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.
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The best cures for a summer heat wave: a spectacular splash pad, a dip in the local pool, and best of all, ice cream. Just in time for this sweltering summer, the folks behind the popular DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections have opened a summer-camp themed pop-up shop in Soho to serve up indulgent, nostalgic, super-cool treats.
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Putt-putt lovers take note: A brand new, 18-hole mini golf course on Governors Island is set to debut Saturday, June 23, just in time for the Figment Art Festival this weekend.
Brought to life by the folks behind Adventures at Governors Island (which also introduced a zip line and climbing wall to Governors), the new miniature golf course is located on the island's western shore, with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor beyond.
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When the Imagination Playground near South Street Seaport opened eight years ago, the concept was revolutionary. The brainchild of famed architect David Rockwell, the unique play space was the product of years of Rockwell's own research, inspired by parenting his city kids. Rockwell's flagship destination playground has since inspired other indoor play spaces and outdoor playgrounds, including a second Imagination Playground in Brownsville, Brooklyn, featuring those iconic, oversize blue building blocks.
What makes the Imagination Playground different? Unlike many city playgrounds, this one wasn't designed for the usual swinging, climbing, sliding, and wild romping. Instead, its figure-eight shape encourages creative play in distinct play areas that offer different experiences. It's not quite the free-for-all of NYC's only adventure playground on Governors Island, but it does include some DIY fun.
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Nothing says summer like a round of mini-golf and honing your putt-putt game is even better when it comes cost-free—so we're pretty excited about the Google Mini Golf pop-up now open in NYC's West Village.
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Romping room may not be tops on your list of Midtown West destinations, but most city dwellers know about the not-so-hidden emerald gem Bryant Park, which abounds with enough family- (and budget-) friendly fun for an entire day's worth of entertainment, no matter the season. Twirl on the carousel in warm weather or the city's only FREE ice skating rink come winter.
We've got the lowdown on all the fun this green space has to offer for locals and visitors alike, plus five playgrounds off-the-beaten Midtown path, where kids can climb, swing, and slide to their heart's content.
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Fearless Girl, the bronze statue put up in NYC by an investment firm last year ahead of International Women's Day, is about to get a new, long-term home in the city. The guerilla-style art installation was meant to bring attention to the lack of women in senior-level management positions and became an instant selfie magnet for women and girls of all ages.
It has spent the past year staring down the Charging Bull in Bowling Green Park on Broadway. She will be moved just north from the skinny Bowling Green median to a pedestrian-only spot directly in front of the New York Stock Exchange in the Financial District.
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We were instant fans of the adventure playground on Governors Island when it debuted in 2016 and are pleased to report the free-play haven returns for a third season, opening its gates to the public on Saturday, May 5 under a new moniker: The Yard.
The Yard will be open for FREE play every weekend during Governors Island's public operating season. Governors Island officially opens on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 and its season runs through Halloween.
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There are certain New York City celebrations we love so much, my daughter and I go every year, like the interactive, art-filled Figment on Governors Island, the incredible (and educational) World Maker Faire New York, and Street Games, the Parks Department's tribute to old-school pastimes.
I know I'm not the only mom out there who likes to plan ahead, and since the festival season kicks into high gear this month, we figured it was a great time to round up our top annual festivals for families. Every single pick on our list is either an event my family or one of our writers has been to personally, or an annual favorite endorsed by our friends and readers. In other words, they're really worth your time and money—even better, in many cases they don't cost a penny.
