The twinkling lights at Turtleback Zoo sparkle into the new year. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
New Jersey's Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year’s with Kids
Palmer Square is centerstage for a Christmas Eve Sing-A-Long. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
Christmas Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Light Shows, Santa Visits, and More Things to Do
Forget a regular old ball, Hammonton is dropping their Giant Blueberry to ring in 2026! Photo courtesy of Main Street Hammonton
New Jersey's New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families
Check out ice skating, go-karts, bumper cars, and the marketplace at Newark Winter Village. Photo courtesy of Newark Winter Village
24 Best Winter Day Trips from New Jersey for Families
Hit the slopes in NJ this winter. Photo via Mountain Creek Facebook
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 35 Best Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey
Donations to Fanwood's Famous Christmas House support charity. Photo courtesy of the family
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in New Jersey 2025
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
Best 2025 Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in New Jersey
Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
40 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey on a Rainy Day
Romp with the triceratops and other dinos at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Leonia. Photo by Janet Bloom
Ultimate New Jersey Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NJ
Admission to the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton is completely free. Photo by Lisa Warden
100 Free Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Rainforest Cafe
Themed Restaurants in New Jersey for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Top Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places to Play Indoors
Make a splash at a Jersey Shore waterpark, like Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers. Photo by Kip Dawkins
100 Things To Do at the Jersey Shore with Kids in 2025
Attractions at Morganville's Play Big Zone include arcades games and a 2,000-square-foot obstacle course.
20 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in New Jersey
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Summer Camps Guide for New Jersey Kids
The Battkeship New Jersey is an amazing hands on experience for families. Photo by Lisa Warden
Best NJ Children's Museums in South and Central Jersey
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At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
Budget-Friendly Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey: Drop-in Play for $25 or Less
Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
The Best New Jersey Zoos and Aquariums to Visit with Kids
New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Guide to Free Fun Things To Do with NJ Kids
The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
Best Playgrounds in New Jersey Worth the Drive
Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
Meet the Animals at these New Jersey Petting Zoos and Animal Farms
Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
Atlantic City with Kids: 34 Top Things To Do in Atlantic City, NJ
The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
Best Family Fun Centers & Indoor Amusement Parks in New Jersey
Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
22 Best Things To Do in Princeton, NJ, with Kids
At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
18 Top Birthday Party Places in New Jersey for Kids
Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
  VIDEO
Visiting American Dream Mall in New Jersey: 26 Fun Things To Do and Tips For Your Visit
Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey
Hike 1.6 miles to reach the dramatic beauty of South Mountain Reservation's Hemlock Falls. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Easy Waterfall Hikes in Northern New Jersey for Kids in 2025
Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
Great Day Trips to New Jersey State Parks and Forests
The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
Free Admission for Kids at 50+ Top New Jersey Family Attractions
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Top Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places to Play Indoors
Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
Top Attractions in New Jersey: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
GUIDE
New Jersey Amusement Parks and Water Parks Guide

2016 Mommy Poppins Boston Besties: Best of Boston Kids

12/18/16 - By Tara D

Our readers have spoken. This fall we asked all of you—our wonderful community of Boston area parents—to vote for the best family businesses and resources in 24 categories. You chose from 10 nominees in each category (and four voters were picked at random to enjoy great prizes from our sponsors!). Want to know more about the contest? Take a look at our Besties FAQ.

The votes are now in, and we've created this guide highlighting the winners – the best of the best of family-friendly Boston. Here are our 2016 Boston Besties:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

See winners in categories 1-8 I See winners in categories 9-16 l See winners in categories 17-24

About the Author

Tara D

Tara constantly seeks out opportunities for enrichment and exploration with her kids. When she started writing about it as the Boston Community Ambassador for Ziptivity.com, she discovered a passion for sharing her unique finds with parents, helping to make their lives a little easier and a lot more fun. Her work, which has been highlighted by Huffington Post, can be seen nationally across the Mommy Poppins sites and on Appalachian Mountain Club's Kids Outdoors blog.

Recent Articles By Tara D:
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