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
Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey over New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.
It's time to kiss 2024 goodbye and look forward to a fresh new start in 2025. Celebrate New Year's Eve family-style with low-key events like New Year's Eve Celebration at iPlay America and New Year's Eve fireworks in Sea Isle City. Spend the weekend leading up to New Year's Eve with some prehistoric pals at Jurassic Quest and round it out with a visit to the LuminoCity lights show.
Here's to the start of a fantastic 2025, New Jersey!
If all-night celebrations are a thing of the past for you and your family, you can still make the most of New Year's Eve with family-friendly festivities throughout New Jersey.
We've rounded up New Year's Eve events the whole family can enjoy together, from indoor and outdoor theme park adventures to New Year's Eve fireworks and First Night celebrations.
Looking for pre-New Year's entertainment? Keep busy with these Staycation Ideas, and be sure to check our Family Activity Calendar for more happenings. Happy New Year, New Jersey!
Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey over Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.
It's a holly jolly Christmas weekend, and we've found plenty of fun things to do in New Jersey to celebrate! Kick off the festivities at local celebrations like Celebrate in Summit and Santa Claus in Ridgewood.
The holiday weekend is the perfect time to experience seasonal spectaculars you may have missed, including PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights and the 2024 LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival. Whatever you decide to do, it's sure to be festive and fun!
Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.
Thanksgiving has arrived, so gobble up all the fun and festivities this long weekend has to offer. Annual winter festivals kick off the weekend, including Bergen County Winter Wonderland, featuring ice skating, train rides, and bumper cars. Santa makes his grand arrival at tree-lighting celebrations in Red Bank and Point Pleasant Beach.
Make the most magical time of the year even more special with a visit to one of New Jersey's spectacular Christmas light displays. Our picks include holiday lights drive-thrus, where you can stay toasty in your car and journey through a sparkling course. At other Christmas lights displays in New Jersey, you can stretch your legs as you wander past holiday lights and experience the magic up close.
Whichever you choose, pile the kids in the car with some snacks, crank up the holiday tunes, and journey out to see one of these impressive holiday light displays in New Jersey.
Find more must-do holiday activities and ways to be merry in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families.
Editor's note: We're in the process of updating this for 2025. Please check back soon for full details!
Family-friendly trunk or treats offer New Jersey kids a safe alternative to trick-or-treating. Instead of wandering door-to-door, young trick-or-treaters can load up their Halloween bags with candy from decorated cars.
These trunk or treats—most of which are FREE—take place in parking lots, parks, and on blocked-off streets. They sometimes include parades, costume contests, and other Halloween activities.
Another bonus for sugar-crazed kids: Many of these trunk or treats take place before Halloween. That means double the loot if you make your plans right!
For more boo-tiful Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Guide for New Jersey Families.
Ready … set … it's time to get lost in a New Jersey corn maze! The Garden State is home to many spectacular corn mazes, ranging from massive,10-acre labyrinths to simple, child-friendly courses with fun attractions just right for toddlers and preschoolers.
Games and clues enhance many of the more elaborate corn maze experiences. Got a tween or teen? Some of these corn mazes offer haunted after-hours experiences for a spooky, nighttime adventure.
Check out the top orchards for apple picking in New Jersey and much more in our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids.
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