While an escape to Pennsylvania’s Poconos often means quiet hikes in the woods, a swim in the Delaware, or maybe a ski down the slope, my family also relishes a trip to one of the Poconos water park resorts. We recently indulged in a long weekend at Camelback Resort and thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

Read on to find out what’s new at this Poconos resort and to hear all our best tips for a visit to Camelback with the kids.

Families living near the pretty Nomahegan Park in Cranford, New Jersey, recently gained an exciting new playground. Living just a 15-minute drive away, my family couldn’t wait to check out the new addition to this popular Union County park.

The new playground area includes a separate toddler section, accessible swings and ramp, and a multi-tiered larger playground for ages 5 and up, which is loaded with climbing opportunities, twisty slides, a wobbly bridge, and plenty more to explore. The playground, which opened in late April, replaced a dated, much smaller playground.

We're excited to introduce a new place to find recipes on Mommy Poppins. Our brand-new Easy Recipes for Kids guide includes all sorts of simple baking projects like Hot Chocolate Bombs and Homemade Ice Cream, as well as weeknight dinner ideas, such as Trader Joe's Recipe Ideas.

We've also included plenty of snack ideas—handy for remote learning!—and even some sneaky science lessons in recipe form, such as growing rock candy.

Families are certainly ready to say goodbye to 2020, a year full of heartache, loss, and struggle for so many of us. With schools and daycares closed, parents were particularly burdened in a difficult year.

But it wasn’t all bad, of course. We continued to find moments of light and yes, silver linings within a painful global pandemic and all that came with it. We asked our readers and staff what they learned or gained in 2020 and what they resolve to continue doing into the new year, here’s what they said.

Hacklebarney State Park is quickly becoming my family’s favorite place to hike in New Jersey. It has bridges, rocks to scramble over, stairs, plenty of picnic tables, big trees soaring overhead, and wild rivers and creeks running through it. There’s even a modest playground tucked into a little clearing toward the very end of the hike, a nice reward for kids and all their hard work.

Fidget toys are a great stress relief tool that can help kids calm their minds and focus on learning and other activities. Fidget toys can also be downright fun to play with. 

Here are some of our favorite fidget toys for kids. Find more fun toys in our Guide to the Best Baby and Kid Gear, Toys, and Hacks.  

"Halloween is on," declared Governor Phil Murphy at Monday's COVID-19 press conference. The New Jersey governor made the declaration as the state department of health released its full Halloween 2020 safety guidelines for Jersey families, schools, and organizations.

The state is not banning trick-or-treating, but rather asking the public to modify the format to reduce contact with those not in your household. It's also encouraging proper mask wearing and outdoor Halloween activities instead of indoor events.

Late last month, the CDC ruled trick-or-treating, and most Halloween activities, as high-risk unless strict social distancing can be observed.

The CDC might be warning against trick-or-treating in 2020, but there are elements of Halloween that seem ready-made for our new pandemic lifestyles. After all, it is one of the few holidays that takes place almost entirely outdoors and includes the option to wear a mask. Win.

We've rounded up 10 top spots to shop for Halloween face masks for kids. Wear them all month long or as a costume accessory on the big night.