Think a recipe for fun includes locking yourself and your kids inside a small room for an hour? That's the idea behind escape room adventure games, an activity that's become a worldwide phenomenon over the last year or so. New Jerseyans now have a new option for escape room fun: one of the state's largest facilities, the Escape Room Center, just opened in Bridgewater, and it makes for an exciting and memorable outing for families with older children, tweens, and teens. 

Selecting the best preschool for your child is no easy task. You can lose sleep over finding an environment that's just right for your little one. The questions are seemingly endless: Will the teachers prepare my child for the academic rigors that lie ahead? Will she be given the proper outlets to express her creativity and independence? Will his transition to preschool be smooth, and will he make friends? Will she nap and eat properly?

The process can be a bit less overwhelming if you first identify a school philosophy that you feel works best for your child, and go from there. To help you get started, we've laid out six of the most popular approaches, from co-ops and Montessori and Reggio Emilia to full immersion programs, along with some examples of New Jersey preschools that follow them. 

How’s this wish list for a kids' recreational class: great instructors, top-notch facilities, supportive staff, and diverse offerings for kids of all ages and abilities. When husband-and-wife duo Jonathan and Shannon Schafer decided to create the 37,800-square-foot Schafer Sports Center, these items were among their “must-haves."

My family recently visited the Schafer Sports Center in Ewing Township to check out their offerings, and it didn’t disappoint. There's something for everyone at this immaculate facility.