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

Our Epic 2025 Summer Bucket List of Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 05/25/2025 - 11:29am

Noshing on a funnel cake on the Coney Island boardwalk is a sweet ending to an epic day of summer fun.

When it comes to things to do in NYC, we're officially summer dreaming, and you're the beneficiary. We're sharing our summer bucket list of the top 51 things to do this summer in NYC with kids. Our picks are a mix of annual favorites and can't-miss, one-time-only events that prove the best vacation may just be a staycation.

Be sure to bookmark our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Guide and our list of 100 FREE things to do in NYC this summer for even more seasonal fun.

2025 Guide to the Best Free Summer Sports Programs in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 05/19/2025 - 12:21pm

Participants in the CityParks Track & Field program can compete in local races or citywide events. Photo by Durst Breneiser/courtesy of the CityParks Foundation

The huge number of free summer sports and outdoor programs in NYC means children can enjoy a summer filled with sports and fresh air while living in the concrete jungle. New York City offers many free summer sports opportunities for kids to learn team sports and try swimming, tennis, golf, basketball, fishing, kayaking, camping, and more.

Of course, registering for these free summer sports programs takes a little legwork and (since many are first come, first served) punctuality. We've got the scoop on free summer sports in NYC and how your kids can vie for spots. You can find more no-cost activities in our Free in NYC Guide, or check out these free and inexpensive summer camp options around NYC.

Ultimate 2025 Guide to NYC Splash Pads and Water Playgrounds

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 05/18/2025 - 10:52am

The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier

When we were growing up, New York City playgrounds had sprinklers. But now, splash pads in NYC have transformed into spraygrounds—entire playgrounds dedicated to water play with fountains, geysers, rivers, pumps, and beautiful spraying statues. Kids just love these splash parks in NYC, and parents prefer these newfangled sprinkler parks because they're pretty and cool and a great way to beat the heat.

Splash pad season in NYC parks usually kicks into gear when temperatures hit 80 degrees, and there are hundreds of splash parks and splash pads in NYC parks. Though we've highlighted some favorites by borough—calling out the best splash pads in Brooklyn, top sprinkler parks in Queens, and our favorite spraygrounds in the Bronx—the ones on this list are even cooler (literally and figuratively).

Read on for the 24 best splash pads in New York City. For more ideas to stay cool and keep busy, check out our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Guide and our Playgrounds and Parks Guide.

Guide to Fleet Week 2025 with Kids: Salute the Sailors, Tour the Ships, and More Fun for Families

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 05/13/2025 - 11:25am

The Parade of Ships is always a highlight of Fleet Week in NYC. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bradley Rickard

Editor's note: Fleet Week 2026 will take place from Saturday, July 4-Wednesday, July 8, 2026, as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States.

Fleet Week 2025, NYC's annual salute to sea services, returns for its 37th run next week with tons of family-friendly activities from Wednesday, May 21-Monday, May 26, 2025. Fleet Week NYC activities are an annual highlight of Memorial Day weekend in NYC, bringing tons of service members to our shores, plus family-friendly programming at the Intrepid Museum and at piers along the west side and in Staten Island.

Best Strawberry Picking Farms and Strawberry Festivals near NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:58pm

Strawberry picking at Bishop Farms makes for a sweet day trip.

Strawberry picking season is one of our favorite milestones of the late spring and early summer. Picking your own strawberries makes the season even sweeter. As we move into the height of strawberry picking season, there are a slew of local farms for strawberry picking near NYC, and a visit makes for a great day trip.

Read on to discover more than a dozen strawberry picking farms all less than two hours from Midtown Manhattan. We've also found a handful of strawberry festivals celebrating the season's bounty. You'll find even more pick-your-own fun in our Guide to Family-Friendly Farms near NYC.

NYBG's Beloved Children's Garden Welcomes Guests Following Multi-Year Renovation

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 05/05/2025 - 12:09pm

Spot butterflies—real and supersized—when you explore the newly reopened Everett Children's Adventure Garden at the New York Botanical Garden.

When my kids were young, the Everett Children's Adventure Garden was always our first stop during a visit to the New York Botanical Garden, and following a multi-million dollar investment and multi-year renovation, this lovely, playful green space is ready to introduce a new generation of New Yorkers to nature in the concrete jungle.

Reopened over the weekend, the Everett Children's Adventure Garden is welcoming visitors once again. Read on for what you can expect during your next visit, whether you're planning to stop by for its Mother's Day Garden Party, the upcoming Van Gogh exhibition, or you want to explore the blooms, blossoms, and family-friendly amenities at the NYBG all year round.

Giant New NYC Exhibit Lets Kids Play at Being City Planners

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/01/2025 - 1:28pm

From transporation to trash and more, CityWorks explores all the systems that make NYC move.

City parents often think of New York City as our playground—its parks, transportation, and towering neighborhoods provide ample opportunities for exploration and inspiration. This fact was not lost on the team at the New York Hall of Science, who this week debut a brand-new, large-scale installation dedicated to the inner workings of city life with CityWorks, a sprawling, permanent exhibition that gives visitors, young and old, a look at what makes the city move.

From trash to transportation, waterworks to construction considerations, CityWorks lets visitors young and old embrace the spirit of urban planners with hands-on activities and info-packed displays designed to help visitors understand the complexities of keeping the city working as its populations and needs evolve. Read on for a look at this major new exhibition and get all our top tips for visiting NYSCI here.

27 Things To Do on Mother’s Day 2025 in New York City

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 04/28/2025 - 1:32pm

Beautiful blooms and family time are guaranteed to make mom smile at the New York Botanical Garden's Mother's Day Weekend Garden Party. Photo by Marlon Co/courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11, 2025, and mothers everywhere deserve a great weekend. Start planning a day mom won't forget by giving her one of these 50 Mother's Day gifts moms actually want, and don't forget to book your Mother's Day brunch reservations. Once that's done, read on for our list of the best Mother's Day outings and family-friendly things to do in NYC to round out mom's special day. No matter how you choose to celebrate, Happy Mother's Day from the team at Mommy Poppins.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

Pages