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

Intrepid Museum's Spectacular New Apollo Exhibit Is an Epic Look at the Space Race

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 04/01/2024 - 3:30pm

The Intrepid Museum invites visitors to relive the space race this spring with a brand-new exhibition entitled Apollo: When We Went to the Moon, which opened just last week in the Space Shuttle Pavilion.

The largest temporary exhibit ever mounted by the museum, it's just another reason to love a visit to the Intrepid Museum with kids. Read on for a sneak peek of the exhibition, which is perfect for aspiring astronauts and history buffs alike, and find more fun exhibits in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums and Galleries.

Creativity Runs Amok at Shot of Art NYC Where Kids Can Spin, Splash, and Drizzle Paint

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 03/14/2024 - 1:20pm

No surface is off limits when you book an art experience at Shot of Art NYC.

When it comes to creativity, my girls are always testing the limits. They've rarely met a craft material they don't want to work with, but we often clash over the messes left behind. That's what made a trip to Shot of Art NYC a perfect all-ages outing.

Over a two-hour session, we spun, dripped, and splashed paint everywhere from our canvases to the walls, ceiling, floor, and even (accidentally) my camera. We left with huge smiles on our faces, some cool new artwork, and inspiration to keep creating. Even better: We left the mess all behind!

Want to have your own creative playdate at Shot of Art NYC? Read on for the inside scoop on this art-and-graffiti-inspired studio and find more creative places to play on our list of the best arts and craft classes in NYC for kids.

This Cool New Hudson River Playground Lets Visitors Climb Inside a Fish

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 03/12/2024 - 10:12am

Hudson River Park has no shortage of places to play, but there's always room for more. And so it is that Pier 26—already an educational wonderland—is home to a brand-new playground.

A pair of colorful, larger-than-life sturgeon beckon local kids and passersby to stop and romp. Go inside these whimsical sea creatures with us and find more fun places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

Hit a Home Run at These NYC Batting Cages

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 03/04/2024 - 12:17pm

Five Star has verything you need for a successful hitting session on your own. Photo courtesy of Five Star

If your family is anything like mine, these batting cages in NYC will come in handy, because no season is as sacred as baseball season in our house. My son, who is serious about baseball, is always itching to get some real reps in, but there's only so much that can be tackled within the four walls of a cramped New York City apartment.

Luckily, the city has a slew of batting cages that welcome kids. Some even include private instruction and facilities where players can work on their fielding skills. You'll find more resources for sporty city kids in our NYC Kids' Guide to Sports Centers and Gyms, plus we've rounded up six Little League baseball drills easy enough to do at home.

What Ages Get in Free to NYC Museums, Zoos, Amusement Parks

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 03/03/2024 - 7:11am

History roars to life at the American Museum of Natural History and kids under age 2 can see it for free. Photo by Marley White/courtesy AMNH

The best things in life may be free—but for families used to the high cost of living in NYC, that sounds like crazy talk. That's why we've pulled together this list of free times to visit NYC museums, gardens, and zoos with little ones in tow.

Bookmark this list of when your kids are eligible for freebies at New York City's best family destinations, from tourist hot spots like the Statue of Liberty to all of the New York City's top museums for kids and the best zoos and gardens, too. We've included a few of our favorite picks in nearby locales, too.

Note: Some places may ask for proof of age. Looking for a 100% FREE outing? Check out our roundup of no-cost admission hours for all-ages at NYC museums and our list of 101 free things to do in NYC with kids.

Family Camps with Cabin Camping

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 02/29/2024 - 11:00am

Family camps offer lots of outdoor adventures like canoeing, kayaking, and more. Photo courtesy of Camp Seymour on Puget Sound

For decades, American kids have made lasting summer memories at sleepaway camps from New England to the West Coast. But, what about the adults? Enter: Family Camps with cabin camping. Many popular sleepaway camps open their bunkhouses to families for weekend or week-long family camps each spring, summer, and/or fall.

Family camps offer families an entire summer camp experience with a slew of activities including sports, hiking, boating, arts and crafts, and more. Nearly all of them serve up three meals a day, and some offer extra perks like evening happy hours and movies under the stars.

Here are 20 family camps with cabin camping in the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West Coast. Get even more fun family vacation ideas in our Family Travel Guide. And if your kids are ready to attend an overnight camp on their own, find the perfect one in our US Sleepaway Camp Guide.

Best Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Brooklyn for Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 02/27/2024 - 11:41am

Kids can climb the walls—and more—at the Play Lab, one of our top picks for the best indoor playgrounds in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn can't be beat for indoor playgrounds. From Play Kids in Greenpoint to Fairytale Island in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn kids have some prime indoor playgrounds to explore.

While we've included a couple of mellow tot spots with crafts or storytelling, this list of the best indoor play spaces in Brooklyn is focused on active indoor playgrounds, where toddlers, preschoolers, and even bigger kids can conquer multilevel mazes, swoosh down slides, climb rock walls, or just turn around in circles until they fall down exhausted and ready for a nap.

Read on for the best drop-in indoor play spaces in Brooklyn and find more indoor playgrounds citywide in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces.

New Play Street Museum Is an Imaginative Wonderland for Little New Yorkers

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 02/26/2024 - 10:00am

Play Street Museum caters to kids ages 8 and younger with a variety of imaginative play elements.

Upper Manhattan families take note: Play Street Museum has just debuted on the Upper West Side bringing with it a brand-new mini-city perfect for imaginative play. Geared toward children ages 8 and younger, the new play space is a perfect destination for cold or rainy days and offers a creative outlet for little New Yorkers.

Read on for all the ways you can play at Play Street Museum, which seems destined to make its way onto our list of Manhattan's best drop-in play spaces, and find more fun places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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