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

Pictures with Santa Claus in NYC in 2024

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 12/02/2024 - 2:23pm

At the Apollo's Winter Wonderland, guests can take pictures with Santa and enjoy live performances. Photo courtesy of the Apollo

Santa Claus is coming to town and New York City kids have plenty of places to take pictures with Santa this season. From the heartwarming experience at Macy's Santaland to appearances at area malls—Santa is popping up and posing all over town.

Read on for our favorite spots to take pictures with Santa all across the five boroughs, including our very own Mommy Poppins Santa Studio at City Point that's completely FREE.

Our rundown of Christmas tree lightings in NYC offers more opportunities to see jolly old St. Nick, plus you can snap pictures with Santa these brunches, teas, and cruises. Our Guide to Christmas and the Holidays in NYC offers even more holiday fun.

NYC Public Restrooms: Apps, Maps, and Best Bets to Find Bathrooms on the Go

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 11/19/2024 - 10:47am

With a little know how, you'll know where to go the next time a potty emergency strikes.

Whether you're a tourist stuck in Times Square or a local on the go, finding a clean public restroom in NYC can be a challenge. However, with a little insider knowledge, you might realize there are actually clean and safe bathrooms all around NYC. This guide to NYC public restrooms includes the best resources for finding a clean public WC in the city, from restroom finder apps, to maps that claim to have mapped every bathroom location in NYC, to the most reliable places to find bathrooms in any borough.

If you want more insider tips on navigating NYC with kids, check out our NYC Travel Guide for Kids and Familles.

Best Clothing Labels and Name Tags for Kids' Gear—for Camp, School, or Daycare

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 08/13/2024 - 9:05am

Parents rave about the staying power of Mabel's Labels.

Labeling kids' gear: it's a parenting chore that just needs to get done. As kids prepare for a new school year or camp season, we need to label every article of clothing, towel, backpack, lunchbox, thermos, and every other bit of gear that will travel along to summer camp, to school, or to daycare—in the hopes that when it inevitably gets lost, it will find its way home to you.

Nothing's going to make this job of labeling camp clothes, baby bottles, or school supplies fun, but we've rounded up the whole range of different ways you can label your kids' stuff, from swimsuits to water bottles and sippy cups, with beautifully embroidered personalized labels to fun, custom name tags with cute, colorful designs, to ones you can make at home.

Here are a few of the best name labels for kids' and baby gear that we've found, and yes, most offer dishwasher-safe, easy peel-and-stick options!

Check out our Back-to-School Guide or our local summer camp guide for more ideas!

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants and More Places to Eat Near the National Mall in Washington, DC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 03/01/2024 - 2:00pm

There are several great places to eat with kids near the National Mall. Photo courtesy of Carmine's

When people think of Washington, DC, the National Mall and Memorial Parks are typically the first place that comes to mind. Home to over 100 monuments and memorials, it tops our list of the best tourist attractions in DC. But finding good, kid-friendly food near the National Mall can be a real challenge—one you really don't need when you and your kids are hungry and tired from a long day of walking.

To help you fill your families' tummies fast, here are our favorite kid-friendly restaurants and other places to eat near the National Mall. From sit-down eateries to food trucks to museum cafes, all of these spots are within walking distance of the Mall.

For even more great places to eat with kids in our nation's capital, check out our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide.

New Orleans Mardi Gras with Kids 3-Day Itinerary

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 02/12/2024 - 12:09pm

<i>Kids absolutely love catching Mardi Gras beads.</i>

Is Mardi Gras kid-friendly? If you think of Mardi Gras as a raucous, bawdy, booze-fest, you might not think it’s a very family-friendly event. But, for locals, Mardi Gras is for families.

I took my nephew to New Orleans for Mardi Gras to celebrate his tenth birthday and I think it’s safe to say that he had the best 10th birthday weekend imaginable. Everywhere we went, we were surrounded by other families and saw first-hand how much people cater to kids at Mardi Gras to make sure they have a great time. Not only did we see anything “adult”, but it was actually an educational trip where we learned a lot about New Orleans and the history and culture of Mardi Gras.

If you want to plan a Mardi Gras vacation for your family, I’ve created a three-day itinerary that will give you the best of kid-friendly Mardi Gras, plus many other kid-friendly activities to explore New Orleans and its history and culture. For more New Orleans fun, check our other article, The Best Things To Do in New Orleans With Kids.

Baltimore with Kids: 50 Best Things to Do in Baltimore, MD

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 02/10/2024 - 9:47am

Kids can take an immersion tour or have an aquarium sleepover at the National Aquarium. Photo by Chris Mattle

Baltimore, Maryland is an incredibly kid-friendly and walkable city full of history, culture, and fun. The famous Inner Harbor offers the impressive National Aquarium, the fantastic Port Discovery Children's Museum, family-friendly restaurants, museums and science centers, and more. And the city is heaven for transportation lovers, with train museums and boats galore.

Baltimore's proximity to our nation's capital doesn't hurt, either. With only about 40 miles separating Washington, DC from Baltimore, it’s easy to visit both cities in one weekend.

Here is our list of 50 fun things to do in Baltimore with kids, including family-friendly Baltimore hotels and restaurants. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more fun cities to visit across the US and beyond.

Guide to the Best Family-Friendly Ski Areas near NYC for Your Next Winter Getaway

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 01/11/2024 - 10:43am

Mount Peter, in the heart of the Hudson Valley, is a great place for beginning skiers.

It's easy to embrace winter at these family-friendly ski areas near NYC. We've rounded up 10 local ski areas sure to entertain any family, whether you're bringing along beginners, looking for an all-inclusive weekend away, or want entertaining perks beyond the slopes.

A winter sport like skiing is a great way to get outdoors as a family. Read on to find out which of these family-friendly ski areas near NYC matches your skill level and interest.

Want more family-friendly ski areas or picks for other snow sports? Check out our Guide to Skiing and Snow Sports, which offers more options in the tri-state area, New England, and even California. We've also got picks for the best snowboarding parks and snow tubing spots near NYC.

Belize Family Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Best Resorts and Top Things to Do with Kids in Belize

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:00pm

Belize is the perfect tropical vacation destination for families.

If you're always on the lookout for those hidden-gem vacation destinations, here’s your PSA to put Belize on your family travel bucket list before the masses discover it.

Whether you love an all-inclusive Caribbean beach resort or like to stay active with lots of activities, cultural experiences, and natural wonders to explore, Belize offers a unique blend of the Caribbean and Central American cultures. That makes it a fascinating destination for families looking for a bit of everything, from beaches and reefs to jungles and ancient Mayan ruins.

The fact that English is the official language makes Belize a particularly convenient destination for English-speaking travelers, without sacrificing its exotic allure.

With a native Belizean (and dad) from Travel Belize as my guide, I was able to get the real inside scoop on the best things to do in Belize—plus some great kid-friendly resorts for families—to help you plan an amazing trip to Belize for your next family vacation. Read on for our Belize family travel guide, then see our Guide to the Best Caribbean Family Travel for even more warm and sunny family vacation ideas.

Anna Fader

Latest posts by Anna

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