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

14 Best Things To Do in New Jersey in March 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 02/26/2023 - 7:09am

March brings the seasonal opening of Diggerland, where kids can get hands-on with real construction equipment. Photo courtesy of the park

March comes in like a lion with celebrations for Easter, St. Patrick's Day, and other early-spring activities.

Give a (hopefully) warm welcome to the change of seasons in March with the celebration of springtime holidays at events like Kids' St. Patrick's Celebration, DiDonato's Easter EGGspress, and Purim Carnival. Festivals round out a merry March, with The Chocolate Expo 2023 and the 2023 Millburn Lunar New Year Festival.

Find tons more March fun in our Spring Guide.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

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Presidents Day Weekend 2023: 15 Fun Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 02/15/2023 - 10:16am

Stroll along the mossy paths that lead to a warming bonfire during Presidents Day weekend programming at Whitesbog. Photo courtesy of the trust

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Presidents Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the long holiday weekend.

Happy birthday, George and Abe! It's Presidents Day weekend, and in honor of the presidents and our lovely warm weather, a whole weekend of outdoor fun awaits. There's a FREE Presidents Day tour and hike at Whitesbog and two days of festivities at Trailside. Plus, honor Black History Month in Neptune City, and revel in comfort food at the Mac & Cheese Mayhem Festival in Morristown. And, the love keeps coming with sweet treats and Valentine's Day activities, too.

Find more fun to fill the long weekend, and any additional days off, on our list of 25 things to do over the February Winter Break, and look for more winter fun in our Guide to Winter Fun in New Jersey. If that's not enough, be sure to bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for even more great things to do in New Jersey with kids.

25 Things To Do for February's Winter Break in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 02/12/2023 - 1:27pm

Kids can learn, play, and solve problems in the new Thomas & Friends exhibition at the Liberty Science Center. Photo courtesy of LSC

Looking for things to do during winter break in New Jersey? Read on for more than two dozen terrific options.

Sandwiched between the bustling holiday break and the itching-for-warm-weather spring break falls New Jersey's midwinter February Break. This year, Presidents Day is on Monday, February 20, 2023, and many NJ schoolchildren have a three-day weekend, making it the perfect time for a family outing or family-friendly winter day trip.

Whether you choose to hang indoors at a popular local indoor play space or embrace the winter weather with a snow tubing trip to one of these nearby hills, there's plenty to keep everyone busy over the long weekend. Read on for our picks for the best February Break activities for NJ kids, and bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for even more ideas.

Where To Go Maple Sugaring in New Jersey With Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 02/05/2023 - 7:05am

Find out how maples are tapped and try a sample of sweet maple sugar at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center. Photo courtesy of the center

Looking for the best places to go maple sugaring in New Jersey? Read on for our guide.

February is a sweet month in New Jersey. Not only do we have Valentine's Day to look forward to—it's also the start of maple sugaring season. Visitors of all ages flock to New Jersey farms and nature centers to learn about the process of maple sugaring, from tapping the maple trees to boiling the sap into delicious syrup. Some events even offer a sweet taste of the end product.

For even more outdoor winter fun, check out our post on where to play outside in NJ, plus find additional seasonal entertainment in our Winter Fun Guide.

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

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 7:05am

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at American Dream Mall. Photo courtesy of the mall

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

February is the month of love, and you’ll love all the FREE events happening in New Jersey! It's a month full of holiday celebrations, with a Valentine's Bazaar, Presidents Day tours and hike, and sweet fun during maple sugaring season.

Don't miss February festival freebies, like New Milford's Hispanic Heritage Expo and Ocean County Mall's Winter Beach Blast.

Mark your calendars with these 30+ no-cost February 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 winter happenings in our Family Activity Calendar and Winter Activities Guide.

18 Best Things To Do in New Jersey February 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 01/29/2023 - 6:50am

Check out "Llama Llama Live," a new musical inspired by the "Llama, Llama Red Pajama" series. Photo courtesy of the State Theater of New Jersey

Whether sending valentines or planning a Presidents Day weekend getaway—there is plenty to love about February!

Celebrate Valentine's Day with some shopping at Asbury Park's Valentine's Bazaar and enjoy outdoor fun at an Old-Fashioned Valentine's Day at Howell Living History Farm. Catch live theater this month, including productions of Pinkalicious and Llama Llama Live. Round out the sweet month with maple sugaring in Flemington and Chatham.

Find more cozy February fun in our Winter Guide, including write-ups on the 30 Best Things To Do this Winter in NJ 2023 and Free Indoor Play Spots in New Jersey for Kids.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

MLK Weekend 2023 in New Jersey: Top Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 7:04am

The Arts Council of Princeton celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a bagel and coffee breakfast, a canned food drive, and a limited-edition coloring book. Photo courtesy of the Arts Council of Princeton

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this long weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

The first three-day weekend of 2023 kicks off with a celebration on ice and concludes with an important day of service and legacy. Disney stars glide through town this weekend with Disney on Ice: Into the Magic. Plus, enjoy festivals this weekend, including outdoor events like Ice Sculpture Show at Pier Village and indoor ones like American Dream's Lunar New Year Celebration. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and there are service opportunities for all ages in Scotch Plains, Princeton, and Summit, among others.

Find more cold-weather activities for the long weekend, including the 30 Best Things To Do this Winter in NJ 2023, in our Winter Fun Guide and our packed Family Activity Calendar.

Free in January: 25+ Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 01/06/2023 - 6:27am

Take part in a free family art project at Rutgers' Zimmerli Art Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for FREE January events in New Jersey? Read on for dozens of great options.

Happy 2023! A brand new year brings a brand-new crop of FREE events for the family. Your post-holiday wallet will thank you.

January is the perfect time to keep little ones warm and busy with FREE story times at several Barnes & Noble locations and local libraries. No-cost crafts are offered at events like Art Together and Snow Globes & MLK Day Activities.

Festivals aren't warm weather-only experiences. Bundle up for gratis January festivals, like Mount Holly Fire & Ice Festival and Seashore Open House.

Mark your calendars with these 25+ no-cost holiday events that take place nearly every day of the season. For more winter fun, check out our Event Calendar and Winter Activities Guide.