Alison Reiser

Jennifer Battista is proud to be a Jersey Girl. She was born and raised in Monmouth County and spent her summers sunning at the Jersey Shore. After ten years living in New York City, she’s happy to be back in the Garden State where she lives with her hubby, two sons and kitty. When not busy writing for Mommy Poppins, Jennifer works as a freelance editor for several publishing companies, volunteers with local community organizations and is a semi-professional class mom. She is obsessive about pop culture and is an unabashed disco fan. She loves to plan activities and is excited to share her Jersey knowledge with Mommy Poppins’ readers as the Events Editor for the NJ site.

You can also follow Jennifer on Google+.

Latest posts by Alison

NJ's Living History Farms: Old-Fashioned Farm Fun for Families

Submitted by Jennifer Battista on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 11:00am

Visit the happy, free-range happy animals at Historic Longstreet Farm.

The Garden State's many wonderful farms are perfect spots for a family-friendly outing any time of year. But a few special farmsteads offer visitors the unique opportunity to experience farm life just as it existed many years ago. These living history farms give visitors the chance to try their hand at chores like bottle-feeding lambs, gathering honey, and harvesting ice. If you're looking for a fun, educational experience for the entire family, hands-on historical farms are a great choice.

For even more outdoor family fun, check out these New Jersey farms and historic villages.

7 Great Jersey Shore Lighthouses To Visit with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Battista on Fri, 07/14/2017 - 4:00pm

New Jersey is home to nearly a dozen lighthouses that are open to the public. Whether your kids are old enough to climb up to the top or not, there's plenty to do and see on a lighthouse tour. Most are located near beaches or state parks full of family-friendly diversions, so they make great destinations for day trips. This is an affordable—sometimes even free—summer activity your whole family will love. We've rounded up a few of our favorites.

For more Jersey Shore fun, check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide and Summer Fun Guide.

Foreign Language Classes for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Battista on Mon, 07/03/2017 - 8:59am

Early exposure to a foreign language can be a rewarding and fun experience for a young child. New Jersey offers many programs representing a wide variety of languages and cultures. Read on for our picks of the best options available—from Mommy & Me programs for the little ones to group or private lessons for older children. And for more great class options, visit our guide to Classes and Enrichment Programs for New Jersey Kids.

New Jersey's Best Summer Pick-Your-Own Farms

Submitted by Jennifer Battista on Sun, 05/01/2016 - 9:09pm

New Jersey earns its "Garden State" nickname with an abundance of pick your own fruit and veggies available throughout the summer months. Whether berries, peaches or even flowers strike your fancy, there are plenty of wonderful places to take the kids for a fun hands-on activity. Picking their own produce is the perfect opportunity for children to see where food comes from, eat locally and have a great time too. The NJ picking season starts at the end of May and runs through the fall months. Read on for the skinny on seven pick-your-own locations. And remember to always call ahead before visiting to check availability. Happy picking!

Social Skills Groups & Classes for NJ Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Battista on Fri, 04/01/2016 - 7:00am

While socialization comes naturally to some kids, others may need help developing the skills necessary to make and keep friends. If you’re concerned about your child’s ability to socialize with peers, you may want to consider a social skills group which fosters self-confidence through activities such as role-playing, cooperative games and group interactions. They’ll learn important skills such as sharing, taking turns and resolving conflict, and most importantly, they’ll have fun doing it! And for more enrichment opportunities, check out our Enrichment Programs, Classes and Activities Guide for NJ Kids.

25 Old-School Activities for NJ Families: Drive-In Theaters, Vintage Trains & More!

Submitted by Jennifer Battista on Sat, 01/16/2016 - 8:30am

Ah, the good ol' days. Remember roller-skating, ice cream sodas and drive-in theaters? These simple pleasures can still be found all over New Jersey. Relive your childhood while introducing your kids to some new-old activities this summer. We’ve rounded up 25 great ideas to get you started, everything from vintage train rides to living history farms. So put down that smartphone and step back in time. There’s plenty of old-fashioned fun to be had in NJ!

Best Indoor Play Spaces in Bergen County

Submitted by Jennifer Battista on Fri, 01/01/2016 - 6:41am

The winter months can be a challenging time for parents. Keeping your kids busy when it’s too cold to play outdoors is never an easy feat. To help you out, we’ve rounded up 10 great indoor spots in Bergen County to bounce around, create art, play mini golf or make a museum visit—there are plenty of options to keep them entertained (and ensure your sanity). And check out our Indoor Play Spaces articles for Hudson County and Essex County!

November Fairs and Festivals for NJ Families

Submitted by Jennifer Battista on Tue, 10/27/2015 - 8:30am

Before the madness of the holiday season sets in, relax and enjoy autumn at these wonderful fairs and festivals taking place throughout NJ this month. Take a train ride, discover exciting new comic books, and explore rocks and minerals of all shapes and sizes. We’ve rounded up eight fabulous finds to keep you busy all November long. For more fun happenings every day of the month, visit our Events Calendar.