Lisa Warden

Latest posts by Lisa

Free and Cheap After-School Programs in New Jersey for Kids

Submitted by Lisa Warden on Sun, 08/20/2023 - 7:57am

Oasis youth development programs encourage respect, teamwork, and tolerance for one another and promote healthy and productive life-long habits. Photo courtesy of Oasis

We've put together a list of reasonably priced and FREE after-school programs around New Jersey that offer enrichment and entertainment for children.

Many after-school programs start enrollment in May and fill up quickly, so be sure to mark your calendar in the spring so you don't forget to sign your kids up. Remember to always check your local school district, as some of the options offered by your town can be low-cost for those who are eligible and could be most convenient for your family.

Find more great ideas for the coming school year in our Guide to Classes for New Jersey Kids and our Back-to-School Guide.

Family-Friendly Breweries in New Jersey Where Kids are Welcome

Submitted by Lisa Warden on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 6:56am

Lone Eagle Brewery has a covered outdoor space. Photo from Olivia Zengal

Family-friendly breweries in New Jersey are great places to visit if you love trying different beers, or if you can't find a babysitter but still want an afternoon out.

My first suggestion for maximum fun would be to aim for a brewery with outdoor seating (bonus if it is fenced!) or one that has a large indoor area like a warehouse. Kids are loud, and they seem louder indoors. We like to go to breweries that have entertainment for the kids, like a chalkboard, corn hole, a large outdoor connect four, or, if indoors, something like board games.

Many breweries allow you to bring food in, so you can bring your own drinks and snacks or come armed with takeout–although the ones that serve food don't generally allow you to bring food in. Finally, make sure your kids are having fun in a responsible manner, especially since in many breweries people are walking around with glasses in their hands.

Check out our stories on Family-Friendly Beer Gardens in New Jersey or Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in New Jersey if wine is more your jam. And our Family-Friendly New Jersey Restaurant Guide has lots more ideas for dining out with the whole family in New Jersey.

Best Things To Do at Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

Submitted by Lisa Warden on Tue, 03/07/2023 - 6:40am

Take a nature walk on the half-mile trail around Cedar Run.

Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in South Jersey is a peaceful nature sanctuary on the edge of the unique New Jersey Pinelands ecosystem. This large, non-profit nature center sprawls over 171 acres and is a great place for family fun. My family loves to visit in all seasons to romp in nature and enjoy the many different animals.

On weekends the nature center can be bustling with families and birthday parties, but you don’t have to walk far into the woods along a picturesque trail to find some solitude. The trail runs in a loop crossing over a creek, through the wildlife viewing area, and along a bridge over a pond surrounded by evergreen trees. Dozens of animals native to New Jersey call Cedar Run home.

Be sure to check out our rundown of New Jersey nature centers and other great activity ideas in our Outdoor Activities Guide for New Jersey Kids.

Best Baby Stores in New Jersey

Submitted by Lisa Warden on Sun, 01/22/2023 - 7:56am

The charming Toobydoo boutique can be found in downtown Princeton. Photo courtesy of Toobydoo

Looking for the best baby stores in New Jersey? We've got you covered with 12 top options throughout the state.

Expecting a baby and need, well, everything? Ready to make your registry and want to include some items that are unique? Or are you looking for a baby shower gift or an outfit for a special occasion? All of these are excellent reasons to get out of the house and head to one of these amazing baby stores in New Jersey. Many of these local baby boutiques can be found at delightful destinations, so you might want to make an afternoon out of it!

Below, you'll find a dozen of our top picks for baby stores in North Jersey, Central Jersey, and South Jersey.

Check out our post on the best things to do in New Jersey before your baby turns 1 and find more help for new parents in our Baby Guide for New Jersey Parents.

Baby Swimming Lessons in New Jersey: 10 Top Picks for Babies and Toddlers

Submitted by Lisa Warden on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 7:17am

Take your little fishies to a class at Goldfish Swim School.

Looking for the best baby swimming lessons in New Jersey? Here are our top picks throughout the Garden State.

Summer is here, and whether you are joining a pool, going on vacation, heading to the Shore, or sending your kids off to camp, chances are that swimming is part of your plans. While your kids are still young, mommy-and-me swimming lessons (or daddy-and-me) are a great way to carve out some special time for you and your child to bond.

These swimming lessons usually run for children 6-36 months—although some start even younger—and involve a parent in the water along with the child. Singing, toys, and water play are often incorporated into these swimming lessons to help children feel comfortable in the water and have fun while learning valuable water safety skills.

If you are interested in signing your infant or toddler up, read on for a description of swim clubs that offer these mommy-and-me classes in New Jersey.

Find more great things to do in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Family Activity Calendar.

Visiting the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May Like a Local

Submitted by Lisa Warden on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 8:41am

Visiting the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May is a great option for families interested in exploring aviation history in an exciting and hands-on way. Our family loves the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in D.C., and we were so happy to find a local aviation museum.

There are plenty of helicopters, jeeps, aircraft, and even a Coast Guard boat to see right here on the Shore. And unlike the National Air and Space Museum, at the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum kids are welcome to climb aboard almost every vehicle in the hanger. Read on for tips on how to visit the museum like a local, and check out our rundown on other off-the-beaten path attractions to check out in New Jersey. Be sure to bookmark our Weekend Trips Guide for things to do with the fam all season long.

A Visit to the World-Class Cape May Zoo is Free and Fabulous

Submitted by Lisa Warden on Tue, 06/14/2022 - 9:59am

Zebras are among the hundreds of animals you can see on a visit to the Cape May Zoo.

A visit to the Cape May Zoo is an incredible experience that wows kids of all ages. The South Jersey facility is our family's favorite zoo, and we explore it several times a year.

At this world-class zoo, you can get up close and personal with a bobcat (that my 3-year-old has appropriately named "Bob"), watch ring-tailed lemurs frolic in the treetops, and thrill as kangaroos and wallabies take leaps and bounds. Your family will experience all this wildlife and much more, and all for FREE.

Read on for all the ways to make the most of your visit to the Cape May Zoo and check out our Zoos and Gardens for New Jersey Kids Guide for other great places to visit.

Visiting the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia with Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Lisa Warden on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 11:00am

Visiting the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia with kids seemed like an excellent outing, because everyone in my family loves to garden. This impressive 92-acre garden is the official arboretum of both the University of Pennsylvania and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. You will see gorgeous flowers, impressive sculptures, towering trees, and a scenic pond filled with swans and ducks while strolling through this English-style public garden.

This garden has something new and spectacular on display year-round. In the early spring, the flowering trees, azaleas, and tulips take center stage. In the summer, bask in the shade of the green trees and enjoy the beauty of the rose garden. The fall brings changing leaves, while the winter has a holiday-themed railway light show. Best of all, there are tons of attractions to keep your kids engaged, whether or not they have green thumbs. Read on for all the fun things to see and do on a visit to the the Morris Arboretum.