Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Harvest Festivals, Hayrides, and Fall Fair Fun in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 09/16/2018 - 12:00pm

Pick pumpkins and enjoy other fall fun every weekend at Johnson's Corner Farm.

The air is crisp, the apples are ripe, and fall fair and harvest festival season is about to get underway! We've rounded up 26 great harvest fests in New Jersey, all packed with signature autumn activities like hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin decorating (and picking), pie contests, scarecrow making, live animals, live music, and more. Some even incorporate a little early Halloween fun.

Read on to find an event near you, including the Great Pumpkin Festival, the Blackwood Pumpkin Festival, and more.

For more seasonal activities around the Garden State, be sure to check out our Fall Fun Guide and our list of 40 Things We Can't Wait To Do with NJ Kids This Fall.

Best Fall Fairs and Festivals for NJ Families in September

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 08/26/2018 - 8:00am

PlayDay South Orange turns the street into a bouncy, fun-filled day! Photo courtesy of the Village Green

As the carefree days of summer draw to a close, NJ families can look forward to plenty of fun in the Garden State this fall. Explore nature at the NJ Wild Outdoor Expo, chow down on delicious seafood at the Atlantic City Seafood Festival, or listen to some exciting tales at the NJ Storytelling Festival.

Check out the 13 awesome festivals below, and visit our Events Calendar for more fabulous fall ideas! And sign up for our FREE newsletters to get the best local events and reviews delivered right to your inbox.

Stargazing in NJ: Best Views, Observatories, Astronomy Clubs

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 08/19/2018 - 12:00pm

New Jersey offers many majestic outdoor stargazing spots. Photo via Bigstock.

If you have a little Galileo on your hands, you're in luck: New Jersey is home to a myriad of majestic outdoor stargazing locations, as well as many public observatories and astronomy clubs. Continue your celestial exploration indoors at area planetariums, including those at Liberty Science Center and the Newark Museum.

Happy stargazing, NJ!

Explore Lush Gardens and Nature with Kids at Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Wed, 08/08/2018 - 1:30pm

Kids and grown-ups alike will love exploring the lush gardens at Reeves-Reed Arboretum.

The perfect antidote to the stress of crazy family schedules might well be Mother Nature herself—and Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit is just the place to stop and smell the roses.

The Arboretum is not your average park outing; this serene Union County oasis offers some unique and interesing ways to learn about and experience the outdoors while giving the whole family some much needed R&R.

Six Flags NJ: An Amusement Park with Big and Little Thrills

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 08/02/2018 - 10:35am

The NITRO, a "hypercoaster," takes you on an 80-mile-per-hour thrill ride. Photo courtesy of the park

Braving the thrill rides at Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari in Jackson, NJ, is practically a rite of passage for kids who live in and around the Garden State. Perhaps for this reason, I wasn't 100-percent sure my young children (ages 2, 5, and 7) were old enough to fully enjoy it—but we decided to test the waters. And as I did my planning, I realized, "Holy cow! There's a ton of things to do at Six Flags!"

New Jersey's largest theme park, Six Flags is known for heart-dropping roller coasters like Nitro and Kingda Ka (the world's tallest coaster)—but there are also plenty of attractions geared toward the smaller set and those who enjoy tamer thrills. You can see zebras, giraffes, and other cool creatures on the Safari Off-Road Adventure; ride the Porky Pig Ferris Wheel in Bugs Bunny National Park; make a splash on the Saw Mill Log Flume; and much, much more. You also might want to set aside another day for Hurricane Harbor, Six Flags' massive water park.

Read on for details of our visit, along with tips for making your trip super-fun for kids of all ages.

Best Shaded Playgrounds To Keep NJ Kids Cool

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 07/20/2018 - 12:00pm

Stroll into KidStreet for some cool play on a hot day.

During cold winter days, I fantasize about picnics and lazy afternoons at the pool. But once summer temperatures soar into the 90s, a teeny part of me is starting to look forward to that first crisp fall breeze. Sigh. Instead of schlepping to the air-conditioned mall again, how about a shaded playground outing where the kids can burn some energy (and not their skin!), and the adults can relax on a bench without breaking a sweat?

Read on to get the scoop on where NJ kids and parents can go to beat the heat. And find more awesome places to play in our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in NJ.

Island Beach State Park: A Haven for Nature-Loving Beachgoers

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 10:00am

This gorgeous, quiet beach will be your family's new favorite spot. Photo courtesy of NJ Dept. of Parks and Forests

There's more to the Jersey Shore than rides, salt water taffy, and (let's face it) crowds. Island Beach State Park (IBSP) may well be one of NJ most beautiful and unique beaches, drawing thousands of nature enthusiasts every year.

Though you'd get to Island Beach from the same Garden State Parkway exit as Seaside Heights, the two beaches are worlds apart. Ten-mile long Island Beach is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay and is one of the last few undeveloped barrier beaches on the North Atlantic Coast. From hiking to bike riding, and, of course, swimming, here are some things outdoorsy families will love about Island Beach.

10 Fun Things To Do with Kids at Warinanco Park in NJ

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 05/17/2018 - 1:08pm

I have fond childhood memories of my dad lacing up my ice skates and guiding me around the rink at Warinanco Park on the border of Roselle and Elizabeth, New Jersey. Much has changed about this Union County park since that time, but what remains constant is that families have tons of ways to have a great time at this 205-acre park—including sports classes, skating, trails, and paddle boats.

Read on for 10 fun things to do at Warinanco Park with kids. And don't miss our Guide to NJ Playgrounds and Parks for even more options.