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

After-School Classes in NYC: Sports, Dance and Nature

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 08/30/2015 - 4:00pm

Returning to the back-to-school routine is challenging enough for most NYC families, but add in finding enriching after-school care to the mix and suddenly we're feeling totally overwhelmed.

Luckily, Mommy Poppins is here to help you sort this all out. Recently we told you about the city's FREE after-school care program that runs 3 to 6pm every school day at recreation centers in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. Now we're rounding up the best NEW after-school class options for NYC kids so you can wish those summer days good-bye a little easier and possibly–maybe?–turn that "school's starting" frown upside down.

Find more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

Hudson Yards Is Home to Midtown's Latest Playground

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/24/2015 - 10:15am

Kids on Manhattan's West Side just gained a brand-new jungle gym. The playground sprung up earlier this month near the ongoing Hudson Yards redevelopment project, which is transforming a 28-acre section of Midtown West into shiny new high-rise offices, high-end shops, residences, hotels, restaurants and a public school, as well as access to the 7-train extension when completed. The development is expected to create 14 acres of open space, including multiple green spaces. The newly opened neighborhood park, which houses the newest NYC playground, is a city park operated by the Hudson Yards/Hell's Kitchen Alliance.

We've tested out the new playground, which includes a cool canopy for fending off the summer heat, so read on for our review of this new kid-friendly green space and jungle gym.

News: BAM Expands, Prospect Park Renovates and Playground Upgrades in Queens

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 08/06/2015 - 10:00am

The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is set to embark on a $25 million expansion that will add another building with gallery spaces and a cafe, as well as upgrades like new balcony seating in the Harvey Theater. The former president of the Fort Greene cultural institution and performing arts center told The New York Times the plan is "the last piece of the BAM campus." Construction could begin as soon as this summer, with financing coming from a combination of public and private sources, according to The Wall Street Journal.

In other Brooklyn news, renovations at Prospect Park continue in anticipation of its 150th anniversary in 2016. Six projects are underway by the Prospect Park Alliance, which manages the park, including a restoration of the rose garden and several footpaths such as the one that leads from the zoo to the Zucker Natural Exploration Area (aka, kid play zone), according to DNAinfo.

NYC's Summer Streets Kick Off Saturday with a Mega Water Slide

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 07/30/2015 - 10:40am

Great news for all the intrepid New Yorkers staying put this August: Summer Streets kicks off this weekend! This beloved annual event is set to take over nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets over the next three Saturdays. As in years past, Summer Streets will be jam-packed with fun and FREE events and activities, including a brand-new attraction, Slide the City, that kids (and parents) are sure to love. We've got the scoop on this new attraction, including what to expect and how to claim a spot.

News: Dozens of City Schools on Notice, New Fair for Museum Mile and Soho Gets a littleBits

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 07/23/2015 - 10:00am

The state recently put 62 city schools on notice for low performance–just in time for the new school year to kick off. The schools rank among the worst 5 percent in all of New York, according to a report in Chalkbeat.

A number of those schools targeted by the state are already a part of the city's "turnaround" program and under state law, the city's top educator, Chancellor Carmen Fariña, has the opportunity to try to improve the schools before setting them up for takeover by a "receiver," or outside education leader or group.

Read more about this and other New York City kid and parent news the Mommy Poppins team has rounded up for you, including a survey showing that 95 percent of parents are actually pretty satisfied with the city's public schools.

Be sure to sign up for our free newsletters to stay up to date on the latest NYC news, reviews and more.

7 Interactive Online Summer Camps: Google, iD Tech and DIY

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 3:00pm

Maybe we all hope that our kids will spend the summer mostly outdoors, but let's be honest: they're going to find their way to the computer or phone from time to time. So why not make the most of screen time by signing them up with an online summer camp from the likes of Google? Or how about a Maker Camp run by a former Pixar staffer?

There are a number of reputable online camps available to get kids excited about STEM topics or to dive into other offline, DIY experiments that can help to bridge that gap between June and September.

My 9-year-old son put several online camps to the test and excitedly waited to sign on each day to see what challenge awaited. Check out these seven virtual camps—some of them free!—and let your kids get a little extra summer learning in at their own pace.

News: MoMath's New Competition, Free Coding for Teens, Parks Update

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 07/16/2015 - 10:00am

As summer kicks into high gear, parks all over NYC are undergoing (or finishing up) major rehab projects—and we've got the details for you here. Other news this week includes an upcoming FREE coding event for tweens and teens, MoMath's songwriting competition and news about test-making company, Pearson, that will affect next year's state standardized tests. Read on for this week's news highlights and be sure to sign up for our free newsletters, if you haven't already, to stay up to date on the latest NYC news, reviews and more.

10 New NYC Destinations to Check Out with Kids This Summer

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 07/13/2015 - 3:00pm

New York City is brimming with things to see and explore with kids, from world-class museums to the great outdoors. No wonder our town is called the city that never sleeps! And yet sometimes you fall into a rut, visiting the same old favorites over and over, never leaving your comfort zone.

Well, it's time to break that habit. We've rounded up 10 new-to-NYC destinations that are worth putting on your family's summer fun bucket list. Get ready to trade the familiar for the fresh!