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

Macy's Santaland NYC: When and How to See Santa at Herald Square in 2022

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 11/21/2022 - 4:35pm

Guests at Macy's Santaland 2022 step into Santa's office to share wishlists with him.

There are few places to see Santa in New York City that compare with Macy's Santaland. It's a magical experience for tourists and natives alike during the Christmas season.

Macy's opens its 13,000-square-foot winter wonderland on Friday, November 25, 2022. Overflowing with holiday cheer from its live elves to an enchanted forest, animatronic toys, and a train display, Macy's Santaland 2022 is open daily through Christmas Eve—Saturday, December 24.

As in previous years, visitors must book a FREE reservation to visit Santa at Macy's Santaland, which requires some planning. Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Macy's Santaland 2022, and find more top picks for holiday fun in our Guide to Christmas and the Holidays in NYC, including the season's can't-miss Christmas activities for families.

NYBG Holiday Train Show 2022: What To Know Before You Go with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/17/2022 - 3:59pm

See model trains zooming through a botanical wonderland at the NYBG Holiday Train Show. Photo by Robert Benson Photography/courtesy of the NYBG

The NYBG Holiday Train Show returns for its 31st run in 2022, and this charming holiday installation always ranks high on our list of must-do holiday activities. The addition of the stunning, sprawling holiday light show NYBG Glow makes a seasonal visit to the New York Botanical Garden even sweeter.

Read on for our top tips for visiting the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show with kids, plus all our favorite things to do at NYBG this season. You'll find more top holiday picks for kids in our NYC Kids Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events.

Hershey, Pennsylvania with Kids: 22 Things To Do on a Sweet Family Getaway

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/17/2022 - 1:09pm

Pose for a post-card worthy photo in front of the Hershey-themed mural at Tru by Hilton Hershey Chocolate Avenue during your stay.

You might think of Hershey, Pennsylvania, with its towering, roller-coaster-filled Hersheypark as a summer-only destination, but family travel to the sweetest place on earth is always in season. Located in the south-central region of the state, Hershey, Pennsylvania, is an easy road-trip destination from the New York metro area and Philidelphia and has enough family-friendly entertainment and candy-fueled fun to leave your kids asking for a return trip. Here are our top things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania with kids.

Find more fun family road trip destinations, like nearby Harrisburg, in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

20 Things To Do Thanksgiving Weekend in NYC with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 11/14/2022 - 7:37pm

The Winter Lantern Festival: Journey to the East transforms SIUH Community Park into an immersive world of light. Photo courtesy of the festival

The Thanksgiving holiday break is nearly here, and while Thursday is likely filled with giant helium balloons and hearty portions of Thanksgiving dinner, you're going to need more things to do Thanksgiving weekend to keep kids and guests entertained after everyone's stuffed.

From only-in-NYC experiences to fun must-do holiday happenings and a slew of kid-friendly shows, we've rounded up 20 fun things to do Thanksgiving weekend in NYC.

Breakfast with Santa in NYC–Plus Cruises, Brunches, Cookies, and More

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 11/13/2022 - 8:25am

Enjoy plenty of sweet treats during Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria. Photo courtesy of Stella 34 Trattoria

Breakfast with Santa–or a tasty brunch–might be in order if your child wants a hearty visit with the big red guy. We've found the best spots for breakfast with Santa in New York City where families can enjoy a special holiday meal with Santa Claus, ranging from lavish spreads at Macy's to sweet treats at American Girl New York, and a reasonably priced pick at Nordstrom. You can even hop on a cruise with Santa or bring the family canine for a special breakfast with Santa and a fun photo-op with the man in red!

Keep in mind, all of these breakfasts with Santa in NYC require reservations and sell out quickly. No matter which one you choose, bring your camera—and your appetite, and bookmark this page, as we'll be adding more breakfast with Santa options as we find them. Find more seasonal family fun in our Holiday Guide for New York City Families.

12 Must-Do Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in NYC for Kids in 2022

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 11/11/2022 - 9:26am

Artechhouse's holiday light installation is an immersive feast for the senses and one of our must-do holiday activities in NYC in 2022. Photo courtesy of Artechouse

When it comes to holiday activities in NYC, locals know that even though there's a week of Kwanzaa, eight nights of Hanukkah, and 12 days of Christmas, the holiday season in NYC really lasts from early November through New Year's Eve. That's almost two months of only-in-NY holiday activities and special Christmas events.

Of course, not all Christmas events and holiday activities are created equal. That's why we've rounded up the absolute best ways to get into the spirit of the season. Here is our curated list of must-do holiday activities and Christmas events in NYC in 2022. Consider this seasonal bucket list our gift to you. Below, we're detailing a dozen Christmas events and holiday activities sure to give your family a season of happy memories.

Our picks for New York City's top holiday activities are a mix of classic favorites, like the star-studded Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and newcomers, including the dazzling, Amaze Light Festival set to debut at Citi Field. You'll find plenty more family-friendly seasonal celebrations in our New York City Holiday Guide, which includes picks for everything from holiday lights drive-thrus near NYC to the best Nutcracker ballets for kids and more sweet seasonal treats.

See the 2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/10/2022 - 5:07pm

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0

Thanksgiving in New York City wouldn’t be what it is without the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you're eager to take your kids to glimpse those giant balloons and don’t want to rise before dawn, visit the area near the American Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, November 24, 2022, to watch the giants come to life during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation.

While the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is far from crowd-free, it’s an only-in-New York event all its own—and a must-do holiday event for families. Read on for tips on when to go and where to eat. In need of more holiday inspiration? Visit our NYC Kids Thanksgiving Fun Guide.

Wonderland Dreams Invites Guests to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole and Embrace a Unique Art Experience

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 11/07/2022 - 5:18pm

Fun, playful photo-ops await at the immersive art experience Wonderland Dreams.

Immersive art experiences have been popping up all over town in the past year, but the new Wonderland Dreams exhibit that's taken over a cavernous Midtown space is like nothing we've ever seen before. This Alice in Wonderland-inspired canvas is brought to life by the magical brushstrokes of artist Alexa Meade. Its sprawling 30-room walk-through is full of colorful props, stunning photo-ops, and inspiring backdrops that left us smiling long after we left the exhibit.

Read on for more details of our visit to Wonderland Dreams and bookmark our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC for more kid-friendly art adventures to enjoy.