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.
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Summer's latest heatwave means it's the perfect time to plan a visit to the Fountain of the Fairs, the mega sprayground at the foot of The Unisphere in the kid-friendly Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Unveiled on a gray October day last fall, the fountain is now fully functional and a dreamy destination on a hot afternoon.
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If you're struggling through the latest heatwave, we've got some cool news: Central Park's iconic Wollman Rink has a new operator for the 2021-22 winter season, which means New Yorkers will be able to twirl, glide, and play hockey on the rink, which ranks as one of our favorite outdoor ice skating spots annually.
Read on for details on the proposed deal, which promises to pour all profits back into the rink, preserving this NYC treasure for years to come.
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The larger-than-life American Dream Mall has added two new kid-friendly destinations to its ever-expanding lineup: Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center are now open and welcoming visitors in the mall's A Court, adjacent to the indoor ski slope Big Snow.
The new attractions join Nickelodeon Universe, DreamWorks Water Park, and a 22,000-square-foot candy store to add to the wonderland atmosphere of the mall, which is an easy day trip destination from much of the metro area.
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Vincent Van Gogh is having a New York moment with a pair of "immersive" larger-than-life art exhibits dedicated to the Dutch master. It's hard to walk down the street or hail a cab without being confronted with an ad touting the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit or Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. Whether you're a long-time fan or intrigued by the promise of being shrouded in Sunflowers or The Starry Night, which Van Gogh should you go to, and what's the difference between the dueling displays?
We've done the legwork for you, checking out both exhibits, and, well, it's complicated. Read on for our rundown before you decide where to (Van) Gogh.
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There's no denying it—kids love diving into a sandbox, running their shovels and hands through the grains of sand, dumping a full bucket over, and generally getting their hands dirty. Though NYC parents might get grossed out at the thought of what could be lurking in our uncovered, urban sandboxes, it's hard to refuse one of a preschooler's most beloved sensory experiences. So pull up a bench (and your cup of coffee; you'll be here a while!), and check out these eight toddler-tested, mom-approved NYC sandboxes. We've done our best to find the cleanest ones across the city. Besides, you can always wash their hands in the nearby sprinklers or park bathrooms when you're finally able to get them out.
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New Yorkers often dismiss Times Square as too crowded, touristy, and overpriced, but if you look a little closer, there is plenty of kid fun to be found around this NYC hub—even for the most jaded urban dwellers.
We're not talking about the typical tourist attractions such as Madame Tussauds, the Hard Rock Cafe, and Ripley's Believe It Or Not, which do have plenty for kids to do. Instead, we've got the scoop on 14 cool, under-the-radar things to do with kids near Times Square, whether you're entertaining out-of-towners or just find yourself in this NYC neighborhood.
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Grab your house robes and get in line because Harry Potter New York, the 21,000-square-foot store dedicated to all things Wizarding World is ready to make its magical debut. Opening to the public on Thursday, June 3, we got a sneak peek behind the doors at all the fun that awaits in one of our most anticipated openings of the year.
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Summer is on the horizon, and that means parents are scurrying to finalize summer camp placements. While we've got plenty of options in our Summer Camp Guide and Directory, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better full-summer deal than the one offered by the New York City Parks Department. Its popular annual summer camp lottery is open through Sunday, May 30, and an entire summer of camp will cost you just $25!
Read on for more details on this summer camp option that's budget-friendly but full of over-the-top fun for kids.
