Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen…Justin Bieber?? Summer nights were once filled with tailgating at Giants Stadium to see our favorite bands -- Dave Matthews, Billy Joel, Madonna. Nowadays, concerts involved a little less fight pumping and a little more chaperoning. The garden state is hosting a variety of headlining pop stars during its summertime concert series. From Taylor Swift to Big Time Rush, tweens have a variety of options this summer. 

Yes, they don't feel great when you step on them in your bare feet, but other than that, who doesn't love LEGOs? From confidence building to fractions, creativity to party-play, to the plain old joy of building something cool, the world of LEGOs continues to grow in popularity.  Based on the famous LEGO brick, these New Jersey activities and classes combine play time with learning. So put on your shoes and head out for fun!

Punxsutawney Phil may have predicated an early spring, but Mother Nature had other ideas. We’ve all been cooped up for weeks now, and spring break is right ahead. Yes, it' a short one (thanks a lot, lousy NJ weather), but if you are looking for an alternate plan for your brood for the few precious non-school days, check out the list of local spring break options.

How many times can you ask yourself “What are we going to do today?!" The cold and rainy/snowy weather doesn’t allow you to venture to a local park to burn off that endless energy,  the trips to the museum, movies and bouncy houses can add up, and you've basically just run out of ideas. To keep your little ones entertained, invest in one of many craft box deliveries. It's cheap. It’s easy. And best of all, it's delivered! 
 

With winter’s chilly days and even colder nights, it’s tough to get any outdoor play time. We know cabin fever is bound to set in…soon. Your mission: Get the kids out of the house. Now! You could swing by a library, see a movie, enjoy some indoor play or even ice fish or you could choose something off our list of ideas to break cabin fever. So get climbing, get inspired, get swinging or get laughing -- just get out! And remember, this weather won’t last forever. Daylight savings is only 44 days away (who’s counting?!)

Um... still have a to-do list that’s a mile long? We’ve all been there – too many things to get done and not enough time. So, while you were planning out your Christmas menu, we pulled together a list of last minute gift ideas, many of them New Jersey-specific. The best part – all you need is a printer to make most of these gift ideas come to life.

Boom! Pow! Crash! Zap! If your kid's hero is more Tony Stark than LeBron James, finding a local comic book shop is a must. Just think of all the cool things your kid can learn through reading comic books: the battle of good and evil, visual storytelling, hilarious (intentional and unintentional) dialogue, and how to rock a cape. Read on for quotes and recommendations from some Jersey comic book store owners and a listing of great Northern NJ stores.

Missing those tastes of summer? BBQ is just as delish in the fall! Whether it’s Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, North Carolina or Portuguese style, barbeque is a fantastic choice for a family outing. From ribs to chicken sandwiches; sweet tea to mac & cheese, the variety of menu options will satisfy all taste buds. While New Jersey may known for its diners and pizzerias, there are plenty of garden state options to whet your appetite for some finger lickin’ good food and southern hospitality!