Jody Mercier

When asked to illustrate her dream job as a first grader, Jody drew a picture of a mom with one kid on each hip and another clinging to her leg. All these years later, that is her reality, raising three kids in New York City. Since that gig only pays in hugs and kisses, she has spent her professional career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting topics. She's currently the regional editor overseeing the Mommy Poppins NYC, New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester sites and can be reached at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 35 Top Things To Do in NYC this Fall

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 10/04/2024 - 12:45pm

Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders at NYBG's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Photo by Ally Noel

With September behind us, we're focused on finding the best fall activities in NYC for families because it's official: The seasons are shifting. So, instead of lamenting the summer that was, we're looking forward to all the fall activities that await.

With that in mind, here's our season-long look at the best things to do this fall in NYC. After all, we've got assorted school holidays, plus a few long weekends to fill before the weather really changes. Without further ado, here is our fall bucket list, chock full of 35 things to do in NYC with kids.

Now that we've got you dreaming of fall, find our top picks for family-friendly fall day trips and more seasonal fun in our Guide to Fall Fun in NYC.

20 Things To Do in NYC with Babies Before they Turn 1

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 10/01/2024 - 1:25pm

Take your city baby to Rockaway Beach. All you need is a MetroCard and a sense of adventure.

Looking for the best things to do in NYC with babies? You've come to the right place. We've got parent-tested picks for family fun from birth to big kids.

The whole "New York City is a terrible place to raise babies" debate never seems to die, but as a mom of three NYC babies, I disagree. Yes, it can be a nuisance to find subway stations with working elevators and contend with tiny spaces and noisy neighbors. Still, there are so many enriching first-time experiences to share with your New York City baby that it's worth muddling through the inconveniences.

So, stock your diaper bag, strap your infant into a stroller or carrier, and try these 20 things to do in NYC with babies before age 1. Be sure to bookmark our NYC Baby Guide for all our top tips and picks for making the most of NYC with a little one in tow.

Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/27/2024 - 11:33am

The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.

If you've got a child in public school, you live by the public school calendar. Many local NYC preschools follow the NYC public school schedule, too. We're just over a week away from the first day of school in NYC, so we're re-sharing the New York City Department of Education's calendar for the 2024-2025 school year below. You'll want to bookmark it now for reference, and keep it handy to help with planning family vacations and school break camp coverage.

Once again, there will be no snow days. Plan on logging your kiddos on for a day of remote learning whenever buildings are closed for snow or other emergencies.

These are all of the dates you can count on your kiddos being out of school during the 2024-2025 school year.

Best Free and Cheap After-School Classes in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/23/2024 - 9:12am

The Children's Aid Society provides free and low-cost after-school classes to kids in New York City.

After a summer of expensive entertainment, we could all use this list of free and cheap after-school classes in NYC for kids!

The school year is barreling toward us, and that means it's (past) time to start thinking about after-school classes in NYC, too. Families looking for reasonably priced, enriching, and even free after-school programs for kids in New York City have plenty to choose from. There are tons of after-school programs for sports, arts, academics, and other classes to choose from. With offerings in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem, and more, you're bound to find a great inexpensive or free after-school program for your kids, no matter their ages, interests, or address.

We've rounded up 15 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school classes in NYC for kids, tweens, and teens throughout the five boroughs. If you're looking for more options, see our New York City Classes for Kids Guide and use our directory to search for programs by age, interest, and neighborhood.

Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/16/2024 - 7:27am

Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.

There's no lack of world-class museums in NYC, and the city is even home to plenty of amazing children's museums and cool immersive experiences, but sometimes you just. can't. deal. with. the. crowds. And sometimes, let's face it, you and your hard-to-impress NYC kids might just be in the mood for something a little different or off the beaten path...a little weird, even. After all, that's part of New York City's charm!

For those days, we present our list of weird, wacky, and wonderful under-the-radar museums in NYC that kids love. Read on for 12 picks you're unlikely to find in the tourist guidebooks.

25 Best Things To Do in Woodstock, NY, with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/12/2024 - 11:35am

Grab a colorful treat at Harley's Sweet Shop in Woodstock. Photo courtesy of the shop

The mention of Woodstock, New York, might conjure up visions of peace, love, and rock and roll but in reality, the Catskills town that lent its name to the music festival is a quaint destination for a daycation with kids. Hints of its past can be found, sure, but it's got a lovely small-town feel imbued with an artistic spirit.

Here are our favorite things to do in Woodstock, New York, with kids, plus our top picks for places to stay and eat. Find more top Catskills destinations on our list of the 40 best things to do in the Catskills with kids, and find more day trip inspiration in our Guide to Weekend Getaways.

40 Things To Do in NYC Before School Starts

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 08/04/2024 - 9:53am

Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette

With August upon us and the start of a new school year looming, my kids and I are in a panic about all the fun, summery things to do in NYC we haven't yet crossed off our NYC summer bucket list.

Sure, we've had a lot of fun tooling around the city, enjoying our favorite local swimming pool, reigniting a love for some of the best playgrounds in NYC, chilling out with some kid-pleasing ice-cold treats, and soaking up all the FREE things to do in NYC with kids in the summer. But, there are plenty of great activities we haven't gotten to. So, we've crafted this list of 40 things to do in NYC before summer ends.

For more ideas from Brooklyn to the Bronx, and even at home, check out our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide. Soon summer vacation will be a mere memory.

Guide to Visiting the Empire State Building with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/02/2024 - 11:11am

The Empire State Building is a classic NYC landmark that's worth visiting with kids during your next NYC trip or daycation.

Whether you think it's hopelessly romantic or a complete tourist trap, visiting the Empire State Building with kids is a can't-miss NYC moment. The landmarked building offers stunning views and a rich look at the city's history. A family visit to the Empire State Building—an Art Deco showpiece—is a timeless outing in NYC. Locals need not wait for out-of-towners to plan a trip. Here are our favorite reasons to visit the Empire State Building with kids, one of our favorite family-friendly attractions in NYC.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

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