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

10 Heart-Pumping, Thrill-Seeking Activities for NYC Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 06/21/2019 - 6:49am

It's all thrills and challenges at Brooklyn Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Zoo

I've got three kids with three decidedly different personalities. Even though my youngest is just a toddler, it's clear she's a daredevil at heart, never content to sit still for long and always looking for a challenge sure to scare me. She's already got me thinking of activities to thrill her spirit—safely of course. If you've got a like-minded child who refuses to keep her feet on the ground and operates at hyper-speed, New York City is filled with activities to satisfy young thrill seekers, from rock climbing to surfing to trapeze and more. Read on for 10 activities that will get kids' hearts (and yours!) pumping.

June GoList: Best Things to Do with NYC Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 05/31/2019 - 3:00pm

Get your calendars ready! Here are the top things to do with kids in New York City this June, and many are 100% FREE. The first month of summer brings a slew of incredible outdoor activities. But while no-cost festivals, fairs, and parades abound, there are a handful of truly spectacular ones that are musts for families.

Many of our favorite FREE annual events take place this month, including Coney Island's Mermaid Parade, the Lower East Side's Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival, and the Museum Mile Festival, as well as Figment NYC, held this year on Roosevelt Island.

Find more great happenings this June in our event calendar and Guide to the Best Summer Events for NYC families.

10 New and Updated NYC Playgrounds You (Probably) Haven't Visited Yet

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 05/21/2019 - 4:00pm

St. Mary's Park in Carroll Gardens is tucked in the shade beneath train tracks. Photo by Jeffrey Locke

Are your kids suffering from a bit of "been there, climbed that" playground fatigue at their tried-and-true favorite play spot? It may be time to explore a new romping ground. Fortunately, the NYC parks are ever changing. Here, we present 10 new (or nearly new) and updated playgrounds you probably haven't visited yet.

And of course, you can find all our favorite spots, old and new, in our Parks and Playgrounds Guide.

10 of Our Favorite NYC Picnic Spots With Built-in Entertainment

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 05/20/2019 - 4:00pm

Set up a picnic in one of the huge meadows at Central Park. Photo by Jody Mercier

As soon as the days are warm and mild enough to eat outdoors (whether or not summer has officially kicked off), dining al fresco is hard to beat. If your kids can't sit still for a restaurant meal even in a kid-friendly backyard, consider packing a picnic or picking up some portable eats and striking out for your nearest greenspace. Here are our 10 favorite parks to picnic, with bonus points for entertainment during or after your meal.

Statue of Liberty Museum Opens With a New View on Lady Liberty

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 05/17/2019 - 10:00am

The Statue of Liberty Museum Opens on Liberty Island. Photo courtesy of FX Collaborative

If you haven't visited Lady Liberty lately, it may be time to add the tourist hot spot to your list of summer must-dos. The brand new Statue of Liberty Museum has now opened, bringing with it an immersive theater, plenty of Statue of Liberty history, and kid-friendly, touchable artifacts that bring a new interactive element to your visit. Read on for a look inside the museum, plus tips on how to visit.

The Wonder Opens in Tribeca: New Members-Only Family Hub

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 05/15/2019 - 10:06am

The Wonder is a membership based space for families who crave creativity, culture and community.

Play spaces are big business in NYC, with new kid-friendly play spots popping up annually. Some offer drop-in play while others are members-only, and all are seemingly kid-centered, with padded walls and brightly colored playthings. Now there's a new kid on the block attempting to reinvent family fun, with the arrival of The Wonder in the stroller-packed Tribeca neighborhood.

This new members-only space offers an ultra-cool hangout spot that aims to cater to both adults and children. Co-owned by two NYC moms who wanted somewhere other than their apartments to connect with each other—and their kids—over a glass of wine and playtime, The Wonder isn't cheap, but it just might be a new model for play spaces in NYC. Read on for a peek inside.

12 Cool Themed Playgrounds in NYC to Inspire Kids' Imaginations

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 05/10/2019 - 3:21pm

Sassy spraying hippos are kid-pleasing New York City playground residents.

Imagination is the stuff of childhood magic—and NYC's cleverest themed parks and playgrounds are designed to inspire your kid's always-active mind. Whether your kid fancies playing prehistoric explorer, dreams of conquering Ancient Egypt, or wants to trek across Africa on safari, there's a playground for that. Here are 12 of our favorite themed playgrounds across all five boroughs.

Cool Party Places to Celebrate Your Tween's Birthday

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 9:30am

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the candy-making process for your birthday at Chocolate Works.

By the time you've hit the tween years, you've been to enough birthday parties to feel like you've seen it all. Looking for a new celebratory experience worthy of increasingly grown-up interests for your 10 to 13 year-old? We've rounded up 13 too-cool party spots to celebrate your tween's next big birthday. With party packages this out of the ordinary, you'll be able to please even the pickiest tween with unique fetes like zombie laser tag, DIY chocolate or ice cream, and jewelry making with semi-precious stones.