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.
Submitted by Jody Mercier on
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.
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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.
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Whether you’re a bibliophile or an architecture buff, the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is a charming destination. And, while a grand old library building may seem like the last place you want to visit with kids, we’re here to share our favorite kid-friendly things to do at this Midtown landmark.
Read on for six fun things to do at the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, and find more library fun nearby at the newly renovated Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library.
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As the saying goes, everyone loves a parade. And during the warmer months, there are parades in NYC practically every week celebrating a wide variety of cultures and causes, and all of them are FREE.
While it's always cool to watch the colorful costumes, floats, and performers pass by, there are certain annual parades in New York City that are particularly great for families. These processions are either exceptionally vibrant, like Chinatown's Lunar New Year Parade or the Three Kings Day Parade in East Harlem, or invite costumed kids to get in on the action, like the small, community-based Halloween Parades that are much less intense than the big one in Greenwich Village.
Included in our list are popular NYC parades we've attended—some many times—or those that come highly recommended. So, get out your calendar, and save these dates to see if you can catch them all!
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When it comes time to enroll your little one in their first summer camp experience, you're likely looking for a summer camp that fits your parenting philosophy and won't overwhelm your first-time camper. These preschool summer day camps in Lower Manhattan fit the bill, by catering just to young campers or offering small, age-specific groups, enriching activities, and plenty of fun indoors and out.
We've found 10 preschool summer camps in the neighborhood—ranging from Chelsea all the way south to Battery Park and from river to river—practically guaranteed to get your little one excited to return day after hot summer day. For more summer camps in New York City, including picks for preschool summer camps citywide, free and cheap summer camps in NYC for kids, and more, be sure to bookmark our New York City Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and neighborhood.
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Whether you moved here as a 20-something, or are a lifelong New Yorker, you might think you've got this city figured out. After all, you know the ins and outs of roommate searches, you can score theater tickets on the cheap, or find the nearest happy hour or trendy bite to eat with the blink of an eye, but once you become a parent, New York City is a foreign land.
I've been in your shoes, going from a carefree young professional to a diaper-bag-toting mom seemingly overnight. Really, it was nine months of staring down my "new" New York while fighting off morning sickness and simultaneously searching for birthing spots, pediatricians, daycares, and baby gear. That was (ahem) 16 years and three kids ago...so I've picked up a few tricks and tools of the trade.
Here are 25 nuggets of NYC new parent advice. Find more baby and new parent hacks in our NYC Pregnancy and Baby Guide.
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For parents, living in a tiny New York City apartment can feel like a constant escape game. The clutter is closing in on you and you've got to locate two toddler shoes, a missing must-have accessory for your tween, and your own MIA cell phone before you can unlock the door to take on the mean city streets. If your clever kids don't see the game in that routine, they might be up for a different kind of challenge. Consider splurging on an afternoon in one of these kid-friendly escape rooms, where their puzzle skills (and yours!) will be put to the test.
These escape rooms are all great for birthday parties or even just "I'm bored" days. For more outings that are perfect for birthdays or family fun days, check out our Guide to the Best Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.
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Enter The Art Farm, and it’s easy to forget you’re in the heart of Manhattan. This out-of-the-ordinary learning center is full of unexpected surprises. Situated in a bustling corner of the family-friendly Upper East Side—a neighborhood it’s called home since its founding 20 years ago!—this nature-focused spot is a haven for animals and animal lovers alike.
From preschool to after-school, summer camp to drop-in classes and birthday parties to baking, The Art Farm seemingly has it all. Read on to learn about our visit, which was full of new, furry friends and even some chinchilla kisses.
