Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
Latest posts by Laurie
Pop-up and permanent drive-in movie theaters will suit those still looking to keep most excursions socially distanced or anyone interested in a little al fresco entertainment. Catch flicks in the comfort of your own car at New Jersey's only permanent drive-in theater, Delsea, or head down the Shore for the Barnegat Drive-In Movie Series. Or, consider a weekend excursion for drive-in options in the Brooklyn and Westchester theaters that we have included.
Most of the theaters offer concessions and some even feature pre-show entertainment.
Check out more warm-weather, outdoor fun in our Summer Guide for New Jersey Kids, and keep an eye on this post and our Event Calendar as new outdoor movie series continue to pop up. Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.
If you’re looking for a small town full of energy and neighborhood pride, Scotch Plains in Union County fits the bill. Scotch Plains is a family-oriented community with a downtown anchored by a village green, year-round community activities, an abundance of playgrounds, and a mini-golf course.
The town is located off Routes 22 and 78 and accessible from NJ Transit trains at the Fanwood station or via bus lines. Thanks to its walkable downtown, there are tons of family-friendly things to do in Scotch Plains, so now's the time to plan a day trip to this lovely enclave.
Junior golfers can perfect their swings this summer at these golf summer camps and classes in New Jersey. Golf courses throughout the Garden State host group lessons, summer camps, and clinics where golfers as young as 7 learn fundamentals of the sport based on age and ability. Taught by PGA professionals, most of these golf summer camps are booked by the week and may run half- or full-day sessions.
For more summer camps in New Jersey, such as affordable summer camps and STEM summer day camps, bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town.
If your days of rowdy reveling and guzzling green beer are a distant memory, you might find yourself wondering: Are there any kid-friendly St. Patrick's Day activities in NJ? You bet your lucky charms there are! Grab the kids and march on over to one of these great St. Patrick's Day celebrations in New Jersey. Our picks include a slew of FREE parades and St. Patrick's Day celebrations guaranteed to make you feel a wee bit Irish—at least for this month.
Looking for more fun things to do? Be sure to bookmark our Family Activity Calendar, which is filled with family-friendly picks no matter the date.
With warmer days ahead, amusement park season is just around the corner. There's no better feeling than zipping through the air on a speedy roller coaster, chilling on a carousel, or watching the little ones enjoy low-key kiddie rides. But, just when do amusement parks open for the season? We've got the scoop, whether you're hoping to catch ocean views and sandy beaches at the Jersey Shore's boardwalk amusement parks, like Jenkinson's and Castaway Cove, or you are dreaming of high-velocity thrill rides at mega parks like Six Flags Great Adventure.
We've rounded up the opening days for the most popular amusement parks in New Jersey and nearby. Be sure to click through to each park's website for the latest information, ticket deals, and season passes.
Sometimes they're naughty, sometimes they're nice, but no matter the mood, the holiday season is always a magical time for toddlers and preschoolers. New Jersey is home to dozens of jolly holiday events geared toward the younger set. Get wowed by animal-shaped Christmas lights at the stroller-friendly Turtle Back Zoo. Indulge in cookies and cocoa on a Polar Express train ride. And give your wish list to Santa Claus himself at a local meet and greet or catch his visit to Imagine That.
So, take a break from wrapping gifts and hiding elves on shelves to enjoy one of these 35+ preschooler-friendly Christmas activities guaranteed to put little ones in the holiday spirit. For more holiday fun, bookmark our Guide to Christmas for New Jersey Families.
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