Morris

Best Places To Trick-or-Treat in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 1:00pm

If you're looking to up your Halloween game this year, we've got the scoop on the best places to trick-or-treat throughout New Jersey. These Halloween-obsessed towns and neighborhoods deck out their homes every year with fabulous decorations that delight trick-or-treaters big and small. Others turn their streets into festive Halloween block parties.

Where can you join in the fun near your home? We’ve compiled a list of more than 30 NJ towns and neighborhoods that are worth a visit. Those who make the trip can expect lots of treats—not to mention some prime photo ops.

Find more fun in our New Jersey Halloween Guide, including pumpkin patches and the best FREE Halloween events for local kids.

HudsonWay Immersion School Brings Mandarin and Spanish Bilingual Education to NYC and NJ

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 9:10am

Founded in 2005 by an expectant mom committed to giving her soon-to-be-born twins a bilingual education, HudsonWay Immersion School (HWIS) has grown from a home-based class of five kids into an academically rigorous, full immersion Mandarin and Spanish language program for children ages 2 through grade 8. Beginning in PreK, HWIS's core curriculum is taught in both English and the selected foreign language, with the goal of helping students develop advanced cognitive skills, higher second language proficiency, strong social skills, and an increased awareness of the many diverse cultures in our ever-changing world.

Over the last 14 years, the bilingual school has expanded to two campuses in Stirling, New Jersey and New York City, including a brand new facility in Midtown West that just opened in time for the 2019–20 school year. With all this momentum, we sat down with the mastermind mom behind HudsonWay Immersion School, Sharon Huang, to learn more about the unique dual language program and the new Manhattan campus.

Amazing Corn Mazes at Family-Friendly New Jersey Farms

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 1:00pm

Get ready… get set… get lost in an amazing New Jersey corn maze! The Garden State is home to oodles of spectacular corn mazes, ranging from massive 10-acre labyrinths to simpler, child-friendly courses, including hay bale mazes just right for toddlers and preschoolers. Games, clues, and even techie bonuses enhance many of the more elaborate maze experiences. Got a tween or teen? Check out haunted corn mazes that are open after hours for a spooky, nighttime adventure.

Many of the 16 corn mazes we've rounded up are day trip–worthy on their own, but you'll also likely find apple and pumpkin picking options, hayrides, and even fall festivals, plus petting zoos in some instances. So get out your fall to-do list, and navigate your way through one of these great New Jersey corn mazes. Check out our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids to find even more ways to enjoy the crisp autumn days.

Top Pick-Your-Own Peach Farms in New Jersey

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 10:00am

One of the great joys of summer is a warm-off-the-tree peach, and New Jersey has pick-your-own farms a-plenty and peaches ripe for the picking!

The peach-picking season in the Garden State really gets going in mid-July and carries on through August and early September at some farms. Before you go, call ahead or check the farm’s Facebook page to make sure crops are still plentiful and what, specifically, is available on any given day. (You might also be able to pick blueberries, which are available at many farms through July.)

Read on to find out where the juiciest fruit can be found. And for more ways to enjoy the warm weather, don't miss our Summer Fun Guide for NJ Kids.

Where To Rent Paddleboats and Rowboats in New Jersey

Submitted by Jaime Wisz on Wed, 07/10/2019 - 1:00pm

Looking for a great summer outing that’ll float the family’s boat? A ride in a paddleboat (sometimes called a pedal boat) or rowboat offers panoramic views of New Jersey's scenic parks and lakes, and an opportunity for family time that may actually be peaceful.

Paddleboat rentals are available throughout the state. Check the specific paddling locations for any age or weight restrictions, then sit back and enjoy the ride. (And don't forget the sunscreen!)

Feeling more adventurous? Find the best places for tubing and rafting in and around NJ.

The Best NJ Zoos and Aquariums for Animal Encounters with Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Wed, 07/03/2019 - 12:00pm

Treat your kids to a real animal adventure at one of New Jersey's amazing zoos, aquariums, and animal preserves. At these day trip–worthy spots, little animal lovers can meet their favorite furry friend, check out exotic wildlife from other continents, or swim with the sharks (yes, really!). We've rounded up the best places in the Garden State for New Jersey kids to have an up-close-and-personal encounter with animals of every kind.

Pick-Your-Own Blueberries and More NJ Berry Farms for Families

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 06/27/2019 - 10:00am

Blueberry picking is a perfect summer activity for the whole family: the bushes are low, the berries pop off the plants easily, and your family can literally pick hundreds without breaking the bank—or your back hauling them home. Lucky for us, blueberries are the official state fruit of New Jersey, and they are plentiful throughout the Garden State.

We’ve assembled a list of some of the best pick-your-own farms NJ has to offer for kids, along with a few blueberry festivals. Happy picking!

Pick-Your-Own Strawberry Farms and Festivals in New Jersey

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 05/05/2019 - 1:00pm

Nothing screams springtime in the Garden State like getting your hands dirty picking strawberries, and heading to a pick-your-own farm is an outdoor adventure with a sweet reward.

Whether this is your child’s first time at the strawberry patch or you’re looking to fill pies, jam jars, smoothies, and shortcakes for months to come, you'll want to check out our list of more than 20 New Jersey farms and festivals around the state, where your sweeties can their hands on bushels full of juicy red berries.

Check out our May GoList and Spring Fun Guide to find more events and activities to enjoy with your NJ kids this strawberry season. Happy picking!

Family-Friendly Mother's Day Brunch Spots in Northern NJ

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Fri, 04/26/2019 - 12:00pm

Celebrate Mother's Day in style this year with an indulgent family brunch prepared by someone other than mom. Restaurants throughout Northern New Jersey are cooking up some fabulous luncheons full of breakfast delights, salads, carving stations, and desserts. Some of these eateries offer discounts for children, and others are FREE for young kids. Holiday brunches book up quickly though, and many require reservations.

If you're down the shore, explore these wonderful Mother's Day options.

5 Special Summer Day Camps for NJ Kids

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Sun, 03/10/2019 - 10:00am

School may not be in session come June, but there are plenty of summer programs in and around New Jersey with opportunities for kids to keep on learning and growing—all while having fun, of course.

You'll find long-standing family-owned camps that foster relationship building and community. There are unplugged camps that encourage children to explore and embrace nature. There are arts-focused camps that inspire creativity and boost confidence. And there are even STEAM-centric camps that push kids to ask questions and experiment. Most of these programs serve up a ton of quintessential summer camp activities too, so kids really get the best of all worlds. And some offer perks parents can really appreciate, like flexible schedules and transportation.

To help you sort out your kiddo's summer plans, we're sharing a list of some of our much-loved New Jersey camp partners below. For even more options, take a look at our New Jersey Camp Guide or browse the Directory, where you can search by location or camp type.