Anna Fader

Founder & CEO of Mommy Poppins
Anna was born in Park Slope, spent her early years in the West Village. By the time she graduated high school, she had lived in 4 of the 5 boroughs. Growing up in NYC in the '70s meant the streets were her playgrounds. Museums and avant garde music venues were the kid-friendly activities. And living downtown taught her the importance of creating community for families in NYC.

Now, raising her own two children in the city, she tries to create the same sense of magic and community she felt growing up, despite today's more commercialized version of kid-friendly New York.

She started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to share a more artsy, educational, uncommercial, community-oriented vision of raising kids in New York City. Today Mommy Poppins is relied on by millions of families as the authority on the best things to do with kids beyond New York City: from Boston to Philly, Los Angeles, Houston and travel guides for dozens more cities and destinations.

Latest posts by Anna

Asheville with Kids: 40 Best Things To Do in Asheville, NC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 12/17/2022 - 12:53am

Blow off steam at at the Biltmore Estate's Pisgah Playground. Photo courtesy of the estate

Nestled in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, the city of Asheville is a popular travel destination for families looking to hike, swim, and enjoy nature. But there are so many things to do in Asheville, NC beyond the great outdoors. There's the famous Biltmore Estate and its extensive grounds, a thriving food and arts scene, kid-friendly local breweries like Sierra Nevada Asheville, and so much more.

Read on for 40 of the best family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and things to do in Asheville, NC with kids. We've also included a few incredible Asheville hotels, including the Omni Grove Park Inn, home of the famous annual National Gingerbread House Competition.

Find more family-fun destinations in our Family Travel City Guides, and be sure to check our picks for North Carolina's best beaches for families.

Best Places for High Tea in NYC to Enjoy a Cup with Kids

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 12/08/2022 - 4:43pm

The American Girl Store in Rockefeller Center offers tea on select dates this holiday season. Photo by Jody Mercier

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a memorable experience, afternoon tea—sometimes called high tea in New York City—can be a fun outing with kids. It's an especially great winter outing and particularly fitting during the holidays.

Several places serve high tea in New York City, with varying degrees of appropriateness for children. From the fancy Eloise Tea at the Plaza Hotel to the less frilly Russian Tea Room, there are teas—and goodies—for children of all ages and parents of all budgets. Here's our take on the best spots to enjoy high tea in NYC with kids. Bookmark our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants for more family-friendly options for your next meal out.

Orlando with Teens: Top 20 Things to Do at the Theme Parks & Beyond

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 8:32am

Even teens get swept up in the Disney magic!

Think Orlando is a destination just for kids? Visiting Orlando with teens is even better! Orlando theme parks are great when you can go on all the rides and don’t have to worry about the dreaded "theme park meltdowns." My big kids were also able to pack in lots of other adventures and hipster shopping areas as we explored all the Fun Things to do in Orlando Other than the Theme Parks.

Navigating Orlando with teens allows parents to spend more time together, perhaps even at places of shared interests (for example, you're never too old to be a Potterhead)! For more ideas about the best of Orlando theme parks, visit our Orlando Theme Parks & Water Parks Guide. You'll learn about out-of-the-box theme parks, like Gatorland, Crayola Experience Orlando, and much more.

Temple-Emanu-El’s New Manhattan Location Offers Parenting and Play Groups for Downtown Families

Submitted by Anna Fader on Wed, 09/07/2022 - 10:00am

Emanu-el Downtown brings family programs to Downtown Manhattan

Big news for Downtown families in Manhattan! Temple-Emanu-El has opened a new satellite location, bringing their highly esteemed family programming to Chelsea. Temple-Emanu-el operates one of the most coveted NYC preschools and religious programs at their historic Fifth Avenue location. Now families living in Chelsea, the West Village, Tribeca, Flatiron, and other downtown neighborhoods have the opportunity to benefit from educational programs, drop-in classes, special events, and holiday celebrations for babies, toddlers, and young children.

Whether you are curious about Jewish culture, or looking to get your child involved in the Jewish community from a young age, register for the free kick-off Rosh Hashanah festival on September 18 to learn more about Emanu-El Downtown’s new satellite campus at 440 West 21st Street (between Ninth and Tenth Avenues) in Chelsea.

Here’s a preview of some of the programming and information on how you can save 20% on classes!

NYC STEM, Arts, and Language Camps and Classes Still Available for Summer 2022

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 07/17/2022 - 12:22pm

Enjoy hands-on art and more with Claire's Creative Adventures. Photo courtesy of the venue

Just because summer has already started doesn't mean you've missed the summer camp bus. The day camps and classes below not only have space available, but you can book them with an easy click right from our NYC Events and Activities Calendar's Camps and Classes section. Find in-person summer camps, drop-in classes, and online summer programs, too—some even have special deals for our readers. Signing up for camp couldn't be easier!

For more summer camp ideas, including everything from STEM camps to golf camps to free camps, check out our NYC Summer Camp Guide and Summer Camp Directory.

40 Awesome Summer Day Trips for Connecticut Families

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 10:30pm

Get out and explore Connecticut with the best summer day trips! Photo courtesy of Sea Kayak Connecticut

One of the best things about living in Connecticut is that great beaches, state parks, and amusement park rides, are all within a short drive. We've rounded up the best summer day trips from Connecticut that kids will love. We grouped these getaways by area so families can easily double up on attractions and create their own itinerary.

Whether you're looking to explore natural beauty, expand knowledge, or scream with delight on a water slide or roller coaster, these day trips in Connecticut are just the ticket. Find even more summer activities in our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide.

15 Restaurants with Outdoor Dining near Manhattan: Patios, Backyards & More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 05/02/2022 - 6:21pm

Kids get their own special outdoor dining tables at Ellington in the Park. Photo by Shira Kronzon.

Great outdoor dining is a lovely way to savor these first sun-filled days of spring, and it makes the dog days of summer in the city tolerable, at least in my book. An hour sitting on a shady patio, sipping a cold drink, steels me for the rest of the week. Even as the pandemic eases, outdoor dining is still the safest way to go when you want to eat out.

Of course, eating out with kids is never as simple as that, so we’ve selected not just sublime outdoor dining spots but ones with enough room to roam. Hopefully, these family-friendly Manhattan restaurants with patios, backyards, and more outdoor dining setups, ranging from the Battery up to Inwood, make you forget you live in a yard-less New York City apartment.

Find more kid-friendly restaurant suggestions in our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants in NYC.

99 Sensory Activities for Toddlers, Infants, and Kids of All Ages

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 04/07/2022 - 9:20am

Did you know a pillow fight is a great way to get proprioceptive input? Photo by Mommy Poppins

All kids can be affected by sensory processing issues, where certain situations and feelings just become overwhelming. Exposing kids to a variety of sensory activities in a calm, playful manner can alleviate some of these problems.

In that spirit, we've put together this list of 99 sensory activities for toddlers and babies up through big kids; in fact, they're even helpful for adults. My kids' school's occupational therapist once gave a seminar to parents on sensory balance and activities for maintaining a sensory-savvy schedule. I now realize my engine tends to run too low and I need to work harder at energizing myself throughout the day. I have incorporated some of these activities to keep my own energy up.

For more tips and sensory activities for kids of all ages, see our posts on Sensory Bin Ideas for Busy Toddlers, DIY Sensory Activities for Babies, and Sensory Savvy Snacks for Kids.