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

Funny Shows for a Girls’ Night Out in NYC This Fall

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 09/12/2016 - 10:30am

You made it through the summer. The kids are back in school. Now for a little me time. And I don’t mean just sitting quietly reveling in being alone for the first time in months (although that’s awesome too). It’s time to go out with some friends and laugh your patooties off together. Hey, maybe even have dinner and adult beverages!

So gather your girl crew, ditch the mini-mes, and head out for a night of fun. We picked out a few Off-Broadway shows that won’t break your budget (one is only $5!), but will give you plenty of giggles. You deserve this!

Things To Do in Silicon Valley: A Kid’s Guide to Tech and Science Fun

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 08/27/2016 - 9:55am

“What would you do with kids in Silicon Valley?,” people asked me when they heard we were planning on spending a few weeks there this summer. Sure, the nerd capitol of America doesn’t sound that thrilling at first. But just as we have to thank the geeks and nerds for bringing us great stuff like the smart phone, the internet and Pokemon Go!, having all those squares concentrated in one place means San Jose, Palo Alto, and the surrounding towns are jam-packed with some pretty awesome stuff for those of us who appreciate the geekier side of life.

Whether your family members are true technology buffs or just love a good science museum, there’s loads of fun from Santa Cruz to Palo Alto to get your geek on. Here are the top things to do in Silicon Valley for science and technology-loving kids:

Blue Waters Antigua: A Luxury Spot for Family Vacations

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 08/16/2016 - 11:00am

Blue Waters Resort and Spa in Antigua is not your everyday vacation destination. This luxury spot is perfect for that special-occasion getaway, especially a multigenerational family vacation. With villas that can be configured for 1-6 bedrooms and a staff that makes sure everything goes smoothly, families can plan a truly get-away-from-it-all trip, including all the logistics and interests of a big-family vacation, and feel confident it will be a hit.

Antigua is known for its laid-back and friendly people, bright blue waters and 365 sandy beaches. Blue Waters Resort offers all that, with luxury suites, and service to boot. The staff is as friendly as it gets and bends over backward to make sure you are happy.

Neil deGrasse Tyson Vets the Science of Ice Age: Collision Course

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 11:25am

Ice Age: Collision Course is the fifth epic adventure for Scrat and friends. This time their pursuit of the elusive acorn leads the heros on a cosmic attempt to save the universe. You can bet the film is full of fun and laughs for the entire family, but what about the science? None other than Neil deGrasse Tyson, America’s favorite astrophysicist and the voice behind the film’s character Neil deBuck Weasel, has taken the time to vet the science behind the cosmic epic.

Pokemon Go Is the Most Awesome (and Dangerous) Mobile Game Ever

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 07/11/2016 - 9:00am

To say the July launch of Pokémon Go has been a phenomenon would be to vastly understate it. Few mobile games have ever launched to so much anticipation and so many immediate downloads. And, it’s obvious why it would. Pokémon Go takes mobile gaming to a whole new dimension.

The idea of Pokémon Go is to turn your real-life environment into a Pokémon world through augmented reality technology. Players collect Pokémon as they move around, and, through their phones, Pokemon appear right in their real world. The Pokémon, and Poke Stops, are scattered all over the map, so as you travel through life you will find and catch more. When players get to higher levels, they can train and battle their Pokémon as well.

Pokémon Go has already had a huge impact on my kids. Some of it is super good, but there are also some trends that are very concerning. Here’s what parents need to know about what to love and what to fear about Pokémon Go.

Rainforest Adventure Awaits at Ecotourist Gem in Honduras

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 06/11/2016 - 12:30pm

Imagine eating breakfast while toucans soar from tree to tree just feet from your perch. By day, you hike the same trails that cougars roam at night. And your evening activity is prowling the resort paths spotting kinkajous, tree frogs, and spiders as big as your fist. This is not a canned jungle-themed ecotourism resort experience; this is the jungle. And you are in it.

Off the radar for many, Honduras offers 300,000 acres of protected rain and cloud forests and beautiful Caribbean waters with one of the last unspoiled coral reefs. The Lodge and Spa at Pico Bonito, named for the national park it sits in, is one of the independent properties trying to draw more ecotourism to help ensure that the amazing natural resources, and the stunning array of wildlife that live in them, persevere.

NYC Toy Stores for Special Needs Children

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 05/14/2016 - 9:17pm

As anyone who's gone toy shopping in NYC knows, the choices are endless. For parents of children with special needs, shopping for toys brings on a whole different bunch of considerations. I've learned this whether buying or receiving toys as gifts for my two children who each received Early Intervention services.

Whether you're shopping for your own special-needs child or the child of a friend or relative, here are some New York City toy stores that carry outstanding products for children of all abilities. There are no chain stores here, just excellent independent shops where you'll get personalized attention (if you want it) from a knowledgeable staff who has seen and heard it all.

Families Flip for Club Med Punta Cana Relaunch

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 05/12/2016 - 10:00am

Club Med invented the all-inclusive resort, so it’s no surprise that it offers some of the most popular family-friendly resort destinations in the Caribbean, as well as around the world. The all-inclusive resort has become so preferred by families, and the competition so fierce, that resorts keep upping the ante to make their experiences more and more enticing. That’s a big win for families, who get to enjoy the ever-increasing amenities of these resorts. Club Med is meeting the challenge with the relaunch of its all-inclusive family resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with cool circus experiences and boutique-hotel styling. I was invited to check it out and was wowed by the new offerings.

Anna Fader

Latest posts by Anna

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