Anna Fader

Founder of Mommy Poppins

A fourth-generation Brooklynite, Anna started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to help families find the best things to do with kids in NYC, with a particular emphasis on sharing activities that are free, affordable, and enriching. The site, used by millions of families, has grown to become the ultimate resource for parents in the major US cities, plus travel guides for 100s of destinations.

Anna is a believer in the magic of summer camps, traveling with kids, and that you can raise kids on a budget and still have a rich life full of amazing memories. Anna's first Mommy Poppins book, The Young Traveler's Journal and Activity Book, published in 2025 and co-written with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman, brings that ethos to life, in addition to this website.

Latest posts by Anna

New Discovery at Sea Brings Science and Nature Themes to Princess Cruises

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 05/27/2017 - 12:00pm

Cruises are fun. How can you beat a giant floating resort with entertainment, amusements, unlimited food, and fun at every turn? And that’s just on the ship. My favorite part of a cruise is waking up in a new location to explore.

Now, Princess Cruises is bringing more joy of discovery to your next vacation at sea with a new partnership. Teaming up with Discovery Channel, new Discovery At Sea excursions and on-ship programming bring to life the nature, wildlife, and history of each destination. We were hosted on the Grand Princess, sailing year round from San Francisco, and the first ship to offer the new Discovery at Sea programming.

We Ate Meal Kits for A Month – Here's What We Learned

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 10:05am

I tried every meal kit, and it wasn't at all what I expected.

I am a meal planning fanatic (yes, spreadsheets and all). So I was curious to try out the new trend of meal kit delivery services to see if they really make family dinnertime with kids easier. And because I’m completely compulsive, I signed up for every single meal kit option out there, so that my family ate only meal kits for five weeks. Want to know how it went?

After cooking dozens of meal kits, here’s my obsessive, totally non-sponsored rundown of the best and worst. If I didn’t answer your question here, feel free to check out my meal kit review videos on Facebook and leave a question there.

10 Tips for Last Minute Yellowstone National Park Accommodations

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 7:57am

The word is that if you want to visit the popular national parks like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon you have to plan a year in advance because the accommodations get booked up.

When we decided to take a last minute cross country drive last summer, I thought we might have to skip Yellowstone. In a panic, I started looking into how to get accommodations about a week before our arrival. Sure enough, all the rooms were booked for the two nights we wanted to stay in the park. But, in the end, it all worked out and we had an amazing stay. It was definitely worth it. Read on for my best tips for booking last minute accommodations at Yellowstone and other national parks.

Mini Golf, Batting Cages, and Fun for Kids in the Hamptons and North Fork

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 04/20/2017 - 9:25am

Yes, the beaches are beautiful in the Hamptons and North Fork, but sooner or later, your family is going to be looking for something else to do this summer. For a change of pace and a chance for your kids to brush up on their golf and baseball bat swings, or just get out of the sun, we’ve rounded up a list of family-friendly mini golf courses, batting cages and indoor fun like arcades out east.

Most places have snack bars and some offer other amenities such as boat rentals so you can make a whole day of it.

For more fun activities on the east end, be sure to check out our guide to the Hamptons and North Fork and our listing of kayak, canoe, and paddle board rental places. And when your family is ready to hit the beach again, we found the best beaches for families on Long Island. Have fun!

Playland Park: Old-Fashioned Amusement Park Fun in Rye

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 04/13/2017 - 4:00pm

New Yorkers often bemoan rapid changes to old-school spots such as Coney Island, where recent "upgrades" seem to have wiped away the grit and charm of old Gotham. Anyone who yearns for the New York of yesteryear needs to head directly to Playland in Rye, New York. Somehow, the amusement park in southern Westchester, in operation since 1928, has managed to revitalize itself with modern standards while maintaining the original charm of the last century. It’s among the most underrated gems for summer fun in the area.

Summer Brain Quest Kickoff Party at Luna Park FAQ

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 03/27/2017 - 5:28pm

You have successfully purchased your ticket(s) to the Mommy Poppins Summer Brain Quest Kickoff Party on Saturday, May 20 from 12-4pm at Luna Park.

When you arrive at Luna Park you will see a Mommy Poppins tent. Join us for some fun activities and we will give you your goody bags and a voucher to claim your wristband at the Luna Park ticket window.

The wrist bands are good for 4 hours from when you claim them at the Luna Park ticket window.

Brain Quest Summer Kickoff Party at Luna Park with Mommy Poppins

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 03/25/2017 - 3:25pm

No place in NYC says summer more than Luna Park and Coney Island: so we thought it'd be the perfect place to host a Mommy Poppins Summer Brain Quest Kickoff Party!

Put Myths To The Test At MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibit

Submitted by Anna Fader on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 10:33am

You don’t have to be a fan of the hit Discovery Channel show MythBusters to love the new exhibit at Liberty Science Center. Like the television show, the exhibit is fun, exciting, educational and, yes, a bit wacky. The 100% interactive MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibit lets visitors become MythBusters to confirm or deny myths as they test them out for themselves in exhibits that will have them running, swinging and dodging bullets. Don’t miss this super fun exhibit. Educational fun: Confirmed!

Anna Fader

Latest posts by Anna

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