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

Free Things To Do for Winter Break in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 02/13/2023 - 5:32pm

Join Prospect Park Alliance for school recess programs daily from Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24. Photo courtesy of the Prospect Park Alliance

February's Winter Break always seems to sneak up on me. We're barely into a post-holiday groove, and yet again, we've got a full week off from school to fill. While we've already rounded up 25 fun-filled Winter Break activities for the week, many of them come with a high price tag. To give your budget a bit of relief, we've got 25 free things to do during February's Winter Break Visit our Free in NYC Guide for more money-saving options for school break or any day you need to entertain your kids on the cheap.

Best Indoor Playgrounds in Brooklyn

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 02/10/2023 - 12:43pm

Brooklyn can't be beat for indoor playgrounds. From Play Kids in Greenpoint to Fairytale Island in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn kids have some prime indoor playgrounds to explore.

While we've included a couple of mellow tot spots with crafts or storytelling, this list of the best indoor playgrounds in Brooklyn is focused on active indoor play spaces, where toddlers, preschoolers, and even bigger kids can conquer multilevel mazes, swoosh down slides, climb rock walls, or just turn around in circles until they fall down exhausted and ready for a nap.

Read on for the best drop-in indoor playgrounds in Brooklyn and find more indoor playgrounds citywide in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces.

Best Winter and Spring Break Camps for NYC Kids and Teens

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 02/07/2023 - 4:58pm

Chelsea Piers Camps offer a variety of programs from preschool camps to elite training, where children are able to pursue their passions and fuel their athletic potential. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Piers

Find a great holiday camp to keep kids busy during spring break and other NYC school vacations. If kids need something to do, NYC school winter and spring break camps offer activities from STEM to sports, visual arts, performing arts, cooking, and more over school holidays. And, we haven't forgotten the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, we're sharing the best school break camps in all five boroughs below.

Be sure to check out our NYC Camp Guide for more options, and find more top NYC holiday camps in our directory.

3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 1:26pm

Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier

New York City overflows with things to do for families, and while you may have visited the city that never sleeps in your pre-parenthood youth, it’s a completely different experience with kids in tow. Lucky for you: I’m here to offer my parent-tested tips for the best things to do in NYC on a family vacation. Even locals can appreciate these picks, which are a combination of off-the-beaten-path destinations and New York City’s top attractions, all catering to a mix of ages and interests.

I’ve laid it all out in an easy-to-follow three-day itinerary, and while you can’t do it all in three days, you can definitely take a big bite out of the Big Apple. Read on for my top picks for things to do in NYC during your family vacation—or use these picks for a local staycation to explore some new-to-you sites and neighborhoods. You can find all our top things to do in NYC on our NYC kids’ bucket list and in our Visitors Guide to New York City.

19 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 01/24/2023 - 5:40pm

Lola and Tots offers is a drop-in play as well as membership-based childcare with co-working benefits.

With winter's chill here, an indoor play space in NYC may be just the thing to get out some winter wiggles. To that end, we present this list of the 19 best indoor play spaces in New York City. So, when it gets too cold to explore one of New York City's top playgrounds, consider taking your fun inside. A word to the wise: Many of these indoor play spaces in NYC require reservations for playtime, so plan your fun in advance.

We've got plenty more ideas to entertain kids in our Guide to Indoor Activities, plus fun seasonal happenings in our Winter Fun Guide.

American Museum of Natural History: Ultimate Guide to Visiting NYC's AMNH with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:34am

AMNH's dinosaurs are a must-see exhibit during your visit.

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the foremost natural history museums in the world and is certainly one of our top 100 things to do in NYC. There's so much to see at AMNH you can't cover it all in one day, especially with kids in tow. Luckily, we've been there a bazillion times and are happy to share everything you need to know to plan a visit to AMNH.

Here's your insider's guide to our top things to see and tips for navigating The American Museum of Natural History with kids. Find more must-visit museums in our Guide to Family-Friendly Museums in NYC.

Museum Memberships in NYC That Are Totally Worth It for Winter

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:45pm

NYSCI has plenty of engaging exhibits for all ages making it a perfect place to play on a cold winter's day. Photo via Facebook/courtesy of the venue

Museum memberships can be a boon when it comes to saving money in NYC. And, after visiting NYC's top play spaces, favorite children's museums from Brooklyn to Queens, and other local fun zones, we've rounded up a handful of membership deals at popular kid-centric destinations we think are worth the investment for these cold winter months. These places keep your kids entertained and active while getting you out of the house—and the weather. Some even offer short-term museum memberships, so you only have to pay until spring arrives.

In the dead of winter, it can be daunting to schlep somewhere new every weekend, so a membership to one (or two) of your favorite kid destinations makes sense. We've already done the math so you'll know exactly how many visits it takes until these investments pay off—and whether or not the "deal" works for your family. If the math doesn't work out for you, consider buying one of the play spaces' bulk passes instead, which usually knocks a few bucks off the daily drop-in price. Looking for more options? Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Indoor Activities, which has more parent-tested destinations like our favorite local stores where kids can play for FREE.

46 Best Things To Do in The Bronx with Kids: Why You Should Visit the Boogie Down

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 12:07pm

What's better than rooting for the Yankees as the sun sets over home plate at Yankee Stadium?

When it comes to kid-friendly things to do, the Bronx may be the city's most oft-overlooked borough. After all, when is the last time you visited the Boogie Down with your kids? If you can't remember, we're here to convince you that a visit to this diverse, culturally rich hotbed of activity is in order.

The Bronx overflows with kid-friendly fun from classic kid destinations like the 100-plus-year-old Bronx Zoo to the newly opened Bronx Children's Museum, and we've rounded up 46 fun things to do in the borough. Once you've sampled the fun in the Bronx, check out our top picks for must-do's in Brooklyn, Queens, and all of NYC.