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

Easton, Pa., With Kids: 15 Things To Do as a Family

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 10/21/2021 - 12:21pm

Kids play at South Park near the Easton Farmers Market. Photo courtesy of the market

Just west of New Jersey's Warren County and across the Delaware River, there's a gem of a small town waiting for families to explore. Easton, Pennsylvania, has a rich history dating back to colonial times and is now home to a bustling downtown, unique eateries for foodies, sprawling farms, and tons of terrific family-friendly destinations. Here are 15 spots perfect for memory-making during an Easton day trip with kids. Find more to do in the area with our guide to the Lehigh Valley.

Fun Family-Friendly Bike Rides in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Mon, 10/18/2021 - 1:55pm

These local bike paths make for a great family-friendly outing.

Riding a bike is more than a childhood milestone. It develops a sense of balance, strengthens muscles, fosters an appreciation for the outdoors, and makes for wonderful family bonding time. Luckily for New Jersey families, there are tons of family-friendly bike paths throughout the state, from the Kittatinny Mountains to the Jersey Shore.

Read on for 15 family-friendly bike paths for a ride. If you prefer to travel on foot, check out these 12 easy hikes in NJ for families with small children.

Hit the Serene Columbia Trail for a Family-Friendly Hiking Adventure

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 10/12/2021 - 12:47pm

Keep your eyes peeled as you traverse the Columbia Trail. Wildlife real and imagined call the edges of this hiking trail home.

If you're looking for a new hiking trail or family-friendly nature walk to try with your kids, that's not too challenging but has enough variety to pique their interest, head to Hunterdon County's Columbia Trail—and feel free to bring your little ones as this is a fun stroller-friendly path!

The Columbia Trail is a fantastic, relaxing hiking route, running about 15 miles from High Bridge, through Califon, and into Long Valley and Washington Township in Morris County. Read on for more details on this family-friendly hiking spot and find more places to go hiking in New Jersey in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

Ghost Tours in New Jersey Where Big Kids Can Investigate Paranormal Activity

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 1:21pm

Princeton's Ghost Tour/Hunt and Cemetery visit is a spooky night out best for ages 13+.

Halloween is just around the corner and if your kids are like mine, they're already planning how to build an epic stash of sweets and spinning spine-tingling spooky tales. My younger son is all ears when it comes to scary stuff, whether it's the Jersey Devil or the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. So, this year, we decided to try something new: a walking ghost tour. There are several well-known ghost tours near New Jersey, offered both seasonally and year-round where amateur paranormal investigators can embark on an after-dark expedition.

Before buying tickets, though, I wanted to make sure my son was really ready for a more grown-up outing. After all, there's no getting around the serious topics we'd encounter. So I grilled him: Would hearing ghost stories frighten him, or would he find them entertaining? Did he mind a late night and a walk in the dark? Would he have the patience to be on his feet for more than an hour? After a bunch of enthusiastic responses, we booked our tickets and headed out. Read on for details on our night and a handful of spooky spots where you can embark on your own Garden State ghost tour, and find more seasonal happenings in our Guide to Halloween Activities in New Jersey.

Karate and Martial Arts Classes for Kids in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 5:53pm

Break the board during a karate class at International Martial Arts.

Focus, discipline, athleticism, confidence, and respect are the skills taught in karate and martial arts classes for kids. You can find a variety of different martial arts classes for kids in New Jersey, including karate, taekwondo, kung fu, jiujitsu, judo, aikido, and more disciplines.

Regardless of the style of martial arts classes you choose for your child, it's important to find a studio with instructors who understand how to work with kids. Many encourage children to attend classes two times per week to properly progress, and most have mixed-age and mixed-level classes, which are great for families with multiple children. Here are our top picks for family-friendly karate and martial arts classes for kids. Find more enrichment options in our guide to Classes and Activities for New Jersey Kids.

Family-Friendly Beer Gardens in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 07/04/2021 - 9:57am

Kids will love the food while parents have a tasty brew at The Alementary.

It's summertime, and we've got an idea to add to your list of outdoor destinations to visit with your crew: a family-friendly beer garden. Surprised? Don't be! These venues can be a pretty fun place for the whole family to grab a bite (and a sip) and enjoy some quality together time. Bring some small toys or card games, order some pretzels, kick back, and enjoy. Find more family-friendly picks for eating out in our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.

Amusement Park and Water Park Discounts: How to Score Ticket Deals at Theme Parks Near NYC

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Mon, 06/14/2021 - 5:46pm

Hershey Park lets you preview its rides for 2-3 hours of bonus park time the night before you visit.

There's no better time to experience the thrills of your favorite amusement park time than Summer 2021. Many parks are helping friends and family make up for lost time with special summer rates that you won't want to miss. Here's how to score ticket deals at area theme parks and water parks in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, all of which are an easy day trip for NYC-area families.

With deals this hot, you might be able to check out more than one of these new-in-2021 rides.

Online Consignment Shops to Buy & Resell Kids' Clothes

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 04/18/2021 - 11:09am

Browse or sell kids' clothing online with sites like thredUP. Photo courtesy the company

Kids grow ridiculously fast. Some days, it feels like by the time my boys come home from school, they’ve already outgrown what I dressed them in that morning! My bank account can vouch for this as well. It’s no wonder why many families are turning to a more economical and eco-friendly way to fill the closet: online consignment shops where parents can buy, sell, and trade new and pre-loved clothing.

Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello

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