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

A Family Adventure Above NYC: Tips for Visiting Top of the Rock with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 06/22/2025 - 7:16am

The Beam offers an unobstructed look at the panorama of the city below.

Visiting the Top of the Rock observation deck is on many tourists' must-do lists, but even locals should put it on their bucket lists. Even if you feel like you've already been there, seen that view, now is a good time to revisit this classic NYC attraction, which has added a pair of thrilling attractions in the past couple of years.

While city views are plentiful at NYC's five observation decks, each presents its own unique experience and perspective, including Top of the Rock. Here's what you can expect to see and do during your visit to the Top of the Rock observation deck, plus more things to do in the action-packed Rockefeller Center campus it calls home, whether you visit during the twinkling holiday season or at another time of year.

Best Free Swimming Pools in NYC for Families During Summer 2025

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 06/20/2025 - 10:13am

Head to the Bronx's Haffen Pool, one of our favorite free pools in NYC, to enjoy a day of swimming and splashing.

It's summertime, and if you want to go all-in on the wet-and-wild fun, take note: These free swimming pools in NYC open Friday, June 27, 2025, a day after public schools let out. With more than 50 free swimming pools in NYC to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to find the right outdoor swimming pool for your outing. We've done the legwork, though, rounding up our picks for the most family-friendly free swimming pools in NYC. These local NYC swimming pools are all places we've visited personally or have come highly recommended by families we know. Read on and get ready to dive in!

Find more cool places to play this summer in our Guide to Swimming Pools and Sprinkler Parks in NYC, plus all our picks for free fun on this list of 100 free things to do in NYC this summer.

NYC Summer Fun: 100 Amazing FREE Activities for Kids in 2025

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 06/08/2025 - 6:59am

Explore the parks and beaches on Staten Island, one of our 100 favorite free things to do this summer in NYC. Photo by Sara M.

Summer is the season of free things to do in NYC, and the sunny fun is already upon us. There are plenty of free summer activities in NYC everywhere you look, from summer festivals and free summer concerts to no-cost sports, kayaking on the waterways, and even free summer camps. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 100 free kids' activities in NYC this summer.

Some of our picks take place on specific days, while others are season-long activities and summer-only destinations. We've got tons more picks in our NYC Kids' Summer Guide and this list of 100 free things to do in NYC all year long.

Still searching for a summer camp for a week or two? Check out our NYC Kids' Summer Camp Guide.

Our Epic 2025 Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 05/25/2025 - 11:29am

Noshing on a funnel cake on the Coney Island boardwalk is a sweet ending to an epic day of summer fun.

When it comes to things to do in NYC, we're officially summer dreaming, and you're the beneficiary. We're sharing our summer bucket list of the top 51 things to do this summer in NYC with kids. Our picks are a mix of annual favorites and can't-miss, one-time-only events that prove the best vacation may just be a staycation.

Be sure to bookmark our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Guide and our list of 100 FREE things to do in NYC this summer for even more seasonal fun.

2025 Guide to the Best Free Summer Sports Programs in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 05/19/2025 - 12:21pm

Participants in the CityParks Track & Field program can compete in local races or citywide events. Photo by Durst Breneiser/courtesy of the CityParks Foundation

The huge number of free summer sports and outdoor programs in NYC means children can enjoy a summer filled with sports and fresh air while living in the concrete jungle. New York City offers many free summer sports opportunities for kids to learn team sports and try swimming, tennis, golf, basketball, fishing, kayaking, camping, and more.

Of course, registering for these free summer sports programs takes a little legwork and (since many are first come, first served) punctuality. We've got the scoop on free summer sports in NYC and how your kids can vie for spots. You can find more no-cost activities in our Free in NYC Guide, or check out these free and inexpensive summer camp options around NYC.

Ultimate 2025 Guide to NYC Splash Pads and Water Playgrounds

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 05/18/2025 - 10:52am

The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier

When we were growing up, New York City playgrounds had sprinklers. But now, splash pads in NYC have transformed into spraygrounds—entire playgrounds dedicated to water play with fountains, geysers, rivers, pumps, and beautiful spraying statues. Kids just love these splash parks in NYC, and parents prefer these newfangled sprinkler parks because they're pretty and cool and a great way to beat the heat.

Splash pad season in NYC parks usually kicks into gear when temperatures hit 80 degrees, and there are hundreds of splash parks and splash pads in NYC parks. Though we've highlighted some favorites by borough—calling out the best splash pads in Brooklyn, top sprinkler parks in Queens, and our favorite spraygrounds in the Bronx—the ones on this list are even cooler (literally and figuratively).

Read on for the 24 best splash pads in New York City. For more ideas to stay cool and keep busy, check out our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Guide and our Playgrounds and Parks Guide.

Guide to Fleet Week 2025 with Kids: Salute the Sailors, Tour the Ships, and More Fun for Families

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 05/13/2025 - 11:25am

The Parade of Ships is always a highlight of Fleet Week in NYC. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bradley Rickard

Editor's note: Fleet Week 2026 will take place from Saturday, July 4-Wednesday, July 8, 2026, as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States.

Fleet Week 2025, NYC's annual salute to sea services, returns for its 37th run next week with tons of family-friendly activities from Wednesday, May 21-Monday, May 26, 2025. Fleet Week NYC activities are an annual highlight of Memorial Day weekend in NYC, bringing tons of service members to our shores, plus family-friendly programming at the Intrepid Museum and at piers along the west side and in Staten Island.

Best Strawberry Picking Farms and Strawberry Festivals near NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:58pm

Strawberry picking at Bishop Farms makes for a sweet day trip.

Strawberry picking season is one of our favorite milestones of the late spring and early summer. Picking your own strawberries makes the season even sweeter. As we move into the height of strawberry picking season, there are a slew of local farms for strawberry picking near NYC, and a visit makes for a great day trip.

Read on to discover more than a dozen strawberry picking farms all less than two hours from Midtown Manhattan. We've also found a handful of strawberry festivals celebrating the season's bounty. You'll find even more pick-your-own fun in our Guide to Family-Friendly Farms near NYC.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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