Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

Best Things To Do on Halloween in NYC with Kids: Halloween Events on October 31

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 10/24/2022 - 4:33pm

Join the Halloween party at Bryant Park to enjoy eerie magic tricks, face painting, arts & crafts, and spooky stories. Photo by Angelito Jusay

Few holidays rival the scope and spectacle of Halloween in NYC, and while we've already told you about tons of fun things to do in NYC on Halloween, consider this your must-do guide to the big day. Our NYC Halloween Fun Guide overflows with Halloween parades, FREE Halloween events, and we've even spilled the beans on the best trick-or-treating spots in each of the five boroughs.

The countdown to Halloween is officially on. Some things are certain: The trick-or-treating in Tribeca will be packed with amazing costumes. The Jackson Heights Halloween Parade will be as big as ever, and the BAMboo! block party and Myrtle Monster Mash are going to rock Brooklyn.

Whatever you decide to do on Monday, October 31, arrive early and expect crowds. For the best ways to plan an epic Halloween night with your NYC kids, scroll on. Most of our picks are FREE or inexpensive.

50 Things To Do in Midtown Manhattan with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 11:56am

A family-friendly Broadway show is one of our favorite things to do in Midtown Manhattan with kids. Photo by the author

Whether you're a visitor, a commuter, or a local, it's hard to avoid the action-packed things to do in Midtown Manhattan. Bordered by 59th Street on the northern end and 34th Street to the south, encompassing Times Square and Rockefeller Center, and extending from river to river, Midtown Manhattan has an expansive personality that matches its footprint.

Between the towering office buildings and the tourist traps on seemingly every street corner, it might seem hard to uncover worthwhile, family-friendly things to do in Midtown Manhattan, but take note: This neighborhood is loaded with entertainment, art, attractions, and activities.

We've done the legwork and rounded up 50 fun things to do in Midtown Manhattan with kids in tow. Bookmark our NYC Neighborhood Guide for more fun places to explore.

Encanto's Casita Comes to Life at CAMP Fifth Avenue

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 10/13/2022 - 10:20am

See Isabella's flower-filled wonderland in real-life at the new Disney Encanto x CAMP experience at the Flatiron location.

We don't talk about Bruno, but we do have to talk about the Disney Encanto x CAMP mashup that's taken over the store's flagship Fifth Avenue location. This paid experience invites visitors behind the Magic Door and into the Casita making you an unofficial member of the Madrigal family! Sound enticing? Book your tickets here!

Read on for a glimpse into the magical Disney Encanto x CAMP world and find more indoor places to play in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.

Best Things To Do on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 3:49pm

Visit the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden for seasonal, kid-friendly celebrations on Columbus Day and all October long. Photo courtesy of NYBG

Columbus Day is on the horizon and that means New York City kids are staring down another day off. Officially rechristened Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples Day on the school-year calendar, the holiday falls on Monday, October 10, 2022. If it's snuck up on you, don't panic! There are plenty of things to do in New York City whether you're celebrating Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.

Fall offers the perfect chance to hit one of New York City's many destination playgrounds, of course. Still, we've also scoured our Family Activity Calendar and museum listings, and combed through our day trip guides to put together this list of 25 things to do with the family on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. So, step away from the screen and step outside to enjoy all the city has to offer.

6 Unique Halloween Costume Stores in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 2:27pm

These Halloween costume stores in NYC have everything you need to perfect your look for October 31 and all the festivities leading up to Halloween. Photo by Sara Marentette

For parents, the spookiest part of Halloween might just be searching for the perfect look for their kids, but these Halloween costume stores in NYC make the chore a little easier. If you're looking for unique-to-NYC Halloween costume stores, look no further. These dedicated, year-round costume shops have tons of accessories to pair with the perfect costume.

Once you've nailed the look at these Halloween costume stores in NYC, be sure to bookmark our New York City Halloween Guide to find all top Halloween events and FREE Halloween activities in NYC for kids. After all, a Halloween costume can cost a pretty penny, so you'll want to get as much mileage out of it this Halloween season as you can! Of course, we know all the best spots for trick-or-treating in NYC for the main event, too.

This New Birthday Party Place in NYC is MAD Fun

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/13/2022 - 4:07pm

Celebrate your next birthday party in NYC at the Museum of Arts and Design.

When it comes to birthday party planning, I'm usually an intrepid DIY-er. We've partied in plenty of parks and playgrounds perfect for a fete, and my not-so-hidden talent is definitely cake decorating, but celebrating my daughter's recent birthday at the Museum of Arts and Design was so much fun and so stress-free, I just might leave my independent birthday party planning streak behind.

Though the venue is new to the New York City birthday party scene, our Museum of Arts and Design's birthday party had it all: A stunning, private party space with a spectacular view of Central Park, a welcoming energetic staff who kept the party moving and took care of every last detail, and an artist-led workshop that was fun and sent everyone home with a cool keepsake. Read on for more details on our cool birthday party at the Museum of Arts and Design, and find more tips for planning your kid's next milestone celebration in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.

Pittsfield, MA with Kids: 35 Things To Do in The Berkshires Town

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/01/2022 - 1:00pm

Walk The Melville Trail or enjoy the view from the famous author's study on a visit to the Herman Melville's Arrowhead Estate in Pittsfield.

Located in the heart of The Berkshires, find the town of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. With its walkable main street draped with red, white, and blue buntings and bespeckled with the work of local artists, it's a charming mix of old and new, befitting a region that's experienced a re-birth as a regional travel destination thanks to the pandemic.

Its location is convenient for visitors from major metropolitan areas in Boston and New York City, and it manages to balance a certain small-town allure with arts, culture, recreation, and a burgeoning foodie scene to lure a variety of visitors. Whether you're heading for a hike in the hills outside of town or craving top-notch theater without big-city prices, Pittsfield has something for you. Read on for 35 things to do in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, with kids, and find more fun things to do nearby on our list of the best things to do in The Berkshires with kids. Be sure to bookmark our New England Family Travel Guide for more regional travel destinations.

Chelsea Piers with Kids: 10 Things To Do at the Waterfront Complex

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 12:30pm

Whether you scoot, stroll, run, or ride, a visit to Chelsea Piers is an action-packed adventure full of all-ages entertainment.

When it comes to fun places to play as a family, it's hard to beat Chelsea Piers. This action-packed stretch along Hudson River Park is filled with family-friendly activities. You can easily while a day away here, hitting everything from the destination-worthy Chelsea Waterside Park Playground to teeing off at the Chelsea Piers Golf Center and gliding across the ice at the Sky Rink.

Read on for 10 things to do at this all-seasons entertainment complex, which covers 28 acres from West 17th Street to West 23rd Street, and find more fun things to do nearby on our list of 50 fun things to do in Chelsea with kids.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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