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

Splash, Skate, and Play at the Davis Center, which Transforms Central Park's Northern Landscape

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/24/2025 - 2:12pm

The exterior footprint of the new Davis Center at the Harlem Meer is camoflauged by the landscape, but its programming impact will be hefty.

Nestled between the edge of the North Woods and the banks of the Harlem Meer, Central Park's largest project to date—save for the park’s construction in the mid-19th century—makes its public debut this week. The Davis Center at the Harlem Meer delivers a transformative new destination on the northern edge, with all-season recreation, bold design choices, and a remarkable integration into the landscape of this oft-forgotten about corner of the park. We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the project in advance of its big opening celebration on Saturday, April 26.

A capstone project of the revitalization of northern Central Park, the Davis Center replaces the old Lasker Rink. It has been 7 1/2 years in the making and comes with a whopping $160 million price tag.

Dine in a Doodle at Shirokuro—NYC's First 2D Cafe

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 04/17/2025 - 12:19pm

Shirokuro is NYC's first 2D dining destination.

The 2D dining craze has officially landed in NYC with the opening of Shirokuro, a black-and-white destination that's 100 percent hand-drawn and makes it feel like you're dining inside a doodle.

We had to check out the eye-catching East Village outpost for ourselves, and can report there's more to it than the decor. This unique dining experience deserves to be added to our list of the most iconic, family-friendly restaurants in NYC.

What's Open on Easter: Best Things To Do on Easter Sunday in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 04/06/2025 - 9:04am

Celebrate spring with a Peeps-themed Easter brunch at Serendipity3. Photo by the author

On Easter Sunday, many New York City families enjoy a neighborhood Easter egg hunt or mingle about at the wildly popular Easter Bonnet Parade and Festival. But there are plenty of other things to do in NYC on Easter Sunday.

Read on for 19 events, activities, and destinations open on Easter Sunday, which falls on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Find even more inspiration in our Family Activity Calendar or NYC Kids' Guide to Easter Activities.

27 Things To Do in Little Italy with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 03/27/2025 - 12:37pm

Ferrara Bakery has so many goodies, but no trip to Little Italy, New York, is complete without a cannoli!

When it comes to kid-friendly amenities, Little Italy, New York, can get a bad rap. Frequented by tourists, locals might be inclined to avoid this Manhattan micro-neighborhood, but it's a beloved go-to for my family, and whether you're here on vacation or a local looking for a daycation destination, I invite you to read on to find out why Little Italy is worth a visit.

Whether we're making our annual trek for the over-the-top Feast of San Gennaro, enjoying a casual dinner on the charming Mulberry Street, or grabbing a slice of Little Italy pizza at the famous Lombardi's, plus visiting its playgrounds, mom-and-pop shops, and enjoying plenty of sweets and treats, here are our favorite things to do in Little Italy with kids.

Find more fun things to do nearby in our NYC Kids Guide to Soho, Hudson Square, and Little Italy, where we've outlined our top picks for family-friendly Little Italy restaurants.

End of an Era: Aviator Sports Closing in April and Shuttering Popular Kids' Programming

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/24/2025 - 12:35pm

The future of the sprawling sports and event center at Floyd Bennett Field is uncertain since Aviator Sports and Events has announced an abrupt closure. Photo courtesy of Aviator Sports

Aviator Sports and Events Center, which has schooled a generation of NYC kids in sports ranging from hockey and gymnastics to volleyball and rock climbing announced Monday that its indoor facility will close on Monday, April 14, 2025.

News of its closure means its indoor sports programs will also cease operations on that date. Its popular sports summer camp programs are also unlikely to return. The announcement—shared on its social media platforms and website—was met with shock and disappointment from parents.

Spring Break 2025: 49 Fun Things To Do in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 03/21/2025 - 11:43am

Enjoy a tropical spring break daycation with a trip to DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Photo by the author

Spring break 2025 is barreling toward us. If you're worried about keeping the kids entertained over NYC's spring break, we've got you covered. If you're sticking around the city for a spring staycation, there's plenty to keep every age group busy. From exploring our favorite kid-friendly museums to playgrounds worthy of a subway schlep, and destination-worthy tourist attractions, we've rounded up 49 things to do with kids in New York City during the upcoming public school spring break.

New York City's spring break runs from Monday, April 14-Friday, April 18, 2025. Add in two weekends, and you've got nine days to fill with fun. Some of our picks only take place on specific dates; others run the entire duration, but all are engaging ways to get out and celebrate spring.

If you're hoping to get out of town, be sure to visit our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for inspiration or consider booking a last-minute spring break vacation on the cheap.

Free Gear-Packed Baby Boxes Coming to an NYC Hospital Near You Later this Year

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 03/11/2025 - 12:13pm

Launching later this year, NYC Baby Boxes will be distributed to every family delivering babies at four public hospitals.

When it comes to welcoming a new bundle of joy in NYC, it's no secret that a little one needs tons of gear, but a new initiative is set to put infant-supply-stocked NYC Baby Boxes in the hands of new parents at some local hospitals.

Read on for more details on this program and find more need-to-know info for new parents in our NYC Baby Guide, which includes our top picks for the city's best baby stores, plus 20 things to do before your baby turns 1, and more parent-tested tips for those early days with wee New Yorkers.

24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 02/02/2025 - 5:49am

Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.

With winter's chill here, an indoor play space in NYC may be just the thing to get out some winter wiggles. To that end, we present this list of the 24 best indoor playgrounds in New York City. So, when it gets too cold to explore one of New York City's top playgrounds, consider taking your fun inside. A word to the wise: Many of these indoor play spaces in NYC require reservations for playtime, so plan your fun in advance.

We've got plenty more ideas to entertain kids in our Guide to Indoor Activities, plus fun seasonal happenings in our Winter Fun Guide.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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