Best Indoor Water Parks near New Jersey for a Warm Weather Getaway in 2026

The Kalahari Resort in the Poconos offers big-time thrills in its huge indoor water park.

Looking for a unique way to beat the winter blues? Enjoy some summertime fun even in the coldest months at a multitude of indoor water parks in and near New Jersey, where the temperature is kept at a balmy 84 degrees year-round.

My family especially loves indoor water parks because they are fun for mixed age groups, even grown-ups! We've made a list of indoor water parks near New Jersey that can be reached in 3 hours or less by car, give or take your starting address and traffic, of course. 

So, go dig out your bathing suit from behind your coats and mittens, and get ready to take the plunge at one of these exciting indoor water parks. If you're looking for more seasonal fun, we've rounded up 35 things to do with NJ kids this winter, plus a slew of winter day trips.

30 Things We Are Excited to Do with Orlando Kids This Winter

Speed down the hills at Snowcat Ridge for thrilling snow tubing and family fun at this winter snow park! Photo courtesy of Snowcat Ridge

Start 2026 by creating special memories with your family with the help of our guide of fun things to do this winter in Orlando. From manatee sightings and strawberry picking, to a theme park festival and Scottish Highland Games, no matter where you are around Central Florida, there is no shortage of fun things to do in winter. 

Don't forget to ​subscribe to our FREE newsletter as well for the best events, ideas, and happenings in the area delivered right to your inbox!

15 Free Things To Do Indoors in Philadelphia: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

If you're looking to escape the elements, an indoor playground is a great option to entertain stir-crazy kids on rainy or snowy days. No need to break the bank—the Philadelphia area has several free indoor play spaces where children can climb, explore, learn something new, or relax with a good book. We've rounded up the best indoor venues in Philly with free activities for kids where you never have to worry about the price of admission.

To get more free fun at home and around Philly delivered to your inbox sign up for our newsletters, and discover all the free events and activities near you in our Free Things To Do with Philly Kids Guide

25 Free Things To Do Indoors in Atlanta: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

Babyland General Hospital offer free admission for kids to see where the beloved Cabbage Patch Kids are "born."

Free indoor activities in Atlanta are a must as temperatures drop and winter comes in full force! And as the winter weather (or spring's rainy weather) settles in, having reliable FREE things to do indoors in your back pocket is crucial. Free things to do indoors in Atlanta help parents keep the party going no matter what's happening outside, without a hit to the wallet. Here are some of our favorite free things to do with kids when its rainy, icy, snowy, or some type of combination that haunts Atlanta. Just make sure you can safely drive there!

For more free fun in Atlanta, check out our Free Things To Do with Kids Guide and sign up for our newsletters to get info delivered straight to your inbox.

Best Shared Family Calendar Apps (Tested by a Real Parent)

Does your family run on a host of pieces of paper stuck to the wall? There's an app for that. Photo courtesy of Pixelshot via Canva

If you’ve ever missed a Spirit Day, double‑booked soccer practice, or realized after pickup that early dismissal was today... "Hi! Welcome to the club."  This is exactly why I went down the rabbit hole of family calendar apps in the first place.

For Mommy Poppins, I didn’t just research these apps; I  actually used them with my own family. On iPhones, Android devices, and laptops. With kids who sometimes check apps… and sometimes make me wonder why I pay for cell phone service

Below are the best shared family calendar apps I’ve personally tested — what actually worked in real life, what felt over hyped, and which families each app is truly best for. For more tried-and-tested parenting hacks, check out our Mommy Poppins Parenting Hacks Guide.

January Holidays for Kids: A Kid-Friendly Celebration for Every Day

Can you believe National Pass Gas Day is a real holiday? It will be your kid's favorite. Photo by Canva

Welcome to a NEW year! Whether you’re wondering “Is today a holiday?” or just need a quick way to make an ordinary afternoon feel special, this list of January holidays for kids gives families something to look forward to every day of the month. There's Pass Gas Day (what kid won't want to celebrate Fart Day?), Rubber Ducky Day, and of course, a long weekend for Martin Luther King Jr Day, to make it feel like the holiday season isn’t over yet!

Scroll down for all 31 fun holidays in January, plus links to holiday-a-day ideas for every month of the year.

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. In January at Mommy Poppins, we also celebrate all things FREE, so check out our national guide to freebies and also your local guide to free things to do near you!

The Best Family-Friendly Openings of 2025—Plus What’s Coming in 2026 Across NYC, NJ & Beyond

Seeing the drones take flight at the NYBG last summer was a memorable family outing. Photo by author

The holiday hubub is mostly behind us—sugar cookie crumbs and piles of presents still waiting to be put away excepted—and that means it's time to look back at the year that was for families in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey. So, today, we're bringing you this list of our top family-friendly openings of 2025, plus offering a sneak peek at the fun on the horizon in 2026.

As always, thanks for joining us on all the adventures we've encountered, and cheers to a new year and new openings in the tri-state area.

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