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

Weekend Fun: NJ State Fair, Fireworks, Dino Dig Season Opening

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 1:30pm

Check out more than 150 rides and attractions at the NJ State Fair this weekend. Photo courtesy of the fair

The last weekend of June is packed with summer fun for NJ kids and families. Have a blast with pre–Fourth of July fireworks and celebrations in Scotch Plains, Montville, and Atlantic City; or listen to live music at events like the Fanwood Summer FanJam, Oak Ridge Park Food Truck & Music Festival and Hillsborough Music Festival.

Enjoy blueberries galore at the Red, White and Blueberry Festival in Hammonton (the self-proclaimed "Blueberry Capital of the World), and stop by Liberty Science Center for the season opening of Jack Horner's Dino Dig.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including 100 Free Things to Do with New Jersey Kids this Summer. And look to our June GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: NJ State Fair, Blueberry Festival, Fairy Day

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 3:40pm

The NJ State Fair features the largest Kiddieland in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the fair

Fairs, fairies, and fireflies make for a fantabulous first weekend of summer! Revel in music, food, rides, and kid-friendly activities at a variety of summery festivals, including the New Jersey State Fair, North Wildwood Italian-American Festival, and St. Gregory the Great Family Carnival.

Check out a fair with a magical, whimsical theme, like the Fantasy Faire and Fairy Day, or celebrate the tiny, twinkling harbingers of summer at the Firefly Festival. Bring your appetite to food-centric celebrations including the 2nd Annual Taco Palooza and Whitesbog Blueberry Festival.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including the Best Lakes for Swimming with Kids in New Jersey. And look to our June GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

60+ Free Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 06/16/2019 - 9:00am

Oceanfest in Long Branch is fun and FREE! Photo courtesy of the fest

Summer is the season for FREE fun all across New Jersey. From fireworks and festivals to free outdoor movies, we’ve rounded up more than 50 family-friendly events to enjoy all summer long that won’t break the bank. You can find even more cool seasonal activities and destinations in our Summer Fun Guide and Event Calendar. Have a fabulous (and free) summer!

Weekend Fun: Magic School Bus, NJ Fairy Fair, Strawberry Festivals

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 06/04/2019 - 10:00am

The Magic School Bus makes a stop at Paper Mill Playhouse this weekend. Photo courtesy of Theatreworks USA

Feel like fair-hopping this weekend? The second weekend of June is packed with summery fairs of all kinds, spotlighting books, history, culture, and even fairies.

Step back in time at Civil War Weekend, or explore Spanish art and culture at Feria de Sevilla. There's something for readers of all ages to enjoy at the Maplewood- South Orange Book Festival, while little ones can spread their wings at The New Jersey Fairy Fair. Strawberry festival season continues at several farms throughout NJ, and local festivities are happening this weekend in Bayonne, Glassboro, Montclair, and Montvale.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including New Fun Spots for Kids Opening at the Jersey Shore. And look to our June GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: Strawberry Festivals, Renaissance Faire, Foodstock

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 05/28/2019 - 12:00pm

Pick your own fresh berries at Johnson's Corner Farm Strawberry Festival. Photo courtesy of the farm

It's a berry busy first weekend of June! Strawberry festivals are sprouting all over the state, including events at Johnson's Corner Farm, Alstede Farms, West Cape May, and City Green. If you're hungry for more than berries, head over to the NJ GreekFest and 4th Annual Foodstock for all kinds of eats.

Fill the weekend with great music at the Jersey City Jazz Festival, 2nd Annual Under Cover Music Fest, and Garwood Rocks. And stop by local spring festivals in West Orange, East Brunswick, and New Brunswick.

Find even more weekend options in our Spring Guide, including family-friendly farms where you can see baby animals. And look to our June GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: NJ Renaissance Faire, Mayfest, Ocean Fun Days

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 05/14/2019 - 3:00pm

Have a fantasy-filled day at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire. Photo courtesy of the event

A busy May weekend is a "shore" thing, with oceans of fun taking place Saturday and Sunday. Head to the Jersey Shore for delicious eats at the 33rd Annual New Jersey Seafood Festival, family-friendly nature activities during Ocean Fun Days, and a lively Mayfest in Historic Smithville.

Whether your brood is into vehicles or fairies and pirates, this something for everyone to enjoy this weekend. Climb aboard all kinds of vehicles at touch-a-truck festivities in Scotch Plains and Westville, and explore aircraft at Open Cockpit Weekends. Have fantasy-filled fun at the 10th Annual Princess and Pirate Festival and The New Jersey Renaissance Faire. And take time to take in performances, including The Illusionists, Laurie Berkner, Roxey Ballet's Cinderella, and a live version of Double Dare.

Find even more weekend options in our Spring Guide, including 13 NJ Restaurants with Kid-Friendly Backyards and Outdoor Dining. And look to our May GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: Touch-A-Truck, Kite Day, Spring Fling

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 04/30/2019 - 1:00pm

Kids can explore all types of vehicles this weekend at the Bergen County Junior League's Touch-A-Truck event in Paramus. Photo courtesy of the event

Let's give a warm welcome to May with a weekend full of outdoor festivities celebrating spring!

Rejoice in the Earth and everything green at Edison's 9th Annual Earth Day Celebration and Secaucus 9th Annual Green Fest. Spend quality time outdoors marveling at kites at Terhune Orchards' Kite Day, listening to great music at Lincroft's Creative Arts & Music Festival or the Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival, and sampling delicious eats at Skylands Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival or Scotch Plains' Food Truck Festival.

Get a little of everything at local celebrations like the Ocean City Spring Block Party and Westfield Spring Fling. And mosey on over to Wild West City's Season Opening.

Find even more weekend options in our Spring Guide, including 40 Things to Do with New Jersey Preschoolers Before They Turn 5. And look to our May GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: Dino Day, Sesame Street Live, Earth Day Festivals

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 04/23/2019 - 12:00pm

Head to the Morris Museum on Saturday for Dino Day! Photo courtesy of the museum

On your mark, get set for one of the busiest weekends this year to date! April's final weekend is jam-packed with Earth Day celebrations, festivals, street fairs, concerts, and more.

Party for our planet at Earth Day festivals in Jersey City, Tenafly, Mountainside, and throughout Monmouth County. Learn about healthy habits while having fun at both Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA and Fairview Lake YMCA Healthy Kids Day events.

Spring festival season is well underway this weekend with bustling festivities like Rutgers Day, Smithville's Renaissance Faire, Morris County Park Palooza, and the Cranford Street Fair. And kick back to live music at Rockin' for Autism and the Laurita Bacon Festival.

Find even more weekend options in our Spring Guide, including where to see Baby Animals and More at Family-Friendly NJ Farms. And look to our April GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Laurie Rein

Latest posts by Laurie

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