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

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2025: Teacher Appreciation Gifts They’ll Love

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:24pm

Teachers have found inspiring ways to be there for our kids. Here are some ways to show our appreciation. Photo by Yan Krukov, Pexels

Year after year, teachers continue to prove how amazing they are! Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 is the time to show teachers how much we care, what a massive impact they have on our kids' lives, and how truly deserving they are of our appreciation.

We surveyed a whole bunch of teachers and found out the gifts they really want for Teacher Appreciation Week. Their answers are simpler than you might think—a heartfelt thank-you, the realization that students have listened to them, and coffee!

Read on for our top ideas for teacher appreciation gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week 2025. You can also find more inspiration for homemade gifts in our roundup of 100 Crafts for Kids.

Find an Amazing Petting Zoo near NYC Where Kids Can Meet the Animals

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 04/18/2022 - 5:25pm

Meet Minnie, the lovable chinchilla who shares whisker kisses at The Art Farm on the Upper East Side. Photo by Jody Mercier

We're so fortunate to live in a city that offers an incredible array of activities for kids, but sometimes I fret over the disconnect from nature. I want my kids to be as comfortable in the country as they are in the urban jungle, so we're always looking for ways to get out of our comfort zone. Enter these petting zoos near NYC where you can meet some furry friends.

While we love heading to the local NYC zoos and aquarium, and even get hands-on at their mini petting zoos, there's something particularly special about enjoying animals in an authentic farm setting, so without further ado, here's where to find an amazing petting zoo near NYC for serious face time with adorable animals. Get ready to load up the family for a day of donkey petting, goat bottle-feedings, and sheep shearing.

Find more farm fun for any season on our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms Near New York City.

50 Fun Things To Do in Paris with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 04/09/2022 - 12:00pm

We found plenty of things to do in Paris to fill our days and nights!

A visit to the City of Lights has long been on my bucket list, and I was thrilled—and shocked—when my husband surprised me with an epic family vacation to celebrate a milestone birthday. We found plenty of things to do in Paris to fill our days and nights with outings and explorations that weren't always kid-centric but delivered a sophisticated, satisfying trip for our family of five, ranging in age from 8 to 40-something. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how kind, helpful, and stereotype-defying we found the French people.

From trekking through the Louvre Museum to climbing the Eiffel Tower and wandering the winding, cobblestoned alleys, here are our favorite things to do in Paris with kids. Find more international destinations nearby in our European Travel Guide for Families.

Legoland New York: 5 Things We Can't Wait To Do When the Theme Park Reopens for 2022

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/07/2022 - 10:22am

Legoland New York Resort reopens Friday, April 8 for a full season of fun and brings new attractions. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Legoland New York is set to open for its second season on Friday, April 8, and we had so much fun visiting the mega theme park last season, we just can't wait for a full season of fun. Here are five things we're looking forward to at Legoland New York in 2022.

Find more local theme park fun in our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks.

Inexpensive Birthday Party Room Rentals in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/28/2022 - 6:46pm

Sky Village helps parents create a perfect birthday party with its inexpensive space rental.

Few suburban comforts make me jealous, but the ability to host an at-home birthday party is one. Fear not: There are inexpensive birthday party room rentals in NYC; you just have to know where to look.

Keep in mind, buying an all-inclusive package can get pricey, especially if you want to invite your child's entire class. So, these spots all require DIY inventiveness, but you'll be rewarded with a special day that won't (totally) break the budget. If these prices still don't work for you, consider downsizing the guest list and partying at home with these tips for planning an at-home party and these five party ideas for small spaces.

Read on for inspiration and where to find a birthday party room rental near you, and check out our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.

Visit the NYPL Main Branch Like a Local: 6 Secrets for Things To Do and See

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 03/18/2022 - 5:02pm

Your visit to the NYPL really begins on the outside when you encounter the Library Lions, Patience and Fortitude, who flank the entrance.

Whether you’re a bibliophile or an architecture buff, the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is a charming destination. And, while a grand old library building may seem like the last place you want to visit with kids, we’re here to share our favorite kid-friendly things to do at this Midtown landmark.

Read on for six fun things to do at the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, and find more library fun nearby at the newly renovated Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library.

Best Free Annual Parades in New York City for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 5:10pm

The streets come alive with tons of dance genres during the lively New York Dance Parade each May. Photo by Leonard Rosmarin

As the saying goes, everyone loves a parade. And during the warmer months, there are parades in NYC practically every week celebrating a wide variety of cultures and causes, and all of them are FREE.

While it's always cool to watch the colorful costumes, floats, and performers pass by, there are certain annual parades in New York City that are particularly great for families. These processions are either exceptionally vibrant, like Chinatown's Lunar New Year Parade or the Three Kings Day Parade in East Harlem, or invite costumed kids to get in on the action, like the small, community-based Halloween Parades that are much less intense than the big one in Greenwich Village.

Included in our list are popular NYC parades we've attended—some many times—or those that come highly recommended. So, get out your calendar, and save these dates to see if you can catch them all!

Top Preschool Summer Camps in Lower Manhattan

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 03/06/2022 - 2:53pm

Green Ivy provides a warm and enriching summer camp experience for children ages 2-5. Photo courtesy of the school

When it comes time to enroll your little one in their first summer camp experience, you're likely looking for a summer camp that fits your parenting philosophy and won't overwhelm your first-time camper. These preschool summer day camps in Lower Manhattan fit the bill, by catering just to young campers or offering small, age-specific groups, enriching activities, and plenty of fun indoors and out.

We've found 10 preschool summer camps in the neighborhood—ranging from Chelsea all the way south to Battery Park and from river to river—practically guaranteed to get your little one excited to return day after hot summer day. For more summer camps in New York City, including picks for preschool summer camps citywide, free and cheap summer camps in NYC for kids, and more, be sure to bookmark our New York City Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and neighborhood.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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