're ready to wander further afield.

NYC Schools' Fall Reopening Plan Outlined by Chancellor Carranza

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/11/2020 - 5:17pm

NYC schools hope to reopen in September. Photo by Valerie Connor

New York City is examining a range of ways to reopen public schools in the fall, including staggered schedules and potentially more remote learning, according to a letter Chancellor Richard Carranza sent to school staff earlier this week. The chancellor breaks down the reopening plans into an eight-point "Fall Framework" and points out that there are still many unknowns.

While the letter does not offer a firm NYC school reopening date other than September, the city's mayor hinted that September 10 is a possibility during a Thursday press conference. Mayor Bill de Blasio referenced the date several times in responding to questions about the school reopening plan, saying, it's "impossible to say, 'Here's exactly what's going to happen on September 10, 2020,'" and "there's going to be a certain number of parents that even if school was open to all in person, they're not going to be ready necessarily on September 10 to send their child back."

Read on for the full contents of the chancellor's letter to learn more about what the new normal might look like for NYC's 1.1 million students come fall, including a combination of in-person and online instruction, split schedules, social distancing protocols, enhanced health measures, and more.

June Is Pride Month: 24 Ways to Celebrate Pride and LGBTQ Rights

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 06/06/2020 - 2:02pm

The arrival of June brings with it the celebration of Pride, a vibrant, rainbow-filled recognition of the LGBTQ community that is marked by over-the-top parades, jam-packed rallies, and marches in cities across the country.

Whether you're a member of the LGBTQ community or consider yourself an ally, here are 24 ways to celebrate Pride Month at home with your kids. For local parades and rallies, be sure to check your area's calendar of events.

New York Summer Camps Get Green Light to Reopen Statewide as NYC Nears Phase 1

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 4:00pm

Camp Pixel plans to limit camp groups to five kids and take social distancing precautions upon opening. Photo courtesy of the camp

New York parents and day camp directors alike got some much-needed good news this week: Summer camps statewide will be allowed to open on June 29, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday.

While the order applies only to summer day camps (no decision on sleepaway yet), the decision offers some parents weary after months of distance learning a helping hand on the horizon.

This summer is sure to look different than years past—both at camp and elsewhere—but the other good news is that after 80 days on lockdown, New York City moves into Phase 1 of reopening Monday, while the Mid-Hudson and Long Island Regions are likely to enter Phase 2 next week if necessary health metrics are met.

Read on for more details on summer camps and the other reopenings each NY region can expect soon. Visit our Summer Camp Guide for open local camp slots. You can also register for our upcoming Online Camp Fair, where you can attend live panels and info sessions with camps and explore virtual info booths for online and in-person camps. We've also got a safety summer camp checklist to help everyone have a healthy camp experience.

The Six Flags Great Adventure Safari Drive-Thru Returns in All Its 1970s Glory

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 05/25/2020 - 5:13pm

Guests will be able to experience the safari at Six Flags Great Adventure from the privacy and safety of their own vehicles.

Updated: Wednesday, June 22: Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari has announced a reopening date of Saturday, July 4, with a member preview day set for July 3. Reservations will be required, and all guests must undergo a contactless temperature check before entry. Capacity will be limited, masks required, social distancing enforced, and enhanced sanitation protocols will be put into place. Due to its popularity, the drive-thru safari will remain open for the foreseeable future.

Families fed up with online field trips take note: It's time to grab your binoculars and cameras because Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari is reopening its animal kingdom as a drive-thru experience this weekend. Timed-entry tickets go on sale this week.

This isn't the first time Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari has allowed visitors to drive their vehicles through the attraction; some parents may still have vacation photos from the good old days, when baboons used to jump on the family station wagon. The 350-acre park operated as a drive-thru adventure from its 1974 opening through 2012.

The return of this classic experience is temporary, though. So if you aren't quite ready to flock to the beaches at the Jersey shore, read on for how and when your family can get tickets for a local safari. We've also got the scoop on what Phase 1 of reopening means for NJ families.