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

Summer Camps with Transportation to and from New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 03/07/2021 - 12:00pm

Kids from various northern New Jersey towns can get a ride to Nature Place Day Camp in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. Photo courtesy of the camp

There are so many factors to consider when choosing a summer camp: Should you choose STEM or sports? Do you want to sign up for half-days or full-days? A huge factor is often how are you going to get your child to and from camp? While we don't have all the answers, we do have half a dozen camps in New York and New Jersey that offer the convenience of daily transportation for New Jersey kids.

You'll find these summer camps with transportation and many more in our Camp Guide and Directory. 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.

Read on to find the best options with transportation for New Jersey campers.

Things To Do in New Jersey This Weekend & Beyond: Purim Drive-by, PJ Party, Search For Spring

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 02/24/2021 - 12:32pm

Explore the beautiful Watchung Reservation during Trailside Nature Center's Back to Nature Series this Saturday. Photo by Margaret Hargrove

Bundle up, and take a hike through this last weekend of February. Brave the chill, and embark on family-friendly outings at Great Swamp OEC and Cavern Point Beach. You can also choose to stay in your warm car at drive-thru events like a wildlife baby shower and a Purim celebration.

You can find plenty of any time fun in our roundup of what's open in New Jersey right now, plus our curated lists of winter fun and where to play outside.

If you're staying in, check out our Poppins@Home site, where kids can explore their favorite hobbies, from Harry Potter-inspired wizards to Legos and more.

For even more fun, bookmark our always-updated Event Calendar and our Winter Fun Guide, which is filled with seasonal happenings.

What's Open Now in New Jersey For Families

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 02/12/2021 - 2:05pm

Try to Solve a giant Rubik's Cube at the Liberty Science Center. Photo courtesy of LSC

It's a challenge to stay on top of what's open now in New Jersey for families, but we're here to help. Many of our favorite destinations, from indoor play spaces to outdoor skating rinks, family-friendly restaurants, and more, have reopened to the public with safety protocols in place. While things may look a little different at these popular attractions, it's nice to have a reason to step out of the house and feel a sense of normalcy.

Read on for our list of what's open now in New Jersey, and be sure to bookmark this post; we'll update it as changes warrant. As always, you can find tons of things to do in our Event Calendar.

Outdoor Dining in New Jersey: Igloos, Tents, and More Alfresco Restaurant Setups

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 01/28/2021 - 5:44pm

Dine on a scrumptious Greek dinner in a heated plexiglass tent at It's Greek to Me in Ridgewood.

You might feel like you've been living in a bubble during the pandemic, but now you can actually dine in one. New Jersey restaurant owners have been thinking outside the box to keep businesses afloat during the winter months, which have been especially hard on outdoor dining.

Creative outdoor dining structures—from igloos to tents, greenhouses, and fire pits—are popping up at eateries throughout the state, providing customers with warm, safe alfresco dining opportunities. These outdoor seating options are heated, private, or socially distanced and disinfected between parties. Some ultra-cool spots even feature Bluetooth speakers and outdoor TVs, so you can enjoy your favorite restaurants and plenty of creature comforts, no matter the weather, all while supporting local New Jersey restaurant.

We've found more great ways to get outside this season and plenty of seasonal, family-approved fun in our Winter Fun Guide.

Things To Do in New Jersey This Weekend and Beyond: Ice Harvest, Groundhog Day, and More

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 01/27/2021 - 12:04pm

Bring your preschoolers to the Liberty Science Center every Thursday and Friday for Junior Days. Photo courtesy of LSC

This January weekend features two ice-centric events: Witness amazing ice sculptures at the Mount Holly ice exhibition or get a hands-on lesson in the historic ice harvesting industry at Howell Living History Farm's ice harvest. Plus, the search for Wally the Woodchuck is on with H20 Quest: Groundhog's Day.

If you're looking for indoor activities, check out our Poppins@Home site, where little ones can burn energy with Happy Feet's online soccer series and brush up on art skills while learning to draw an iconic cartoon character.

As always, you can find more things to do in our Event Calendar and our Winter Fun Guide, which are filled with seasonal happenings.

How to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2021 With NJ Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Mon, 01/11/2021 - 4:42pm

The Arts Council of Princeton is giving away a limited-edition coloring book to celebrate the history of notable Black Princetonians to commemorate MLK Day. Photo courtesy of the Arts Council

Martin Luther King Jr., the chief spokesperson for the civil rights movement, is memorialized annually on the third Monday in January. This floating holiday has evolved into more than just a day off from school; it's now deemed a National Day of Service. MLK Day encourages volunteers across the country to donate their time to make a difference in their communities while honoring the civil rights icon. This day reminds us of hope, compassion, and the ongoing potential for social change.

While most volunteer opportunities are virtual or drop-off this year, there are still plenty of ways to support Martin Luther King Jr.'s mission throughout New Jersey. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place on Monday, January 18, 2021.

New Year's Weekend Best Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids: New Year's Eve, Get Outside & More

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 12/30/2020 - 1:05pm

Join the Tenafly Nature Center for its Hibernation Happenings program and search the woods to see what animals are up to in the cold. Photo courtesy of the Tenafly Nature Center

It's time to kiss 2020 a socially-distanced goodbye and ring in the long-awaited new year! Whether you choose to venture out to iPlay America's New Year's Eve Celebration or catch Time Square's New Year's Eve live webcast from home, there are plenty of ways to welcome 2021. Add special touches to an at-home celebration with these 23 family-friendly New Year's Eve traditions from around the world.

Speaking of goodbyes, don't miss the last chance to enjoy holiday light spectaculars, like the holiday drive-thru light show at Diggerland and the Skylands Stadium Christmas light show. Start planning out new ways to keep busy and safe with our NJ winter fun list.

If you're staying in over the weekend, get active with Poppins@Home site offerings like Ballet for All Kids and HappyFeet Soccer Online.

As always, you can find even more things to do in our Event Calendar and our Winter Fun Guide, which are filled with seasonal happenings.

NJ Winter Fun List: 30+ Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 12/27/2020 - 3:59pm

The Grounds For Sculpture welcomes visitors all winter long. Bruce Beasley, ‘Horizon II,’ 2006, bronze, 26 x 126 x 40 inches, 7/9, Courtesy of the Artist, © Artist or Artist's Estate. Photo by David Michael Howarth Photography

While the shorter days and colder weather may have you dreaming of hibernation, we've found more than 30 reasons to leave the house for winter fun. In-person events are limited during this pandemic winter, yet there are plenty of remedies for the cooped-up blues, with opportunities for fresh outdoor air, plus some safe indoor activities.

Bundle up and explore the state's skiing and snowboarding spots, outdoor ice rinks, and more. The indoor destinations listed have enacted safety protocols and reduced capacities, so be sure to check the individual websites for specific requirements.

Read on for our best of winter list for the Garden State, and be sure to check out our Event Calendar and Winter Fun Guide for even more great ideas. Plus, if you're looking to fill the downtime, check out our Poppins@Home site for great online activities.

Laurie Rein

Latest posts by Laurie

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