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

25 Easter Egg Hunts in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 7:16am

Hop on a hayride out to the egg field at Johnson's Corner Farm, where kids can collect eggs to trade for a goody bag. Photo courtesy of the farm

The hunt is on, so grab your Easter basket and head to one of these fabulous Easter egg hunts in New Jersey. Many of these community events are FREE, and some are embellished with hayrides, scavenger hunts, and even Easter Bunny appearances.

We've rounded up more than two dozen Easter egg hunts in New Jersey below, and you can find more holiday activities, like our list of the best Easter Bunny train rides, in our Easter Guide. Find more ways to celebrate the season in our Spring Fun Guide for New Jersey Kids.

37 Spring Festivals in New Jersey for Families

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 03/21/2023 - 6:44am

Enjoy plenty of fun on the farm during Alstede's Easter and Springtime Family Festival. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

It's time to kiss winter goodbye in New Jersey and spring into the outdoor festival and fair season. Spring festivals are blossoming in 2023 and promise tons of family-friendly fun and things to do. From the Skylands Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival to Red Bank's Street Fair to Daffodil Day at Reeves-Reed, these gatherings are a great way to spend time outdoors and experience all spring has to offer.

For more spring action, check out our Guide to Spring Fun in New Jersey for Kids.

All Aboard These Easter Bunny Trains in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 6:31am

The Easter Bunny rides the rails with you on the Black River & Western Railroad's Easter Bunny Express. Photo courtesy of the railroad

Railroads in New Jersey and Pennsylvania mark the Easter holiday by offering exciting opportunities to meet the Easter Bunny while riding the rails. These Easter train rides are a perfect springtime diversion for train-loving kids, and many offer an opportunity to snap Easter Bunny pictures as well. Easter 2023 falls on Sunday, April 9, but the rides start much sooner.

Be sure to get your tickets early; these Easter Bunny trains sell out quickly. Find more picks for the Easter holiday and beyond in our Guide to Spring Activities.

Top Art Summer Camps in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 03/14/2023 - 6:07am

At Artsi Studio, campers learn technique and create paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more. Photo courtesy of the studio

Kids can get their creative juices flowing at summer art camps in New Jersey. Art camps offer the opportunity to explore pottery, drawing, sewing, ceramics, and more, with options for kids as young as preschool up through the teen years. These art camps are located in art schools, museums, and pop-up locations and often can be booked by the week.

For more summer camps in New Jersey, check out our lists of affordable summer camps, Bergen County Camps, and STEM summer day camps, plus bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town.

Where to Take Easter Bunny Pictures in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 03/12/2023 - 10:22am

Take photos with the Easter Bunny at Heaven Hill Farm's annual Easter Egg Festival. Photo courtesy of the farm

Grab your bonnets and bow ties, it's time to plan your annual Easter Bunny pictures in New Jersey. We've got the scoop on where you can meet the long-eared guest of honor and take part in activities like Easter Bunny Easter brunches, farm adventures, trains, zoos, and the Jersey Shore.

Find more great activity ideas in our Easter Guide. There's also plenty more seasonal fun to check out in our Guide to Spring Activities in New Jersey.

Best Summer Camps in Bergen County, New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 03/05/2023 - 8:14am

Campers will roam the trails exploring anywhere they can reach at Tenafly Nature Center Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the nature center

Whether you're seeking a summer camp that provides a performing arts experience, scientific fun, or all-around outdoor adventure, these Bergen County, New Jersey, summer camps cater to all ages and interests. We've rounded up 11 summer camps located in Bergen County that will help your kids have a sensational summer. Summer camp options include full or half days and indoor or outdoor facilities.

For more summer camps in New Jersey, check out our lists of affordable summer camps, the best dance summer camps, and STEM summer day camps, plus bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town.

Free in March: Best Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 6:58am

Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center hosts an up-close look at the park's inhabitants each Sunday. Photo courtesy of the center

Looking for FREE things to do this March in New Jersey? Check out dozens of great options below.

As the season transitions from winter to spring, March is filled with events that don't cost a thing! It's a lucky month for freebies, with St. Patrick's Day events that include Kids' St. Patrick's Celebration and parades in Morris County and Union County among many others.

Get a jump, or hop, on Easter festivities with complimentary events like Strolling Spring Bunny and Belmar Easter Egg Hunt.

Mark your calendars with these 30+ no-cost March events that take place nearly every day of the month. For more free fun, check out our Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with NJ Kids, and find more spring happenings in our Family Activity Calendar and Spring Activities Guide.

Most Affordable Summer Camps in New Jersey for Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 02/28/2023 - 6:34am

At Tenafly Nature Center Camp, kids experience the natural world. Photo courtesy of the nature center

After a busy school year, kids deserve a stress-free summer of adventure, and now's the time to explore summer camp options. We've rounded up 17 summer day camps in New Jersey that are easy on the wallet but heavy on summer fun. Many of these affordable summer camps let you register by the week or even the day, so you don't have to commit to an entire summer. Other options, like 3-day weeks and half-day summer camps, help to keep costs down. Before- and after-care is available at some of these inexpensive summer camps in New Jersey as well.

The following are some of the most affordable summer camps in New Jersey, and as a bonus, booking soon might help you score cost-saving early bird specials. For more summer camps in New Jersey, such as the best dance summer camps and STEM summer day camps, bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town.