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

Aruba with Kids: 29 Best Things To Do in Aruba, the Caribbean

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 07/27/2024 - 11:55am

You just might catch a glimpse of Aruba's resident pink flamingos! Photo by Frugal Flyer on Unsplash

At less than 70 square miles, Aruba is a small island, but it packs in a lot of kid-friendly activities for a Caribbean family getaway. Snorkel or splash in the bright blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, explore breathtaking natural parklands, dig in to a wide variety of tasty restaurants, support Aruba’s wildlife sanctuaries, or just stake out a spot on the powdery sand beaches.

With its mix of beach beauty and easy-access family attractions—and a relatively protected location south of the main Atlantic hurricane corridor—Aruba is a kid-pleasing choice for a sunny school-break vacation. Perhaps best of all, Aruba has a well-deserved rep for being one of the friendliest places on Earth. It certainly lives up to its tagline: One happy island!

Whether you’ve got an active crew in search of some new adventures or you’re just looking for a fabulous hotel pool to sink into for a few days, here are the best things to do in Aruba with kids. Find more tropical family-friendly escapes, including St. Thomas, in our Caribbean Family Travel Guide.

Balloon Story Brings Eye-Popping Displays and Interactive Fun to Park Avenue Armory

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 07/16/2024 - 10:53am

Dive into interactive exhibits and whimsical creations at Balloon Story.

Wild animals, far-off lands, Instagram-friendly backdrops, and one seriously large ball pit come together this summer at Balloon Story, the inflatable wonderland that's transformed the Park Avenue Armory into an immersive experience that's a perfect diversion from summer's soaring temperatures.

Read on for a sneak peek at this pop-up experience that's only in town through August and find more kid-friendly immersive museums and pop-up experiences in NYC in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits.

Best Central Park Restaurants for Kids, Plus Picnics, Pretzels, and More

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 06/24/2024 - 3:57pm

For a memorable meal, and a special kids' menu, dine at Tavern on the Green. Photo by Jim Henderson

A picnic in Central Park makes for a lovely alfresco meal, but if you don't have time to plan, there are a handful of Central Park restaurants ready to serve you a sit-down or to-go meal, plus plenty of snack food staples at the ubiquitous hot dog carts peppering the paths that criss-cross the park.

Next time you find yourself exploring the secrets of Central Park and hunger strikes, here are our top picks for kid-friendly Central Park restaurants, plus some family-friendly restaurants just outside its gates.

NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 06/18/2024 - 4:52pm

Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

In New York City, playgrounds are as much a part of childhood as potty training and the tooth fairy, and having a go-to playground is a real sanity saver for city families. When you live in a tiny apartment, the neighborhood park is your backyard.

While New Yorkers are lucky to have many awesome local playgrounds, some NYC playgrounds are a cut above the rest. These spots offer plenty of space to romp and enough outdoor entertainment to make them worth a schlep on the subway. Without further ado, read on for 21 of New York City's best playgrounds—our NYC playground hall of fame—and find more places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

Best Outdoor Water Parks near NYC for Family Fun

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 06/16/2024 - 10:26am

Catch some thrills at Hurricane Harbor, Six Flags Great Adventure's outdoor water park. Photo courtesy of the park

While there are no full-fledged outdoor water parks in NYC, you don't have to go too far to find awesome water parks for kids. Below, we've rounded up 17 of our favorite water parks near NYC for families.

These tri-state area water parks include water parks in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, plus in-state picks like the spectacular Splish Splash water park on Long Island.

No two are alike: Each one of these water parks for kids near NYC has different experiences and thrills, and all are within a two-hour drive of Midtown Manhattan.

Find more summer thrills in our Theme and Water Parks Guide, including indoor water parks for kids near NYC to explore on those rainy or cold days.

NYBG's Newest Installation Invites Visitors to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/16/2024 - 1:14pm

The White Rabbit is a super-sized centerpiece of the NYBG's Wonderland: Curious Nature exhibition.

The New York Botanical Garden is inviting visitors to fall down the rabbit hole this spring, summer, and fall. Its sprawling grounds have been transformed into a collection of curiosities in Wonderland: Curious Nature.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the garden-wide exhibition includes contemporary art, beautiful blooms, fantastical foliage, themed sweets and treats, and some creative programming guaranteed to add a little wonder to your next visit. It runs through Sunday, October 27, 2024.

Best Amusement Parks near NYC for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 05/10/2024 - 6:56am

Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, NJ, offers a classic summer experience. Photo by Margaret Hargrove

If you're looking for amusement parks for toddlers and preschoolers near NYC, there's no need to seek out the latest scary high-tech roller coasters. For young children, a ride on a carousel’s painted pony, a spin with dad around the bumper car track, and a dripping swirl of frozen custard are the stuff summer memories are made of.

Happily, several amusement and water parks in or near the New York City metro area offer these kinds of tame attractions. Here's our roundup of theme parks perfect for the pint-sized.

Find more seasonal rides in our Theme and Water Parks Guide for families.

Bronx Zoo Kicks Off 125th Birthday Celebration with New Exhibit, Season-Long Special Events

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 04/23/2024 - 9:27am

The Bronx Zoo's new Animal Chronicles walking trail brings a bit of art and history to one of the city's wildest attractions.

The Bronx Zoo is celebrating a big birthday in 2024—it turns 125 years old—and it's planned a whole season of celebrations. Festivities kicked off last weekend with the debut of Animal Chronicles, a brand-new eco trail exhibit.

Jody Mercier

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