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

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.

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.

Step Aside T. Rex There's a New Star Dino in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 12/05/2024 - 4:09pm

Visitors can come eye to eye with the newest member of the American Museum of Natural History's dinosaur collection in the Gilder Center lobby.

There's a new scene-stealing dinosaur in town at the American Museum of Natural History, which announced today the arrival of Apex, a 150 million-year-old Stegosaurus fossil that's set to go on display in the lobby of the Richard H. Gilder Center for Science Education this weekend. We got a sneak peek at this new giant, who joins the already impressive ranks at one of our favorite museums for kids in NYC just in time for Christmas vacation visits!

All Aboard for These Fun Holiday Train Shows in NYC: NYBG Train Show, Grand Central, and More

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/14/2024 - 12:44pm

The NYBG Holiday Train Show is a winter wonderland with enchanting trains and twinkling cityscapes. Photo by the author

Trains are a way of life for most New Yorkers, but come Christmastime these holiday train shows in NYC add a little sparkle to New York's favorite form of transportation as little engines and cabooses take center stage during the holiday season.

The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show is always one of our must-do Christmas events in NYC, with electric model trains whizzing by nearly 200 NYC landmarks made out of acorns, twigs, bark, berries, leaves, and other botanical bits and pieces. My family and I make it a point to go every year—it's truly a quintessential New York holiday experience. There's a reason it's No. 43 on our list of the top 100 things to do with kids in NYC.

But, the big NYBG holiday train show isn't the only holiday train show in NYC. Read on for more details on all the Christmas train shows the city has to offer this season, and, for an extra special holiday treat, take the kids on a full-size Christmas train ride with these nearby Polar Express and Santa trains.

Most Festive Family-Friendly NYC Hotels for Christmas and the Holidays

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/07/2024 - 12:52pm

The magic of the holiday season at the Lotte New York Palace begins in its beautifully decorated courtyard.

There's nothing like the holiday season in NYC, from glittering holiday windows and the towering Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to classic holiday shows and timeless traditions, the city sparkles during the holiday season. If you're ready to plan a magical holiday itinerary, you're going to need an equally magical place to lay your head at night and these family-friendly NYC hotels go all out to make you feel like you're home for the holidays.

With prime locations and fun festive touches, these local NYC hotels pull out all the stops to ensure your Christmas in New York is a core memory for years to come. Find more tips for your holiday vacation in our NYC Kids Guide to Christmas and the Holidays and our Visitors Guide, which is chock full of need-to-know information for navigating the Big Apple with kids in tow.

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in NYC for Kids and Families

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 11/03/2024 - 6:42am

Glide your way across the Brooklyn Children's Museum's roof when its popular ArtRink returns. Photo by Winston Williams

New York City's outdoor ice skating rinks are ready for a new season, and we've rounded up our favorite outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC. Whether you want to take a twirl on some long-running classics, like the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink and the always-free Bryant Park rink, or explore new favorites like the waterfront rink in Domino Park, our list of family-friendly outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC continues to grow.

Read on for our top picks for outdoor ice skating rinks for beginners and experienced skaters alike. And, if it ever gets too cold to glide outside, know you can always hit one of NYC's indoor ice skating rinks.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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