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

Orlando with Teens: Top 20 Things to Do at the Theme Parks & Beyond

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 8:32am

Even teens get swept up in the Disney magic!

Think Orlando is a destination just for kids? Visiting Orlando with teens is even better! Orlando theme parks are great when you can go on all the rides and don’t have to worry about the dreaded "theme park meltdowns." My big kids were also able to pack in lots of other adventures and hipster shopping areas as we explored all the Fun Things to do in Orlando Other than the Theme Parks.

Navigating Orlando with teens allows parents to spend more time together, perhaps even at places of shared interests (for example, you're never too old to be a Potterhead)! For more ideas about the best of Orlando theme parks, visit our Orlando Theme Parks & Water Parks Guide. You'll learn about out-of-the-box theme parks, like Gatorland, Crayola Experience Orlando, and much more.

Temple-Emanu-El’s New Manhattan Location Offers Parenting and Play Groups for Downtown Families

Submitted by Anna Fader on Wed, 09/07/2022 - 10:00am

Emanu-el Downtown brings family programs to Downtown Manhattan

Big news for Downtown families in Manhattan! Temple-Emanu-El has opened a new satellite location, bringing their highly esteemed family programming to Chelsea. Temple-Emanu-el operates one of the most coveted NYC preschools and religious programs at their historic Fifth Avenue location. Now families living in Chelsea, the West Village, Tribeca, Flatiron, and other downtown neighborhoods have the opportunity to benefit from educational programs, drop-in classes, special events, and holiday celebrations for babies, toddlers, and young children.

Whether you are curious about Jewish culture, or looking to get your child involved in the Jewish community from a young age, register for the free kick-off Rosh Hashanah festival on September 18 to learn more about Emanu-El Downtown’s new satellite campus at 440 West 21st Street (between Ninth and Tenth Avenues) in Chelsea.

Here’s a preview of some of the programming and information on how you can save 20% on classes!

NYC STEM, Arts, and Language Camps and Classes Still Available for Summer 2022

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 07/17/2022 - 12:22pm

Enjoy hands-on art and more with Claire's Creative Adventures. Photo courtesy of the venue

Just because summer has already started doesn't mean you've missed the summer camp bus. The day camps and classes below not only have space available, but you can book them with an easy click right from our NYC Events and Activities Calendar's Camps and Classes section. Find in-person summer camps, drop-in classes, and online summer programs, too—some even have special deals for our readers. Signing up for camp couldn't be easier!

For more summer camp ideas, including everything from STEM camps to golf camps to free camps, check out our NYC Summer Camp Guide and Summer Camp Directory.

40 Awesome Summer Day Trips for Connecticut Families

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 10:30pm

Get out and explore Connecticut with the best summer day trips! Photo courtesy of Sea Kayak Connecticut

One of the best things about living in Connecticut is that great beaches, state parks, and amusement park rides, are all within a short drive. We've rounded up the best summer day trips from Connecticut that kids will love. We grouped these getaways by area so families can easily double up on attractions and create their own itinerary.

Whether you're looking to explore natural beauty, expand knowledge, or scream with delight on a water slide or roller coaster, these day trips in Connecticut are just the ticket. Find even more summer activities in our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide.

15 Restaurants with Outdoor Dining near Manhattan: Patios, Backyards & More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 05/02/2022 - 6:21pm

Kids get their own special outdoor dining tables at Ellington in the Park. Photo by Shira Kronzon.

Great outdoor dining is a lovely way to savor these first sun-filled days of spring, and it makes the dog days of summer in the city tolerable, at least in my book. An hour sitting on a shady patio, sipping a cold drink, steels me for the rest of the week. Even as the pandemic eases, outdoor dining is still the safest way to go when you want to eat out.

Of course, eating out with kids is never as simple as that, so we’ve selected not just sublime outdoor dining spots but ones with enough room to roam. Hopefully, these family-friendly Manhattan restaurants with patios, backyards, and more outdoor dining setups, ranging from the Battery up to Inwood, make you forget you live in a yard-less New York City apartment.

Find more kid-friendly restaurant suggestions in our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC.

99 Sensory Activities for Toddlers, Infants, and Kids of All Ages

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 04/07/2022 - 9:20am

Did you know a pillow fight is a great way to get proprioceptive input? Photo by Mommy Poppins

All kids can be affected by sensory processing issues, where certain situations and feelings just become overwhelming. Exposing kids to a variety of sensory activities in a calm, playful manner can alleviate some of these problems.

In that spirit, we've put together this list of 99 sensory activities for toddlers and babies up through big kids; in fact, they're even helpful for adults. My kids' school's occupational therapist once gave a seminar to parents on sensory balance and activities for maintaining a sensory-savvy schedule. I now realize my engine tends to run too low and I need to work harder at energizing myself throughout the day. I have incorporated some of these activities to keep my own energy up.

For more tips and sensory activities for kids of all ages, see our posts on Sensory Bin Ideas for Busy Toddlers, DIY Sensory Activities for Babies, and Sensory Savvy Snacks for Kids.

New Earth Kids Guide and Newsletter to Share Activities for a Greener Planet

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 03/29/2022 - 12:06pm

Children are natural advocates for the planet and our actions truly can make a difference.

The environment is one of the most critical issues facing our children’s futures. Our new Earth Kids Guide and newsletter will provide meaningful and fun activities to engage children and families with sustainability.

When I started Mommy Poppins in 2007, my vision was to organize information about the most interesting, especially free and affordable, cultural activities and destinations for families to create greater access to things that were not at that time always easy to find out about. I wanted to promote a vision of parenting that was about enriching the lives of families with culture and amazing experiences, rather than products and unachievable (for most people) luxuries.

15 years later, as our world seems to be wobbling on its axis, my concerns as a parent are so different. The climate crisis is front and center because without a healthy planet, what else matters? But how do we change course on this road we seem to be so far down already?

Mexico's Velas Vallarta All-Inclusive Family Resort is Eco-Friendly Earth Check Certified

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 03/12/2022 - 11:13pm

All-inclusive resorts are popular with family travelers because they make life so easy, but all those options can also take a big environmental toll. An all-inclusive resort may create tons of food waste on a daily basis, not to mention loads of electricity for air conditioning and water for washing pool and bath towels. Nobody wants to feel guilty while trying to enjoy a relaxing getaway, so a resort that meets the needs of families and the environment too seems like a real dream vacation.

Velas Vallarta, a family friendly all-inclusive resort with 10 acres of oceanfront in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, has an impressive green initiative that goes beyond the typical superficial hat-tip to eco-friendliness. Their efforts have been recognized by EarthCheck, the world's leading organization in certifying sustainable tourism, with gold and silver status for the resort. Plus, the all-suite resort, with kitchens in every room and a free bottomless mini-bar, offers an affordably luxurious all-inclusive experience.

Anna Fader

Latest posts by Anna

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