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

Super League's Minecraft League: STEM Learning in a Movie Theater

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 10/02/2015 - 6:00am

Leagues of kids playing Minecraft in movie theaters all over the country? We're thrilled to share our cool new sponsor's unique program! Inspiring kids in STEM subjects is a topic on lots of parental minds (you may even have a tab open to the free coding apps you've been meaning to download), but much of this learning seems to be a solo affair. Super League Gaming takes Minecraft enrichment to a whole new level, bringing kids together to play the mega-popular computer game on big screens at movie theaters nationwide.

Sugar Hill Children's Museum Opens in Harlem

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 10/01/2015 - 4:00pm

New York City just gained a brand-new children's museum. Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling opens to the public on Saturday, October 3 with a FREE kickoff party that includes music, face painting and of course stories and art-making. The museum aims to serve the youngest New Yorkers with a target audience of 3 to 8 years old.

As a Harlem resident, I was especially excited about this new space and, after getting a sneak peek, I'm delighted to welcome it to the nabe.

News: STEM City? Mini Maker Faires Arrive and Computer Science Push at Schools

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/24/2015 - 4:00pm

Good news for budding Makers everywhere: A nationwide series of Mini Maker Faires will arrive in NYC this fall. A partnership between Barnes & Noble and Make: Magazine will bring mini workshops that encourage kids to experiment with technology like robotics and 3D printing to city stores November 6-8.

Of course, don't forget that the massive World Maker Faire kicks off on Saturday, September 26, in Queens at the New York Hall of Science. (It's a Mommy Poppins September GoList and top weekend event pick.)

A weekend workshop is one thing, but Mayor Bill de Blasio wants to make sure NYC kids have access to computer science every day with a new city school initiative. Read on for the scoop on this and other parenting news this week, including Midtown's new food hall and the best ways to navigate city streets during the pope's visit.

Kid Lit Takes Center Stage at Brooklyn Book Festival This Saturday

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/17/2015 - 11:00am

Calling all the little literary lovers: Brooklyn Heights is the place to be this weekend as the Brooklyn Book Festival debuts its very first Children's Day, an all-day, FREE reading festival with top children's book authors and illustrators. The outdoor event kicks off on Saturday, September 19, in downtown Brooklyn the day before the adult version of the lit fest takes place.

Expect two stages of non-stop storytimes, a fast-paced illustration face-off, music and workshops, and with readings from pop-up books to Mad Libs and chapter books, there's something here for the toddlers on up to the teens. No wonder this event made our September GoList and Weekend Event picks!

News: What to Know for Back to School with NYC Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/10/2015 - 10:45am

This week marked back-to-school for the 1.1 million children in NYC public schools, as well as many private-school counterparts, and the 2015-2016 academic year brings with it no shortage of new systems to master and even new holidays! For example, the DOE's new parent portal we told you about last spring—NYC Schools Account—is now up and running!

Parents will find students' test scores, attendance records and report cards (in 10 languages) in the new portal, which is accessible by computer, tablet or smartphone—a major improvement over its predecessor. You'll need an activation code handed out by your child's school to access the personalized, free account page. All the instructions and required documents can be found on the schools account page.

Read on for more school news and updates throughout NYC.

News: STEM Apps, Kid Environmental Center Opens and Extended Beach Days

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/03/2015 - 12:30pm

New York City kids are privy to some of the best museums in the world, and this week, the city's cultural institutions seemed to be trying to outdo one another with great family programming.

The New York Hall of Science launched a suite of apps poised to bring STEM-inspired fun straight to your iPad, while the Staten Island Museum's new location at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center prepares for a grand-opening, Lincoln Center expanded free family programming to the outer boroughs and the Metropolitan Opera kicked off its late Summer Festival lineup.

In other news, don't pack away your sunblock just yet. For the first time in decades, NYC beaches will remain open past Labor Day! With additional funding for lifeguards and other beach workers, New Yorkers can now enjoy the city beaches through Sunday, September 13. NYC public pools, however, still close on Labor Day.

Read on for more news throughout the five boroughs.

After-School Classes in NYC: Sports, Dance and Nature

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 08/30/2015 - 4:00pm

Returning to the back-to-school routine is challenging enough for most NYC families, but add in finding enriching after-school care to the mix and suddenly we're feeling totally overwhelmed.

Luckily, Mommy Poppins is here to help you sort this all out. Recently we told you about the city's FREE after-school care program that runs 3 to 6pm every school day at recreation centers in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. Now we're rounding up the best NEW after-school class options for NYC kids so you can wish those summer days good-bye a little easier and possibly–maybe?–turn that "school's starting" frown upside down.

Find more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

Hudson Yards Is Home to Midtown's Latest Playground

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/24/2015 - 10:15am

Kids on Manhattan's West Side just gained a brand-new jungle gym. The playground sprung up earlier this month near the ongoing Hudson Yards redevelopment project, which is transforming a 28-acre section of Midtown West into shiny new high-rise offices, high-end shops, residences, hotels, restaurants and a public school, as well as access to the 7-train extension when completed. The development is expected to create 14 acres of open space, including multiple green spaces. The newly opened neighborhood park, which houses the newest NYC playground, is a city park operated by the Hudson Yards/Hell's Kitchen Alliance.

We've tested out the new playground, which includes a cool canopy for fending off the summer heat, so read on for our review of this new kid-friendly green space and jungle gym.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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