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

The Met Meets Roblox in New App that Lets Visitors Interact with the Artwork

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 08/15/2023 - 4:59pm

The Met Replica lets users scan artwork to learn more about the pieces and add it to their collection to outfit their Roblox characters.

I'm always game for a visit to The Met, but sometimes my kids need a little convincing. They don't know how good they've got it, but this week's visit was an easy sell for my 10-year-old, thanks to the launch of The Met Replica, a brand-new, interactive app that mashes up the power of play—in the form of Roblox characters—with The Met's masterpieces, introducing the art in a whole new way.

I turned my phone over to my daughter and let her lead the way on our hours-long quest to find all the artwork highlighted by this new app, and we emerged hours later filled with new knowledge and excitement to return again soon. Find out why this app is a cool new guide to one of our favorite museums in NYC to visit with kids, and get all our tips for the city's top culture spots in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits for NYC Kids.

Legoland New York Set to Giveaway 100 Season Passes as Summer Temps Soar

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 08/02/2023 - 10:10am

Legoland New York has locals and visitors alike begging for a mercury-popping day thanks to a hot new giveaway that's triggered by 100-degree temperatures! To add a little fun to the sweltering summer heat, the park is set to give away 100 FREE season passes every time the mercury tops 100.

Find out what it takes to enter and read about all the fun at Legoland New York, which checks in at No. 22 on our list of the 100 best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley before kids grow up.

NYC's Best Parks and Playgrounds for Kids Birthday Parties

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 8:08am

NYC park attractions, like Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn Bride Park, make great, budget-friendly spots to host a birthday party. Photo courtesy of the carousel

Savvy DIY parents know New York City's parks make a fun (and inexpensive) backdrop for a birthday bash during the warmer months. Granted, this type of party requires more work than booking one of those all-inclusive packages, but you get to control most of the details, including the cost (though sadly, not the weather).

Find more party spots in our NYC Birthday Guide.

Play Fountains in NYC Where Kids Can Get Totally Soaked

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/21/2023 - 7:19am

The Pier 6 Waterlab has been one of our favorite NYC splash pads since it opened in 2010. Photo by Sara M

While all three of my kids love to go for a dip, these NYC splash pads and play fountains offer more spontaneous fun than a swim in one of NYC's public pools. For those hot summer days when we're out and about or need a last-minute distraction, I keep this list of play fountains and splash pads in my back pocket.

A more immersive experience than standard NYC sprinkler parks, these mega splash pads and play fountains feature wading pools, plus jets shooting water sky-high. Play fountains are the perfect place for kids to frolic and get completely doused without mommy having to go all-in—literally. Best of all? They're all completely FREE. Here are 10 fun mega-sized splash pads in NYC where kids can get absolutely soaked.

Historic Hudson Valley Expands Tour Offerings for Summer Visitors

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 07/19/2023 - 11:52am

There are even more opportunities to explore the Hudson Valley history this summer at Phillipsburg Manor and beyond. Photo courtesy of Historic Hudson Valley

If your summer travels take you to the Hudson Valley, make note: The Historic Hudson Valley is extending tour hours for its collection of properties that allow locals and tourists alike to get a glimpse into the region's past. Whether you decide to visit the grand Kykuit estate of the Rockefellers, dive into local lore at Sleepy Hollow, explore the working farm at Phillipsburg Manor, or take in the glorious stained glass masterpieces at Union Church of Pocantico Hills, there's no time like the present.

Read on for details on how to visit these historic properties, and find more fun things to do on our list of the best things to do in the Hudson Valley with kids.

Rockefeller Studios Brings The Eric Carle Story Show to NYC; Readers Get First Access to Tickets

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 5:39pm

The Eric Carle Story brings a new batch of beloved children's books to the stage in NYC. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Productions

Kid-lit lovers take note: The Eric Carle Story Show is coming to NYC next month, and Mommy Poppins has the exclusive details on how to nab tickets to this latest page-to-stage adaptation that's a perfect first theatergoing experience for tots to preschoolers. The puppet-powered performance is produced by Jonathan Rockefeller, the creative force behind the very popular and colorful adaptation of Carle's most famous story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.

The Eric Carle Story Show debuts Sunday, August 13, and is sure to be a hot ticket for the toddler set. Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Children's Theater for more stories like this.

Luna Park Guide: New Rides and Tips for Visiting Coney Island with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/07/2023 - 10:02am

A ride on Lynn's Trapeze puts a smile on the face of visitors young and old.

Luna Park has lured generations of New Yorkers to Coney Island for summertime fun, and the newest iteration of its famed boardwalk amusement park is celebrating 120 years of fun on Coney Island with a huge expansion that brings a brand new ropes course and adventure zone, plus a family-friendly roller coaster, and wet-and-wild log flume ride to the already action-packed park. That, in addition to classic crowd-pleasers like the iconic Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster, and all the fun along the Coney Island boardwalk and beach make Luna Park a bucket list destination for ultimate summer fun.

Whether you want to make a day of it, or just duck into the amusement park for some carnival games en route to the beach, here are our top things to do at Luna Park, plus some parent-tested tricks to keep you sane during a visit. Find more epic seasonal destinations in our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Bronx Zoo's New Budgie Landing Lets You Interact with the Birds

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 07/06/2023 - 1:56pm

Budgie Landing invites guests into the habitat of 1,000 free-flying mini-parrots for a chance to feed them from a stick.

It's no secret the Bronx Zoo is one of our favorite local haunts, and we love that it's always reinventing its offerings. The latest addition to the fun at the Bronx Zoo is Budgie Landing. The exhibit transports visitors to the open woodlands of Australia, where 1,000 budgies—small, colorful, and social parrots—fly freely and visitors have a chance to feed them.

These free-flying beautiful birds provided plenty of entertainment for my daughter and I. Read on for our tips for visiting Budgie Landing at the Bronx Zoo and find more fun animal encounters in our Guide to Zoos and Gardens for NYC Kids.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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