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

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.

End of an Era: Aviator Sports Closing in April and Shuttering Popular Kids' Programming

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/24/2025 - 12:35pm

The future of the sprawling sports and event center at Floyd Bennett Field is uncertain since Aviator Sports and Events has announced an abrupt closure. Photo courtesy of Aviator Sports

Aviator Sports and Events Center, which has schooled a generation of NYC kids in sports ranging from hockey and gymnastics to volleyball and rock climbing announced Monday that its indoor facility will close on Monday, April 14, 2025.

News of its closure means its indoor sports programs will also cease operations on that date. Its popular sports summer camp programs are also unlikely to return. The announcement—shared on its social media platforms and website—was met with shock and disappointment from parents.

Spring Break 2025: 49 Fun Things To Do in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 03/21/2025 - 11:43am

Enjoy a tropical spring break daycation with a trip to DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Photo by the author

Spring break 2025 is barreling toward us. If you're worried about keeping the kids entertained over NYC's spring break, we've got you covered. If you're sticking around the city for a spring staycation, there's plenty to keep every age group busy. From exploring our favorite kid-friendly museums to playgrounds worthy of a subway schlep, and destination-worthy tourist attractions, we've rounded up 49 things to do with kids in New York City during the upcoming public school spring break.

New York City's spring break runs from Monday, April 14-Friday, April 18, 2025. Add in two weekends, and you've got nine days to fill with fun. Some of our picks only take place on specific dates; others run the entire duration, but all are engaging ways to get out and celebrate spring.

If you're hoping to get out of town, be sure to visit our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for inspiration or consider booking a last-minute spring break vacation on the cheap.

Free Gear-Packed Baby Boxes Coming to an NYC Hospital Near You Later this Year

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 03/11/2025 - 12:13pm

Launching later this year, NYC Baby Boxes will be distributed to every family delivering babies at four public hospitals.

When it comes to welcoming a new bundle of joy in NYC, it's no secret that a little one needs tons of gear, but a new initiative is set to put infant-supply-stocked NYC Baby Boxes in the hands of new parents at some local hospitals.

Read on for more details on this program and find more need-to-know info for new parents in our NYC Baby Guide, which includes our top picks for the city's best baby stores, plus 20 things to do before your baby turns 1, and more parent-tested tips for those early days with wee New Yorkers.

24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 02/02/2025 - 5:49am

Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.

With winter's chill here, an indoor play space in NYC may be just the thing to get out some winter wiggles. To that end, we present this list of the 24 best indoor playgrounds in New York City. So, when it gets too cold to explore one of New York City's top playgrounds, consider taking your fun inside. A word to the wise: Many of these indoor play spaces in NYC require reservations for playtime, so plan your fun in advance.

We've got plenty more ideas to entertain kids in our Guide to Indoor Activities, plus fun seasonal happenings in our Winter Fun Guide.

Should You Take Your Kids to Anne Frank The Exhibition? A Parent's Guide

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 01/27/2025 - 12:28pm

Anne Frank The Exhibition opens to the public on Monday, January 27 at the Center for Jewish History.

When it comes to teaching kids about the Holocaust, New York City parents and teachers have a new tool at their disposal: Anne Frank The Exhibition, which opens today at the Center for Jewish History. Presented in partnership with Amsterdam's Anne Frank House, this landmark exhibition brings to life The Annex—the hiding place of Frank's family and other Jewish refugees, where Frank's famous diary was penned—for the first time outside of Amsterdam.

Though a pioneering exhibition, which opens on International Holocaust Remembrance Day—January 27—the subject matter itself may have parents wondering whether to bring kids. I had a chance to preview the exhibit and it was more emotional than I imagined. At times, it took my breath away, and I cried when recounting some of its exhibits. It just might make you and your kids cry, too. Whether you choose to take your kids to this unique NYC exhibit is a deeply personal decision, but I'm sharing my experience below, plus some tips to prepare you if you decide to visit.

Of course, you can find more local exhibits in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums.

17 Awesome Family-Friendly Destinations that Opened in 2024, Plus What's Coming in 2025

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 01/05/2025 - 10:00am

Peppa Pig is coming to Legoland New York with an all-new playground opening in 2025. Photo courtesy of Legoland New York

With the confetti all but cleaned up and the kids back in school, we're taking one final look at the kid-friendly fun that marked 2024 and anticipating what's coming in 2025! From brand-new romping spots indoors, like Manhattan's Play Street Museum and outdoors, like Rockeville Centre's sprawling inclusive playground to limited run popups and more, here are our top kid-friendly openings and attractions in the NYC metro area in 2024, plus seven new attractions coming in 2025.

Cheers to the fun that was and the fun still to come, and thanks for following along as we curate all the best things to do in New York City, New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley with kids.

Visiting the Sloomoo Institute: Soho's Museum of Slime Produces Ooey-Gooey Fun

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/30/2024 - 11:29am

Stretch, mold, squish, and play with slime to your hearts content at the Sloomoo Institute in Soho.

If the ooey-gooey-slime craze has crept into your life, and you've been known to celebrate a discount deal on a gallon of Elmer's Glue, Soho's Sloomoo Institute is a must-visit. From its DIY slime bar, whose products far outpace our favorite make-at-home slime recipes, to being slimed at Sloomoo Falls, the Sloomoo Institute is a slime lover's paradise and an over-the-top sensory experience that left my daughters begging for more slime time.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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