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

Kids Age 10 and Up Are Now Eligible for IDNYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 09/07/2018 - 10:00am

Use your IDNYC card at the American Museum of Natural History. Photo by Marley White for NYCGo

Big news for tweens (and their parents!): IDNYC, the municipal identification card, which comes with a ton of family-friendly benefits, has lowered its minimum age for eligibility to 10 years old. This means middle schoolers are now eligible for the FREE ID.

When the IDNYC program was Initially launched in 2015, the minimum eligible age was 14. Read on for more details on the application process, and the reasons why you should book your tween's appointment now.

Destination Playground: Chelsea Waterside Park in New York City

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 7:30am

A 22-foot, rainbow-hued pipefish winds through the multi-level playground.

Chelsea Waterside Play Area has been a mainstay on our list of the city's best playgrounds for years, and thanks to its recent $3.4 million overhaul, the aging play area has a whole new look that just opened to the public on Tuesday.

Once known for funky, chess-like, blue structures that spewed water sky-high, Chelsea Waterside Play Area has a colorful new star: A 22-foot, rainbow-hued pipefish who winds through the multi-level playground bringing joy to kids of all ages. Read on for more features that cement this spot's place among our favorite destination playgrounds.

Destination Playground: Pier 25 Playground Is Action-Packed for Kids of All Ages

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/13/2018 - 9:26am

The faux boulders are a big attraction at Pier 25 Playground.

On a hot summer day, the cool river breeze is hard to beat. But one thing that takes the summer fun up a notch is an ultra cool destination playground right on the river, with killer downtown and river views, proximity to free kayaking, reasonably priced mini golf, and plenty of free family-friendly programming. Think this all sounds too good to be true? Then you'll want to get reacquainted with the Hudson River Park's Pier 25 Playground in Tribeca.

Destination Playground: Ancient Playground in Central Park

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 08/08/2018 - 10:00am

Explore all the nooks and crannies of the unique water play area.

Originally built in 1936, the Ancient Playground on the Upper East Side may seem to have earned its moniker (according to our kids, anyway), but its name is really an homage to its proximity to the Egyptian galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, right across the street. The ancient-civilization-themed romping spot, packed with fun climbing structures and water features, is a popular playground for locals and tourists alike, cementing its place on our list of Central Park's top playgrounds.

Read on for more details on why this classic old gem of a playground, at 85th Street and Fifth Avenue, ranks among the city's best.

Destination Playground: Harlem's Riverbank State Park

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 07/25/2018 - 10:28am

Take a break from playing to enjoy the breathtaking views at Riverside State Park.

If you're looking for an escape from the city that costs nothing more than a MetroCard swipe, hop the bus to Denny Ferrell Riverbank State Park, one of a handful of state parks within New York City limits. Riverbank State Park occupies 28 acres on Manhattan's west side in Harlem, offering beautiful views and tons of options for outdoor fun. An afternoon here feels almost like an out-of-the-city day trip.

Whether you're in the mood for a dip in the pool, a run through the sprinklers, or a twirl around the rink in winter or summer, this complex has it all, plus plenty of reasonably priced classes, sports programs, and even an inexpensive summer camp.

Camp Cookie DŌ Serves up Cool Summer Treats with a Side of Nostalgia

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/06/2018 - 9:59am

Part ice cream, part cookie dough, "The Rule Breaker" is a creamy, indulgent treat.

The best cures for a summer heat wave: a spectacular splash pad, a dip in the local pool, and best of all, ice cream. Just in time for this sweltering summer, the folks behind the popular DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections have opened a summer-camp themed pop-up shop in Soho to serve up indulgent, nostalgic, super-cool treats.

New Mini Golf Course Set to Debut on Governors Island This Weekend

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 9:03am

A new 18-hole mini golf course opens June 23 on Governors Island.

Putt-putt lovers take note: A brand new, 18-hole mini golf course on Governors Island is set to debut Saturday, June 23, just in time for the Figment Art Festival this weekend.

Brought to life by the folks behind Adventures at Governors Island (which also introduced a zip line and climbing wall to Governors), the new miniature golf course is located on the island's western shore, with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor beyond.

NYC Destination Playground: The Imagination Playground

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 06/13/2018 - 11:20am

Kids can splash, climb, build, and create their own play structures at this playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

When the Imagination Playground near South Street Seaport opened eight years ago, the concept was revolutionary. The brainchild of famed architect David Rockwell, the unique play space was the product of years of Rockwell's own research, inspired by parenting his city kids. Rockwell's flagship destination playground has since inspired other indoor play spaces and outdoor playgrounds, including a second Imagination Playground in Brownsville, Brooklyn, featuring those iconic, oversize blue building blocks.

What makes the Imagination Playground different? Unlike many city playgrounds, this one wasn't designed for the usual swinging, climbing, sliding, and wild romping. Instead, its figure-eight shape encourages creative play in distinct play areas that offer different experiences. It's not quite the free-for-all of NYC's only adventure playground on Governors Island, but it does include some DIY fun.

Jody Mercier

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