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 Strawberry Picking Farms and Strawberry Festivals near NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:58pm

Strawberry picking at Bishop Farms makes for a sweet day trip.

Strawberry picking season is one of our favorite milestones of the late spring and early summer. Picking your own strawberries makes the season even sweeter. As we move into the height of strawberry picking season, there are a slew of local farms for strawberry picking near NYC, and a visit makes for a great day trip.

Read on to discover more than a dozen strawberry picking farms all less than two hours from Midtown Manhattan. We've also found a handful of strawberry festivals celebrating the season's bounty. You'll find even more pick-your-own fun in our Guide to Family-Friendly Farms near NYC.

NYBG's Beloved Children's Garden Welcomes Guests Following Multi-Year Renovation

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 05/05/2025 - 12:09pm

Spot butterflies—real and supersized—when you explore the newly reopened Everett Children's Adventure Garden at the New York Botanical Garden.

When my kids were young, the Everett Children's Adventure Garden was always our first stop during a visit to the New York Botanical Garden, and following a multi-million dollar investment and multi-year renovation, this lovely, playful green space is ready to introduce a new generation of New Yorkers to nature in the concrete jungle.

Reopened over the weekend, the Everett Children's Adventure Garden is welcoming visitors once again. Read on for what you can expect during your next visit, whether you're planning to stop by for its Mother's Day Garden Party, the upcoming Van Gogh exhibition, or you want to explore the blooms, blossoms, and family-friendly amenities at the NYBG all year round.

Giant New NYC Exhibit Lets Kids Play at Being City Planners

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/01/2025 - 1:28pm

From transporation to trash and more, CityWorks explores all the systems that make NYC move.

City parents often think of New York City as our playground—its parks, transportation, and towering neighborhoods provide ample opportunities for exploration and inspiration. This fact was not lost on the team at the New York Hall of Science, who this week debut a brand-new, large-scale installation dedicated to the inner workings of city life with CityWorks, a sprawling, permanent exhibition that gives visitors, young and old, a look at what makes the city move.

From trash to transportation, waterworks to construction considerations, CityWorks lets visitors young and old embrace the spirit of urban planners with hands-on activities and info-packed displays designed to help visitors understand the complexities of keeping the city working as its populations and needs evolve. Read on for a look at this major new exhibition and get all our top tips for visiting NYSCI here.

27 Things To Do on Mother’s Day 2025 in New York City

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 04/28/2025 - 1:32pm

Beautiful blooms and family time are guaranteed to make mom smile at the New York Botanical Garden's Mother's Day Weekend Garden Party. Photo by Marlon Co/courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11, 2025, and mothers everywhere deserve a great weekend. Start planning a day mom won't forget by giving her one of these 50 Mother's Day gifts moms actually want, and don't forget to book your Mother's Day brunch reservations. Once that's done, read on for our list of the best Mother's Day outings and family-friendly things to do in NYC to round out mom's special day. No matter how you choose to celebrate, Happy Mother's Day from the team at Mommy Poppins.

Splash, Skate, and Play at the Davis Center, which Transforms Central Park's Northern Landscape

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/24/2025 - 2:12pm

The exterior footprint of the new Davis Center at the Harlem Meer is camoflauged by the landscape, but its programming impact will be hefty.

Nestled between the edge of the North Woods and the banks of the Harlem Meer, Central Park's largest project to date—save for the park’s construction in the mid-19th century—makes its public debut this week. The Davis Center at the Harlem Meer delivers a transformative new destination on the northern edge, with all-season recreation, bold design choices, and a remarkable integration into the landscape of this oft-forgotten about corner of the park. We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the project in advance of its big opening celebration on Saturday, April 26.

A capstone project of the revitalization of northern Central Park, the Davis Center replaces the old Lasker Rink. It has been 7 1/2 years in the making and comes with a whopping $160 million price tag.

Dine in a Doodle at Shirokuro—NYC's First 2D Cafe

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/17/2025 - 12:19pm

Shirokuro is NYC's first 2D dining destination.

The 2D dining craze has officially landed in NYC with the opening of Shirokuro, a black-and-white destination that's 100 percent hand-drawn and makes it feel like you're dining inside a doodle.

We had to check out the eye-catching East Village outpost for ourselves, and can report there's more to it than the decor. This unique dining experience deserves to be added to our list of the most iconic, family-friendly restaurants in NYC.

What's Open on Easter: Best Things To Do on Easter Sunday in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 04/06/2025 - 9:04am

Celebrate spring with a Peeps-themed Easter brunch at Serendipity3. Photo by the author

On Easter Sunday, many New York City families enjoy a neighborhood Easter egg hunt or mingle about at the wildly popular Easter Bonnet Parade and Festival. But there are plenty of other things to do in NYC on Easter Sunday.

Read on for 19 events, activities, and destinations open on Easter Sunday, which falls on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Find even more inspiration in our Family Activity Calendar or NYC Kids' Guide to Easter Activities.

27 Things To Do in Little Italy with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 03/27/2025 - 12:37pm

Ferrara Bakery has so many goodies, but no trip to Little Italy, New York, is complete without a cannoli!

When it comes to kid-friendly amenities, Little Italy, New York, can get a bad rap. Frequented by tourists, locals might be inclined to avoid this Manhattan micro-neighborhood, but it's a beloved go-to for my family, and whether you're here on vacation or a local looking for a daycation destination, I invite you to read on to find out why Little Italy is worth a visit.

Whether we're making our annual trek for the over-the-top Feast of San Gennaro, enjoying a casual dinner on the charming Mulberry Street, or grabbing a slice of Little Italy pizza at the famous Lombardi's, plus visiting its playgrounds, mom-and-pop shops, and enjoying plenty of sweets and treats, here are our favorite things to do in Little Italy with kids.

Find more fun things to do nearby in our NYC Kids Guide to Soho, Hudson Square, and Little Italy, where we've outlined our top picks for family-friendly Little Italy restaurants.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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