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

Stores that Offer Free and Cheap Classes for NJ Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 01/09/2020 - 1:25pm

Home Depot hosts free Kid Workshops on the first Saturday of every month.

Extracurricular activities create enriching experiences for kids, but they can also take a toll on your wallet. The good news is that several stores throughout New Jersey offer free—and nearly free—kids' classes that allow you to save money while developing your family’s interests. These low- or no-cost classes, crafts, storytimes, and other activities are great ways to fill in schedule gaps without busting your budget.

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Teddy Bear Tea, Winter Festival, Train Show

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 01/07/2020 - 8:50am

Take your teddy bear to tea at the Morris Museum on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the museum

It's play time this mid-January weekend in NJ! Load up your calendars with playful events that spotlight teddy bears, trains, and storytimes. Little ones can treat their favorite plush friends to a tea party at Morris Museum. Young train enthusiasts will be on board with The Museum of American History's Annual Antique Toy Train Show. And kids can find free fun at Barnes & Noble and Hoboken Fire Department Museum storytimes.

Keep warm at indoor performances this weekend, including productions of Mr. Pennygaff's Cirkus Sideshow Spectacular and Reza: Edge of Illusion. If you choose to brave the outdoors, enjoy rides and activities at the Winter Festival Bonfire & Fireworks or hit the beach at the Seashore Open House. Learn more about outdoor fun at the Garden State Outdoor Sports Show.

Find even more weekend options in our Winter Fun Guide, including Indoor Obstacle Courses, Ninja Warrior Training, and Aerial Arts for NJ Kids. And look to our event calendar and January GoList for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Things To Do in NJ This Weekend: Lights Festival, Winter Wonderland, Free Crafts & Storytimes

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 12/31/2019 - 8:50am

Travel through an illuminated wonderland at the Vernon Lights Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

If your new year's resolutions includes saving money, then this is your lucky weekend. Most events for New Jersey families in the debut weekend of 2020 are free! Take part in craft freebies at Lakeshore Learning and Zimmerli Art Museum. Bring the kids to storytime freebies like Grumpy Monkey Storytime and Story Snacks. And spend some no-cost time outdoors at the Winery Sunday Music Series and Holiday Light Show.

This weekend also marks the final opportunity to take part in seasonal favorites, including the 62nd Annual Model Railroad Show and Bergen County Winter Wonderland.

Find even more weekend options throughout NJ in our Winter Guide, including the Top Snow Tubing Spots for New Jersey Families. And look to our January GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

January GoList: The Best Things To Do With NJ Kids This Month

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 12/27/2019 - 8:00am

Best cure for the post-holiday blues? Load up your January calendar with fun and festive events that the whole family will look forward to!

Start 2020 on a dramatic note with family-friendly productions of Angelina Ballerina, Dog Man, and Disney on Ice. Then kick back with a cup of tea or glass of wine (snacks for the kids).

And if you're ready to brave the chill, go festival-hopping at the Winter Festival Bonfire & Fireworks, Fire and Ice Festival, and Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival.

For more wintry fun, check out our Winter Activity Guide, and discover Free Indoor Play Spots for NJ Kids when the temperature plummets. And as always, you can find many more great things to do in our Event Calendar.

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Winter Solstice, Gingerbread Wonderland, Santa Visits

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 12/10/2019 - 8:00am

Enjoy lots of FREE fun at the Annual Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday at Cattus Island County Park. Photo courtesy of the park

Christmas is less than two weeks away! Take a break from the mad rush of holiday preparation, and take in some light and sweet holiday fun. Brilliant holiday displays continue to shine throughout New Jersey, including Jenkinson's Sea of Lights, Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights, and Vernon Lights Festival.

Bring the family, and a sweet tooth, to tasty festivities like the Annual Hot Chocolate Hike Weekend, Gingerbread House Workshop, Cookies with Santa, Elsa and Anna, and Grain House Cookies + Kindness Brunch. Still hungry? Load up on breakfast fare with St. Nick over the weekend at Santa brunches.

Relax at warm, indoor events including Storytime with Mrs. Claus, 2nd Annual Storytime with Santa, and Chanukah Concert and Family Sing-Along. There are plenty of holiday shows and Nutcracker performances taking place over the weekend, too!

Find even more weekend options in our Holiday Guide, including 50+ Awesome Santa Activities in New Jersey. And look to our December GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Holiday Lights, PJ Masks, Skate with Santa

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 10:30am

Six Flags Great Adventure lights up this weekend for Holiday in the Park. Photo courtesy of Six Flags!

There's holiday spirit happening throughout New Jersey this weekend, from seasonal shows to Santa visits.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday prep to take in a kid-friendly show, including Elf: The Musical, Angelina Ballerina, and PJ Masks Live. Santa's popping in this weekend at Kale's Garden Center, Terhune Orchards, and Warinanco Sport Center, and he'll be making appearances in towns like Chester and Warren.

Celebrate Christmas past this weekend at Wassail Day, Dutch Christmas, and Sinterklaas Day, and on horse and buggy in Red Bank and at Maplewood's Dickens Village.

Find even more weekend options in our Holiday Guide, including Where to Take Pictures with Santa in NJ and Spectacular Holiday Light Displays. And look to our December GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

December GoList: 20+ Best Things To Do in NJ for the Holidays

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 11/29/2019 - 8:00am

The month of December is like one big jolly holiday. Santa's making his rounds via planes and trains, and even underwater. Local towns and New Jersey's favorite haunts are glowing with holiday lights. Plus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve round out the month-long festivities.

If you and your kids are eager to celebrate the season, you're in luck—there are so many wonderful events and activities happening throughout New Jersey every day this month. You'll find plenty of free things to do, as well as activities just for little ones. You can have breakfast with Santa, catch a seasonal show, and see at least one of the spectacular light displays around the state.

We know you’re busy with things like shopping, baking, and figuring out what the heck to do with your Elf on the Shelf, so we’ve sorted through all of this month's happenings and picked more than 20 of our favorites.

For even more ideas, check out our Holiday Guide and Event Calendar. And sign up for our FREE newsletters so you can have our picks delivered directly to your inbox! Happy Holidays!

Where To Enjoy High Tea in New Jersey with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Mon, 11/25/2019 - 12:00pm

Take your pretend tea party to the next level at one of NJ's charming tea houses. Photo courtesy of Teaberry's Tea Room

If your little sweetie loves the finer things in life—and has the patience to make it through a sit-down meal—he or she may be ready to enjoy an afternoon at one of NJ's many local tea houses. From the fine china and finger sandwiches to the tempting sweets, your little one will be enchanted during this special one-on-one mommy time. Many host sweet birthday parties, and several offer special holiday events.