Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend Jan 18-19: Maple Sugaring, Bubblemania, Reptile Show & More!

It’s usually right around mid January when the post-holiday slump starts to settle in as we (finally) get around to taking down the last of our decorations and dive back into the routine of work and school. But despite chilly temps and predictable schedules, there’s no reason not to have some weekend fun with the family. New Jersey has some neat winter happenings, like the Maple Sugaring Demos at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center and an awesome Live Reptile Show at Manasquan Reservoir. Liberty Science Center is keeping the educational fun going all weekend with both their Retro Science: Duct Tape Mania exhibit and the hugely popular Bubblemania show. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Things to do on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Hartford County

Most schools are closed for Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 20th so you might be looking for something to do with your children on this cold winter day off. Luckily, there are many options in Hartford County to help entertain you and the family so that you’re not left bored in the house! Honor Martin Luther King with one of these great events. Just in case you are in Fairfield County check out these MLK events too.

NYC Stroller Repair: Where to Get Your Stroller Fixed in New York City

If you've got a baby or toddler in NYC, chances are you have a stroller (or two or three). When my son was young, our stroller got plenty of wear and tear up and down subway stairs, across potholes, and through muddy parks, snowy streets and rainstorms. It also pulled double-duty as a grocery cart, coat rack and, when strapped, a diaper changing table.

While heavy-duty strollers are built to withstand a fair amount of abuse, if you're using your wheels every day, parts inevitably break. Do you really want to trash that $1,000 stroller because the frame bent or the tire popped off? We didn't think so.

For simple repairs like a blown tire, you can try your local bike shop (many handle minor fixes and may even stock standard stroller-size inner tubes and other small parts). But for more advanced assistance, we've found five New York City services that specialize in stroller repair so your family can get rolling again.

Boston's Top 5 Accessible Live Performance Venues for Families with Special Needs

Mommy Poppins Boston is delighted to share this guest post from Amber Bobnar of WonderBaby.org, a support and information site for parents of children who are visually impaired (featured in our list of favorite blogs in 2013):

We take our family out to concerts in the Boston area almost every weekend, and my eight-year-old son, Ivan, is in a wheelchair and totally blind. Accessibility is very important to us!

Below you’ll find my rundown of our favorite accessible theaters and live performance venues in the Boston area. I share pros and cons based on a multitude of special needs because I realize that the criteria for what’s accessible will be different for each family. Some kids are in wheelchairs, some have sensory issues, some have hearing or visual impairment and all will react differently in different environments! Find one that looks like a good match for your family and give it a shot! Remember, if it doesn’t work out you can always leave. No big deal. 

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