Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Holiday Lights, Friendsgiving, Cirque Christmas

Watch Santa magically light up the park this weekend at Storybook Land. Photo courtesy of Storybook Land

Fill your plate with a taste of Thanksgiving and a sampling of Christmas on this pre-Turkey Day weekend in New Jersey. Get ready for the big day at Alstede's Farm to Table Friendsgiving Feast; celebrate with historical flair at Early 19th Century Thanksgiving; and learn more about our feathered guest of honor at NJ Audubon: Turkey Talk.

Christmas is the air this weekend with rides on the North Pole Express and Polar Express. Turtle Back Zoo debuts its holiday light display, and Holiday Trolley Tours are up and running in Princeton. And don't miss the amazing Magical Cirque Christmas at Mayo Performing Arts Center.

Check out our Holiday Fun Guide for more options, including the Best Nutcrackers and Holiday Shows for NJ Kids. And look to our November GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Northeast's First SEA LIFE Aquarium Announces Spring 2020 Opening at American Dream in NJ

Tropical fish, rays, and sharks swim in the store windows at "Sharks Fifth Avenue."

A "City Under the Sea" is coming to the American Dream entertainment complex in the NJ Meadowlands next spring, with interactive exhibits showcasing more than 3,000 sea creatures from jellyfish to sharks. Merlin Entertainment unveiled its plans for the metro-themed SEA LIFE aquarium at a media event last week, and Mommy Poppins was there to get the scoop.

The first SEA LIFE to open in the Northeast, the New Jersey aquarium will join nine other locations across the U.S., including aquariums in San Antonio, Texas; Orlando, FL; and Carlsbad, CA. New Jersey SEA LIFE will open alongside the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, which is also slated to open at American Dream in spring 2020.

Climb, Jump and Soar at Urban Air Adventure Park

Jump, bounce and play and Urban Air Adventure Park. Photo courtesy of Urban Air

If you’re looking for something to keep the kids entertained for hours, look no further than Urban Air Adventure Park in Lake Grove. This 48,000-square foot indoor adventure park has something for kids of all ages. While the littlest members of your brood enjoy the indoor playground and trampolines, big kids (and their parents) can channel their inner ninja warrior on the ropes course, climbing wall and Sky Rider Coaster. 

Looking for more places to play? We've got you covered with guides to the best indoor play spaces in Nassau County and Suffolk County. There's fun to be had even when the weather is chilly, check out the Winter Fun Guide for the best in seasonal entertainment. And for more family fun all year long, be sure to check out events calendar

8 Special Holiday Tea and Treat Events for Boston Kids

Santa visits for an old-fashioned tea that includes crafts and games in Waltham, Photo courtesy of Gore Place

Many kids get excited to dress up and head out to a special place during the holidays—especially when delicious treats are involved. These restaurants and hotels are rolling out the red carpet (and some pretty fantastic pastries) for kids and their parents this month with festive holiday and Christmas teas. From the Four Season's celebrity-studded Teddy Bear Tea downtown to a Victorian-inspired Santa Tea in Waltham, these events are sure to get kids in the seasonal spirit (and provide some photo ops, too!)

See our post about Santa breakfasts around Boston for more special holiday meals ideas, and our roundup of kid-friendly restaurants near Boston for a relaxed meal during Christmastime or anytime.

40 Fun Things To Do in the Shenandoah Valley with Kids

Hiking the forests of the Shenandoah Valley. Photo courtesy of Virginia State Parks

Spanning nearly 150 miles with stunning views, natural landmarks to explore, deep history, and adorable small towns, a trip to the Shenandoah Valley is well worth the drive. The only question is, where to start? Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley, I'm amazed at how much of this beautiful scenery remains unchanged for decades. Farms span innumerable acres. You can still catch a cart and buggy, and have your pick of some of the best local produce at pop-up farmers markets in unexpected places. But the Valley isn't locked in time. It is thriving with new small businesses, a growing winery and brewery scene, and an intentional effort on the part of Virginia's small towns to create more amenities and attractions. 

To help you navigate this expansive region just west of Washington, DC, and bordering West Virginia, we've put together a list of the 40 best things to see and do with your family, including exploring Shenandoah National Park and the famed Skyline Drive.

Christmas Tree and Menorah Lightings in Westchester this Holiday Season

Ring in the holiday season at Ridge Hill on Saturday, November 16. Photo courtesy of Ridge Hill

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to herald its arrival than with the lighting of Christmas trees and menorahs? You don't have to head to Rockefeller Center to enjoy that holiday magic.

Many tree lighting events in Westchester have live music, toasty refreshments, a visit from Santa himself and—in some cases—some extra bells and whistles. Menorah lighting celebrations include parties, music, and plenty of tasty treats. Note that Hanukkah starts on Sunday, December 22 this year. We're still waiting for word on several Westchester menorah lightings—so stay tuned for updates!

Read on for a variety of lighting festivities, ranging from big celebrations to cozy, small-town affairs. Most of these events are FREE.

Looking for more seasonal fun? Check out our November GoList and be sure to browse our Event Calendar. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletters to keep up to date on our latest info.

Things To Do Thanksgiving Day in New Jersey

From turkey trots to ice skating, there's lots happening on Thanksgiving Day in NJ. Photo courtesy of the Chatham Turkey Trot

There's more to Thanksgiving family time than turkey. If you're not prepping the main event or if dinner wraps up early, you might be left wondering, "Now what?" Use the time to make some extra-special Thanksgiving memories with the kids. We've rounded up 10 ideas to get you going, including ice skatinghikesholiday lights displays, and visits with animals at NJ zoos and aquariums.

Disney+ Is Here and You Might Be Able to Get It For Free

The new streaming service from Disney launched November 12.

The internet's been buzzing this week with the debut of Disney+, the ad-free streaming service peddling all the family favorites from this entertainment giant, including movies and TV shows from its family of brands: Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox.

Read on for details on the new service, whether you're just looking to pass the time until you can catch Frozen 2 in theaters, or you're anxious to introduce the "classics" of your youth to a new generation of viewers. Some lucky Verizon subscribers can even enjoy the new Disney+ for FREE.

Pages