Top Independent Bookstores for New Jersey Families

Browse the board books at Little City Books in Hoboken.

Curling up with a good book is one of life's simple pleasures, and finding just the right book for your child is easy at one of New Jersey's independent bookstores. With curated lists of favorites for all ages from toddlers to teens, cozy reading nooks, and treats and gifts for sale, indie booksellers have something for everyone in the family. 

Owned by dedicated bibliophiles who care about their communities, these bookshops offer children's programs, storytimes, author visits, and a great selection of books for everyone. Stock up on reading material before your next road trip, stop in during the holiday season, or shop local for children's birthdays.

Read on for our favorite indie bookstores in New Jersey! 

February GoList: Best Things to do with Houston Kids This Month

February is here, and it's a good thing there's an extra day added on thanks to the leap year - it's full of things to do all around Houston. Get lost in the magic of "Finding Neverland" at the Grand Theatre in Galveston (which really is magical in of itself), and while on the island, take a look at which eateries are participating in Galveston Restaurants Week.

Play with puppies at the Children's Museum, enjoy a free Beethoven concert at the Wortham Theater Center, and take the kids to see their favorite puppets come to life at Sesame Street Live! at NRG. Main Street Theater's "The Diary of Anne Frank" is also running this month through Feb. 16.

And if you're the planning type, you may have started thinking about summer plans, like what in the world you're going to do to keep your kids busy all day. Check out our summer and vacation camp guide for ideas on things they can do out of the house. Read on for the best things to do with the kids this month.

Day Trip Destinations: 6 Great Midwinter Break Getaways

Grab a day pass for Sahara Sam's Indoor Water Park. Photo courtesy of Sahara Sam's

We're here to spare you some scrambling when it comes to finding things to do in with New York City kids during midwinter break. While we've already rounded up the best February happenings in the city, the weeklong break is the perfect time for a day trip, and we've found six exciting, kid-friendly day trip destinations less than two hours from NYC, so there's no need to book a hotel.

Whether you opt to jump around, get wet, enjoy a history lesson, or commune with nature, here are six great getaways for New York City families during February break. Find more seasonal day trip destinations in our Day Trips and Winter Getaways Guide.

Share Your February Family Fun and Win Money for Your School

Win $500 for your school. All you have to do is have fun!

The holidays are over, winter is here, and that means it’s time to slow down, right? Not if our kids have anything to say about it. Luckily, Houston has no shortage of fabulously fun activities for kids this winter.

To inspire families to get out and go this February, we’ve created the ultimate winter bucket list with 40 unique events and activities to help your family have more fun. And to make it even more fun, share your family fun pics on social media, tagging @MommyPoppinsHouston and #MPMadeMyDay, and at the end of the month, we’ll donate $500 to the school or preschool of one lucky winner!

Here’s how it works:

Long-Awaited Reopening of NJ's Fairy Tale Forest Theme Park Set for Spring 2020

The iconic shoe stands at the gate of Fairy Tale Forest, a beloved NJ theme park that's scheduled to reopen this spring. Photo courtesy of the park

The long-awaited reopening of Fairy Tale Forest in Oak Ridge, NJ, could kick off as early as March with the launch of Fables Restaurant and Marketplace at Fairy Tale Forest. But what has locals really stoked is the restoration and potential reopening of the North Jersey theme park on which the restaurant is situated.

The park has been undergoing renovations since 2018, and previous plans for reopening—first in the fall of 2018, and then in spring of 2019—have been delayed. According to an article on NJ.com and other sites, the owners now say that Fairy Tale Forest should be ready to welcome visitors by Memorial Day. 

February GoList: The Best Things To Do With CT Kids This Month

February is the month of love, so get out there and embrace it! Nutmeg kids can celebrate the Valentine's season with the Fire and Ice Festival in Putnam, crafting in Litchfield and Monroe, and chocolate tastings in both Willimantic and Wilton. Or, catch live productions of some of kid-favorite shows and events, including Pinkaliscious and Erth's Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure. For even more ways to enjoy your days, check out our Indoor Play Guide and Connecticut Winter Fun Guide. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get a list of each week's highlighted events!

February GoList: Best Things To Do with Kids in Boston

With the darkest days of winter behind us, we're ready to celebrate L-O-V-E with our kids here in Boston. It's the perfect opportunity to honor those close to us with Valentine's Day crafts and treats, embrace our passions (from science to boats), and get our hearts pumping with fun nature outings. Check out our picks for February, and then explore our Winter Guide for plenty more indoor and outdoor activities to keep your family busy all month long.

February GoList: Best Things To Do With NYC Kids

Get your calendars ready! Here are the top 15 things to do with NYC kids this February, plus 10 more great events happening this month.

Even though it's the shortest month, there are still plenty of awesome family activities in NYC. Our February GoList includes annual favorites such as Chinatown's Lunar New Year Parade, the activity-filled Intrepid Kids Week during the public school midwinter break, and the city's most prominent movie fest for families: the New York International Children's Film Festival. Of course, there are some brand-new, exceptional shows, concerts, and other extraordinary experiences for kids of all ages. We made sure to highlight a range of options, whether you have toddlers, elementary schoolers, or older kids.

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