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
Mother Nature and Mom are the big stars of this jam-packed, mid-May weekend. National Public Gardens Day is a great excuse to spend quality time outdoors, surrounded by nature. Events taking place throughout our Garden State include Macculloch Hall's National Public Gardens Day, The Lawrence Nature Center's Mother Nature Festival, Reeves-Reed Arboretum's My Edible Garden, and Deep Cut Gardens Open House & National Public Gardens Day.
Sunday is all about Mom. Enjoy amusements at Morey's Piers' Mother's Day celebration or Mother's Day at Jenkinson's, or chill out at family-friendly winery celebrations at Valenzano Winery, Terhune Orchards, Working Dog Winery, and Alba Vineyard. And don't forget the flowers: celebrate the day among beautiful blooms at events like the Azalea Festival and Mother's Day at Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
Find more mom-worthy ideas in our list of 25 Things To Do in New Jersey for Mother's Day, and check out our Spring Guide for New Jersey Kids for more options for family fun, including a day trip to Camden Children's Garden. And look to our event calendar and May GoList for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.
Happy Mother's Day, NJ!
Hooray for May! Bring on the outdoor fairs, festivals and Memorial Day celebrations. And if you're budgeting for summer vacations and camp, no need to skimp on the May fun. These activities and events are all FREE to attend.
Street fair season is in full swing this month. Check out food vendors, crafts, and demonstrations at neighborhood fairs around the state, including Westfield, Highland Park, Maplewood, and Lake Hopatcong. Head down to the shore for admission-free, beachy extravaganzas like the Ocean City Spring Block Party, the New Jersey Seafood Festival, Ocean Fun Days, and the Wildwoods International Kite Festival.
Top off the month with free Memorial Day parades in Freehold, Westfield, and New Providence, plus the Bradley Beach Memorial Day Festival.
Read on for this month's picks! For more free and low-cost fun, check out our Event Calendar and Guide to New Jersey Parks and Playgrounds.
Every fall, I face the same dilemma planning my girls’ birthday party. Do I take advantage of the crisp autumn weather with an outdoor venue? Or do I play it safe with something indoors? Planning a party is stressful enough in any season, without the added anxiety over weather. If an outdoor party is what you have in mind, don’t let Mother Nature put a damper on your child’s special day. From nature centers to water parks, the following party venues offer outdoor party options with indoor alternatives.
For even more ideas for fun in our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Guide.
This weekend kicks off the mid-winter break for New Jersey schoolchildren, and there's plenty to keep the kiddos entertained. Enjoy a drama-filled weekend with a variety of theatrical performances, including Charlotte's Web Live, Beauty and the Beast, Gobsmacked!, and Mr. Popper's Penguins. Partake in a whole afternoon of kid-friendly games, crafts, and other activities on Saturday at Kidabaloo in Asbury Park. Or celebrate George Washington's birthday with Washington himself!
If you're looking for day-off entertainment on Presidents Day, head over to Morris Museum for Presidents Day activities, State Theatre New Jersey for Family Day, or Trailside Nature & Science Center for a Mad Science demonstration.
To find more fun for this weekend and beyond, check out our list of 30 things to do during the February break. And look to our February GoList and Winter Activity Guide for even more ideas.
The lazy days of December break may be the best time to take part in New Jersey's family-friendly holiday activities—especially if you have visiting relatives to entertain. From spectacular light displays to cold-weather fun, there's plenty to do during the days off from school.
Most New Jersey schools are closed from Friday, December 22 through Monday, January 1, allowing plenty of time to experience some of the holiday highlights you may have missed in the hectic run-up to Christmas. It's also the perfect time to check out an indoor play space, museum, or fun zone. In my family, ice skating and movies always top the December vacation must-do list.
Be sure to check out our December GoList and Holiday Fun Guide for more great ideas. Happy Holidays, NJ!
The best things in life really are free, especially when it comes to family activities. In this new monthly feature, Mommy Poppins NJ presents the best FREE events happening in the upcoming weeks. This month, you can look forward to plenty of free storytimes and festivals, and, of course, a ton of Halloween fun. And speaking of that haunting holiday, check out our list of 30 Free Halloween Events and Parades for NJ Kids for even more ways to celebrate without cracking open your wallet.
Read on for this month's picks, and don't forget to check out our Event Calendar and October GoList for more free and low-cost fall fun.
Nestled between two urban downtowns is a gem of a play area known as Newport Green Park. Created in 2012 as part of Jersey City’s revitalization, this peaceful oasis boasts an imaginative playground, the Hudson River’s only man-made beach, and a walkway to Hoboken, all with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop. This day trip–worthy park is also home to a carousel and splash pad.
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