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

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Free Museum Day, Lunar New Year, Groundhog Day

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 01/28/2020 - 1:00pm

Bank of America card holders get one free admission to State Discovery Museum and a host of other NJ museums on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the museum

How much longer will this winter weather last? Find out when Watershed Wally the Woodchuck hosts a Groundhog Day Celebration on this first weekend of February. That's just one of many winter events happening this weekend in New Jersey.

Honor the upcoming Year of the Rat at Lunar New Year Celebration and Livingston Chinese Culture Day. Make the weekend even sweeter with maple sugaring demonstrations at Great Swamp OEC and Tenafly Nature Center. And bundle up for some outdoor time at A Winter's Day at the Farm and Family Nature Walk Series.

Find even more weekend options in our Winter Guide, including the Best Kid-Friendly Museums in Northern New Jersey. And look to our February GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

February GoList: The Best Things To Do With NJ Kids This Month

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 10:00am

There's so much to love about February, and we've rounded up the best things to do with kids in New Jersey throughout the month! There's Valentine's Day, of course, as well as the Chinese New Year and Presidents Day (this month marks George Washington's 288th!).

Got a sweet tooth? Check out Morris Museum's Chocolate Family Day or Great Swamp's Migrating Birds and Chocolate, or go maple sugaring at one of several spots around the state.

There are tons of kid-friendly performances this month, including mr. RAY, The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites, and Dino-Light. And there are plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, including Family Date Night at Jenkinson's and a My Little Man and Me party at Liberty Hall Museum.

For a full list of happenings, don't forget to check out our Event Calendar. And find more fun things to do in February in our Winter Fun & Activity Guide for NJ Families. Happy February, NJ!

Things To Do in NJ This Weekend: Winter Festival, Maple Sugaring, Monster Jam

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 01/21/2020 - 10:15am

The Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival continues this weekend! Photo courtesy of the event

Find lots of winter fun this weekend in New Jersey, including the start of maple sugaring season at Reeves-Reed Arboretum and Great Swamp. For more sweet fun, raise a glass of hot apple cider at Wassailing the Apple Trees, and decorate cookies at Read & Explore: Gingerbread Man.

Stay warm at free in-store events like IndigoKids Presents: Elbow Grease vs. Motozilla at Indigo Short Hills, and Learn to Draw Mickey & Minnie at The Disney Store. Plus, Monster truck and comic book enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to this weekend.

Find even more weekend options in our Winter Fun Guide, including Top 10 Indoor Play Spaces for Kids Across New Jersey. And look to our event calendar and January GoList for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Stores that Offer Free and Cheap Classes for NJ Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 01/09/2020 - 1:25pm

Home Depot hosts free Kid Workshops on the first Saturday of every month.

Extracurricular activities create enriching experiences for kids, but they can also take a toll on your wallet. The good news is that several stores throughout New Jersey offer free—and nearly free—kids' classes that allow you to save money while developing your family’s interests. These low- or no-cost classes, crafts, storytimes, and other activities are great ways to fill in schedule gaps without busting your budget.

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Teddy Bear Tea, Winter Festival, Train Show

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 01/07/2020 - 8:50am

Take your teddy bear to tea at the Morris Museum on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the museum

It's play time this mid-January weekend in NJ! Load up your calendars with playful events that spotlight teddy bears, trains, and storytimes. Little ones can treat their favorite plush friends to a tea party at Morris Museum. Young train enthusiasts will be on board with The Museum of American History's Annual Antique Toy Train Show. And kids can find free fun at Barnes & Noble and Hoboken Fire Department Museum storytimes.

Keep warm at indoor performances this weekend, including productions of Mr. Pennygaff's Cirkus Sideshow Spectacular and Reza: Edge of Illusion. If you choose to brave the outdoors, enjoy rides and activities at the Winter Festival Bonfire & Fireworks or hit the beach at the Seashore Open House. Learn more about outdoor fun at the Garden State Outdoor Sports Show.

Find even more weekend options in our Winter Fun Guide, including Indoor Obstacle Courses, Ninja Warrior Training, and Aerial Arts for NJ Kids. And look to our event calendar and January GoList for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Things To Do in NJ This Weekend: Lights Festival, Winter Wonderland, Free Crafts & Storytimes

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 12/31/2019 - 8:50am

Travel through an illuminated wonderland at the Vernon Lights Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

If your new year's resolutions includes saving money, then this is your lucky weekend. Most events for New Jersey families in the debut weekend of 2020 are free! Take part in craft freebies at Lakeshore Learning and Zimmerli Art Museum. Bring the kids to storytime freebies like Grumpy Monkey Storytime and Story Snacks. And spend some no-cost time outdoors at the Winery Sunday Music Series and Holiday Light Show.

This weekend also marks the final opportunity to take part in seasonal favorites, including the 62nd Annual Model Railroad Show and Bergen County Winter Wonderland.

Find even more weekend options throughout NJ in our Winter Guide, including the Top Snow Tubing Spots for New Jersey Families. And look to our January GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

January GoList: The Best Things To Do With NJ Kids This Month

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 12/27/2019 - 8:00am

Best cure for the post-holiday blues? Load up your January calendar with fun and festive events that the whole family will look forward to!

Start 2020 on a dramatic note with family-friendly productions of Angelina Ballerina, Dog Man, and Disney on Ice. Then kick back with a cup of tea or glass of wine (snacks for the kids).

And if you're ready to brave the chill, go festival-hopping at the Winter Festival Bonfire & Fireworks, Fire and Ice Festival, and Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival.

For more wintry fun, check out our Winter Activity Guide, and discover Free Indoor Play Spots for NJ Kids when the temperature plummets. And as always, you can find many more great things to do in our Event Calendar.

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Winter Solstice, Gingerbread Wonderland, Santa Visits

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 12/10/2019 - 8:00am

Enjoy lots of FREE fun at the Annual Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday at Cattus Island County Park. Photo courtesy of the park

Christmas is less than two weeks away! Take a break from the mad rush of holiday preparation, and take in some light and sweet holiday fun. Brilliant holiday displays continue to shine throughout New Jersey, including Jenkinson's Sea of Lights, Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights, and Vernon Lights Festival.

Bring the family, and a sweet tooth, to tasty festivities like the Annual Hot Chocolate Hike Weekend, Gingerbread House Workshop, Cookies with Santa, Elsa and Anna, and Grain House Cookies + Kindness Brunch. Still hungry? Load up on breakfast fare with St. Nick over the weekend at Santa brunches.

Relax at warm, indoor events including Storytime with Mrs. Claus, 2nd Annual Storytime with Santa, and Chanukah Concert and Family Sing-Along. There are plenty of holiday shows and Nutcracker performances taking place over the weekend, too!

Find even more weekend options in our Holiday Guide, including 50+ Awesome Santa Activities in New Jersey. And look to our December GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Laurie Rein

Latest posts by Laurie

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