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

Your Online Back to School Fair Is Here for Classes, Schools, Preschools, and Remote Learning Support

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 09/01/2020 - 10:43am

To say that back to school looks different this year than other years is a massive understatement. But whether your family is going all virtual, hybrid, or trying something new with school alternatives, homeschooling or even unschooling, an enrichment class is always a great addition to give kids creative time, learn new skills, and possibly even get outside! Or maybe you are still looking for school alternatives for this year or the next.

Whatever your school needs are for the 2020-2021 year, our Back to School Fair is a great place to find virtual programs and in-person classes, schools, and preschools. If you are overwhelmed with distance learning, there are services offering in-person and virtual remote learning support.

21 Kids' Books About Racism, By Age

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 11:05am

The Light We Feel Inside encourages children to look to Black female changemakers of the past as guides for their biggest feelings.

It can be hard to talk about uncomfortable things with children. Books are a great way to introduce different ideas and experiences and talk about them together.

In the groundbreaking parenting book Nurtureshock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, the chapter, “Why White Parents Don’t Talk About Race” taught me something about myself. The section explains that white parents often think that by ignoring race we will teach our children that race is not important and everyone is equal. In fact, they write, research shows that this does not work.

I have a feeling that if Bronson and Merryman were writing this today, they might go a step further and say that white parents must actively teach children that it’s not enough to see everyone as equal. We must also see how people are not treated equally and actively work to change this inequality in our society. The following list of books for children, from toddlers to teens, goes beyond celebrations of diversity; these acclaimed books educate children about racism in our society and open conversations about social justice.

Great Arts Camps for NYC Kids to Learn to Paint, Sculpt, Sing and Perform

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 02/25/2020 - 6:45pm

Buck Rock Camp offers professional-level facilities to train your growing artist.

There's no place better than New York City for kids to learn about art, and what better way for your child to pursue their creative passions than a summer art camp? Many professional artists moonlight as talented teachers, and the demand for art programs has created a wealth of exceptional art classes and arts camps. Whether your child is into visual arts, performing arts, or wants to sample all the arts, we've found After 15 exceptional arts camps, which all excel for different reasons.

We found visual arts camps, performing arts camps, and more creative camps with programs like circus arts. Some arts camps allow kids to sample a little of everything. From summer-long intensives to week-long sampler sessions, no matter their age, if your child is ready to dive into a summer of artistic expression, read on to find the perfect arts camp.

If you need more ideas, check out our Camp Guide and full Directory of Listings for dozens more great camps.

Grand Isle Resort and Spa in Great Exuma, Bahamas Offers Laid-Back Luxury

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 02/22/2020 - 2:02pm

Meet nurse sharks during a day trip around the Exumas, a string of islands in the Bahamas.

Spared by the recent hurricane, the Exumas in the Bahamas have become an increasingly popular destination, including among families who are discovering these laid-back island paradises in the Caribbean.

The Exumas are a string of islands and cays in the Bahamas with white sand beaches and turquoise-blue waters. This area of the Bahamas is much less developed than Nassau and Paradise Island, which are popular for attractions like Atlantis. Here you'll find fewer crowds and more natural shorelines.

While celebrities and millionaires build homes on the remote and beautiful string of cays, most families head to Great Exuma or Little Exuma for their vacations. And, as any local will tell you, Grand Isle Resort and Spa is the best resort in Exuma for families.

Wegmans Comes to Brooklyn: 3 Things to Love about NYC's Newest Grocery Megastore

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 8:43am

Is Wegmans a grocery store, a food hall, or a restaurant? The answer is, all of the above.

Believe it or not, I had never heard of Wegmans before it opened here in NYC last week. (As a native New Yorker growing up in the city in the 70s, I was raised thinking that the only chains you saw in NYC were gold and should be tucked under your coat on the subway.) So while I was excited to hear about Wegmans coming to the Vinegar Hll neighborhood of Brooklyn, I admit I had no idea why the Rochester-based chain was all that. Did Wegmans acquire its legion of fans by its unique products, the way Trader Joes does? Was it just the suburban size value, like Costco? Did it offer better-sourced produce and meats like Whole Foods?

What I discovered is that the secret of Wegmans is that they are going for all of the above. Wegmans is the store that wants to be everything to all people. And, they seem to be pulling it off. I recently went to find out what makes NYC’s newest grocery store and food hall different from other stores. Here are the top things that make Wegmans a win for New York City families.

Juneau With Kids: An Insider's Guide to Juneau, Alaska

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 09/28/2019 - 2:03pm

<i>A visit to Mendenhall Glacier is a must-do in Juneau.</i>

For many, Juneau may just be a stop on their Alaskan cruise or a layover on their way to other spots in Alaska. For Southeast Alaskans, like my family, Juneau is the “big city," which means that there's more than just a touristy cruise port area to explore in Juneau. There are plenty of things to do in Juneau that will check items off an Alaskan adventure bucket list, as well as more local experiences that give families a taste of real-life in Alaska.

These are my favorite things to do in Juneau, including local spots and top Juneau tours. And if you're heading to Haines during your Alaskan vacation, check out my list of things to do in Haines, Alaska.

Jewish Museums in NYC: 6 Cultural Spots for Kids

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 8:30am

Family Programs at the Jewish Musuem offer unique, engaging, and unexpected artistic and cultural experiences for visitors of all ages and abilities. Photo courtesy of the museum

One of the best aspects of growing up in NYC is that kids are exposed to lots of different cultures. In fact, it's not uncommon for children of all backgrounds to want to celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, Purim and Lunar New Year—and perhaps even teach their parents how it's done.

Exploring various traditions at school and with friends is fun, but there are also many New York City institutions where you can learn about different cultures in more depth, from the Museum of Chinese in America to the Japan Society to the National Museum of the American Indian. As the Jewish high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach, here are six great NYC spots where kids can learn about Jewish culture, traditions, and history.

Quebec City with Kids: 25 Things To Do in Old Quebec and Beyond

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 09/07/2019 - 2:15pm

Kids will love the Observe exhibit at Musee de la civilisation in Quebec City. Photo courtesy the museum

Quebec City is often touted as a European vacation alternative—a picturesque city where you can walk cobblestone streets, sit in bistros, and order in French without a transatlantic plane ticket. Yes, Quebec’s old town streets are quaint and pedestrian-friendly, but families should visit Quebec City because it’s full of wonderful and unique attractions and culture in its own right. It's also a great pre or post cruise destination.

As the only walled city in North America and a Unesco World Heritage site, this Canadian city is full of history. Yet, the best things to do in Quebec City also include modern attractions, such as family-friendly museums, an indoor amusement park, and lots of great outdoor spaces, parks, and festivals that make it a fun place to visit.

Read on to discover the top things to do in Quebec City with kids. Then make sure to read about our top picks for Quebec City restaurants for families.