Anna Fader

Founder & CEO of Mommy Poppins
Anna was born in Park Slope, spent her early years in the West Village. By the time she graduated high school, she had lived in 4 of the 5 boroughs. Growing up in NYC in the '70s meant the streets were her playgrounds. Museums and avant garde music venues were the kid-friendly activities. And living downtown taught her the importance of creating community for families in NYC.

Now, raising her own two children in the city, she tries to create the same sense of magic and community she felt growing up, despite today's more commercialized version of kid-friendly New York.

She started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to share a more artsy, educational, uncommercial, community-oriented vision of raising kids in New York City. Today Mommy Poppins is relied on by millions of families as the authority on the best things to do with kids beyond New York City: from Boston to Philly, Los Angeles, Houston and travel guides for dozens more cities and destinations.

Latest posts by Anna

Big Holiday Giveaway: Dear Edwina Family 4 Pack

Submitted by Anna Fader on Wed, 12/09/2009 - 5:39am

Dear Edwina is a show about a girl who performs a musical advice column out of her family's garage. Praised for its wonderful musical numbers, the Drama Desk Award-nominated Dear Edwina's creators just won the prestigious Fred Ebb Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre Songwriting. Dear Edwina is recommended for all ages from 5 and up. Shea saw the musical last year and she and her boys loved it. You can read her full review here.

We're giving away a family four-pack of tickets to see Dear Edwina. We also have a promotion to share.

Big Holiday Ticket Giveaway: Win Free Tickets to Sesame Street Live!

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 2:26am

Picture 48.png You have until 8PM on Tuesday (Dec 8, 2009) to enter our They Might Be Giants Giveaway, but we have another tremendous giveaway today. One lucky family will win four tickets to Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up at Madison Square Garden's WaMu Theater.

Plus we have a great PROMO CODE if you want to buy tickets: Grown-ups go free!

Big Holiday Ticket Giveaway: They Might Be Giants Here Comes Science Concert

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 12/07/2009 - 12:24am

This week is our Big Holiday Ticket Giveaway. Each day this week we'll be hosting a giveaway post for at least one show. Check every day to make sure you don't miss out on a chance to win tickets to some great shows like Sesame Street Live, Wintuk, and more. The first giveaway in our great week of Holiday Ticket Giveaways is for a They Might Be Giants Benefit Concert this weekend.

Children's Books About Snow for a Cold Winter's Night

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 12/03/2009 - 7:32am

Jay Bushara writes a blog called One Potato where he shares his passion for off the beaten track children's books. Below he illuminates us with his recommendations for some beautiful children's books on the theme of snow, perfect for curling up with on a cold winter's night, whether it's snowing outside or not.

Travel Bloggers Join Forces for Mega Giveaway to Build a School in Cambodia

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 11/30/2009 - 10:05am

One of the things I enjoy more than anything else that comes out of this blog is when I have a chance to use it to make a difference in the world. A year ago, with just one post to our readers, we helped provide over $1000 worth of school supplies for NYC children who had none. This weekend we are hosting (with A Child Grows in Brooklyn and Kidville) a toy swap which is not only going to be lots of fun, but promises to provide hundreds of toys for children this Holiday season. Now I have a new opportunity that I am very excited to be part of and you should be excited too because it involves great prizes.

News: A Cool Event for Tonight, Free Tennis Lessons and a Big Giveaway, More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 11/30/2009 - 8:31am

I've got a hodgepodge of cool info to share today. Starting with a fun event for this evening, free tennis lessons, and one Cyber Monday sale perfect for little New Yorkers, Plus I'm announcing a couple of new projects that 'm very excited to be part of. Check it out:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 11/26/2009 - 7:25pm

We braved the crowds and made it to the parade this year. Lots of time to reflect as the balloons and floats go by, kids shouting with glee at each one. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Our family has had many struggles, but I feel we've come a long way with lots of help and support. Thank you for supporting this site with your comments, tips, feedback, kind words and encouragement and sharing it with your friends. Working on this site has been an amazing adventure. Thank you for reading Mommy Poppins and being part of this community.

Holiday Windows Itinerary 2009

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 11/26/2009 - 7:11am

Click here to see the amazing 2014 Department Store Holiday Windows.

Your children's holiday memories won't be about the toys they get under the tree, they're going going to be about the wonderful holiday traditions that your family shared. One of these traditions should be going to see the department store Holiday window displays. These festive holiday windows are a great way to get into the holiday spirit and this simply magical experience is completely free.

Lots of people like to do the Holiday Windows Walk on Christmas Eve, but it's also a great way to walk off your Thanksgiving dinner because it tends to be less crowded when the stores are closed. We've rounded up the best ones for kids (the more traditional displays), plus some other great Holiday stops to visit while you're in the neighborhood.