Planning a birthday party is no easy task these days.  From choosing a theme to finding a venue, the checklist seems endless.  One way to lighten the load is by finding a great bakery to customize the cake.  Cakes and cupcakes have become the centerpiece of most parties.  If you really want to make your guests smile, a fun, tasty cake is the way to do it.  Whether you are looking for that perfect themed cake, or some outstanding cupcakes, we've got you covered.  Check out our list of great bakeries in Central NJ.  For even more information on throwing the perfect party, check out our NJ Kid's Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

Playing pool isn't just a pastime for hipster barflies. Kids love it, too—just without the copious amounts of alcohol and ironic retro mustaches. In New York City, there are lots of places to play pool besides the backroom at your local watering hole. Like NYC bowling alleys, most NYC pool halls welcome minors during daytime hours as long as they're supervised. But to find the truly kid-friendly billiards spots, we turned to the experts: local parents who've actually been there. Here are five pool halls in Brooklyn and Manhattan endorsed by NYC families.

Whether you're a mom, a dad, a guardian, or a babysitter, one thing's for certain--it can be hard to meet other caretakers in a comfortable social setting. Suddenly, you turn shy and wonder if you're saying the wrong things; it feels like high school all over again! I've been there. When my daughter was born, I hesitated to make new mom friends because I was scared they'd judge me. I ended up meeting some wonderful local parents, and you will too! Below is a helpful listing of parenting groups for all new and not-so-new parents out there in New Jersey.

The northernmost county of the Jersey Shore, Monmouth County is home to more than 50 miles of beautiful ocean and bay beaches, including Long Branch, Sandy Hook, and Asbury Park, plus sprawling parks and woodlands, fantastic restaurants, unique coastal culture and much more. It is the perfect place for New Jersey kids and families to have fun—year-round! Here are some of our top picks to get you started with exploring this great county. And for even more shore fun, check out our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

The winter months can be a challenging time for parents. Keeping your kids busy when it’s too cold to play outdoors is never an easy feat. To help you out, we’ve rounded up 10 great indoor spots in Bergen County to bounce around, create art, play mini golf or make a museum visit—there are plenty of options to keep them entertained (and ensure your sanity). And check out our Indoor Play Spaces articles for Hudson County and Essex County!

Our family pretty much steers clear of New Jersey shopping malls from November through early January; we treat any holiday excursions like military missions, get in, get the job done and get out! But once the holiday shopping is over, I visit the malls with my husband and daughter again, where we enjoy leisurely browsing, relaxing late lunches, and even hop on a carousel or two. So load up the SUV, get out of the cold and gear up for an outing at these family-friendly New Jersey malls.

There are tons of great parks in Hudson County, but once winter arrives, some days are better spent indoors. There are some great places in the area to play or dance or bowl or bounce inside. We’ve even included all the wonderful libraries in Hudson County for your little inside reader. Get your coats on, get out of the house and get into someone else’s indoors. And check out our Indoor Playspaces posts for Bergen and Essex counties!

Now that the holiday season is behind us (and maybe the kids are already a wee bit bored with their presents), it might be time for adventure to keep everyone entertained in the chilly months ahead. And while it's fun to stay inside and build cozy forts, we all start to go a little stir crazy come January and February. How about an outing that promises fresh air, exercise and even some learning thrown in? Bundle up and check out these awesome winter classes at nearby outdoor centers and beat the January blues. And remember, you can find a full listing of New Jersey classes in our Enrichment Classes and Activities Guide.