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 Best Trampoline Parks in NYC and Nearby for Kids of All Ages

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 05/09/2022 - 4:56pm

Battle your friends at Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park. Located in Yonkers, its one of our top picks for a fun trampoline park near NYC.

If you've got active kids and hop-happy toddlers to entertain, nothing cures the bad-weather blues like a trip to a trampoline park or an indoor bounce inflatable park.

NYC is home to several high-flying trampoline parks, where fun includes trampolines, long bouncy slides, tunnels, and obstacle courses. Best of all each trampoline park near NYC included in our list hosts regular open-bounce sessions, so your kids can jump all they want for one low price. Find more ideas for indoor activities in our Top Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones Guide.

Visiting the New York Aquarium With Kids: Top Things To Do and See

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 04/25/2022 - 4:01pm

Wave hello to Bruiser, the talented sea lion and star of the Aquatheater show at the New York Aquarium.

A day at the beach doesn't have to leave you water-logged or sandy-soled if you plan to spend it at the waterfront New York Aquarium in Brooklyn. The 14-acre park on the action-packed Coney Island boardwalk is home to more than 500 species and is the oldest, continually operating aquarium in the United States, having opened its doors at Lower Manhattan's Castle Clinton in 1896.

Read on for our favorite things to do and see at the New York Aquarium with kids, and find more fun destinations for an animal encounter in this post on the best zoos and aquariums in New York City.

Family-Friendly Spa Resorts Near NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 04/22/2022 - 2:15pm

You don't have to stray far to find a family-friendly spa resort near NYC. Mohonk Mountain house offers a beautiful, serene lakeside location and full spa menu for adults in New Paltz.

We're always on the lookout for a family-friendly resort where kid-friendly fun takes center stage, but sometimes mom and dad need something a little extra from a weekend getaway. Enter these family-friendly spa resorts near NYC. At these local spa resorts, you'll find plenty of kid comforts, family-friendly hotel rooms, and parent-friendly perks that range from couples massages to facials and meditation classes CBD pedicures, and more indulgent treatments.

It turns out you can have it all—a fun escape for kids combined with a relaxing spa experience for parents. Treat yourself at these spa resorts in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, and consider it a mini-vacation from your vacation.

Find more fun, family-friendly getaways near NYC in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2025: Teacher Appreciation Gifts They’ll Love

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:24pm

Teachers have found inspiring ways to be there for our kids. Here are some ways to show our appreciation. Photo by Yan Krukov, Pexels

Year after year, teachers continue to prove how amazing they are! Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 is the time to show teachers how much we care, what a massive impact they have on our kids' lives, and how truly deserving they are of our appreciation.

We surveyed a whole bunch of teachers and found out the gifts they really want for Teacher Appreciation Week. Their answers are simpler than you might think—a heartfelt thank-you, the realization that students have listened to them, and coffee!

Read on for our top ideas for teacher appreciation gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week 2025. You can also find more inspiration for homemade gifts in our roundup of 100 Crafts for Kids.

Find an Amazing Petting Zoo near NYC Where Kids Can Meet the Animals

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 04/18/2022 - 5:25pm

Meet Minnie, the lovable chinchilla who shares whisker kisses at The Art Farm on the Upper East Side. Photo by Jody Mercier

We're so fortunate to live in a city that offers an incredible array of activities for kids, but sometimes I fret over the disconnect from nature. I want my kids to be as comfortable in the country as they are in the urban jungle, so we're always looking for ways to get out of our comfort zone. Enter these petting zoos near NYC where you can meet some furry friends.

While we love heading to the local NYC zoos and aquarium, and even get hands-on at their mini petting zoos, there's something particularly special about enjoying animals in an authentic farm setting, so without further ado, here's where to find an amazing petting zoo near NYC for serious face time with adorable animals. Get ready to load up the family for a day of donkey petting, goat bottle-feedings, and sheep shearing.

Find more farm fun for any season on our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms Near New York City.

50 Fun Things To Do in Paris with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 04/09/2022 - 12:00pm

We found plenty of things to do in Paris to fill our days and nights!

A visit to the City of Lights has long been on my bucket list, and I was thrilled—and shocked—when my husband surprised me with an epic family vacation to celebrate a milestone birthday. We found plenty of things to do in Paris to fill our days and nights with outings and explorations that weren't always kid-centric but delivered a sophisticated, satisfying trip for our family of five, ranging in age from 8 to 40-something. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how kind, helpful, and stereotype-defying we found the French people.

From trekking through the Louvre Museum to climbing the Eiffel Tower and wandering the winding, cobblestoned alleys, here are our favorite things to do in Paris with kids. Find more international destinations nearby in our European Travel Guide for Families.

Legoland New York: 5 Things We Can't Wait To Do When the Theme Park Reopens for 2022

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/07/2022 - 10:22am

Legoland New York Resort reopens Friday, April 8 for a full season of fun and brings new attractions. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Legoland New York is set to open for its second season on Friday, April 8, and we had so much fun visiting the mega theme park last season, we just can't wait for a full season of fun. Here are five things we're looking forward to at Legoland New York in 2022.

Find more local theme park fun in our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks.

Inexpensive Birthday Party Room Rentals in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/28/2022 - 6:46pm

Sky Village helps parents create a perfect birthday party with its inexpensive space rental.

Few suburban comforts make me jealous, but the ability to host an at-home birthday party is one. Fear not: There are inexpensive birthday party room rentals in NYC; you just have to know where to look.

Keep in mind, buying an all-inclusive package can get pricey, especially if you want to invite your child's entire class. So, these spots all require DIY inventiveness, but you'll be rewarded with a special day that won't (totally) break the budget. If these prices still don't work for you, consider downsizing the guest list and partying at home with these tips for planning an at-home party and these five party ideas for small spaces.

Read on for inspiration and where to find a birthday party room rental near you, and check out our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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