Southern

50+ Things We Can't Wait To Do with Kids This Spring in NJ

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 03/17/2019 - 11:00am

Spring is on its way! It's almost time to trade in boots, mittens, and winter coats for fresh air, parks and playgrounds, spring getaways, and New Jersey farm fun. Get outside to take advantage of all of the seasonal fun the Garden State has to offer!

Read on for 50+ fantastic spring activities to enjoy with your family. Looking for more? Check out our Spring Fun Guide, with new events added throughout the season.

Easter Bunny Brunches and Photo-Ops for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 12:00pm

Grab your bonnets and bow ties, and hop on over to a fun photo-op with the Easter Bunny. We've got the scoop on where you can meet the long-eared guest of honor and take part in activities like bunny brunches, parades, storytimes, and crafts.

Looking for a more straightforward meet-and-greet? Check out our listing of professional photo setups at malls throughout the Garden State below. And if you'd rather take a train ride with your favorite hare, you can always hop aboard the Easter Express.

Themed Restaurants and Family-Friendly Interactive Dining in NJ

Submitted by Jaime Wisz on Fri, 03/08/2019 - 10:00am

Looking for some fun along with your food? From knights and horses to magicians and model trains, many New Jersey restaurants offer themed and interactive dining experiences for the entire family. Read on for more than 15 spots that will make your next family meal a bit more magical.

Check out our restaurant guide for more ideas for kid-friendly eating experiences, including restaurants where kids eat free and the best family-friendly restaurants near Liberty Science Center. Top it all off with some doughnuts or ice cream. Bon appetit!

A Dozen Museums for Kids and Families in Central and Southern NJ

Submitted by Michelle Vames on Fri, 02/22/2019 - 11:00am

Winter's not over yet, and if you're running out of ideas, don't despair—there's plenty of indoor fun to be found at museums throughout central and southern NJ. At these wonderful and varied spots, you can explore a battleship, learn all about insects, ride a vintage train, gaze at the stars, and even see a shrunken head!

For more educational fun, check out our list of the best museums for kids in northern NJ, or take a ride across the river to check out one of the many excellent museums in Philadelphia.

25+ Art Studios with Drop-In Sessions for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 02/17/2019 - 10:00am

Like the idea of crafting with your kid but cringe at the thought of paint and glitter all over your house? Lucky for us, New Jersey is home to a variety of drop-in art studios that offer your spontaneous painter, potter, glassmaker, and jeweler the chance to get their craft on. The perfect destinations for a cold winter day, these craft-tastic spaces let you skip the mess at home while catering to your budding artist's creative impulses.

Top 12 Indoor Play Spaces for Kids Across New Jersey

Submitted by Michelle Vames on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 2:15pm

Looking for an indoor play space that makes your jaw drop and your kids jump for joy? We've rounded up a dozen of the biggest and best spots for playing, jumping, bouncing, climbing, and thrill-seeking throughout New Jersey.

The Garden State is home to tons of awesome play spaces, and it was tough choosing just 12. We limited our list to those with major wow factor—places where you can tackle a Ninja Warrior–style obstacle course, play laser tag, climb on and through play mazes, bounce on inflatables and trampolines, play arcade games, scale rock walls, and even go roller skating or bowling. While most of these spots aren't specifically geared toward the smaller set, all have areas and/or times set aside just for them.

Read on to find out which fun zones made the cut. And for even more options, check out our guide to indoor play spaces, where you'll find drop-in play for $15 or less, the best trampoline parks and bounce houses in NJ, and much more.

20 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in NJ with the Family

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 02/06/2019 - 10:30am

Move over romantic Valentine's celebrations—Valentine's Day becomes a family affair once you have kids. Treat your crew to love-themed, kid-friendly fun at celebrations leading up to the big day. Have a Family Date Night at Jenkinson's, sample sweets at the Annual Valentine's Day Chocolate Walk, or enjoy a Chocolate Family Day at the museum.

Ready for a cheap date? Check out Valentine's freebies that include a storytime, craft, and cookie-decorating.

Read on for more ways to celebrate with the ones you love. And for even more mid-winter fun, check out our Event Calendar and February GoList. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Top Summer Day Camps for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 11:27am

Before you know it, the end of the school year will be in sight and you'll start wondering: “What the heck am I going to do with these small people I call 'my children' for the summer?" We’ve got you covered with the best of New Jersey–area summer camps. These camps take fun seriously—so much so that they plan all year long for eight weeks of summer. Many of these camps have had entire generations of families pass through. Though some are quite large, they offer great counselor-to-camper ratios, with additional support from adults supervising younger staff.

Find more New Jersey summer camps in our Camp Guide and Full Directory of Listings.

Affordable Summer Camps for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Michelle Vames on Sun, 02/03/2019 - 2:00pm

Summer camps in New Jersey vary wildly in price, so it’s important to choose a camp that’s right for your child AND your pocketbook. Many camps let you register by the week or even the day, so you don't have to commit to an entire summer. Other options, like three-day weeks and half-day camp, also allow you to keep costs down. The cost of certain camps can be applied against the child care tax credit for children of single parents/two working parents, and some camps offer financial assistance—especially ones that get money from donors.

Here we've rounded up 15 affordable day camp options for NJ kids. To find more New Jersey summer camps, check out our Camp Guide and Full Directory of Listings.

Summer Camps for New Jersey Preschoolers

Submitted by Michelle Vames on Sat, 02/02/2019 - 1:09pm

Before they grow up and want to go to sleepaway camp with their BFFs, preschoolers can get a taste of summer camp in a program created just for them. New Jersey is home to some wonderful day camps for the under-5 crowd, and we've rounded up more than a dozen of our favorites. In addition to low camper-counselor ratios, these programs offer developmentally appropriate fun for every interest, whether you want your little one to experience the great outdoors, bounce and tumble at a cool indoor spot, or delve into subjects like robotics, film, and fashion.

To learn about more New Jersey summer camp options, check out our Camp Guide and Full Directory of Listings.