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

The 20 Most Insane, Must-Try Desserts in NYC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 08/25/2023 - 10:41am

Indulge in the over-the-top milkshakes at Black Tap. Photo courtesy of the shop

When it comes to the best desserts in NYC, we couldn't help but wonder: Are they just eye candy? We headed out with a gaggle of kids to test the best, most amazingly outrageous desserts in New York City to discover which lived up to the hype. Below is the crème de la crème of over-the-top treats and desserts in NYC.

These delicious NYC desserts are all perfect for a special outing with kids or some bonding time. So get ready to wow your kids with the most awesome sweets in NYC.

Find more of our top NYC eats in our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide, which includes everything from our picks for the best pizza in NYC to the most iconic, must-visit NYC restaurants, and more.

Your Ultimate Summer Starts with Our Nickelodeon Resort Giveaway, Deals, and Guide

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 06/06/2023 - 11:47am

Enjoy the Summer of Spongebob, courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana - and Mommy Poppins!

Are you ready for the best summer ever? Aye, Aye, Captain! Mommy Poppins is bringing you the #UltimateSummer with the best activities all summer long, cool deals, and we're teaming up with Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts for a huge, all-included giveaway to Nick Resort Punta Cana.

Our Ultimate Summer Vacation Guides are here to help you with the best things to do in your area or wherever you're traveling—all summer long. We redesigned our guides with a fresh new look and made it easier to find all the best pools, beaches, day trips, festivals, and our top event and activity picks.

We're bringing the action to social, too. We'll be sharing our picks, posting deals, and Reels, and doing weekly giveaways announced on social each Tuesday.

Read on for more details, links to our guides, and be sure to bookmark your local Ultimate Summer Guide, your go-to resource for summer fun!

Best Old-Fashioned Soda Fountains in NYC from Brooklyn Farmacy to Lexington Candy Shop

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 05/22/2023 - 5:11pm

The towering ice cream sundaes at Lexington Candy Shop are guaranteed kid-pleasers. Photo by Jody Mercier

Families who pine for old neighborhood joints take note: NYC is still home to a collection of old-fashioned soda fountains, where hopping on a barstool is akin to climbing aboard a time travel machine. These classic New York City soda fountains serve up plenty of fun alongside soda fountain treats like towering ice cream sundaes, creamy milkshakes and malts, and even a classic egg cream.

The next time you want to give your kids a sweet treat with a side of nostalgia, consider visiting one of these soda fountains in NYC, which range from Carroll Gardens' Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain to the Lexington Candy Shop on the Upper East Side. No matter where you are from Brooklyn to Queens, Manhattan to Brooklyn, and even on Staten Island, we've found a soda fountain in NYC near you.

Find more kid-friendly eats and treats in our NYC Restaurant Guide for Families.

Best Carousels in NYC: 13 Merry-Go-Rounds City Kids Love

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 5:01pm

The compact, mild Le Carrousel in Bryant Park is ideal for preschoolers. Photo courtesy of Bryant Park

A ride on one of these carousels in NYC makes for a wonderfully nostalgic outing. It's the simplest of amusement park attractions, and there are more than a dozen merry-go-rounds in New York City alone. It's easy to stumble upon them on your next park outing if you know where to look.

Each of these New York City carousels offers a unique spin on this traditional kiddie ride, from harbor views to a ride inside an iridescent fish. We've rounded up the best merry-go-rounds in all five boroughs. Find more rides, games, and entertainment in our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks in NYC.

75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 02/28/2023 - 10:05am

Turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.

Florida's Kennedy Space Center: A Kid-Friendly Visitors Guide

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 10:00am

See a replica of the moon landing with this Moonscape.

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida (a short drive from Orlando) offers the perfect place to revel in the science of space. Something between a museum and a theme park all about space exploration, there’s so much to see and do at this family destination, including the brand-new Gateway attraction. The Kennedy Space Center is a must-do for any family interested in science, space, and American history.

In fact there’s so much to see and do at the sprawling 144,000-acre Kennedy Space Center Visitors’ Complex (don’t panic, all the attractions are close together), it’s good to arrive with a game plan. Here’s what you need to know about the different attractions so you can plan your visit and make your day great.

Adirondack Mountains with Kids: 40 Things To Do in this Family-Friendly All-Seasons Destination

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 01/28/2023 - 11:10pm

Open only in the winter, Lake Placid’s Toboggan Chute is a 30-foot high structure that sends toboggans down an ice-covered chute onto the frozen Mirror Lake. Photo courtesy of Lake Placid, Adirondacks, USA

The Adirondacks Mountains are one of the most idyllic family vacation spots in the Northeast. The enormous, pristine natural setting features numerous lakes and quaint towns sprinkled across gorgeous mountains. Visitors to the Adirondack Mountains find tons of all-season outdoor adventures as well as fun, family-friendly attractions. While Lake Placid and Lake George draw throngs of visitors, we opted to stay in Schroon Lake, a cute town that's a little more laid-back, centrally located, and makes a great jumping-off point to explore the region.

Visitors can spend time hiking, boating, skiing, sledding, and even bobsledding or speed skating! In short, the Adirondack Mountains offer tons of things to do, no matter your family's interests. We've rounded up our top picks, whether you want to immerse yourself in history at Fort Ticonderoga, connect with nature at the Wild Center, or slide onto Mirror Lake in a toboggan, the Adirondack Mountains are a dreamy destination for a memorable family vacation. Of course, we've even got some options for great Adirondack hotels so you have somewhere to unwind following your Adirondack Mountains adventures.

Find more family vacation ideas in our Adirondacks, Catskills & Hudson Valley Family Travel Guide.

Asheville with Kids: 40 Best Things To Do in Asheville, NC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 12/17/2022 - 12:53am

Blow off steam at at the Biltmore Estate's Pisgah Playground. Photo courtesy of the estate

Nestled in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, the city of Asheville is a popular travel destination for families looking to hike, swim, and enjoy nature. But there are so many things to do in Asheville, NC beyond the great outdoors. There's the famous Biltmore Estate and its extensive grounds, a thriving food and arts scene, kid-friendly local breweries like Sierra Nevada Asheville, and so much more.

Read on for 40 of the best family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and things to do in Asheville, NC with kids. We've also included a few incredible Asheville hotels, including the Omni Grove Park Inn, home of the famous annual National Gingerbread House Competition.

Find more family-fun destinations in our Family Travel City Guides, and be sure to check our picks for North Carolina's best beaches for families.

Anna Fader

Latest posts by Anna

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