New Jersey

New Jersey Weekend Events for Kids August 7-9: Woodchopping, Horse Races, Farm Animals, Bugs, Bats, Frogs and More

Submitted by Desiree on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 10:43pm

Hopefully the rain will stay away this weekend cause there's lots of outdoor fun to do with the kids in NJ this weekend. From the State Fair, to an Historical Farm, horse races, a pond adventure and even a new swimming pool. Check it out.

Get Locavore at U-Pick Farms in New Jersey

Submitted by Desiree on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 10:36am

They don't call it The Garden State for nothing. New Jersey is a great place to go to pick your own summer fruit and veggies. Whether it is strawberries, peaches, or peas, you can find plenty of u-pick farms in New Jersey. Picking your own produce is great thing to do, especially with kids. Not only does it help you eat locally with farm fresh produce, but it's important for kids to learn about where their food comes from and make that connection with the farm. Plus it's lots of fun.

The NJ picking season starts end of May for strawberries with other berries and peaches coming in season end of June through end of July and apples, pumpkins and other vegetables available through the Fall. Here are some of our favorite farms close to New York City for picking your own fruits and vegetables. Click through to each u-pick farm to find out what they have ripe for u-pick now, plus hours and directions, but also call ahead before you go to make sure they aren't picked out.

New Jersey Weekend Events for Kids July 24-26: Hot Air Balloons, Racing Pigs, Baby Lambs, Scavenger Hunts and More

Submitted by Desiree on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 8:54am

This weekend you can watch 125 hot air balloons take to the skies, watch racing pigs at the county fair, wash and comb baby lambs, go on a nature scavenger hunt, or enjoy the evening munching on authentic Italian zeppoles.

NJ State Fair: Farm Fun and Rides Just a Short Ride from NYC

Submitted by Teresa on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 5:51am

We love state fairs. With all the animals, games, rides and junk food, they are full of old-fashioned fun for the entire family. While we've written about all the New York State and County Fairs and that post is in our Summer Activity Guide, but we also love the New Jersey State Fair, which is opening in the end of July.

The NJ State Fair was started in 1821 and retains an old-fashioned charm today. Just one hour’s drive from NYC, the NJ State Fair is filled with a slew of animals rivaling Noah, a fairway full of rides, pig races, butterfly exhibits, bee-keeping exhibitions and a food court offering everything from home-made baked-potatoes to blooming onions and corn-dogs—your kids’ll be enthralled. And did we mention a wine-making competition and a beer tent? And there's even free parking.

New Jersey Weekend Events for Kids July 17-19: Historic Train Rides, Ice Cream, Tall Ships, City of Water Festival and More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 9:09pm

There is a bit of everything for everyone in New Jersey this weekend. You can take a ferry from New Jersey to Governor’s Island for City of Water Day, sail the Hudson on a historic schooner, or ride an antique caboose train to the nostalgic sounds of old railroad tracks. Animal lovers can attend the largest cat show in the Northeast and bird lovers can hike through Liberty State Park looking for summer shore birds. Finally, who can resist the ice cream eating competitions and tasting events at the New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival?

Weekend Events for Kids in New Jersey, July 11-12: Kids Day, Pow-Wow, Kayaking and More

Submitted by Desiree on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 5:03pm

Put on your bathing suit and be prepared to brave the New Jersey waters this weekend! Whether it is a natural or man-made waterway, this is the weekend to explore and enjoy your time at the beach, river, estuary or reservoir. Other NJ events this weekend include a visit to an historical farm or an American Indian pow wow!

Weekend Events for Kids in New Jersey, June 27-28: Blueberry Festivals, Kids Day, Touch a Truck and More

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 12:23am

With the sun scheduled to show it’s face again (finally!) this weekend, there are plenty of fun outdoor activities this weekend for kids in New Jersey from blueberry festivals to Civil War Battle Re-enactments! Check out the Touch-a-Truck event at Liberty Science Center, Kids Day at the Bamboo Brook Nature Center and more.

Best Holiday Light Shows

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 12/18/2008 - 7:45am

Earlier in the week we wrote about some of the outrageous Christmas light displays on houses around NYC. But, here are some places to see more traditional Holiday Light Shows:

Family Friendly Day Trips from NYC Without a Car

Submitted by Anna Fader on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 4:05pm

In my post about the farms you can visit in Westchester, I mentioned that it is easy to get to Philipsburg Manor and Stone Barn Farms without a car, using public transportation. I thought it would be cool to write about some of the other day tips you can take from NYC using public transportation. There's really no reason to be stuck in the city just because you're car-less (or want to save your gas money on, say, the down payment on an apartment). There are plenty of fun family day trips that can be easily accessed using Metro-North trains or busses.

The MTA actually has an entire section of their website dedicated to what they so romantically dub MTA Getaways . You've probably seen this advertised in the subway, but I know I never really looked into it before. Many of the trips you could do any time, but the MTA has also worked with local tours and groups to create specific event packages.

Here are some car-free day trips that are definitely worth a try:

Free Outdoor Movies For Kids

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 06/24/2008 - 4:39pm

New York City has gone nuts for outdoor movies in recent years and with good reason, there's something magical about lying back on a picnic blanket and watching your favorite movie with hundreds of other New Yorkers.

Outdoor films are also the best way for grown ups to go see kid movies because you can just enjoy being out on a nice summer evening even if you aren't that into the movie. And, depending on your kids, it can be a great way to get out to see a grown up movie without spending the college savings on a sitter, as many kids will enjoy the classic films frequently shown or will just enjoy being out at night enough to sit (or sleep) through it. Films begin at dusk which is generally at around 8:30 and many of these series include other entertainment.

Here's a rundown of the best free outdoor movies for kids in NYC this summer: