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 the Wild Things Are Movie Takes New York City

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 10/13/2009 - 5:58am

Everyone's going crazy for Where the Wild Things Are movie coming out later this week. And New york City is so excited they've dedicated the entire week to the movie launch. This week you can hear the story read by the actors from the movie, get your picture taken in a scene from the film and see, or even buy, original illustrations from the book. Check out these fun, and free, events celebrating Where the Wild Things Are.

What's open in New York City on Columbus Day?

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 10/09/2009 - 10:53am

Many museums and venues that aren't regularly open make an effort to open on school holidays and offer special programs for families. Here's a list of some of your best bets for Columbus Day.

Check Out Our New York City Kids Culture Guide

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 6:35pm

I've added a new page to the site that I wanted to share with you. The Arts and Kid Shows Guide has lots of information about museums, performances, art shows and other fun cultural activities to do in New York with kids. There's also money-saving tips, like free times at all the museums, some ideas for how to make a museum outing more fun with kids, and recent reviews of kid shows.

I'll keep adding more info as we write it and all new reviews will be in there, so you can always check the guide for the most current exhibit and show information. You'll find it by clicking on the Art & Shows tab at the top of the site.

I hope this page will be a helpful addition to the site. If you have any suggestions please email me.

Visit the Culture Guide now.

News: Swine Flu Parties, Bake Sale Ban, Cheap Philharmonic Tickets, More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 9:44am

I can't believe it's October already. The first month of school went by so fast and we've been so busy. Meanwhile the DOE has been busy too: a new rule prohibits bake sales in schools. On the flip side, the junk food industry has launched a campaign to fight City Hall's attempts to fight the obesity epidemic. A study shows that Charter Schools perform better and Bloomberg asks to lift the cap on them. And Obama wants to keep kids in school longer while some kids may be missing school after going to swine flu parties. Lastly, we learn about the silver lining of recessions and how you can see the philharmonic for just $16.

Culture Dem Kids: Celebrate Diwali in New York City

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 10/01/2009 - 6:11am

Sure, New York City is expensive, but think how much money you save by not having to travel all the way to India with your kids to experience the culture and customs of Diwali. Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and New Year, is a time to celebrate good fortune, family and friendships. While October 17, 2009 is the official holiday date, there are events and activities for kids to celebrate Diwali in New York as early as this week. Enjoy performances of the story of Diwali, create traditional decorations to take home, eat yummy Indian foods at Diwali Mela street fairs...all you need is a Metrocard and a sense of curiosity.

Here are some fun Diwali activities and events for kids in New York City:

5 Theater Festivals in New York This Fall

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 09/28/2009 - 8:11am

As a child growing up in New York City with a mother involved in the arts, I was dragged to many adult art events and got to know the lobbies of all the top venues very well (as I retreated in boredom half-way through probably the some of the greatest performances I'll ever see in my life). We parent in reaction to our own childhoods so, while I do believe in the positives gained by exposing children to great art that stretches a their horizons, I think they'll get even more out of it if they're engaged enough to stay in the theater. This experience led me to do a little research to find five theater festivals in New York City this Fall that have performances specifically for kids.

From a Scottish Festival to a Hip Hop Theater Festival, BAM's avant garde Next Wave Festival to a Musical Theater Festival, there are shows for children with all tastes and all ages. Read on to learn about some of the highlights:

News: Shop for Schools, Halloween Costume Discounts, Wizard of Oz Concert, More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 09/21/2009 - 5:49am

Did you have a good weekend? We went apple picking and tried out Pennings in Warwick, NY based on a reader's comment that they might have organic apples. Alas, they didn't and I found the place to be a bit too commercial feeling, although we did get some really nice big pumpkins for just $10, much less than they would have cost in the city.

In this week's news, find out about deals and discounts on Halloween costumes, how doing your shopping can help raise money for public schools, a behind the scenes peak at a new children's movie, interesting events fro National Parks Week, a cool coloring book, and how to see The Wizard of Oz for free.

News: Going Back to School Green, Obama Speaks, New Shake Shack, More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 09/14/2009 - 5:04am

We're back to school and it's full of surprise and promise. Inside find eco-friendly back to school tips, how to get a cool monthly surprise in the mail for your kids, where the new shake shack will be, places to take family farm vacations, the 400 top New Yorkers of all time, and Obama's message to kids (if you missed it).