Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton: This Aruba Hotel Can Be Your Home Away From Home

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 12:00pm

Cool off in Embassy Suites Aruba's sprawling pool.

If the white sands and turquoise waters of Aruba are beckoning your family for a visit, Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton makes for a lovely, welcoming home away from home. This brand-new Aruba hotel takes the brand's well-known family-friendly amenities—spacious suites, generous hot breakfasts, pet-friendly rooms, daily evening happy hours—and packs it into a beautiful beachfront resort package.

Add to that the friendly, personable staff who can't wait to share the best things to do in Aruba with you, and this is an easy, warm-weather, family-friendly vacation destination in our book.

Read all about my fantastic stay at Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton. Then check out our Caribbean Family Travel Guide for more great places to visit in the Caribbean.

Guide to the Museum of Jewish Heritage's New Kid-Friendly Exhibition, Courage to Act

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 10/17/2023 - 3:41pm

Courage to Act is the Museum of Jewish Heritage's first exhibition designed specifically with kids in mind. Photo courtesy of the museum

The Museum of Jewish Heritage might not be atop your list of must-visit children's museums in NYC, but a new exhibit geared toward young people aims to change that. Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark opened this week and marks the museum's first foray into programming for kids.

Geared toward ages 9-12, we got a sneak peek at this exhibition at one of NYC's top Jewish culture spots before it opened and were struck by its storylines, presentation, timeliness, and connections to today's news. Read on to learn why we can't wait to visit—and re-visit—this long-term exhibition with our own kids in tow. You'll find all our top picks for exhibitions with kids in our NYC Kids' Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits.

Guide to Pumpkin Nights, the Bronx Zoo's Halloween Jack-O'-Lantern Trail

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 12:52pm

From aardvarks to bush babies, gorillas, and more, the Bronx Zoo's Pumpkin Nights lets you see wildlife in a whole new light.

The spooky season has officially arrived in NYC, bringing with it Pumpkin Nights, an all-new, walk-thru, Halloween jack-o'-lantern trail at the Bronx Zoo.

More sweet than spooky, here's the scoop on the 1/2-mile Halloween attraction, which landed on our list of the best Halloween events in NYC for kids. You'll find more seasonal tricks and treats in our New York City Kids' Guide to Halloween.

Crayola Flowers Has a Bright New School Fundraising Idea

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/21/2023 - 9:20am

We got to check out the pop-up that launched Crayola Flowers with a "Giving Garden" in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier

There’s a bright new school fundraising idea blooming: Crayola Flowers has a new fundraising platform just in time for fundraisers for schools, sports teams, scout groups, and more.

With colors for every team, school, or occasion, you can order flowers for a friend, and a cut will go to the nonprofit of your choice, or use the platform for the next big fundraiser at school and the proceeds go directly to your organization. Crayola Flowers is putting a new spin on raising money that it promises makes sense, scents, and cents for its nonprofit partners.

Looking for more ideas that make this school year a little easier? We've got some easy school spirit week ideas, plus a list of school supplies that are truly unique and useful. They're all in our
Back-to-School Guide.

49 Things To Do in Midtown West with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/14/2023 - 3:39pm

Macy's flagship store at Herald Square is a hub of activity in Midtown West no matter the season.

For many people, Midtown West conjures up visions of Times Square with its Broadway theaters, illuminated billboards, crowded chain restaurants, megastores, and tourist traps. But go a little further west and you'll find the treasures of Clinton, an amenity-filled residential neighborhood that many actors, artists, and families call home. Also known as Hell's Kitchen, the area was once infamous for gangs and poverty but started changing in the 1990s. Tenements were renovated, luxury condos went up, and a slew of new restaurants and bars opened, especially on Ninth Avenue.

Further south, the renaissance has continued with new skyscrapers of Hudson Yards and Manhattan West bringing destination-worthy shopping and dining, plus hotels, performing arts, playgrounds, and even a beautiful new connection to The High Line.

Read on for our favorite things to do in Midtown West with Kids and find more local neighborhoods to explore in our Manhattan Kids Neighborhood Guide.

New Art-and-Play Space Opens at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 09/11/2023 - 12:37pm

There are a variety of hands-on stations at the 81st Street Studio, the new STEM and art-inspired play space at The Met.

When is the last time you stepped into The Met and had a curator encourage your child to touch and feel the exhibits? That tactile connection to artwork—to its making, its preservation, and ultimately, its appreciation—is at the forefront at the 81st Street Studio, the brand-new art and science play space that’s now open at The Met’s Fifth Avenue location.

Beyond giving city kids a new way to enjoy the wonders of The Met, the 81st Street Studio also makes it very accessible—admission to the space is completely FREE to kids and their families, surely cementing The Met’s status on our list of the best museums in NYC for children for years to come.

Baby Swimming Lessons in NYC: Mommy-and-Me Swimming Classes for Babies and Toddlers

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 09/04/2023 - 9:17am

Babies can gain comfort and confidence in the water with mommy-and-me swimming lessons at two Asphalt Green locations. Photo courtesy of the venue

Baby swimming lessons allow little ones to bond with their grown-up while also helping them get comfortable in the water and learning important water safety skills. These mommy-and-me swimming classes in NYC offer families the chance to help babies become comfortable in the water, a skill they'll certainly use a lot in the coming years with all the great swimming pools and beaches in NYC. These baby and toddler swimming lessons are offered around the city throughout the fall, winter, spring, and summer, both on weekends and after school.

You can find all our picks for baby swimming lessons, plus swimming lessons for older kids in our directory of classes and listings. Check our New York City Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

111 Ideas for College Care Packages

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/22/2023 - 12:21pm

Those dorm rooms look pretty bare. Send some fun goodies to your college kids!

Sending a college care package to your college student is a rite of passage for both of you. Whether your college kid is at StateU or has traveled across the country, being on the receiving end of one of these college care packages is sure to make them feel special, especially during high-stress times!

So, whether you're sending a college care package to your first college kid, or you’re a recent empty nester who has already sent your fair share of college care packages, we’ve got 100 college care package ideas to inspire your next trip to the post office. Find more back-to-school tips for kids from pre-school to post-grad in our Back-to-School Guide for Kids.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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