Anna Fader

Founder of Mommy Poppins

A fourth-generation Brooklynite, Anna started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to help families find the best things to do with kids in NYC, with a particular emphasis on sharing activities that are free, affordable, and enriching. The site, used by millions of families, has grown to become the ultimate resource for parents in the major US cities, plus travel guides for 100s of destinations.

Anna is a believer in the magic of summer camps, traveling with kids, and that you can raise kids on a budget and still have a rich life full of amazing memories. Anna's first Mommy Poppins book, The Young Traveler's Journal and Activity Book, published in 2025 and co-written with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman, brings that ethos to life, in addition to this website.

Latest posts by Anna

Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 07/20/2025 - 7:23am

See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo

Check out these iconic things to do in New York City with kids—including attractions, events, activities, museums, and more—that every native New Yorker really must experience!

The number of family-friendly happenings in New York City on any given day is enough to overwhelm most parents. Our city plays host to top-notch museums for kids, creative play spaces and indoor playgrounds, amazing parks and playgrounds, and even amusement parks, all of which pump out fun children's programming year-round.

Yet, every year, our kids grow up on us a little more. They age out of one activity after another, whether it's storytime at the library, riding a favorite carousel, or just needing to hold our hand as they cross the street. That's why we're focused on finding ways to take advantage of all the amazing things to do in New York City with kids, creating meaningful memories as we go. I created this "life list" of all the things I want to experience with my kids before they grow up. It's not just the stuff that is fun to do, but also the stuff I think will be important to do with them—things that will shape them and be formative in their experience as little New Yorkers. We're also big fans of FREE fun in NYC, so we included as many FREE things to do in NYC as possible!

Without further ado, enjoy this list of 100 things to do in NYC with kids, whether you're a local or a visitor trying to experience the very best of our city. Now, off I go to wring every drop of goodness from the damp, dirty rag that is New York City.

Best Beaches Near NYC in 2025: A Guide for Families

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 10:57am

Kid-friendly—and foodie-friendly—Jacob Riis Beach is a quick trip from the city. Photo by Sara Marentette

Summertime means beach season, and while there are lots of beaches near and even in NYC, some are more family-friendly than others. After packing up your gear and schlepping the kids by car, train, bus, or ferry, the last thing you want to find out is that your chosen beach has no bathroom, or bathing suits are optional. Skip the guesswork with our roundup of eight easy-to-reach beaches near NYC for families, including detailed info on attractions, food, bathrooms, and hidden costs. Most are within 2 hours of Manhattan by car and are easily accessible via public transportation, so you can plot a great daycation for your family.

Find more beach fun in our Beaches, Pools, and Water Playgrounds Guide, or check out these summer day trip ideas.

Register for Travel Fest for a Chance to Win a Dreams Resorts & Spas Vacation!

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 04/29/2025 - 9:29am

Mommy Poppins is set to host its first Family Travel Fest on Saturday, May 31 at the Atlantic Center.

If you’ve been to a Mommy Poppins event, you know they're packed with unique and creative activities and lots of big fun for kids! Now, we’re excited to announce a brand-new event for the whole family. Our first NY Family Travel Fest, presented by Dreams Resorts & Spas, is a can't-miss event, with one of our most unique activity lineups, plus a chance to win a Dreams Resorts & Spas family vacation. Even better: It's all free!

Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms in NYC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 04/03/2025 - 12:36pm

The Green-Wood Cemetery has gorgeous cherry blossoms and amazing views. Photo by Amy Nieporent

Viewing the beautiful cherry blossoms in New York City or attending a local cherry blossom festival is one of the most delightful rites of spring. In Japan, cherry blossom viewing is taken to almost religious heights. Blooming flowers are carefully watched, enjoyed, and celebrated. Traditional Sakura Hanami parties feature eating, drinking, and music.

There are many places to enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms in NYC this spring, and take note—the cherry blossoms are just beginning to burst to life. Here are the best places to see cherry blossoms and celebrate with cherry blossom festivals in New York City this spring. Find more seasonal happenings in our NYC Kids' Guide to Spring Fun.

Mommy Poppins Travel Activity Book for Kids is Coming!

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 03/24/2025 - 10:35am

Mommy Poppins has jumped out of the internet into a real, hold it in your hands book!

Exciting news: our first ever Mommy Poppins book is coming out on May 6th, 2025. If you pre-order your copy today, we’ve created a fun pre-order bonus for you.

I’m so excited to finally share something really special with you—our very first book, The Young Traveler’s Journal and Activity Book! Since starting Mommy Poppins in 2007, first as my personal blog and then watching it grow into this amazing community, I’ve been traveling with my family all over the world in order to share our travel tips, destination guides, and so many activity ideas. Now, Mommy Poppins is jumping out of the internet into a real, hold it in your hands book for the first time. I can’t wait for you all to see it!

Designed for curious kids ages 7–12, the book is packed with all kinds of fun activities to keep them entertained and engaged—whether you’re flying halfway around the world or just exploring your own neighborhood. What I love most about it is that it’s more than just something to keep them busy. The activities and prompts teach valuable travel skills, like being flexible, staying curious, and handling little bumps along the way. Honestly, those are skills that come in handy whether you’re traveling or just dealing with everyday life!

BABYTOPIA Returns in April with Big Fun for Young Families

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 03/14/2025 - 6:17am

Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents will host their second annual BABYTOPIA on Saturday, April 5.

Attention new parents, parents-to-be, and parents of preschoolers, BABYTOPIA is returning to Atlantic Terminal on Saturday, April 5, 2025, and registration is now open!

BABYTOPIA is Mommy Poppins' latest IRL event, staged in cooperation with Brooklyn Bridge Parents. It's a day dedicated to kids ages 0-5 and their parents and is a great place to make connections with local businesses catering to young families, including daycare and medical providers, kids activity providers, and more. Best of all: This action-packed day of fun is completely FREE to attend.

Find more details and register for BABYTOPIA below, then bookmark our NYC Baby Guide to stay up to date on all the need-to-know information for new parents.

Best Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 02/10/2025 - 12:05pm

Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.

Finding summer camps in NYC can be especially stressful for your family's finances, and while we want our children to have a fun, rewarding, and safe experience, we don't want to dig into our retirement fund to pay for it. New York City families are lucky because free and cheap summer camps abound all across the five boroughs, where arts and education funding subsidizes some excellent New York City summer camps so all children can enjoy fantastic summer camps in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Read on for all our picks for free and affordable summer camps in NYC for preschoolers, elementary, elementary school-aged kids, pre-teens, and teens . Find more summer camps in New York City, including preschool summer camps, great sleepaway summer camps in the Northeast, and STEM summer day camps in our Summer Camp Guide and NYC Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps in NYC by type, age, and neighborhood.

Snow Day Activities: 55 Fun Things To Do on a Snow Day Indoors

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 01/23/2025 - 10:55am

Pillow Fort photo by Seamus McCauley via Flickr 2 .0

Snow day activities are a must when school is closed and you've got a house full of stir-crazy kids. Sure, you can go sledding and try some of the ideas on our list of snow games for kids. But when the kiddos get too cold and are ready to come indoors, it's only a matter of time before they start to get bored.

Luckily, there are lots of fun things to do on a snow day indoors that don't involve zoning out In front of a screen all day. From fun crafts and games to interesting STEM projects and easy recipes, here are 50 snow day activities for kids of all ages.

Find more things to do on a snow day indoors in our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids.

Anna Fader

Latest posts by Anna

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