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

Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 10/07/2021 - 1:21pm

Valenzano Winery is located in the heart of the Pine Barrens and offers a relaxing escape.

When planning a family day trip this fall, vineyards and wineries may not be the first destinations that come to mind. Believe it or not, New Jersey is home to relaxing and scenic vineyards that welcome kids and even pets. These vineyards offer outdoor fun that includes food truck events, music, farm activities, spacious fields, and of course, the Garden State’s homegrown wines.

Not all local vineyards and wineries permit children on the premises, but raise your glass to those that do! Be sure to check the policies on children in the tasting areas before you visit.

Awesome Coding Classes for Kids in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 1:17pm

Code Ninjas teaches kids coding through video game creation. Photo courtesy of the venue

As our daily lives have become more technology-dependent, children have the opportunity to use their screentime to gain coding skills to prepare them for the future. These coding classes for kids in New Jersey allow beginner through advanced coders to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to build apps, video games, and more. Popular games like Minecraft and Roblox are often integrated into these coding classes.

While we've found a handful of in-person coding classes in New Jersey, we're also including some virtual coding classes you can enjoy from the comfort of home. Find more science and technology classes in our roundup of the best STEM classes in New Jersey, and check out our guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in New Jersey for more kids activities and programs no matter your child's age or interest. You can also find free coding for kids websites and apps.

Hikes in New Jersey With Waterfalls, Swimming Holes, and More Wet Places to Play

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 08/08/2021 - 6:23pm

Wander toward the stream on a hike through Hacklebarney State Park. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Taking the family on a warm summer hike can be scenic, educational, and energizing, but also downright hot! Adding a splash of water to your hike ups the adventure and is a refreshing motivator. The Garden State is home to tons of hiking trails leading to waterfalls, beaches, streams, and other fun spots where kids can dip their toes in the water and cool off a bit in the process.

So, read on for our list of 12 hiking trails where you can enjoy a quick wade or dip. Be sure to pack water shoes as these trails can get wet and sometimes muddy—and a towel is helpful for young hikers who choose to go all in.

Top Things To Do in New Jersey This Weekend With Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 06/23/2021 - 11:11am

Enjoy the Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard

This last weekend of June looks to be a berry good one with the debut of the Blueberry Summer Fest Markets at Whitesbog and the annual Red, White, and Blueberry Festival in Hammonton. Celebrate the end of the school year with fun for the whole family at State Fair Meadowlands, Keansburg Family Fun Fest, and Terhune's Firefly Festival.

If you need a night off—or a night out—Boonton's All Children's Arts Center has a too-good-to-pass-up deal for you: Book the kids into a Friday night arts, crafts, and open mic session, and enjoy your evening guilt-free knowing they're having a rocking good time.

More seasonal fun includes taking in drive-in and outdoor movies statewide or embarking on a summer day trip to our favorite beaches or nearby water parks.

If you still want more, our Summer Fun Guide is packed with picks, and our Activity Calendar gets constant updates; plus, we've compiled a list of 85+ FREE things to do in New Jersey this summer with kids.

Activities To Get You Out of the House This Weekend in NJ

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 04/21/2021 - 5:50pm

Climb high at Clayton Park, where Monmouth County Parks pulls out its portable 25-foot climbing wall for visitors to scale.

Happy Earth Day, New Jersey. This weekend features a slew of ways to celebrate Mother Nature. Enjoy an Earth Day walk in Monmouth County Parks, make furry friends at Grayrock Farm, and witness sheep shearing at Longstreet Farm.

For a less-structured outing, you can get outdoors for nature-focused fun at New Jersey's botanical gardens and arboretums or explore the Pine Barrens.

Of course, you should bookmark our always-updated Event Calendar, which includes a roster of upcoming spring festivals for New Jersey families. Last, don't forget to book those summer camps. You can learn more about local and virtual options with our upcoming Online Camp Fair, where you're invited to visit virtual booths and watch live camp demos.

Lakefront Summer Camps for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 04/04/2021 - 5:29pm

Jeff Lake Day Camp, located in beautiful Sussex County, New Jersey, offers an exciting, creative, summer day camp experience for children. Photo courtesy of the camp

New Jersey's traditional summer camps offer a well-rounded roster of fun-in-the-sun activities, like sports, crafts, swimming and more. Adding a lake into the mix opens the door to an array of aquatic activities, so we've rounded up 18 lakefront summer camps for New Jersey kids.

With day camp and summer camp options, these scenic, waterfront campuses feature activities like paddle boating, kayaking, fishing, tubing, floating on inflatables, and even chilling at a lakefront beach. So, dive into our list of lakefront summer camps.

As always, you can find even more summer camp options in our Guide to Summer Camp for New Jersey Kids. You can also learn more about local and virtual summer camps with our upcoming Online Camp Fair where you can visit virtual booths and watch live camp demos.

Activities To Get You Out of the House this Weekend in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 03/24/2021 - 2:38pm

Hit the shore to enjoy opening weekend and boardwalk fun as Jenkinson's Amusement Park hosts its season opening this weekend. Photo by the author

This weekend is hopping with Easter Bunny visits and springtime fun galore. You can catch up with the Easter Bunny at Alstede's annual Easter and Springtime Family Festival, local egg hunts, like the one on the Ocean City boardwalk, or train rides, like the Easter Bunny Express.

Amusement park season springs into action this weekend as well. Don't miss the season openings at Jenkinson's and Six Flags Great Adventure, among others.

If you're staying in, check out our Poppins@Home site, where kids can pick up new dance moves with a virtual hip-hop class and a children's ballet class.

For even more fun, bookmark our always-updated Event Calendar, which is full of ways to stay busy during your upcoming spring break staycation.

Hop on a Giant Seesaw at Glo Downtown in Westfield

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 03/09/2021 - 12:39pm

Light-up, musical seesaws are the main draw at Glo Downtown but businesses are offering special offers during their run.

One New Jersey town has found a unique way to give its businesses a little lift. Giant, light-up seesaws have been installed in Westfield as part of its Glo Downtown promotion, and organizers hope these whimsical playthings attract visitors to its streets.

The seesaws are part of the touring public art installation dubbed Impulse, which features 15 illuminated, sound-producing seesaws, each holding up to four riders at a time. It's been installed in the North Avenue Westfield Train Station parking lot. The Impulse seesaws, which previously appeared in New York City, Montreal, Australia, London, and Boston, are FREE to ride and available daily through Sunday, March 21.

Laurie Rein

Latest posts by Laurie

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