Now that my boys are getting older, I’m looking more seriously at summer day camps as not only a way to keep them occupied when school is out, but also as a place where they can explore their interests, try new things and, of course, have fun with friends. After reading about our sponsor Gate Hill Day Camp and its variety of programs, I'm sad they're not in my area (I'm on Long Island). Because whether your children want to spend their summer improving their athletic skills, learning to cook, or exploring the arts and sciences, there is something for most kids ages 3-15.

It’s officially October, the season of Halloween, pumpkins and all that is autumn! New Jersey has no shortage of pumpkin activities this weekend so check out one of the many fall events like the annual Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm, the Pumpkin Train Festival at Whippany Railway Museum or the Holmdel Harvest Festival at Bayonet Farm. For some nighttime fun, sign up for a cozy Harvest Moon Hayride at Alstede Farms. And if you’ve got little animal lovers in the family, head to Community Day at Woodlands Wildlife Refuge – a special once a year event where the sanctuary opens its doors to the public. And remember, you can check out the full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Things that go bump, bump, bump in the night… It’s the season for shivering and quivering; howling and frowling (that's not a real word, but it should be). Take your love-to-be-scared tweens and teens and hayride through the darkness full of wicked witches and the undead. And if you make it out alive, take a deep breath and take on the haunted houses and spooky trails in these five great New Jersey haunts.

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.

We recently spoke with Leslie Venokur and Risa Goldberg, the driving forces behind Big City Moms and the organizers of the Biggest Baby Shower Ever. Big City Moms is a resource for for moms, moms-to-be, and families to connect through a variety of special and customized events. For the first time ever, the company has brought the Biggest Baby Shower Ever, a show that features over 100 of the best companies in the baby industry, to Boston.  We are excited to attend this event and meet our readers (and future readers!) face to face.  Stop by the Mommy Poppins Boston table to find out about our favorite things to do in Boston with kids, what you can do now to get connected with other new parents after the baby arrives, and how to get through the winter months with little ones. But first, get the details on the Biggest Baby Shower Ever straight from the moms who are making it happen. 

We are in the midst of Hispanic Heritage month, an annual celebration that runs from September 15 to October 15. Several Latin American countries celebrate their anniversaries of independence during this period. It’s a great time to hail our city’s rich Hispanic Culture before we segue into October and Halloween. Start the week making a Mayan Mask at the Library and finish up at Descanso Gardens’ Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns.

A recent study estimates that the average adult spends about an hour a day waiting for something—the bathroom, the cashier, the bus, you name it. But parents seem to wait around even more than that. Plus we get the added bonus of hearing our kids whine, "I'm bored!" and beg incessantly for our smartphones.

But waiting with your kids doesn't have to be dull. You can turn that downtime into quality family time by finding ways to play together (and no, we're not talking about Candy Crush). Inspired by our series of SUMMER OF PLAY posts, here are 10 no-tech activities to try when you're stuck waiting somewhere—hopefully you won't be there long enough blow through all of them in one go!

This month we highlighted Rye and everything it has to offer residents and visiting families. So far, we've taken a look at things to do in the neighborhood and the best places to eat with kids in tow. Now, as we wrap up our month-long coverage, we're turning our attention to the best places for kids to play and learn in Rye.  

Whether it’s specialized classes, sports instruction, language learning or so much more, this area has got you covered and promises fun, exciting and educational activities all year round. Read on for our top picks of the best places to bring the kids in Rye.