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

Weekend Fun: Bunny Trains, Cherry Blossom Festival, Egg Hunts

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 04/09/2019 - 11:30am

Hop aboard the Whippany Easter Bunny Express. Photo courtesy of the railway

If you're hunting for something to do this weekend, our calendar is brimming with egg hunts and other Easter festivities. Grab your baskets and gather eggs at PAWS Discovery Farm, Oasis Family Farm, Hoboken Grace Community Church, and Cape May Zoo, among many others. The Easter celebrations continue with holiday trains rides out of Flemington and Whippany, and a visit with the Bunny at Abma's Farm and Turtle Back Zoo.

Take in fresh air and springtime scenery at Essex County Family Day and Bloomfest, which are part of the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival. Or head down the shore for Opening Day at Morey's Piers and Jenkinson's Mermaid Tea Party.

Find even more weekend options in our Spring Guide, including 40+ Spring Festivals for New Jersey Kids and Families. And look to our April GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: Egg Hunts, Cherry Blossoms, Theme Park Openings

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 04/02/2019 - 2:20pm

Explore the Egg Forest and search for Peter Rabbit's lost eggs at Johnson's Corner Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

This first weekend of April promises to be egg-straordinary with the kick-off of egg hunting season. Get in the pre-Easter spirit with the Easter Egg Hunt on PAWS Discovery Farm, Egg Hunt Hayride, Paramus Easter Egg Hunt, and Easter and Springtime Family Festival.

Soak up more outdoor time when both Six Flags and Storybook Land, plus the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, make their season debuts this weekend. Or spend time indoors at theatrical productions of The Jungle Book, Pinkalicious The Musical, Peg+Cat Live, and Milk & Cookies: Sweetbeatz.

Find even more weekend options in our Spring Fun Guide, including Easter Egg Hunts for New Jersey Kids. And look to our April GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun:

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 03/26/2019 - 11:00am

Get creative as a family at Princeton University Art Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

March caps off with a weekend full of festivities. Party hippo-style at Camden Aquarium in honor of Button's Birthday. Show off those Lego-building skills at Diggerland's Lego Day. And celebrate the love of both chocolate and dinosaurs at the Dino Dig Chocolate Adventure Party.

Get on board with early spring festivals this weekend, including the 8th Annual Spring Model Railroad Show and Art Making Day 2019. Family-friendly shows take the stage, including B- The Underwater Bubble Show and New Jersey Ballet's Beauty & the Beast and Peter & the Wolf.

Find even more weekend options in our Spring Guide, including 50+ Things We Can't Wait to Do with Kids This Spring in NJ. And look to our March GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Things To Do and What’s Canceled This Weekend in NJ

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 03/19/2019 - 11:30am

NJ celebrates Makers Day across the state at various locations this weekend. Photo courtesy of NJ MakersDay

Put on your thinking caps this first weekend of spring. Saturday marks New Jersey Makers Day, and hands-on crafty and tech events take place at New Jersey State Museum, Scotch Plains Library and Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. Kick off spring festival season at 10th Annual Kidfest and 9th Annual Spring Model Railroad Show.

Plus, get a taste of spring children's theater this weekend with The Amazing Max, New Jersey Theatre Alliance's Stages Festival and Erth's Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure. And wrap up St. Paddy's Day celebrations with a Leprechaun Hunt and Sussex County Parade.

Find even more weekend options in our Spring Guide, including 45+ Things We Can't Wait To Do with Kids This Spring in NJ! And look to our March GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Best Spring 2019 Events for New Jersey Toddlers and Preschoolers

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 03/13/2019 - 2:15pm

Hit the beach for the Easter Egg Hunt at Jeninkson's Boarwalk. Photo by Fabulous Perks

Good news for toddler and preschool mamas who are over being cooped up indoors. Spring is just around the corner! You'll find plenty to look forward to when you comb through these upcoming events for the under-6 crowd.

We've rounded up the best things to do with tots from mid-March through the end of May, and they're sure to put some spring in your steps. From amusement park openings to Easter activities to family-friendly performances, there's something for everyone in your family to enjoy. Read on for our top spring event picks for NJ kids under 6. And be sure to sneak a peek at our Spring Fun Guide for even more great events.

30+ Free Things to Do in March with New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 02/28/2019 - 10:00am

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Belmar Parade. Photo courtesy of Belmar Parade

Oh, the places you'll go in March, especially when so many events are free! You can celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday at no-cost events like Celebrate Dr. Seuss' 115 Birthday and Dr. Seuss Storytime & Craft.

Get creative at free Makers Day events this month, including events at Scotch Plains and Fanwood libraries. And don't miss this month's free St. Patrick's Day parades.

As we inch towards spring festival season, enjoy some March freebies like Montclair Literary Festival, New Jersey Theatre Alliance's Stages Festival and 9th Annual Kidfest.

Read on for this month's picks! For more free and low-cost fun, check out our list of Fun & Free Public Indoor Spaces.

Find Family Fun for All Ages at the Morris Museum

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 11:00am

Celebrate Dr. Seuss at the Morris Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

If you’re looking for an interactive museum experience the whole family will enjoy, head over to The Morris Museum. While smaller and simpler than a big-city institution, the museum, housed in an old mansion, features an eclectic showing of family-friendly exhibits.

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood near Morristown’s historic district, Morris Museum has become one of my family's go-to's for a quick weekend day trip or a stopover at one of its annual festivals. The vintage musical instruments, model train exhibit, and rock and mineral collection remain big hits with my tweens.

In addition to the hands-on exhibits, the museum features a children’s theater and a robust lineup of family programs and events. There are plenty of reasons that Morris Museum is on our list of 100 Things to Do in NJ with Kids!

20 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in NJ with the Family

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 02/06/2019 - 10:30am

Bake, sample treats, and find more activities for V-Day in NJ. Photo via Bigstock

Move over romantic Valentine's celebrations—Valentine's Day becomes a family affair once you have kids. Treat your crew to love-themed, kid-friendly fun at celebrations leading up to the big day. Have a Family Date Night at Jenkinson's, sample sweets at the Annual Valentine's Day Chocolate Walk, or enjoy a Chocolate Family Day at the museum.

Ready for a cheap date? Check out Valentine's freebies that include a storytime, craft, and cookie-decorating.

Read on for more ways to celebrate with the ones you love. And for even more mid-winter fun, check out our Event Calendar and February GoList. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!