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

100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 01/10/2025 - 9:18am

There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier

When it comes to free things to do in NYC, we're here to remind you that while raising kids in NYC can cost a pretty penny, it doesn't always have to. From free times to visit NYC's top museums and cultural institutions to restaurants where kids eat for free and stores where they can play for free, it's not too hard to find free things to do in NYC—you just need to know where to look. We do, and we're sharing our secrets with you in this list of 100 free things to do in NYC with kids.

Be sure to bookmark our Free Guide with all free things to do in NYC with kids and our Family Activity Calendar for more all-seasons entertainment on the cheap.

17 Awesome Family-Friendly Destinations that Opened in 2024, Plus What's Coming in 2025

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 01/05/2025 - 10:00am

Peppa Pig is coming to Legoland New York with an all-new playground opening in 2025. Photo courtesy of Legoland New York

With the confetti all but cleaned up and the kids back in school, we're taking one final look at the kid-friendly fun that marked 2024 and anticipating what's coming in 2025! From brand-new romping spots indoors, like Manhattan's Play Street Museum and outdoors, like Rockeville Centre's sprawling inclusive playground to limited run popups and more, here are our top kid-friendly openings and attractions in the NYC metro area in 2024, plus seven new attractions coming in 2025.

Cheers to the fun that was and the fun still to come, and thanks for following along as we curate all the best things to do in New York City, New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley with kids.

Visiting the Sloomoo Institute: Soho's Museum of Slime Produces Ooey-Gooey Fun

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/30/2024 - 11:29am

Stretch, mold, squish, and play with slime to your hearts content at the Sloomoo Institute in Soho.

If the ooey-gooey-slime craze has crept into your life, and you've been known to celebrate a discount deal on a gallon of Elmer's Glue, Soho's Sloomoo Institute is a must-visit. From its DIY slime bar, whose products far outpace our favorite make-at-home slime recipes, to being slimed at Sloomoo Falls, the Sloomoo Institute is a slime lover's paradise and an over-the-top sensory experience that left my daughters begging for more slime time.

49 Quintessential NYC Holiday & Christmas Experiences for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/16/2024 - 11:15am

The Dyker Heights Christmas lights attract throngs of visitors to the Brooklyn neighborhood each holiday season. Photo courtesy of Dyker Heights Lights

From the NYBG Holiday Train Show to a date with the Radio City Rockettes, New York City serves up so many holiday activities, there's no way one family can see and do it all in a single holiday season.

There are a few holiday activities that are extra special, extra big, and extra over the top or ones that can only be found in NYC, which we believe every kid ought to experience at least once in childhood. These include ice skating under the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and walking the illuminated streets of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, among other holiday delights.

Whether you call NYC home or you're in town for a magical holiday visit, our list of 49 bucket list holiday activities for families represents the very best of Christmas in New York. Find more picks in our NYC Kids Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities.

Christmas Vacation in NYC: 38 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 12/13/2024 - 11:51am

One of the most spectacular holiday displays in NYC, Shine Bright features over 2 million holiday lights illuminating the entire neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Hudson Yards

Few places rival New York City for holiday activities, and the upcoming Christmas vacation in NYC offers families plenty of free time to sample them all. We’ve rounded up all of our favorite staycation ideas for Christmas vacation in NYC, most of which can be accessed with the swipe of a MetroCard.

Fill your kids' Christmas vacation in NYC with awesome museum outings, live holiday stage shows, fancy Christmas meals, and magical must-do holiday experiences. Your family might even be up for braving the crowds at popular tourist attractions like the Rockefeller Center tree and department store holiday windows.

NYC public school students are on Christmas vacation from Monday, December 23, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025, add in the preceding weekend, and this is the longest Christmas vacation in NYC in a while. If you need more fun things to do over the holiday break in NYC, bookmark our Family Activity Calendar, which is continuously updated as we learn about new, kid-friendly happenings.

Dazzling, Dynamic Tianyu Lights Festival Takes Over Citi Field

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/09/2024 - 12:30pm

The Tianyu Lights Show lets visitors experience an enchanting night walk at Citi Field.

Holiday lights shows have become a seasonal staple in NYC, but a visit to the brand-new Tianyu Lights Festival in Queens was a stunning surprise. We oohed and awed as we traversed the 1 1/2-mile trail that's taken up residence in the Citi Field parking lot this season.

A dazzling combination of brightly colored Chinese lanterns, LED lights, cutting-edge technology, and even an infinity room made the Tianyu Lights Festival the most dynamic holiday lights display we've ever seen.

Read on for our take on this must-do holiday event in NYC and find more seasonal fun in our NYC Kids Guide to the Holidays.

Christmas in New York: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary for a Magical Holiday with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 12/07/2024 - 12:00pm

During Christmas in NYC, Midtown Manhattan is chock-full of glittery eye candy. Photo by Ally Noel

Christmas in NYC is the most magical time of the year. It's no accident the Big Apple takes the top spot on our list of the best Christmas towns and Santa Villages in the US. During the holidays, New York City absolutely sparkles.

Whether you're a lifelong New Yorker, you live nearby and are planning a holiday day trip, or you're coming from afar to cross a few items off our NYC holiday bucket list, read on for all the best things to do during Christmas in NYC. We've pulled our can't-miss Christmas and holiday must-do's into a holiday magic-filled, three-day itinerary, plus we've outlined the most festive NYC hotels for a holiday stay to make planning a breeze. If this tinsel and cheer-filled plan leaves you craving more Christmas in NYC, be sure to check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC for Families.

Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 49 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 12/06/2024 - 11:57am

Bryant Park's Bumper Cars are a mainstay of late-winter fun in the park. Photo by Janet Bloom

When it comes to the best things to do this winter in NYC one thing is certain: Being cooped up in a tiny apartment with your kids hanging off the furniture (and you) is no way to spend the season. We know it can be hard to put on all that winter gear, head out into the cold, and hit up one of the dozens of daily kid-friendly events happening in NYC, but we're here to help. To inspire winter fun, we've compiled this list of 49 awesome things to do in NYC this winter. Our winter bucket list picks include spots where kids can run, jump, bounce, learn, create, and get cultured.

Of course, you can find more fun, seasonal ideas in our Guide to Indoor Family Fun or enjoy the great outdoors with the picks in our Winter Fun Guide.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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