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: Holiday Lights, PJ Masks, Skate with Santa

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 10:30am

Six Flags Great Adventure lights up this weekend for Holiday in the Park. Photo courtesy of Six Flags!

There's holiday spirit happening throughout New Jersey this weekend, from seasonal shows to Santa visits.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday prep to take in a kid-friendly show, including Elf: The Musical, Angelina Ballerina, and PJ Masks Live. Santa's popping in this weekend at Kale's Garden Center, Terhune Orchards, and Warinanco Sport Center, and he'll be making appearances in towns like Chester and Warren.

Celebrate Christmas past this weekend at Wassail Day, Dutch Christmas, and Sinterklaas Day, and on horse and buggy in Red Bank and at Maplewood's Dickens Village.

Find even more weekend options in our Holiday Guide, including Where to Take Pictures with Santa in NJ and Spectacular Holiday Light Displays. And look to our December GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

December GoList: 20+ Best Things To Do in NJ for the Holidays

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 11/29/2019 - 8:00am

The month of December is like one big jolly holiday. Santa's making his rounds via planes and trains, and even underwater. Local towns and New Jersey's favorite haunts are glowing with holiday lights. Plus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve round out the month-long festivities.

If you and your kids are eager to celebrate the season, you're in luck—there are so many wonderful events and activities happening throughout New Jersey every day this month. You'll find plenty of free things to do, as well as activities just for little ones. You can have breakfast with Santa, catch a seasonal show, and see at least one of the spectacular light displays around the state.

We know you’re busy with things like shopping, baking, and figuring out what the heck to do with your Elf on the Shelf, so we’ve sorted through all of this month's happenings and picked more than 20 of our favorites.

For even more ideas, check out our Holiday Guide and Event Calendar. And sign up for our FREE newsletters so you can have our picks delivered directly to your inbox! Happy Holidays!

Where To Enjoy High Tea in New Jersey with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Mon, 11/25/2019 - 12:00pm

Take your pretend tea party to the next level at one of NJ's charming tea houses. Photo courtesy of Teaberry's Tea Room

If your little sweetie loves the finer things in life—and has the patience to make it through a sit-down meal—he or she may be ready to enjoy an afternoon at one of NJ's many local tea houses. From the fine china and finger sandwiches to the tempting sweets, your little one will be enchanted during this special one-on-one mommy time. Many host sweet birthday parties, and several offer special holiday events.

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Holiday Lights, Friendsgiving, Cirque Christmas

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 11/19/2019 - 9:23am

Watch Santa magically light up the park this weekend at Storybook Land. Photo courtesy of Storybook Land

Fill your plate with a taste of Thanksgiving and a sampling of Christmas on this pre-Turkey Day weekend in New Jersey. Get ready for the big day at Alstede's Farm to Table Friendsgiving Feast; celebrate with historical flair at Early 19th Century Thanksgiving; and learn more about our feathered guest of honor at NJ Audubon: Turkey Talk.

Christmas is the air this weekend with rides on the North Pole Express and Polar Express. Turtle Back Zoo debuts its holiday light display, and Holiday Trolley Tours are up and running in Princeton. And don't miss the amazing Magical Cirque Christmas at Mayo Performing Arts Center.

Check out our Holiday Fun Guide for more options, including the Best Nutcrackers and Holiday Shows for NJ Kids. And look to our November GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Polar Express, Kidz Bop, Gobble Gobble

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 1:00pm

Get into the Christmas spirit this weekend with a ride aboard the Polar Express in Whippany. Photo courtesy of the railway

This mid-November weekend sparkles and shines with the debut of holiday light displays throughout New Jersey. Drive though Skyland Stadium's dazzling, musical light displays, and experience Storybook Land's holiday parade, featuring the lighting of the park's tree.

There's plenty of family-friendly theater to choose from this week, including performances of Rumpelstiltskin, Frosty & Rudolph, and Kidz Bop World Tour. And Thanksgiving prep is underway with PAWS Discovery Farm's Gobble Gobble and Fosterfields' Thanksgiving Home & Armistice Observance.

Check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families for more options, and look to our November GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

40+ Free Things To Do with New Jersey Kids in November

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 11/01/2019 - 7:00am

Celebrate Mexico’s El Día de los Muertos with sugar skull decorating, face painting, strolling mariachis, and more. Photo courtesy of The Arts Council of Princeton

November has arrived, and there’s so much to be thankful for—including free events happening throughout NJ! Enjoy some outdoor time early in the month at admission-free festivals like St. Anthony International Festival, Day of the Dead 2019, and the Short Hills-Millburn Street Fair. Get in the Thanksgiving spirit at Early 19th Century Thanksgiving and Alstede Farms' Pie Tasting Event, both free.

Later in the month, Santa Claus is coming to town! Kick off the holiday season at no-cost celebrations in Princeton, Nutley, Blairstown, and Red Bank. Plus, seasonal light shows make their debut, including Smithville's Holiday Light Show, Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights, and Atlantic City's Holiday Musical Light Show.

Read on for this month's picks! For more free and low-cost fun, check out our Event Calendar, as well as our Fall Fun Guide for New Jersey Kids.

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: LEGO Expo, Mermaids, Disney Junior

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 10/29/2019 - 10:30am

Check out amazing LEGO creations at the BrickFair LEGO Fan Expo in Secaucus this weekend. Photo courtesy of the fair

November kicks off this weekend with a full roster of outdoor festivals and family-friendly theater in New Jersey. The holiday theater season gets off to an exciting start with Disney Junior Holiday Party! On Tour and NJ Ballet's Hansel & Gretel. For underwater entertainment, visit with real live mermaids at Adventure Aquarium.

Bundle up and spend time outdoors at festivals that include Day of the Dead 2019, St. Anthony International Festival, Short Hills-Millburn Street Fair, and Flemington Touch-a-Truck, all with free admission.

Check out our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids for more options for the coming weekend, including Historic Villages in New Jersey. And look to our November GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Still planning for Halloween on Thursday? The forecast is looking a little damp, so be prepared with some backup indoor plans, like Halloween Storytime at the Morven Museum or Face Painting and Trick-or-Treating at the DT234 Gallery and Art Studio in Jersey City. And check out your local mall or library for other indoor trick-or-treating events!

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

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 10/27/2019 - 10:00am

Put away the pumpkins and get out the garland! November is here, and the holiday season has officially begun.

Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season, and you can celebrate the old-fashioned way at Thanksgiving Harvest Home & Armistice Observance and the Historic Village at Allaire. And it's already beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with the start of holiday train rides and holiday light shows like the ones at Skylands Stadium and Turtle Back Zoo. Santa Claus is coming to town, too, with celebrations of his arrival at Storybook Land and in Nutley.

November is also a month full of drama, with everyone's favorite characters taking the stage. Check out family-friendly performances of SpongeBob, Rudolph and Disney Junior Holiday Party.

Read on for more can't-miss events coming up in November, and for even more kid-friendly choices, be sure to check out our Event Calendar, updated daily with new happenings. Happy (beginning of the) Holidays, New Jersey!

Laurie Rein

Latest posts by Laurie

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