There are tons of great parks in Hudson County, but once winter arrives, some days are better spent indoors. There are some great places in the area to play or dance or bowl or bounce inside. We’ve even included all the wonderful libraries in Hudson County for your little inside reader. Get your coats on, get out of the house and get into someone else’s indoors. And check out our Indoor Playspaces posts for Bergen and Essex counties!

It can be difficult to explain the events of September 11, 2001 to our children; they're still hard for us to fully grasp. As we near the 14^th anniversary of the day that changed our country forever, here are some helpful ways to commemorate with your family. Visit a memorial site or exhibit, volunteer together, read a book to younger kids to help them understand or visit the 9/11 Memorial in downtown NYC. There are many ways to mark the day together.

After a brutal winter, the warm weather is finally here! Let’s rejoice and spend as much time outside as possible. Fairs and festivals are popping up all over the Garden State in places like Cape May, Toms River and Hoboken. You really should get your NJ family to one of these fun-filled festivals in our wonderful state, because, after all, it's only fair. For more outdoor fun, check out our list of 30 Ways to Get Good & Messy outside.

Halloween is a time of year when we search for new and fun things to do with our NJ kids. There are plenty of spooky events, but why not try something unique this year? Sling a pumpkin with the family, settle in for some classic ghostly tales ! If you are in the mood for something different this Halloween, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of “off the beaten path” Halloween events for NJ kids and families.

Nothing will make your family hungrier than a day of fun in the sun at the beach. Whether you are taking your NJ kids on a day trip or for vacation – the Jersey Shore is a great place to visit for the whole family. Finding a kid-friendly place to dine can sometimes be a challenge, however, especially if you're not familiar with the area. Here are some of my personal favorite Jersey Shore eateries (including ice cream!) that are great for kids of all ages! And for more shore fun, check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

If you live in New Jersey, you know that our state is often referred to as “the diner capital of the world", with more than 600 joints! So, what makes a good diner? This subject is always up for debate, especially at the Jersey Shore. Some think it’s the coffee that says it all. Others feel that home fries should be the crown jewel. Or is it the pancakes? Whatever your preference, here are some of the best diners for NJ families and for even more shore fun, check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

Ocean County, New Jersey, plays host to some of the state's top beaches, including Seaside Heights, Long Beach Island, and Point Pleasant. There are boardwalk amusement park rides, games, and eats aplenty. But there's more than just the shore to Ocean County. In close proximity to NYC, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City, this area has appeal to vacationers and transplants with its laid-back beach communities and great restaurants, but also arts and culture.

We're rounding up our favorite places in the county to visit with the kids, including Strand Theater, a maritime village, several play and nature spots in Toms River, and yes, those gorgeous seaside towns. Take a look at this list of our top picks for NJ kids and families in Ocean County as you plan your family getaway or day trip. And for more shore fun, check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

"Read Across America Day" is a fun and important day for your little reader! This year Read Across America Day falls on March 3, 2014, but we should be celebrating reading everyday. We're sure your local library and child's school is celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday and Read Across America, but why let them have all the fun? Here's our roundup of fun reading events and ideas for celebrating Read Across America for New Jersey kids and families.