Jordana Drell

Jordana Drell is a freelance Product Lead specializing in educational games who has previously worked for Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon. Passionate about emerging tech and finding things to do with her family, Jordana lives in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn with her husband, daughters, and Bernedoodle, Foam.

Latest posts by Jordana

Where To Get Kids' Ears Pierced in NYC

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 03/20/2025 - 3:07pm

Rowan offers ear piercings by licensed nurses. Photo by Amy Abate

Every parent wants the same thing when it comes finding the perfect place to get your child's ears pierced: a professional, welcoming, and sanitary experience. Whether you're after a stylish NYC ear piercing studio with a modern vibe or a more traditional setting, there are plenty of ear piercing places in NYC offering top-notch services to make this milestone memorable.

Picture this: clean, comfortable ear piercing studios with friendly staff, an array of jewelry options, plus an atmosphere that makes you and your child feel at ease. Whether you’re looking for a simple ear piercing in NYC with high-quality materials or a more adventurous look with trendy styles, these local ear piercing studios have you covered.

Ready to add a little sparkle to your kids' look? Here are our picks for the best places to get ears pierced in NYC. For more local business recommendations, bookmark our Guide to NYC Stores and Services for Families.

Puerto Rico with Kids: A 5-Day Itinerary for Off the Beaten Path Adventures

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Sat, 03/15/2025 - 12:00pm

Puerto Rico's horses are known for their gentle nature, making them perfect for first-timers.

Whether you’re looking for a beach retreat or an adventure-filled trip, Puerto Rico offers a variety of kid-friendly places and activities that turn family vacations into unforgettable experiences. There are so many amazing things to do in Puerto Rico with kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens—lush gardens and rainforests, beautiful beaches, zip lining, horseback riding, guided tours, and so much more.

To make planning your trip less overwhelming, we've created an unforgettable five-day Puerto Rico itinerary that will entertain your whole family. It's filled with the best things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico (the capital city), as well as El Yungue National Forest, Rincon, bioluminescent bays, and more.

Visit our Caribbean Family Travel Guide for more tropical vacation ideas, including Mexico and Aruba.

Best Winter Birthday Ideas for Kids in NYC

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 2:36pm

Kick off a birthday celebration with roller skating at Xanadu Roller Arts. Photo by the author

When the chill of winter sets in, it's harder to find kids' birthday party places in NYC. If the thought of sugared-up kids invading your apartment turns you off, consider these winter birthday party ideas. Winter is the perfect time to turn your birthday celebrations into a magical seasonal experience. Whether you’re looking for great indoor birthday party places or want to embrace the adventure of a seasonal outdoor gathering, these winter birthday party ideas in NYC offer endless possibilities for creating a memorable day.

Once you've nailed down a location, visit this list of the best birthday party themes for every age and our NYC Kids Guide to Birthday Parties to find more party planning help.

Tech-Powered Quests Fuel Fun at New Brooklyn Play Space CREA Interactivity

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 01/23/2025 - 12:06pm

CREA's interactive games draw kids into a world of fun.

If you—or your kids!—think you've outgrown indoor play spaces, we found an out-of-the-ordinary new indoor play destination to change your mind. CREA Interactivity is a tech-enabled, multimedia play space for kids unlike any we've ever visited.

Step inside to experience a futuristic obstacle course that gets kids running, jumping, and climbing with obstacles designed to breed collaboration. With activities geared toward kids ages 3-12, it’s perfect for mixed-aged siblings and the best part is, it’s not for parents. So, plan to drop your kids off and enjoy the amenities and attractions in Industry City while they play.

Brooklyn Children's Museum Turns NYC Eyesore Into a Magical Playground for Kids

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Mon, 01/06/2025 - 12:32pm

Experience In the Works to see how the city’s everyday structures can become spaces for discovery and play.

Like many other New Yorkers, I’ve always viewed scaffolding is a nuisance, but the always enchanting Brooklyn Children's Museum has managed to change my perception of this omnipresent piece of city architecture with its magical, playful, new exhibit In the Works.

This one-of-a-kind installation—that mimics the ubiquitious sidewalk structures familiar to many a New Yorker—is a dream come true for little explorers, offering endless opportunities to climb, slide, crawl, and interact with the city in totally unexpected ways. Read on for our take on this fun, new exhibit that's a great way to beat the cold-weather blues, and find more indoor places to play in our NYC Kids Guide to Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones.

This New Brooklyn Climbing Gym Will Have the Whole Family Hooked

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 12/26/2024 - 10:00am

Parents stuck inside with stir-crazy kids, take note: I can’t rave enough about HAPIK—the brand new climbing gym that just opened at Brooklyn's Industry City. It’s hard to find an activity that appeals to my teen and 6 year old, but HAPIK climbing gym fit the bill. Even I put on a harness and took advantage of this fun family outing that left us pining for a return trip.

HAPIK's location in the amenity- and activity-packed Industry City makes it an awesome daycation destination. After we climbed, we loved perusing the cozy displays in the courtyards and refueled at Burger Joint. It’s a perfect family outing.

Read on for the full scoop on this awesome new indoor climbing gym and find more places to climb in our roundup of kid-friendly climbing gyms in NYC.

Spectacularly Decorated Holiday Pop-ups and Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 12/05/2024 - 5:19pm

Oscar Wilde offers a Victorian-era Christmas vibe and plenty of ambiance for a seasonal meal out.

Nothing is better than the twinkle of lights during the holidays, and these family-friendly restaurants in NYC really glow with seasonal splendor. They make for a perfect destination on a cold winter night. No matter which holiday your family celebrates, lean into the enchantment of one of these over-the-top holiday pop-ups and restaurants in NYC, where festive decorations turn dining into a full-on celebration.

Visitors are greeted by jaw-dropping displays—think towering Christmas trees, Instagram-worthy photo-ops, and extravagant winter wonderlands—that transport diners into a magical holiday world. Whether you're seeking an immersive experience complete with themed cocktails and holiday-inspired dishes, or just looking to soak in the festive cheer, these family-friendly restaurants and holiday pop-ups in NYC offer the perfect blend of seasonal spirit and culinary delight.

Keep reading for our picks for the best over-the-top holiday-decorated dining spots, and find more holiday bucket list ideas on our list of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in New York City for Kids.

Horizon of Khufu Takes Visitors on a Ancient Egypt Adventure at New Midtown VR Space

Submitted by Jordana Drell Herman on Thu, 10/31/2024 - 12:00pm

Travel back in time at the Horizon of Khufu experience.

Step into the wonders of ancient Egypt without leaving New York City through the ultimate VR experience at Horizon of Khufu. This newly opened, free-roaming, VR experience is the first-of-its-kind in NYC. The experience transports families 4,500 years back in time to explore the enchanting world of pyramids, mummification, and the legendary King Khufu himself.

I absolutely loved experiencing this VR adventure with my family—read on to discover what it’s like to traverse time and space in the heart of NYC. For more virtual reality experiences in NYC check out our roundup of the best virtual reality experiences in NYC.

Jordana Drell

Latest posts by Jordana

Pages