'Tis the season for festive lights, jingle bells, and, of course, figuring out clever poses and hiding places for your Elf on the Shelf every single day until Christmas. This holiday season, you can put a new twist on the holiday tradition with a performance The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical by Mills Entertainment​.

The show's nationwide tour kicks off on Thursday, November 14, in Easton, Pennsylvania, and continues through Tuesday, December 29, with stops in Atlanta, GA, Red Bank, NJ, Lynn, MA, Wallingford, CT, and Sugarland, TX, among others.

Families love to spend time together, but there are times when everyone—parents and kids—need a break. Whether it's for a daytime appointment (sans toddler) or to have the first date night in an eternity, New Jersey parents have plenty of flexible daytime and evening drop-off options, from day cares to trampoline parks, indoor play spaces, and beyond.

Read on for more than a dozen NJ places that can lend a hand, whether you need a drop-in day care, somewhere fun to send the kids when school's closed, or a relaxing parents' night out!

For many locals, one of the most picturesque spots in Hunterdon County is Clinton. This New Jersey town boasts lovely views of the Raritan River running through the historic downtown area, and a majestic red mill that's one of the most-photographed buildings in NJ. Clinton is just 1.5 square miles, but what it loses in size it makes up for in atmosphere—there are great nature spots for hiking, picnicking, and swimming, as well as museums and historic sites, holiday-themed festivals and parades, and family-friendly restaurants.

This charming small town makes for a picture-perfect family day trip all year round. Read on for the highlights.

Linden is now home to Union County's largest sprayground, and boy, is it worth a visit! Located in John Russell Wheeler Park, this 11,000-square-foot water playground, which opened in May 2019, boasts 33 kid-pleasing attractions and water features, including slides, sprinklers, sprayers, a dumping bucket, waterfall, pirate ship, and a giant water serpent. 

One caveat: It gets crowded! So before you pack up the kids and head down the Route 1 corridor, check out this must-have info to help you plan your visit. 

Looking for a new way to cool off this summer? How about slipping down a blow-up water slide and splashing into a beautiful NJ lake?

That's exactly what Lacey Township had in mind—so it's installing a huge new inflatable water park in Lake Barnegat (2nd Lake) in Forked River, which is slated to open in late June. Intended for swimmers ages 8 and older, the "hydro-playground" will combine slippery waters slides, bouncy inflatable climbers, floating balance beams, monkey bars, and more.

Not heading down the shore this summer? Residents of northern NJ can check out the water park at Lewis Morris County Park's Sunrise Lake Beach Club.

From Keansburg to Ocean City, and at several boardwalks in between, lots of new, family-friendly spots and attractions are opening up this summer at the Jersey Shore. Read on for our roundup of more than a dozen new spots, including play areas, parks, new rides, and places to get food and treats.

Calling all marine and wildlife enthusiasts: SeaQuest Woodbridge, a 24,000-square-foot, hands-on global sea life education and entertainment experience, is coming to Woodbridge Center this fall.

Visitors will be able to travel through a variety of realistic environments like rainforests, deserts, caves, coastlines, and oceans to meet stingrays, fish, birds, snakes, caimans, iguanas, turtles, and more. SeaQuest will be the latest family-friendly attraction to open at Woodbridge Center, whose recent additions include a Dave & Buster's and an All In Adventures escape room center.   

With December's winter break a distant memory, it's time to start planning for the next one! This year, Presidents' Day falls on Monday, February 18—and depending on the district, NJ schoolchildren will have a three- or four-day weekend, making it the perfect time for a family outing or day trip, or two. 

Looking for indoor fun or outdoor activities like skiing, ice skating, or snow tubing? We've got you covered. To plan a family adventure, check out our best bets for winter day trips, and don't miss our February GoList, FREE February fun, and Events Calendar for even more suggestions. 

Read on for our roundup of the best February break activities for kids of all ages.