There's no shortage of dance classes for kids in New Jersey to keep little ones on their toes! Depending on your children's ages and interests—do they want to emulate Misty Copeland, be the next Beyoncé, or dance to the beat of an African drum?—there's a dance class made just for them.

New Jersey's proximity to the cultural mecca of New York City means many choreographers, former Broadway talents, and retired professional dancers from such elite companies as American Ballet Theatre are ready and willing to help mold and shape the next generation of dancing stars.

Whether your tots want to twirl, tap, or pop and lock, these local dance classes for kids will get them to bust a move. Read on for our picks for the best dance classes for kids in New Jersey. Interested in other enrichment? Find more ideas in our Guide to Classes and Activities for NJ Kids!

What to do with all those apples? When you’ve gone apple picking with the kids, it’s easy to come home with bushels of apples, and hard to make a dent in that mound. That's why we at Mommy Poppins decided to pull together our favorite family apple recipes for using up all that red, green, and gold goodness. These easy apple recipes are specially written so that parents can do the chopping and leave the rest of the mixing, stirring, and baking up to the kids!

Find more yummy (and quick) things to make with or for kids in our Easy Recipes Guide.

At-home COVID tests offer fast results without a trip to the doctor whenever there’s worry about a possible infection—giving families reassurance and helping to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Whether it’s a trip to see the grandparents or one of those dreaded exposure emails from school, there are so many reasons you might want access to an at-home COVID test these days. Quick and easy for parents and less likely to cause tears than a trip to the pediatrician, over-the-counter options like the QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test get you results in about 10 minutes from the comfort of your own couch. (And I can attest to it, because we recently swabbed the whole family to make sure a summer cold was nothing worse!)

So, how do these rapid tests work for kids and adults? And are they actually accurate? Read on for answers to some of parents’ most-asked questions about at-home COVID testing, from the team at QuickVue.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is returning to the streets of NYC on Thursday, November 25, organizers and city officials announced. Following a made-for-TV spectacle in 2020, the 95th annual parade is planning a return to a more traditional parade route to kick off the 2021 holiday season.

Safety protocols will be finalized in the coming weeks, but expect to see larger-than-life helium balloons, marching bands, giant floats, and A-list celebrity performances, plus Santa Claus himself all parading down NYC's avenues.

Kids love to run, jump, flip, and play. Not so great when it's your sofa, their bed, or each other they're jumping on. Looking for a class in Westchester to channel that energy into something more constructive?Gymnastics can be a great way for kids to exert energy, increase confidence and discipline, and yes, show off to their friends.

There are plenty of great options for gymnastics classes in Westchester, and we've rounded them up for you here.  And for more options, see our post on gymnastics classes in the Lower Hudson Valley.

Editor's note: This review was written when Cosmic CAMP was at the Flatiron location. It has since moved to City Point so there may be minor differences. 

Grab your space suits and get ready to blast off on an all-ages family adventure. CAMP, the innovative toy store/play space is taking families on an interactive journey with Cosmic CAMP an intergalactic-themed family experience, which cultivates a sense of adventure while testing the mental mettle and physical skills of your all-ages "crew."

Read on for a sneak peek at what's in store once you open the magic door and enter the Cosmic Launch Pad.

New York City's recreation centers are reopening with big perks for New Yorkers—FREE citywide, one-year memberships will be doled out to all visitors who sign up between Tuesday, September 7 and the end of the year.

The news comes amidst the final week of the season for the FREE public swimming pools housed at city rec centers and marks the first time most of the 36 indoor spaces have reopened since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Since 2005, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze has been a must-do Halloween attraction for our neighbors in Westchester County, its popularity multiplying annually along with its sizable, stunning installation. In 2020 the Blaze added a second location at Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Long Island.

Read on for the inside scoop on Long Island's own Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze, which opens on Wednesday, September 22, and learn why this visually striking, aesthetically inspiring walk-through exhibit belongs on your fall bucket list. Stay tuned to our Halloween Guide for more seasonal, spooky fun.