Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Lego, Harry Potter, and 25 More Awesome Advent Calendars for Kids and Adults 2022

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 10/13/2022 - 10:52am

Build the excitement as the festive celebrations approach! Photo courtesy of Lego

Advent calendars are the perfect way to turn a torturous wait for the holidays into excited anticipation. I have to confess, I am a bit of an advent calendar obsessive; last holiday season we had eight going for our family of four, plus one for each of the cats! My kids each had a toy one (Lego for my son, Harry Potter for my daughter) and a candy one, I had a wine advent calendar, my husband had a dark chocolate one, and we always have a family one and a kindness advent. Find the perfect one, or two, for everyone in your family—from baby’s first to something for your blasé teen—from this list of the very best advent calendars for 2022. But hurry—December 1 is right around the corner and the coolest advent calendars sell out fast.

For more Christmas activities that get kids in the holiday mood, like Elf on the Shelf ideas and the best Christmas movies for families, check out our Guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids.

Haunt O'Ween Debuts in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 12:54pm

Haunt O'Ween is spooky but not overly frightening.

A fun and frightful immersive Halloween adventure has made its East Coast debut in Holmdel, New Jersey: Haunt O'Ween 2022. This spooky, but whimsical, haunted carnival has everything a family could want in an outdoor Halloween experience: amazing decor, costumes, trick-or-treating, inflatables, games, and pumpkins galore!

Haunt O'Ween hits the perfect sweet spot of being spooky, but not overly frightening—and definitely not gory. It's just plain thrilling, chilling fun that's perfect for kids ages 3-12. But don't wait to buy tickets. The event runs only on select dates through Monday, October 31. Here's what to expect on your trip through this ghost-filled city.

You can find even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

Reach New Heights at Catch Air Trampoline Park in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Mon, 08/29/2022 - 6:08pm

Looking for a new play date spot in Northern New Jersey? A high-flying trampoline park has just opened, and Catch Air of Hasbrouck Heights delivers on the "wow" factor, promising to keep toddlers through elementary school-age kids busy hours'hours worth of indoor fun. This play center opened its doors in May 2022 and features tons of out-of-this-world space-themed activities. We recently checked it out and can say with certainty that it's a worthy day trip for kids who love to slide, climb, and bounce.

Read on for our full review of Catch Air's trampoline park and find more action-packed places to play on our list of the best play spaces in Northern New Jersey. Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey for Kids.

Top Places to Enjoy Delicious Shaved Ice in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 08/07/2022 - 7:16am

Snag a hot-pink hued treat from DiCosmos Italian Ice.

Looking for the best places to enjoy refreshing shaved ice or Italian ice in New Jersey? Read on for a rundown of some of the top spots in the state to get your fix of these summery treats.

When it's hot and steamy, cravings for frosty treats are bound to kick in. And if you're looking for something a little different than your go-to ice cream shop, try indulging in shaved ice. That is, if you can pick from all the fun flavors and styles! Some shops specialize in snowy, melt-in-your-mouth Hawaiian or New Orleans shaved ice, while others feature international styles. And, of course, who doesn't love shaved ice's creamy cousin, Italian ice? Here are a bunch of places around NJ where you can score one of these frosty treats.

Looking for great things to do in NJ before summer is over? Check out Mommy Poppins' New Jersey Kids Summertime Activity Guide and make the most of the dog days.

Visiting the Adventure Aquarium in NJ: 10 Best Things To Do and See

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 6:20am

Sea creatures galore wait to greet visitors at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey.

Adventure Aquarium is a captivating day-trip destination that will engage and educate family members young and old.

Camden's world-class aquarium showcases a huge collection of underwater life—more than 8,500 aquatic species—plus hippos, penguins, and an assortment of amphibians, birds, and reptiles. Also: sharks. Lots of sharks. Adventure Aquarium houses the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, and it features the only great hammerhead on exhibit in the U.S.

In short, the kids will be awed. You'll be transported. Everyone leaves a little refreshed.

Read on to learn more about some of Adventure Aquarium's most impressive attractions and several ways to get up close and personal with sea creatures. And, if your visit to Adventure Aquarium happens to spark a new interest in life under the sea, check out our rundown of the best aquariums for your next family vacation. For trip ideas further afield, read our comprehensive Family Travel Guide.

Hot Air Balloons near New Jersey: Hot Air Balloon Festivals and Rides

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 07/28/2022 - 4:54pm

Watch the skies above for colorful hot air balloons, or drop in to the Warren County Farmers Fair Balloon Fest to take a tethered ride. Photo by Giulia Grotenhuis

Ever wish you could go up, up, and away in a hot air balloon in New Jersey? Or maybe just watch a hot air balloon float across the horizon with your feet planted firmly on the ground? In some parts of New Jersey, ballooning is part of the local culture, with local hot air balloon festivals and opportunities to soar high above the treetops as you take the trip of your life.

We've rounded up a few vendors offering hot air balloon cruises in New Jersey as well as some popular hot air balloon festivals—including the uber-popular, long-running NJ Lottery Festival of Ballooning—where you can catch a glimpse of a hot air balloon-filled sky. A hot air balloon festival makes a great day trip and a ride—while pricey—is an unforgettable splurge to celebrate your kid's next milestone birthday.

35+ Things to Do With New Jersey Preschoolers Before They Turn 5

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 9:18am

Find the Fairy houses on the South Mountain Fairy Trail. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

We have just five precious years or so to spend with our little ones before they head off to kindergarten. In these years, kids grow and develop faster than they will at any other time in their lives, so many of us want to fill their days with as many opportunities to learn, laugh, and love life as possible. That means taking advantage of the many play spaces, mommy-and-me classes, storytimes, playgrounds, and other treasures the Garden State offers toddlers.

Enjoy these great opportunities throughout New Jersey while your preschoolers are young enough to appreciate them—and, in some cases, young enough to score FREE admission.

For more can't-miss NJ offerings, check out 100 Things to Do in New Jersey with Kids Before They Grow Up.

Amusement Parks Near NYC: Top Thrill Rides and Roller Coasters

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 06/30/2022 - 2:12pm

Hersheypark's Sky Rush reaches speeds of up to 75 mph and includes five zero-G airtime hills.

Is your family daring enough to take on one of the fastest, highest, twistiest roller coasters or other thrilling rides at these amusement parks near NYC? From amusement parks on Long Island to New Jersey's top amusement parks, and Pennsylvania-area amusement parks, we've found 10 of the most scream-inducing, white-knuckle-causing roller coasters and thrill rides for your crew to try. So take a deep breath, hold on tight, and get ready to experience the ride of your life.