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

See the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 11/17/2025 - 4:04pm

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0

Thanksgiving in New York City wouldn’t be what it is without the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you're eager to take your kids to glimpse those giant balloons and don’t want to rise before dawn, visit the area near the American Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, to watch the giants come to life during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation.

While the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is far from crowd-free, it’s an only-in-New York event all its own—and one of our must-do holiday events for families. Read on for tips on when to go and where to eat. In need of more holiday inspiration? Visit our NYC Kids Thanksgiving Fun Guide.

Midtown Manhattan Is Getting a Magical Double-Decker Carousel this Christmas Season

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/13/2025 - 12:35pm

A double-decker Christmas Carousel is set to rotate just steps from Macy's this holiday season. Photo courtesy of 34th Street Bid

A double-decker Christmas Carousel is set to start spinning in Midtown Manhattan this Christmas season, and we can't wait to give it a whirl! Located in Greeley Square, between 32nd and 33rd Streets, it's right outside Macy's Herald Square, and guaranteed to add more seasonal magic to one of NYC's most famous addresses.

Located just steps from Macy's Santaland, and surrounded by the enchanting Macy's Holiday Square Market that debuted last season, it's a magical addition to a holiday outing. Find all of our top picks for seasonal fun on our NYC Kids Guide to Christmas and the Holidays.

Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 11/09/2025 - 8:56am

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a must-see holiday destination in NYC. Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Gardens

When it comes to holiday activities in NYC, locals know that even though there's a week of Kwanzaa, eight nights of Hanukkah, and 12 days of Christmas, the holiday season in NYC really lasts from early November through New Year's Eve. That's almost two months of only-in-NY holiday activities and special Christmas events.

Of course, not all Christmas events and holiday activities are created equal. That's why we've rounded up the absolute best ways to get into the spirit of the season. Here is our curated list of must-do holiday activities and Christmas events in NYC in 2025. Consider this seasonal bucket list our gift to you. Below, we're detailing a dozen NYC Christmas events and holiday activities sure to give your family a season of happy memories.

Our picks for New York City's top holiday activities are a mix of classic favorites, like the star-studded Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and new classics, like the return of the beloved Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show. You'll find plenty more family-friendly seasonal celebrations in our NYC Kids' Ultimate Guide to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Holiday Fun, which includes picks for everything from Christmas towns near NYC to the best Nutcracker ballets for kids, and more sweet seasonal treats.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025: Where to Watch, What's New

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 11/03/2025 - 12:56pm

Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrates its 99th anniversary this November, taking over the streets of Manhattan on Thursday, November 27, 2025, exhilarating the city with its boisterous marching bands, extravagant floats, and giant balloon characters.

If you're planning to attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with kids (and millions of others!), read on for the most up-to-date information on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route, best viewing locations, and other highlights. Looking for where to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 on TV instead? Read on for that, too. You'll find more holiday inspiration in our Thanksgiving Fun Guide for NYC Families.

Enthusiastic paradegoers know the family fun actually begins the day before as the trademark giant balloons receive their annual helium injections—in fact, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon inflation is even included in our list of 100 things to do with your kids in NYC before they grow up. Check out our in-depth Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade inflation post for an overview of the Wednesday night festivities.

Sweet Dreams Await at Pillsbury's Let It Dough Hotel Suite in Midtown Manhattan

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 10/27/2025 - 11:25am

Every morning feels like Christmas at Pillsbury's Let It Dough Suite at the Club Wyndham Midtown 45.

Guests planning a NYC holiday vacation—or even a Christmastime staycation—are in for a sweet surprise: Club Wyndham and Pillsbury have joined forces to offer the sweetest escape south of the North Pole!

Think a fireplace glowing with holiday cheer, cookie-scented decor, and icing-dripped window trimmings, plus a fully stocked refrigerator for all your holiday baking needs and the Doughboy himself on speed dial offering holiday cheer and baking tips.

We got a sneak peek and can report that this hotel suite takes the cake for the most festive NYC hotel this holiday season. Read on for all the sprinkle-dusted details on how to score your own stay here.

Free and Cheap After-School Classes in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/04/2025 - 12:18pm

The Children's Aid Society provides free and low-cost after-school classes to kids in New York City.

After a summer of expensive entertainment, we could all use this list of free and cheap after-school classes in NYC for kids!

The school year has arrived, and that means it's (past) time to start thinking about after-school classes in NYC, too. Families looking for reasonably priced, enriching, and even free after-school programs for kids in New York City have plenty to choose from. There are tons of after-school programs for sports, arts, academics, and other options to choose from. With offerings in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem, and more, you're bound to find a great inexpensive or free after-school program for your kids, no matter their ages, interests, or address.

We've rounded up 18 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school classes in NYC for kids, tweens, and teens throughout the five boroughs. If you're looking for more options, see our New York City Kids' Guide to Classes, and use our directory to search for programs by age, interest, and neighborhood.

Hidden Gem in NYC: Home for Retired Playground Animals in Flushing Meadows Park

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/02/2025 - 11:20am

Come nose-to-nose with the adorable aardvark at the Home for Retired Playground Animals in Queens.

Longtime readers know we're always on the hunt for New York City's best playgrounds, but even our favorites get a revamp from time to time. When it's time for a refresh, some of NYC's beloved playground animals are put out to pasture—literally in the Home for Retired Playground Animals, an enchanting destination in the middle of the sprawling Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

A lovely spot to visit in any season—or a diversion from the action at the nearby Billie Jean King National Tennis Center—here's where to find this hidden gem for families in NYC. You can bookmark our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds for all our favorite outdoor places to play.

Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/19/2025 - 9:24am

The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.

If you've got a child in public school, you live by the public school calendar. Many local NYC preschools follow the public school schedule, too. The New York City Department of Education's calendar for the 2025-2026 school year is below, and you'll want to bookmark it now for reference—and to help with planning family vacations and school break camp coverage.

Once again, there will be no snow days. Plan on logging your NYC kiddos on for a day of remote learning whenever buildings are closed for snow or other emergencies.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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