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

Baltimore with Kids: 50 Best Things to Do in Baltimore, MD

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 02/10/2024 - 9:47am

Kids can take an immersion tour or have an aquarium sleepover at the National Aquarium. Photo by Chris Mattle

Baltimore, Maryland is an incredibly kid-friendly and walkable city full of history, culture, and fun. The famous Inner Harbor offers the impressive National Aquarium, the fantastic Port Discovery Children's Museum, family-friendly restaurants, museums and science centers, and more. And the city is heaven for transportation lovers, with train museums and boats galore.

Baltimore's proximity to our nation's capital doesn't hurt, either. With only about 40 miles separating Washington, DC from Baltimore, it’s easy to visit both cities in one weekend.

Here is our list of 50 fun things to do in Baltimore with kids, including family-friendly Baltimore hotels and restaurants. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more fun cities to visit across the US and beyond.

Don't Miss CAMPTOPIA, Our Amazing Indoor Festival with Camps

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 01/28/2024 - 9:05am

Camptopia NYC Camp Fair connects local families with top NYC summer camps for a day of fun.

If you've been to a Mommy Poppins event, you know they are always full of fun, but our upcoming CAMPTOPIA summer camp fair may be one of the best yet.

We've convinced top area day and sleepaway camps to bring their activities to CAMPTOPIA so you can try them out and see how much fun summer camp might be. There will be arts and crafts, robotics, filmmaking, s'mores, slime, a photo booth, gymnastics, an obstacle course, ping pong, dance, glass demos, a bounce house, magic shows, face painting, and more!

Plus, our sponsor b.box is giving the first 100 families a free b.box snack box. Find all the details and how to sign up below.

Best Sledding Hills in NYC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 01/25/2024 - 11:04am

Central Park has some great hills for a fast ride. Photo by Jody Mercier

When the flakes fly, the sledding hills in New York City really come to life. Families flock to these local sledding spots spread across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island for wintertime fun with the kids. In compiling our list of the best sledding hills in NYC, we asked our readers, family, and Mommy Poppins writers and editors for their top recommendations for sledding hills citywide.

Looking for more snowy day activities? Read our roundup of snow day boredom busters, and bookmark our Guide to Winter Fun in NYC for more seasonal activities.

Guide to the Best Family-Friendly Ski Areas near NYC for Your Next Winter Getaway

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 01/11/2024 - 10:43am

Mount Peter, in the heart of the Hudson Valley, is a great place for beginning skiers.

It's easy to embrace winter at these family-friendly ski areas near NYC. We've rounded up 10 local ski areas sure to entertain any family, whether you're bringing along beginners, looking for an all-inclusive weekend away, or want entertaining perks beyond the slopes.

A winter sport like skiing is a great way to get outdoors as a family. Read on to find out which of these family-friendly ski areas near NYC matches your skill level and interest.

Want more family-friendly ski areas or picks for other snow sports? Check out our Guide to Skiing and Snow Sports, which offers more options in the tri-state area, New England, and even California. We've also got picks for the best snowboarding parks and snow tubing spots near NYC.

Pictures with Santa Claus in NYC in 2024

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 11/26/2023 - 7:15am

At the Apollo Theater in Harlem, take pictures with Santa and enjoy live performances. Photo courtesy of the Apollo

Editor's note: This post is in the process of being updated for 2024. Please check back soon for full details.
Santa Claus is coming to town and New York City kids have plenty of places to take pictures with Santa this season. From the heartwarming experience at Macy's Santaland to appearances at area malls—Santa is popping up and posing all over town.

Read on for our favorite spots to take pictures with Santa all across the five boroughs, including plenty of venues offering FREE pictures with Santa in NYC. Our rundown of Christmas tree lightings in NYC offers more opportunities to see jolly old St. Nick. We've got even more ways to meet the seasonal celebrity at these brunches, teas, and cruises with Santa, and our Guide to Christmas and the Holidays in NYC offers more holiday fun.

Belize Family Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Best Resorts and Top Things to Do with Kids in Belize

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:00pm

Belize is the perfect tropical vacation destination for families.

If you're always on the lookout for those hidden-gem vacation destinations, here’s your PSA to put Belize on your family travel bucket list before the masses discover it.

Whether you love an all-inclusive Caribbean beach resort or like to stay active with lots of activities, cultural experiences, and natural wonders to explore, Belize offers a unique blend of the Caribbean and Central American cultures. That makes it a fascinating destination for families looking for a bit of everything, from beaches and reefs to jungles and ancient Mayan ruins.

The fact that English is the official language makes Belize a particularly convenient destination for English-speaking travelers, without sacrificing its exotic allure.

With a native Belizean (and dad) from Travel Belize as my guide, I was able to get the real inside scoop on the best things to do in Belize—plus some great kid-friendly resorts for families—to help you plan an amazing trip to Belize for your next family vacation. Read on for our Belize family travel guide, then see our Guide to the Best Caribbean Family Travel for even more warm and sunny family vacation ideas.

The 20 Most Insane, Must-Try Desserts in NYC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 08/25/2023 - 10:41am

Indulge in the over-the-top milkshakes at Black Tap. Photo courtesy of the shop

When it comes to the best desserts in NYC, we couldn't help but wonder: Are they just eye candy? We headed out with a gaggle of kids to test the best, most amazingly outrageous desserts in New York City to discover which lived up to the hype. Below is the crème de la crème of over-the-top treats and desserts in NYC.

These delicious NYC desserts are all perfect for a special outing with kids or some bonding time. So get ready to wow your kids with the most awesome sweets in NYC.

Find more of our top NYC eats in our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide, which includes everything from our picks for the best pizza in NYC to the most iconic, must-visit NYC restaurants, and more.

100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 07/16/2023 - 10:57am

See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo

Check out these iconic things to do in New York City with kids—including attractions, events, activities, museums, and more—that every native New Yorker really must experience!

The number of family-friendly happenings in New York City on any given day is enough to overwhelm most parents. Our city plays host to top-notch museums and art, creative play spaces, amazing parks and playgrounds, and even amusement parks, all of which pump out fun children's programming year-round. Even NYC restaurants get into the game, hosting dedicated kid's play spaces, events, and cool DIY opportunities like ice cream and chocolate making.

Yet, every year, our kids grow up on us a little more. They age out of one activity after another, whether it's storytime at the library, riding a favorite carousel, or just needing to hold our hand as they cross the street. That's why we're focused on finding ways to take advantage of all the amazing things to do in New York City with kids, creating meaningful memories as we go. I created this "life list" of all the things I want to experience with my kids before they grow up. It's not just the stuff that is fun to do, but also the stuff I think will be important to do with them—things that will shape them and be formative in their experience as little New Yorkers. We're also big fans of FREE fun, so we included as much of that as possible!

So, enjoy this list of 100 things to do in NYC with kids, whether you're a local or a visitor trying to experience the very best of our city. Now, off I go to wring every drop of goodness from the damp, dirty rag that is New York City.