Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Kaylynn Ebner, a mom of three, has been writing for Mommy Poppins since 2016. She’s passionate about exploring new spots with her family and sharing NJ’s best attractions and hidden gems with the Mommy Poppins community.

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello

What's Open on Thanksgiving 2025 in New Jersey? Places Open for Family Fun

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 11/16/2025 - 7:20am

From turkey trots to ice skating, there's lots happening on Thanksgiving Day in NJ. Photo courtesy of the Chatham Turkey Trot

There's more to Thanksgiving family time than turkey. If you're not prepping the main event or if dinner wraps up early, you might be left wondering, "Now what?" Use the time to make some extra-special Thanksgiving memories with the kids.

We've rounded up a bunch of ideas to get you going, including turkey trots, holiday light displays, and visits with animals at NJ zoos and aquariums.

Check out our roundup of NJ restaurants open on Thanksgiving and skip kitchen duty this year, or take a gander at our story on NJ fall day trips for other ways to get out of the house.

Fun and Festive Thanksgiving Coloring Pages for Kids (Free Printables)

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 11/13/2025 - 9:10pm

Coloring is a great way to get ready for Thanksgiving or to spend time together while turkey is in the oven. Photo by Polina Tankilevich via canva.com

Cooking and cleaning for Thanksgiving dinner feels like a marathon of chores, and bored kids will definitely slow you down. If you’re looking for some festive, screen-free ways to occupy our children, a stack of free Thanksgiving coloring pages could be your new best friend.

We found a variety of printable Thanksgiving coloring sheets that are easy to download, print, and share, and will keep kids calm and busy for a good long while. Best of all, many sites offer great Thanksgiving Day coloring pages for FREE.

If you’re looking to build a library of free printable coloring pages, don’t miss our ultimate collection of 1,000 Coloring Pages and Printable Activity Sheets for Kids. It includes our big list of printable, free coloring pages for kids!

How To Find Free Toys for Kids this Christmas and Holiday Season—Apply Soon!

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 11/04/2025 - 8:20am

Sometimes you can lend a helping hand, sometimes you need a helping hand. Because every kid deserves presents on Christmas. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

With the holidays right around the corner, many nonprofits are gearing up to ensure that the 2025 holiday season is joyful for all families. Luckily, there are loads of organizations, churches, and communities all over the country that run free toy drives and holiday gift programs to make sure every child has a toy or gift this holiday season.

Here’s a guide to help you find free toys for kids this Christmas, including national programs and ways to search for local help right in your city.

If you aren't struggling and want your family to start a tradition of giving back, reach out to one of these groups to see how you can donate free toys or offer other assistance. Not sure what gifts to donate? Our Gift Guide has recommendations for kids of all ages at all price points for toys and gifts that kids adore.

Best Neighborhoods to Trick or Treat on Halloween in New Jersey 2025

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 10/28/2025 - 6:18am

Clinton Place in Hackensack is known for having over-the-top Halloween decorations on nearly every home. Photo by James Falletti

If you're looking to up your Halloween game this year, we've got the scoop on the best places to trick or treat in New Jersey. These Halloween-obsessed New Jersey towns and neighborhoods decorate their homes with fabulous Halloween decorations to delight trick-or-treaters big and small. Others turn their streets into festive Halloween block parties.

Where can you join in the fun near your home? We’ve compiled a list of dozens of towns and neighborhoods that are worth a visit for trick-or-treating in New Jersey. Those who make the trip can expect lots of treats—not to mention some prime photo-ops.

Find more fun in our Halloween Guide for New Jersey Families, including the best FREE Halloween events for local kids.

13 Creepy & Cool Teen-Approved Halloween Experiences and Events in NJ

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 10/17/2025 - 12:40pm

Teens can flee the axman this Halloween at Wall Township's Conover Killings. Photo courtesy of the event

As the leaves change color and a chill fills the air, parents of teens face a spooky challenge: finding Halloween plans that are more "gore" and less "bore." We've compiled a list of 13 teen-worthy Halloween events that, dare we say, are fire.

Find more Halloween events for kids of every age in our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for New Jersey Kids.

Lego, Star Wars, and More Awesome 2025 Advent Calendars for Kids and Parents, Too!

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 10/14/2025 - 10:52am

Build the excitement as the festive celebrations approach! Photo courtesy of Lego

Advent calendars are the perfect way to turn a torturous wait for the holidays into excited anticipation. I have to confess, I am a bit of an advent calendar obsessive; last holiday season we had eight going for our family of four, plus one for each of the cats! My kids each had a toy one (Lego for my son, Harry Potter for my daughter) and a candy one, I had a wine advent calendar, my husband had a dark chocolate one, and we always have a family one and a kindness advent.

Find the perfect one, or two, for everyone in your family—from baby’s first to something for your blasé teen—from this list of the very best advent calendars for 2025. But hurry—the coolest advent calendars sell out fast.

For more Christmas activities that get kids in the holiday mood, check out our Guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids. And for the perfect gift for everyone on your list, our Gift Guide has unique, tested, and beloved recommendations for kids of every age and interest.

Space Play Academy, a New Indoor Play Space, Opens in Somerset County

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 10/14/2025 - 6:56am

Kids will have a ball in Place Space Academy's ball pit. Photo by the author

Space Play Academy, a new space-themed indoor playground, has opened in Hillsborough, NJ—and it's out of this world. This spot offers a great mix of active and imaginary play activities that are perfect for kids under 11 or so. We recently visited this unique play spot and were so impressed by how many fun things there are to do.

Check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey for lots more places to have indoor fun in NJ.

16 Things To Do in New Jersey that Everyone Will Love—From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents, Too!)

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 10/12/2025 - 4:54pm

Funplex has thrills for all ages. Photo courtesy of the business

Outings with mixed-age groups can pose some unique challenges. You don't want to bore your teen while your little one has all the fun—and vice versa. Luckily, we've found 15 places that have lots of attractions in one central place to meet the needs and interests of toddlers through teens, and everyone in between.

Read on for our top 15 things to do in NJ with kids of all ages, and check out our Guide to Family Day Trips in New Jersey for lots more on NJ family excursions.