Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

Best Indoor Play Spaces with Water Play for Toddlers in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 03/08/2023 - 9:33am

Twinkle Playspace's water table let’s kids toss objects into its whirlpool.

At these indoor play spaces, few preschoolers can resist the lure of the water table where they can dunk their toys and hands in, fill containers just to spill them out again, and splash around. After all, in a tiny NYC apartment, not many of us have space for such messy playthings, so we rounded up a handful of NYC indoor play spaces that offer water-based sensory stations. No bathing suits or parental cleanup required.

Best of all, these soggy attractions are open year-round, even in summer just in case you can't face another sweltering day on the playground. So, for those who beg to play in water long after the lifeguards go home, there are options beyond the bathtub.

Union Square and Flatiron Guide: Things To Do and Where To Eat with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 12:51pm

Climb to the top of the huge, steep, slippery metal dome at Evelyn's Playground during your next visit to Union Square Park. Photo by Carey Wagner

The adjacent Flatiron District and Union Square neighborhoods are two of Manhattan's most unlikely kid-friendly areas. Even though both are filled with office buildings and chain stores, there are lots of amenities for families if you know where to look. Both Union Square and the Flatiron District boast beautiful parks with destination playgrounds, a great selection of family-friendly restaurants, and one-of-a-kind attractions like the interactive Museum of Mathematics, the foodie wonderland that is the Union Square Greenmarket, kid-lit haven Books of Wonder, the sculpture-filled Lego Store, and a very magical Harry Potter New York.

Because the neighborhoods encompass less than a mile together, families can easily explore both Union Square and the Flatiron District in one day, even with a short-attention-span toddler in tow. Of course with so many things to do, see, and experience in this 15-block stretch from 11th to 26th Streets between Fifth and Park Avenues, you'll probably need more than just a day to hit all the recommended stops in this guide to Union Square and the Flatiron District.

Find more local enclaves to explore in our Family-Friendly NYC Neighborhood Guide.

Genius Gems Debuts STEM-Inspired Play Space in Chelsea

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 02/16/2023 - 4:09pm

Anyone who’s raised kids in the past decade is likely familiar with Magna-Tiles. And if your house is anything like mine, there are never enough no matter how big your collection. Enter Genius Gems, the long-beloved, STEM-inspired play space that’s been a mainstay in Millburn, New Jersey, since 2018 has just debuted its first NYC location, and its collection of 100,000 (yep, you read that right!) magnetic tiles are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun things to do at this interactive, educational fun zone.

We spent an evening building, exploring, and designing in Genius Gems’ new Chelsea location and are already plotting a return visit. Read on for our review of Genius Gems and find more STEM-inspired fun in our Guide to Science Experiments and STEM.

Jersey City's RPM Raceway Expands with World's Longest Go-Kart Track

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 02/14/2023 - 2:35pm

Get into the action at Jersey City's RPM Raceway, which has just debuted the world's longest indoor go-karting track.

The world's longest indoor electric go-karting track has opened at RPM Raceway Jersey City, just outside of NYC, so if you've got daring kids who feel a need for speed, this indoor go-karting track is a must-visit. Dubbed the RPM Raceway MegaTrack, this new experience is the fruition of a six-month, multi-million dollar renovation project.

To get a taste of the action, I recruited my teen and his best friend to be my test drivers. More laps than I could count later—and plenty of playful trash-talking—it was clear this visit to RPM Raceway Jersey City would not be our last. Read on for all the details on our visit to RPM Raceway Jersey City, its MegaTrack, and the rest of the attractions at this action-packed indoor fun spot, which is close enough to NYC to make for an easy day trip, too.

We've got more top picks for teen-friendly fun in our New Jersey Tweens and Teens Guide.

Free Things To Do for Winter Break in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 02/13/2023 - 5:32pm

Join Prospect Park Alliance for school recess programs daily from Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24. Photo courtesy of the Prospect Park Alliance

February's Winter Break always seems to sneak up on me. We're barely into a post-holiday groove, and yet again, we've got a full week off from school to fill. While we've already rounded up 25 fun-filled Winter Break activities for the week, many of them come with a high price tag. To give your budget a bit of relief, we've got 25 free things to do during February's Winter Break Visit our Free in NYC Guide for more money-saving options for school break or any day you need to entertain your kids on the cheap.

3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 1:26pm

Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier

New York City overflows with things to do for families, and while you may have visited the city that never sleeps in your pre-parenthood youth, it’s a completely different experience with kids in tow. Lucky for you: I’m here to offer my parent-tested tips for the best NYC itinerary with kids for a family trip to NYC. Even locals can appreciate these picks, which are a combination of off-the-beaten-path destinations and New York City’s top attractions, all catering to a mix of ages and interests.

I’ve laid it all out in an easy-to-follow three-day NYC itinerary with kids, and while you can’t do it all in three days, you can definitely take a big bite out of the Big Apple. Read on for my top picks for things to do in on a family trip to NYC—or use these picks for a local staycation to explore some new-to-you sites and neighborhoods. You can find all our top things to do in NYC on our NYC kids’ bucket list and in our Visitors Guide to New York City.

American Museum of Natural History: Ultimate Guide to Visiting NYC's AMNH with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:34am

AMNH's dinosaurs are a must-see exhibit during your visit.

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the foremost natural history museums in the world and is certainly one of our top 100 things to do in NYC. There's so much to see at AMNH you can't cover it all in one day, especially with kids in tow. Luckily, we've been there a bazillion times and are happy to share everything you need to know to plan a visit to AMNH.

Here's your insider's guide to our top things to see and tips for navigating The American Museum of Natural History with kids. Find more must-visit museums in our Guide to Family-Friendly Museums in NYC.

Museum Memberships in NYC That Are Totally Worth It for Winter

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:45pm

NYSCI has plenty of engaging exhibits for all ages making it a perfect place to play on a cold winter's day. Photo via Facebook/courtesy of the venue

Museum memberships can be a boon when it comes to saving money in NYC. And, after visiting NYC's top play spaces, favorite children's museums from Brooklyn to Queens, and other local fun zones, we've rounded up a handful of membership deals at popular kid-centric destinations we think are worth the investment for these cold winter months. These places keep your kids entertained and active while getting you out of the house—and the weather. Some even offer short-term museum memberships, so you only have to pay until spring arrives.

In the dead of winter, it can be daunting to schlep somewhere new every weekend, so a membership to one (or two) of your favorite kid destinations makes sense. We've already done the math so you'll know exactly how many visits it takes until these investments pay off—and whether or not the "deal" works for your family. If the math doesn't work out for you, consider buying one of the play spaces' bulk passes instead, which usually knocks a few bucks off the daily drop-in price. Looking for more options? Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Indoor Activities, which has more parent-tested destinations like our favorite local stores where kids can play for FREE.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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