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

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

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 06/09/2024 - 5:45am

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 50 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 Vacation Guide and our list of 100 FREE things to do in NYC this summer for even more seasonal fun.

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

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/30/2024 - 1:19pm

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.

100 Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 05/26/2024 - 6:39am

Frolic in the Fountain of the Fairs, one of our 100 favorite free things to do this summer in NYC.

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

Some of our picks take place on specific days, while others are season-long activities and summer-only destinations. If you’re looking for more free things to do in NYC with kids, bookmark our list of 101 free things to do in NYC all year long and our Free in NYC Guide, which is jam-packed with fun, no-cost activities.

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

25 Top Splash Pads and Sprinkler Parks in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 05/24/2024 - 11:30am

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. Now parks and playgrounds across the five boroughs have transformed into spraygrounds—entire playgrounds dedicated to water play with fountains, geysers, rivers, pumps, and beautiful spraying statues. Kids just love these splash pads in NYC, and parents prefer these newfangled sprinkler parks because they're pretty and cool and a great way to beat the heat.

Sprinkler season in NYC parks usually kicks into gear when temperatures hit 80 degrees, and there are hundreds of sprinkler 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 25 best splash pads in New York City. For more ideas to stay cool and keep busy, check out our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

TDF Gifts Grads Discount Broadway Tickets and Chance to See Hell's Kitchen for Free

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 05/22/2024 - 12:44pm

Graduating public school seniors can get a FREE TDF Membership and a chance to win tickets to see Hell's Kitchen. Photo courtesy of TDF

If you've got a high school senior who is into the arts, listen up: TDF, the not-for-profit performing arts org, is offering FREE year-long TDF memberships to graduating high school seniors from NYC public and charter schools. So, if your kid can't wait to see everything from Broadway shows to off-Broadway performances, dance, and more—all at deeply discounted prices—read on for details on how they can score this special gift. Students who register by Monday, June 10 can enter a drawing for up to two tickets to a special students-only showing of Hell's Kitchen, too!

NYBG's Newest Installation Invites Visitors to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/16/2024 - 1:14pm

The White Rabbit is a super-sized centerpiece of the NYBG's Wonderland: Curious Nature exhibition.

The New York Botanical Garden is inviting visitors to fall down the rabbit hole this spring, summer, and fall. Its sprawling grounds have been transformed into a collection of curiosities in Wonderland: Curious Nature.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the garden-wide exhibition includes contemporary art, beautiful blooms, fantastical foliage, themed sweets and treats, and some creative programming guaranteed to add a little wonder to your next visit. It runs through Sunday, October 27, 2024.

Guide to Fleet Week 2024 with Kids: Salute the Sailors, Tour the Ships, and More Fun for Families

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 05/14/2024 - 11:49am

The USS Bataan is set to sail into New York Harbor for Fleet Week 2024. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bradley Rickard

Fleet Week 2024, NYC's annual salute to sea services, returns for its 36th run next week with tons of family-friendly activities from Wednesday, May 22-Monday, May 27, 2024. 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, in Times Square, and at piers along the west side and in Staten Island.

Best Amusement Parks near NYC for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 05/10/2024 - 6:56am

Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, NJ, offers a classic summer experience. Photo by Margaret Hargrove

If you're looking for amusement parks for toddlers and preschoolers near NYC, there's no need to seek out the latest scary high-tech roller coasters. For young children, a ride on a carousel’s painted pony, a spin with dad around the bumper car track, and a dripping swirl of frozen custard are the stuff summer memories are made of.

Happily, several amusement and water parks in or near the New York City metro area offer these kinds of tame attractions. Here's our roundup of theme parks perfect for the pint-sized.

Find more seasonal rides in our Theme and Water Parks Guide for families.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

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