Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
Latest posts by Laurie
If you are looking for special needs programs in New Jersey, here are our top two dozen to look into.
Parents of children with special needs often face a great challenge in finding after-school and weekend enrichment courses. Luckily, New Jersey is a very inclusive state that offers many special needs classes, social skills groups, and enrichment programs. These classes provide structured, supportive, and judgment-free environments where children with a range of abilities can grow and learn while having fun. Here, we've compiled a list of classes and activities throughout New Jersey where your child will always feel welcomed and loved.
You can find more special needs programs for kids–and even book a class online–in our directory of classes and listings. Check out our New Jersey Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.
The journey through pregnancy and childbirth can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially for first-time parents-to-be. Expectant parents can gain knowledge and confidence for a healthy pregnancy and birth through pregnancy and parenting classes focusing on prenatal and postnatal skills. Birthing and parenting classes offered throughout New Jersey range in topics from breastfeeding to infant care to prenatal yoga.
You can find more pregnancy and parenting classes in New Jersey, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our New Jersey Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.
Birthday party ideas for teens in New Jersey can be a challenge because the days of princess and pirate parties have come to an end. Tweens and teens will want to celebrate their big day with cool, creative, and unique party ideas.
Impress the big kids in your life (and their friends) with an awesome party in one of these age-appropriate New Jersey venues. From cooking and art to sports and science—plus trampolines, laser tag, rides, and more—parties at these tween/teen–friendly New Jersey spots are sure to be talked about the next day.
For more fun things to do with your older kids, check out our Tweens and Teens Guide to New Jersey, and our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NJ has you covered when it comes to anything bday-related.
Put your kids on the swings and your feet in the sand at beachfront playgrounds along the Jersey Shore. The beaches of New Jersey are home to playgrounds that are like giant sandboxes, with colorful play structures and ocean views. Swing by some of these beachy-keen playgrounds on your next day trip or vacation to the Shore—and check out our bonus pick in northern New Jersey.
Please note that some of these playgrounds may require fees for beach entrance during the summer months. Find more great things to do on hot New Jersey days in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Family Activity Calendar.
A day trip to Van Saun Park in Bergen County will give you and your family an outdoor play adventure beyond the local playground. My own family makes this hour-away journey a few times a year, and it never disappoints. With its massive playground, splash pad, carousel, and train rides–plus a zoo–a trip to Van Saun Park almost feels like a free theme park. The playground and zoo are open year-round, while some of the activities, such as the rides, are open seasonally from April through October. A little tip–there’s plenty of parking, but weekends get pretty crowded– you may want to arrive early. Please note that admission to Van Saun Park is free, including the playground and splash pad, but some features do require an additional fee, as noted. Here are 12 awesome things to do on your next Van Saun Park adventure.
If you're looking for other rec areas worth visiting, read out our rundown of the best NJ playgrounds worth driving to or our look at Garden State playgrounds that big kids will enjoy. For even more on parks and playgrounds, check out our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in New Jersey.
Drive-in movie theaters made a comeback during the pandemic, and we're hoping that this retro form of family movie night is here to stay. While there is one drive-in movie theater in New York City, there are plenty more old-fashioned drive-in movie theaters in the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and Connecticut where local families can enjoy a night out.
While Brooklyn's Skyline Drive-In is still going strong, we're still on the hunt for the pop-up drive-in movies that have been popular the past couple of summers. Bookmark this post; we'll keep updating it and our Family Activity Calendar as we find more pop-up drive-in movies near NYC. Find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Summer Fun for NYC Families.
For parents and kids in the Nutmeg State, few outings marry family fun with retro vibes better than a drive-in movie in Connecticut. Families can bring (or buy) snacks and a few pillows and enjoy this classic form of entertainment at several drive-in movies in CT, or cross state lines and enjoy outdoor movies at New York drive-ins. Summer 2022 movies are going up at drive-ins near you with some showings beginning this month.
Be sure to keep tabs on our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide for more outdoor movies in CT and warm-weather family fun.
What better way to enjoy a warm summer evening than by watching a movie under the stars? Whether you're looking for a romantic date night or an evening of family fun, pack up your folding chairs and picnic blankets or gear up to simply relax in the comfort of your car. For active kids who can't sit through a whole movie, the drive-in theater allows them to play without the worry that they'll disrupt a quiet theater.
While many drive-in movie theaters of yore shuttered a long time ago, there are still numerous Westchester and Hudson Valley options that provide family-friendly entertainment all season. Most offer double features, with titles changing frequently, and some drive-ins have multiple screens running simultaneously. One theater on our list even offers overnight camping if you really want to make a night of it.
Below we've rounded up drive-in theaters in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, plus some nearby locations in Connecticut and New York City. Keep a close watch on listings, as show times and titles are generally updated weekly.
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