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

Get Your Tickets Now for Edge, the New Observation Deck at Hudson Yards

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 10/28/2019 - 12:09pm

New York's Hudson Yards will be home to the highest outdoor observation deck in the western hemisphere.

Hudson Yards has brought NYC families plenty of new attractions and ways to play—but another big development is still to come. Mark your calendars: Edge, the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere, is set to open on March 11, 2020 at Hudson Yards, and tickets are now on sale.

Situated on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards, Edge's observation deck sits at 1,131 feet above street level—that's higher than both the Empire State Building's main observation deck and the Top of the Rock. Read on for details on how to visit.

Trick-or-Treat, Pick Pumpkins, and See Jack O'Lanterns on Governors Island This Year

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 10/07/2019 - 4:01pm

One of NYC's only pumpkin patches (with a great view) returns to Governors Island.

Tis the season for fall festivals and Halloween fun in New York City, and what better place to celebrate the changing seasons than beautiful Governors Island? Its season runs through Halloween, and its October calendar is scarily packed with plenty of fun.

For the third consecutive year, the Friends of Governors Island and Trustees for Governors Island have teamed up to put on a classic, daytime, small-town Halloween at Pumpkin Point. If you prefer your Halloween fun to fall in the post-dusk hours, exciting news: The Night of 1,000 Jack O'Lanterns returns for its second run in three years. For all the details about Halloween events on Governors Island this year, read on.

What Ages Get in Free to NYC Museums, Zoos, Amusement Parks

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 10/04/2019 - 10:20am

Kids 8 and under can enter The Sugar HiIl Museum for free. Photo by Janet Bloom

The best things in life may be free—but for families used to the high cost of living in NYC, that sounds like crazy talk. From housing to classes to entertainment, everything here seems to cost so much money...or does it?

The truth is, there's plenty of FREE fun to be had for kids in New York City. And even top family attractions that charge entry fees—like museums, zoos, amusement parks, and water parks—offer no-cost admission for children under certain ages. Those savings can really add up, especially when you have preschoolers or toddlers.

Bookmark this list of when your kids are eligible for freebies at New York City's best family destinations, from tourist hot spots like the Statue of Liberty to all of the children's museums and zoos and gardens. We've included a few of our favorite picks in nearby locales, too.

Note: Some places may ask for proof of age. Looking for a 100% FREE outing? Check out our roundup of no-cost admission hours at NYC museums.

10 Things to Love About Northern Central Park

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 09/20/2019 - 11:11am

Kids can frolic around the Conservatory Garden Fountain.

My family has long thought of Central Park as our backyard. And while we've romped across most of its 843 acres, and enjoy an occasional visit to the zoo or our favorite playground on the southern end, we're just as happy to leave that portion of the park to the tourists.

Instead, you'll find us exploring above 100th Street, in the northern reaches of the park, which are just wooded enough to make you forget the urban jungle for a bit. A recently-announced $150 million dollar renovation project will update the aging pool and skating rink at Central Park's Harlem Meer, while creating new trails and restoring the landscape—but there's no reason to wait until that project's estimated 2024 completion date to enjoy this beautiful parkland.

From a babbling stream, to renovated playgrounds, rolling meadows, perfectly manicured gardens, and the wild of the North Woods, here are 10 things to love about Central Park's northern edge.

Visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum: Tips for Going to Ground Zero With Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 09/06/2019 - 10:00am

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum offers age-appropriate programs to help children learn more about the events of 9/11 and how people responded in the days and months after.

Visiting Ground Zero with your kids is a deeply personal decision. Even if your family hasn't already talked about the terrible events of September 11, 2001, many children will learn about the attack on the city at school, from friends, or via the annual coverage of the anniversary. Whether you're breaking the news yourself, or your kids bring questions to you, a visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum might help provide some context and meaning.

You're probably aware that this isn't your typical kid-centric museum, and children may only be able to handle a small part of the exhibit without feeling emotional. So, whether your kid is a native New Yorker or you're just visiting, here are our parent-tested tips for your visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

DOE Announces New Waitlist Policy for Middle, High School Admissions

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/03/2019 - 9:00am

Anyone who's raised kids in New York City knows what a hustle it is to get them into a good school, and the process only gets more complicated as they grow.

The city is hoping a significant change to the middle and high school admissions process will make it a little easier. Gone are the Round 2 applications, instead replaced by a waitlist system DOE officials claim will make the process shorter, easier, and more transparent. Read on for the details, and how this may affect your child's middle school and high school application process.

Best Things to Do With NYC Kids: September GoList

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/30/2019 - 1:05pm

Just because the kids are heading back to school doesn't mean the fun has to stop. In fact, September is one of the best months for FREE outdoor fun. There are a slew of alfresco festivals for families, including Brooklyn's biggest street fair, Atlantic Antic, the perfect-for-preschoolers West Side County Fair, and farm fun at the Queens County Fair, including the return of the Amazing Maize Maze, NYC's only corn maze.

Other September highlights include fun on the water with the Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition, Bay Ridge's costume-filled Ragamuffin Parade, and the annual Kids Fest at Madison Square Park. It's also the last chance to take a dip at one of NYC's FREE outdoor public pools and beaches, many of which are staying open through Sunday, September 8.

Plus, tickets go on sale September 3 for the Hudson Valley's best Halloween activity, the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze. (If you want to see Blaze, it is best to get your tickets now.) Read on for our 12 favorite things to do with kids in September in NYC, many of which are FREE.

Ennis Playground Gives Gowanus a Freshly Updated Playspace

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/20/2019 - 1:00pm

The new climbing structures at Ennis Playground in Gowanus, Brooklyn are a fun challenge for a wide range of ages.

We're suckers for a destination-worthy playground, but we also have big love for NYC's smaller neighborhood playgrounds. In a city like ours, a playground doesn't necessarily need an elaborate theme or deluxe play features to be a huge boon to the neighborhood. The newly renovated Ennis Playground in the heart of fast-changing Gowanus is one such gem. Ennis Playground reopened last month after an 11-month, $2.9 million renovation—here's a look at what's new.