Growing up in South Florida amidst the palm trees, there were certain things that never crossed my mind; basically anything having to do with snow. Snow angels, sledding, snowball fights, skiing, skating, snow shoveling…you get the picture. But one job interview, a moving truck and about 148 boxes later, my family and I became official residents of New Jersey, braving our first winter. I also never thought much about maple syrup. Sure, I knew it came from trees, maybe up somewhere in the mountains of Vermont. But lo and behold, New Jersey actually has a maple sugaring industry and this is the perfect time of year to bundle up the family and take a day trip to a demo at one of our state’s many nature preserves.

Our family pretty much steers clear of New Jersey shopping malls from November through early January; we treat any holiday excursions like military missions, get in, get the job done and get out! But once the holiday shopping is over, I visit the malls with my husband and daughter again, where we enjoy leisurely browsing, relaxing late lunches, and even hop on a carousel or two. So load up the SUV, get out of the cold and gear up for an outing at these family-friendly New Jersey malls.

Now that the holiday season is behind us (and maybe the kids are already a wee bit bored with their presents), it might be time for adventure to keep everyone entertained in the chilly months ahead. And while it's fun to stay inside and build cozy forts, we all start to go a little stir crazy come January and February. How about an outing that promises fresh air, exercise and even some learning thrown in? Bundle up and check out these awesome winter classes at nearby outdoor centers and beat the January blues. And remember, you can find a full listing of New Jersey classes in our Enrichment Classes and Activities Guide.

Happy New Year! As we say goodbye to 2015 and usher in 2016, there’s plenty of fun to be had around New Jersey while the kiddos are still on winter break. Soak in the last of this year’s Christmas cheer with a Holiday Scavenger Hunt at Frelinghuysen Arboretum or check out the last weekend of the dazzling holiday lights during the Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show. And if you want to include the whole family in New Year festivities, take them to make a New Year’s Ball Craft at Imagine That Children’s Museum, join in the New Year’s Day Party at Kidz Village or lace up your hiking boots for a picturesque New Year’s Family Walk at Pyramid Mountain. Whatever you decide to do this holiday weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For additional activity options, check out our Event Calendar.

Winter break is around the corner and this last weekend before Christmas is the perfect time to get out and make some wonderful memories. There’s no shortage of holiday cheer in NJ whether you take in the impressive Cranbury Christmas Lights, drive through the Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights or enjoy Breakfast with Santa at the lovely Camden Children’s Garden. This is also a great time of year to treat the whole gang to a show – check out performances of NJ Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Paper Mill Playhouse’s Frosty the Snowman and Forces of Nature Dance Theatre’s Kwanzaa Celebration. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For additional activity options, check out our Event Calendar.

I’ll be the first to admit that big box toy retailers have their place. When my daughter wants something generic like a Dora Play Kitchen, or I get very strict instructions from our 4 year old nephew about which Transformer action figure he wants for his birthday, I can honestly say there’s no better place to shop. But amid the fluorescent lights and impersonal service, there’s a part of me that finds mega toy warehouses just a wee bit depressing. There’s something so old-school and refreshing about walking into a small “mom & pop” toy shop to browse unique gifts and – imagine this - actually receiving genuine help from the staff.

‘Tis the season to be jolly! With Hanukkah celebrations in full swing and Christmas just around the corner, you can be sure there’s a holiday outing for everyone this weekend. Check out a Country Christmas with Santa with a cozy campfire and s’mores at Alstede Farms, take in a classic performance of New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker featuring the NJ Symphony Orchestra or take a magical Santa’s Helpers Walking Tour in picturesque Princeton. For more activities to keep the kiddos busy, book tickets to an innovative puppet performance of Goodnight Moon, sign up for Winter Solstice Candle Making at the Watershed Reserve or make some deliciously sticky treats at PJ Library’s Messy Chanukah Celebration. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For additional activity options, check out our Event Calendar.

By now, we’ve all stuffed ourselves silly with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes! Now that Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone, it’s time to really get into the holiday spirit, with Christmas and Hanukkah just around the corner. Get ready for the 1st night of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting during the Holiday Nature Craft Show at Trailside Nature Center or the Hooray for Hanukkah festival at the Garden State Discovery Museum. And you’ll find plenty of Christmas cheer in every corner of our state from the Laser Holiday Magic Show at the NJ State Museum to the Definitely Dickens Christmas Carolers in downtown Chester to the Downtown Millburn Snowflake Parade. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For even more activity options, check out our Event Calendar.