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

Where to Meet a Fire Fighter and Learn about Fire Safety in New York City

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 11/24/2009 - 5:08am

My daughter who is 7 years old had an educational workshop about fire safety at her after school program. I'm interested in taking her to a real fire house to help bring his lesson home. Do you know of any? — Yolanda

It's great to teach our children about fire safety and I've always found the firemen at our local firehouse to be really friendly. If they're not rushing off to a fire, they generally will welcome kids into the station to check out the trucks and see what they do. But, there are also two special museums set up just to teach children about fire fighting and fire safety rather than just trying to show up at your local fire house.

Holiday Gift Idea: 40 Years of Sunny Days DVD Set

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 11/17/2009 - 5:07am

Every once in a while I find something that I think is the absolute perfect holiday gift and want to give it to everyone on my list. This year my singular obsession is the new DVD created in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street.

Come meet us at our Holiday Toy Swap and Drive

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 11/15/2009 - 6:11pm

Since we've become parents we've grown used to the period between Thanksgiving and New Years being a big blur of activity. The Holidays are a wonderful time in New York City and we try to enjoy its magical moments, whether it's with out of town guests or just with our own children. One thing we know is that there's always too much to do.

We hope our Holiday Guide will help you a little bit by providing you with lots of information organized and in one place, whether it's how to get a Christmas tree or where to volunteer with your children, and lots and lots of fun Holiday activities which we'll keep posting as the information becomes available. One event we hope you'll make time for is our Holiday Toy Swap and Drive.

Holiday Toy Swap and Drive

Submitted by Anna Fader on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 6:05pm

Mommy Poppins is teaming up with A Child Grows in Brooklyn to host two great events and we hope you can come!

RSVP NOW!

Right before the Holidays is a great time to clean out the toy chests and make room for the new incoming toys while encouraging the spirit of giving.

Bring your gently used toys to our Toy Swap.

Find new treasures to take home.

Bring a new, unwrapped toy for out Holiday Toy Drive.

Everything left over at the end of the day will be donated to charity.

Holiday Toy Swap & Drive

Saturday, December 5, 3:00-5pm
Kidville, 808 Union St at 7th Avenue

Sunday, December 6, 10am-12pm

Kidville, 466 Columbus Avenue (between 82nd and 83rd)

Both events are FREE, but we ask that you bring one new, unwrapped gift to donate to our Holiday toy drive.

Kidville will be providing children's activities
and free open gym time.

Enjoy healthy snacks from FreshDirect and Susie's Supper Club
while you browse and chat with friends new and old.

Door Prizes! Space is limited. First to RSVP will win an item from our swag table: video games, dvds, cds, toys, books and more.

Celebrate 40 Years of Sesame Street and Get a Limited Edition Library Card

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 8:21am

If you haven't noticed, Sesame Street has been celebrating its 40th Birthday. And it's been quite a celebration. They've gotten a street named after them and Google has been doing cute Sesame Street artwork on their homepage. But I think the coolest thing is happening at the Brooklyn Public Library where they are having some special events and kids can get a very special library card.

Artists and Artisans Guide Giveaway Winners

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 4:53am

Thank you to everyone who entered our launch giveaway for our artists and Artisans Guide and left such great comments. We have picked our winners using a random number generator.

Discount Broadway (And Off-Broadway) Tickets for Kids' Shows

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 2:10am

There are more and more fun shows for kids popping up on Broadway and more and more ways to find cheap tickets to Broadway shows for kids. Here's a rundown of the top ways to find discounted tickets to Broadway shows, with some that are only good for kids. Plus, as this post is going up, Kids Night on Broadway tickets just went on sale today, so snap those up right away. They sell out fast!

Write for Mommy Poppins

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 2:53am

Are you the one all your friends turn to when they need to be in the know, especially when it comes to kid stuff? Are you always on the lookout for the coolest stuff for kids and parents, the latest bit of news and the off the beaten track activities? Are you passionate about raising your kids in New York City and always out exploring its nooks and crannies?

Mommy Poppins is looking for a new blogger or two to join our team. Someone enthusiastic and knowledgeable about New York and the things that make living in New York City with kids so great. Someone who wants to share her (or his) knowledge with our readers, with a talent for picking out the cool and unique.