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

NYC DOE Bake Sale Bungle, or Why I Am Not Writing About The Bake-In Rally at City Hall

Submitted by Anna Fader on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 9:25am

A few people have asked me to write about the Bake-In Rally that parents are organizing at City Hall on Thursday, March 18th. While I like taking a good jab at the NYC DOE as much as the next guy, I'm pointing my elbows at a slightly different target this time.

Recently, there have been several cases of parents getting up in arms over issues spawned by headlines that seem to be written for the sole purpose of provoking us...and us falling for it. And, thanks to yet another misleading NY Times headline, many parents have been riled up again, in this case, to believe that not only are they not allowed to sell home baked goods at school bake sales, but that they are required to sell packaged goods like Frito Lay products and Pop Tarts. This is just not the case.

Deals, Discounts and Promotions: Free Frozen Yogurt, $2 Car rentals and 30% off Gap Denim

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 8:01am

I've been posting a little bit lightly this week because I was under the weather. My family is a mess, actually. This week has been full of lice and vomit and in the middle of it all my daughter has been taking all her middle school entrance exams, but that's another story. Anyway, I have some fun deals, discounts and promotions to share, but I know some people that get this in their email tomorrow are going to miss the Pinkberry promotion and be annoyed that I didn't post it yesterday, so I just wanted to explain why.

Circus Elephants Walk Across Manhattan March 22, 2010

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 6:20pm

Update: There is no elephant parade in 2014 due to the circus playing in Brooklyn..

Once again the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus is heading into town and since the circus elephants can’t go up the Penn Station escalators, they need to get off the circus train a stop early in Queens and walk through the Mid-Town Tunnel, and straight across Manhattan to Madison Square Garden.

Posting this event is always controversial because some people feel that watching the circus elephants march across Manhattan is supporting their mistreatment in the circus. On the other hand, I get lots of emails every year asking me when it 's happening. My position is that this is a pretty crazy thing that happens in NYC and I'm letting people know. Do what you like with the information.

Cook Your Own Food at a Korean Barbecue Restaurant

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 8:45am

One of the really great things about New York CIty is having all these cultures living here together. And by far the most fun way to experience them is through food. From food carts to family friendly restaurants, dining out on ethnic foods is delicious, fun and educational.

One of my favorite ethnic food experiences, and probably one of the most interesting restaurant experiences for kids is Korean barbecue. Korean barbecue has a couple of things going for it that make it a favorite for both me and kids:

Destination Playground: New Union Square Playground

Submitted by Anna Fader on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 9:23am

When I was a little kid we lived near what we called Abingdon Square Park and is now called Bleeker Park, the playground on 7th Avenue in the West Village. It was a great park and the main feature was a giant concrete boat that we would climb on, tunnel under, jump over and in general inspired many imaginative games. The concrete boat is long gone now and I can only imagine that some kid smashing their face into it one too many times hastened its end.

Now most NYC playgrounds look pretty much the same: generic climbing equipment, slides, sometimes swings or a water feature, but a new playground in Union Square definitely breaks the mold for NYC playgrounds.

Friday Afternoon Video Break: All the Baby Mamas

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 9:48pm

When we were researching our recent post on coats and outerwear to use while babywearing, I stumbled upon this video. We already know baby's love Beyonce's All the Single Ladies, but apparently sling-totin' baby mamas do too. Every time I watch this it makes me smile. I hope you like it too.

Weekend Events in Long Island for Kids: Seussical, Arctic Adventures, Gustafer Yellowgold and More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 9:00am

We are in the home stretch of winter. The Valentine's Day Festivities have come and gone, but there is still plenty to do, ranging from children's theater to a celebration of Black History Month and much more.

Mary Poppins on Broadway: Win a VIP Experience Package

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 02/15/2010 - 6:28am

Being the cynical New Yorker that I am, I am not an immediate fan of all things Disney. But while the plastic-y toys and princess cartoons may leave me cold, I'm learning that there are some things that Disney does better than anyone else: creating magical experiences for kids and families.