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

New in NYC: 14 Family-Friendly Openings We're Looking Forward to in 2022

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 4:12pm

Soar over NYC landmarks with RiseNY. Photo courtesy of the RiseNY

Despite nearly two years of pandemic parenting, I'm still a "glass-half-full" kind of gal. With that in mind, I went on the hunt for hope on the horizon, compiling this list of 14 family-friendly openings in NYC we can't wait for in 2022. Our list of new fun for New Yorkers includes everything from new parks and playgrounds to immersive experiences, museums, and more. Read on for our list and bookmark our Guide to News and Openings to keep track of all the fun things to do all year long.

The Battery Playscape Brings Nature-Inspired Playground to Lower Manhattan

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 01/10/2022 - 4:00pm

A new playground is always cause for celebration in our book, and the debut of the long-awaited Battery Playscape in Lower Manhattan brought a spectacular, new, expanded play area to the neighborhood. We recently checked out the 1.5-acre playground, which is destined to land on our list of the city's best playgrounds.

Read on for the details on this new romping spot and find more of our favorite places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

15 Awesome Kid-Friendly Openings in NYC in 2021

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 11:50am

Seeing Lincoln Center's transformation to The GREEN and its calendar of free alfresco programming was a kid-friendly highlight of 2021.

As 2021 draws to a close, we're looking back on the year that was in NYC. There were highs that let us touch the sky, and lows that left us reeling, regrouping, and reevaluating. But in between it all, we managed to get out and enjoy a revitalized, rebounding city that packed plenty of kid-friendly fun. With that in mind, here are 15 highlights that make up our annual best kid-friendly openings in NYC.

Step Inside FAO Schwarz for Wonder, Magic, Tons of Toys

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 12/16/2021 - 12:09pm

It's hard to leave iconic NYC toy retailer FAO Schwarz empty handed!

Real-life toy soldiers who salute you when you enter, shelves overflowing the larger-than-life stuffed friends, toys classic and contemporary, and dozens of charismatic salespeople waiting to blow your mind with magic tricks, monster makers, and more—walking into the iconic FAO Schwarz at Rockefeller Center is an all-senses immersion into childhood wonder—and we haven't even mentioned the dance-on piano!

With lines stretching down the block, the well-known toy store has reinvented itself and re-established its spot as a must-visit destination for tourists, but it's also one of our favorite indoor places to play on bad weather days. Read on for nine reasons we love FAO Schwarz, the iconic, long-running toy retailer.

Masks & Vaccinations Policies in New York: Key to NYC and Safety Protocols for Kids and Visitors

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/13/2021 - 10:30am

Whether you're visiting NYC or live here, you'll need to take into account the Key to NYC vaccine requirement. Photo by author

Local families and visitors take note: New York state has reinstituted its mask mandate, while New York City's COVID vaccine requirement rules now apply to children ages 5+. Here's what you need to know about where vaccines are required and the latest on mask mandates in NYC and nearby so you can enjoy all the city has to offer during the magical holiday season and beyond.

The Met Brings a Touch of Disney Magic to its Galleries in New Exhibition

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 12/10/2021 - 10:32am

Towers from famed Disney princess castles? No, 18th-century vases by French sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet.

See pop culture in a whole new light at a brand new exhibition at The Met. New York City's largest art museum turns its critical eye toward an unusual subject, honoring the iconic work of Walt Disney in a first-of-its-kind installation titled Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts. The exhibit provides a stunning juxtaposition of the old and new, merging treasures from the museum's collection with a trove of works from the Disney brand as well as the Disney family collection.

Read on for more details on the exhibit and find more kid-friendly installations in our Guide to Museums in NYC.

Santa in the City: 25 Awesome Santa Activities for NYC Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/06/2021 - 6:41pm

Head to The Plaza for a classic holiday tea, and a memorable visit with the season's biggest celebrity. Photo by author

Christmas in New York is nothing short of magical. From fabulous holiday windows to dozens of tree lightings, spectacular seasonal shows, and multiple iterations of The Nutcracker, New York is the place to be during the holiday season. The biggest star of all is, of course, Santa Claus himself. And as it turns out, the man of the hour is pretty busy in NYC in the days leading up to Christmas. There are plenty of spots to take a photo with Santa or even have a special meal with Mr. Claus, plus dozens more ways to share a special holiday moment with the big guy in the big city, from ice skating with Santa to gawking at the zaniest parade of Santas.

So grab a hot cocoa and read on for 25 awesome Santa-in-the-city experiences to enjoy before he takes flight from the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights Take Visitors on an After-Dark Safari This Season

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 11/30/2021 - 12:24pm

Walk past stunning lanterns and through tunnels of light at the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights.

The Bronx Zoo's glittering Holiday Lights have returned for another season of winter magic. While most of the zoo animals huddled in hibernation or winter holding, the zoo's grounds come to life this season with a series of sparkling, larger-than-life lantern safaris and plenty more seasonal thrills that makes this a fun destination on a cold winter's night.

If you can't make it to the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, consider a visit to one of these other seasonal light shows in city limits, and find more holiday fun in our Guide to the Holidays in NYC.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

Pages