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

Best Manhattan Birthday Party Places for Preschoolers

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 10/10/2024 - 4:00pm

Preschoolers can party the day away at locations around Manhattan,

When it comes to finding the best birthday party places in Manhattan for preschoolers, parents of the under-5 crowd know that the little ones seem to have boundless energy. Fear not: These preschool party spots can keep them engaged and keep the fun coming.

We've rounded up the best Manhattan birthday party places for your preschooler's next party below and have even more options for NYC birthday party places in our NYC Kids Guide to Birthday Parties and Directory, including these indoor birthday party destinations with mega playgrounds.

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 35 Top Things To Do in NYC this Fall

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 10/04/2024 - 12:45pm

Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders at NYBG's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Photo by Ally Noel

With September behind us, we're focused on finding the best fall activities in NYC for families because it's official: The seasons are shifting. So, instead of lamenting the summer that was, we're looking forward to all the fall activities that await.

With that in mind, here's our season-long look at the best things to do this fall in NYC. After all, we've got assorted school holidays, plus a few long weekends to fill before the weather really changes. Without further ado, here is our fall bucket list, chock full of 35 things to do in NYC with kids.

Now that we've got you dreaming of fall, find our top picks for family-friendly fall day trips and more seasonal fun in our Guide to Fall Fun in NYC.

30 Things To Do with Your Baby in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 10/01/2024 - 1:25pm

City babies love the beach—all you need is an OMNY card and a sense of adventure.

The whole "New York City is a terrible place to raise babies" argument never seems to die, but as a mom of three raised-in-NYC children, I disagree. Yes, it can be a nuisance to find subway stations with working elevators and contend with tiny spaces and noisy neighbors. Still, there are so many enriching experiences to share with your New York City baby that it's worth muddling through the inconveniences.

So, stock your diaper bag, strap your infant into a stroller or carrier, and enjoy some of these 30 things to do in NYC with your baby. Be sure to bookmark our NYC Baby Guide for all of our top tips and picks for making the most of NYC with a little one in tow.

Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/16/2024 - 7:27am

Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.

There's no lack of world-class museums in NYC, and the city is even home to plenty of amazing children's museums and cool immersive experiences, but sometimes you just. can't. deal. with. the. crowds. And sometimes, let's face it, you and your hard-to-impress NYC kids might just be in the mood for something a little different or off the beaten path...a little weird, even. After all, that's part of New York City's charm!

For those days, we present our list of weird, wacky, and wonderful under-the-radar museums in NYC that kids love. Read on for 12 picks you're unlikely to find in the tourist guidebooks.

25 Best Things To Do in Woodstock, NY, with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/12/2024 - 11:35am

Grab a colorful treat at Harley's Sweet Shop in Woodstock. Photo courtesy of the shop

The mention of Woodstock, New York, might conjure up visions of peace, love, and rock and roll but in reality, the Catskills town that lent its name to the music festival is a quaint destination for a daycation with kids. Hints of its past can be found, sure, but it's got a lovely small-town feel imbued with an artistic spirit.

Here are our favorite things to do in Woodstock, New York, with kids, plus our top picks for places to stay and eat. Find more top Catskills destinations on our list of the 40 best things to do in the Catskills with kids, and find more day trip inspiration in our Guide to Weekend Getaways.

Guide to Visiting the Empire State Building with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/02/2024 - 11:11am

The Empire State Building is a classic NYC landmark that's worth visiting with kids during your next NYC trip or daycation.

Whether you think it's hopelessly romantic or a complete tourist trap, visiting the Empire State Building with kids is a can't-miss NYC moment. The landmarked building offers stunning views and a rich look at the city's history. A family visit to the Empire State Building—an Art Deco showpiece—is a timeless outing in NYC. Locals need not wait for out-of-towners to plan a trip. Here are our favorite reasons to visit the Empire State Building with kids, one of our favorite family-friendly attractions in NYC.

14 Great Ice Cream Shops in NYC for a Cool Summer Treat

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 07/30/2024 - 1:22pm

These local scoop shops serve the best ice cream in NYC.

Playgrounds, sprinklers, and cold, sweet ice cream are the perfect antidote to a hot summer day. We've found the best ice cream in NYC and rounded our favorite scoop shops for kids and adults alike.

These spots are destination-worthy and scooping up the best ice cream in NYC. With this list, we're skipping the big-time chains in favor of local purveyors. These NYC ice cream shops source ingredients locally, craft their treats in small batches, and give back to the community and beyond. So, you can feel a little less guilty about suggesting ice cream for lunch...or dinner...again.

Read on for 14 of the best scoop shops for ice cream in NYC and find more cold treats and kid-friendly eats in our NYC Kids Guide to Restaurants.

Aruba with Kids: 29 Best Things To Do in Aruba, the Caribbean

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 07/27/2024 - 11:55am

You just might catch a glimpse of Aruba's resident pink flamingos! Photo by Frugal Flyer on Unsplash

At less than 70 square miles, Aruba is a small island, but it packs in a lot of kid-friendly activities for a Caribbean family getaway. Snorkel or splash in the bright blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, explore breathtaking natural parklands, dig in to a wide variety of tasty restaurants, support Aruba’s wildlife sanctuaries, or just stake out a spot on the powdery sand beaches.

With its mix of beach beauty and easy-access family attractions—and a relatively protected location south of the main Atlantic hurricane corridor—Aruba is a kid-pleasing choice for a sunny school-break vacation. Perhaps best of all, Aruba has a well-deserved rep for being one of the friendliest places on Earth. It certainly lives up to its tagline: One happy island!

Whether you’ve got an active crew in search of some new adventures or you’re just looking for a fabulous hotel pool to sink into for a few days, here are the best things to do in Aruba with kids. Find more tropical family-friendly escapes, including St. Thomas, in our Caribbean Family Travel Guide.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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