New Jersey

20+ STEM Summer Camps for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Michelle Vames on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 11:00am

When you think "summer camp," you might picture canoeing on a lake, playing capture the flag, and eating s'mores by a campfire. But camp can also be about coding, constructing robots, and building with Legos. We've rounded up more than 20 New Jersey STEM camps that promise a summer of fun for budding scientists, engineers, and computer programmers. Find more New Jersey summer camps in our Camp Guide and Full Directory of Listings.

Weekend Fun: Dino Day, Sesame Street Live, Earth Day Festivals

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 04/23/2019 - 12:00pm

On your mark, get set for one of the busiest weekends this year to date! April's final weekend is jam-packed with Earth Day celebrations, festivals, street fairs, concerts, and more.

Party for our planet at Earth Day festivals in Jersey City, Tenafly, Mountainside, and throughout Monmouth County. Learn about healthy habits while having fun at both Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA and Fairview Lake YMCA Healthy Kids Day events.

Spring festival season is well underway this weekend with bustling festivities like Rutgers Day, Smithville's Renaissance Faire, Morris County Park Palooza, and the Cranford Street Fair. And kick back to live music at Rockin' for Autism and the Laurita Bacon Festival.

Find even more weekend options in our Spring Guide, including where to see Baby Animals and More at Family-Friendly NJ Farms. And look to our April GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Worth The Drive: 10 Destination Playgrounds in NJ

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 04/21/2019 - 2:00pm

There's no doubt that New Jersey is home to countless parks and playgrounds, but some go above and beyond, with design features that make them more of a destination than the basic park down the block.

If you've been to your neighborhood playground so many times that the slides and swings have lost their thrill, now's the perfect time to switch up your kiddo's routine. Spring has sprung, and these 10 amazing playgrounds are worth the trip!

From cool play spaces featuring awesome jungle gyms you won't find anywhere else, as well as playgrounds with water features, zip lines, a carousel, and even a zoo, these stellar playscapes allow kids to slide, swing, splash, climb, and imagine the day away. Pile into the car and visit each at least once—but we bet you'll want to return again and again.

Orlando with Teens: Top 15 Things to Do at the Theme Parks and Beyond

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 04/20/2019 - 1:32pm

I used to think of Orlando as a destination for little kids, but I discovered Orlando is even better with teens. Amusement parks are so much more fun when you can go on all the rides and don’t have to worry about the dreaded “theme park meltdowns.” My big kids were also able to pack in lots of other adventures and hipster shopping areas as we explored all the fun there is in Orlando beyond the theme parks.

We spent our recent spring break in Orlando with two teens and had a blast.

40 Things to Do with New Jersey Preschoolers Before They Turn 5

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 04/19/2019 - 10:00am

We have just five precious years or so to spend with our little ones before they head off to kindergarten. At this age, kids are growing and developing faster than they will at any other time in their lives, so many of us want to fill their days with as many opportunities to learn, laugh, and love life as possible! That means play spaces, mommy-and-me classes, storytimes, playgrounds, and other treasures that the Garden State holds for toddlers.

Take advantage of these great opportunities throughout New Jersey while your preschoolers are young enough to appreciate them—and sometimes even young enough to score FREE admission.

For more can't-miss Garden State destinations, check out 100 Things to Do in New Jersey with Kids Before They Grow Up.

Family-Friendly Mother’s Day Brunch Spots at the Jersey Shore

Submitted by Jaime Wisz on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 10:00am

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and moms everywhere will be celebrating with a fabulous brunch. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back vibe or you prefer something fancy-shmancy, the Jersey Shore has plenty of delicious options to choose from. The extended forecast for May 12 hasn't been posted yet, but if you're down the shore, you'll hopefully be in a sunny frame of mind!

Check out one of these local favorites for a wonderful meal the whole family will love, no cooking or clean-up required. Relax, enjoy yourself, and have a very happy Mother’s Day!

Easter Weekend in NJ: Egg Hunts, Bunny Chase, Bunny Fly In

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 04/16/2019 - 12:00pm

Get ready to load up your Easter baskets, and your calendars! Easter weekend is here, and the bunny is hopping throughout New Jersey, making stops at amusement parks, orchards, farms, zoos, and even an airport. Tons of eggs are waiting to be found. Load up those baskets at Storybook Land, Allaire Village, Liberty Hall, Pier Village, and Diggerland.

Aside from the Bunny, head to the shore to meet more familiar friends like Mermaid Princess and Mr. Mouse at Casino Pier or the Plumber Brothers in Point Pleasant.

Find even more Easter weekend options in our Spring Fun Guide, including 25 Spring Day Trip Ideas. And look to our April GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Massive Sports Dome and Entertainment Complex Coming to Jackson, NJ

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Mon, 04/15/2019 - 12:15pm

Athletes, sports fans, and gaming enthusiasts will soon have a state-of-the-art facility where all their interests come together in one location in Jackson, NJ.

Already a popular destination thanks to Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor, the Ocean County township will be home to Adventure Crossing USA, a massive sports dome and entertainment center, which will include indoor and outdoor multi-sport turf fields; hard courts for basketball, volleyball, and futsal; and a baseball and softball training facility; along with a sprawling, Jersey Shore–themed arcade, indoor go-kart racing, a multi-level laser tag experience, and much more.

See National Parks for Free in 2019 on These Free Entrance Days

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Mon, 04/15/2019 - 11:35am

A trip to one of our nation's incredible national parks may already be on your family travel to-do list for 2019. Whether it is or not, you may want to check out the FREE admission days at some of the country's largest parks. Courtesy of the National Park Service, there are five FREE days in 2019, which all take place on easy-for-planning weekends or holiday Mondays, at national parks that typically charge an admission fee.

While many parks have free admission every day of the year, more than 100 of them, including some of the most popular destinations, charge $15 per person or more. Those waiving admission for these holidays include some of those iconic, bucket list spots like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Acadia, Zion, Shenandoah, Joshua Tree, Glacier National Park, Death Valley, and the Cape Cod Seashore. The freebies also extend to a few historical sites under the National Park Service's purview, like the New York home of celebrated American president Franklin D. Roosevelt and national historic parks like Morristown National Historic Park, the scene of an American Revolutionary War battle.

Indoor Activities: 35 Ways To Spend a Rainy Day in NJ

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Sun, 04/14/2019 - 9:00am

Rainy days may be perfect for curling up with a book or stomping in puddles, but sometimes busy kids need more boredom-busters on stormy days. No matter the season, NJ has a great array of indoor fun for the whole family, from museums and indoor play spaces to bowling alleys and roller rinks. If staying dry sounds better, check out our ideas for rainy day fun at home and make the most of those rain clouds!