Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
Latest posts by Laurie
Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.
This last full weekend of January will please your palate with some delicious options, including a variety of sweets and children's activities at Dessertopia in Morritown, and a yummy soup sampling at Alstede Farms' Free Soup Tasting Weekend.
Plus, massive trucks take the stage at the action-packed Monster Jam at Prudential Center.
Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!
Looking for things to do during winter break in New Jersey? Read on for more than two dozen terrific options.
It feels like I just put away the holiday decorations, and yet it’s already time to plan for New Jersey’s February break. This year, Presidents' Day is on Monday, February 16, 2026, and many NJ schoolchildren have a 3 or 4-day weekend, making it the perfect time for a family outing or family-friendly winter day trip. My kids definitely want to make the most of it with at least one NJ day trip.
Read on for our picks for the best February break activities for NJ kids, and bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for even more ideas.
New Jersey's awesome spring break camps and winter break camps are perfect opportunities for hard-working students to enjoy screen-free, school-free days–or even a week of fun. If you're searching for structured activities to keep the kids active and engaged over the break, look no further than these school break camps.
We've rounded up options throughout New Jersey, ranging from action-packed camps that let kids burn energy to those that foster creative hobbies, like sewing. Parents may opt for full- or half-days and enroll kids for individual days or all week.
Don't wait too long to book upcoming break camp spots; spaces tend to have limited enrollment and book up quickly. While camp is on the brain, start making your summer plans. We've got tons of resources in our Camp Guide and Camp Directory.
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 long weekend of 2026 kicks off with a celebration on ice and concludes with a day of service and legacy. The weekend gets off to an icy start with Pier Village's free Ice Festival, complete with an ice sculpture demonstration and other wintry fun. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and there are service opportunities for all ages in Scotch Plains, Princeton, and Summit, among others.
Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!
Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey over New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.
It's time to kiss 2025 goodbye and look forward to a fresh new start in 2026. Celebrate New Year's Eve family-style with low-key events like Noon Year's Eve at Jenkinson's in the daytime, featuring entertainment and a balloon drop, or see the nighttime New Year's Eve fireworks in Sea Isle City. Plus, kick off the first weekend of the new year with some fresh air during a Storytime and Craft at the Liberty State Park Nature Center.
Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!
Looking for FREE January events in New Jersey? Read on for dozens of great options.
January is the perfect time to keep little ones warm and busy on a post-holiday budget with FREE and fun cold-weather festivals, including the Mount Holly Fire and Ice Festival, complete with ice sculptures and chili tasting. Or, enjoy hot chocolate, inflatables, and crafts at Wicoff House Museum's Annual Snowfest. And you'll find plenty of admission-free weekly activities for families, like the Live Animal Talks at Jake Branch County Park.
Mark your calendars with these great 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.
From Disney on Ice to maple sugaring, January can be a great time for indoor and outdoor activities. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in New Jersey this month.
A new year brings a new roster of warm and cozy post-holiday fun. Escape the cold and treat the family to warm indoor festivals, including the decadent Dessertopia and a festival of furry friends, Super Pet Expo. Or, layer up and brave the outdoors for Maple Tree Tapping or the Mount Holly Fire and Ice Festival.
We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.
If all-night celebrations are a thing of the past for you and your family, you can still make the most of New Year's Eve with family-friendly festivities throughout New Jersey.
We've rounded up New Year's Eve events the whole family can enjoy together, from indoor theme park adventures to New Year's Eve fireworks and First Night celebrations.
Looking for pre-New Year's entertainment? Keep busy with these Staycation Ideas, and be sure to check our Family Activity Calendar for more happenings. Happy New Year, New Jersey!
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