Now that my boys are getting older, I’m looking more seriously at summer day camps as not only a way to keep them occupied when school is out, but also as a place where they can explore their interests, try new things and, of course, have fun with friends. After reading about our sponsor Gate Hill Day Camp and its variety of programs, I'm sad they're not in my area (I'm on Long Island). Because whether your children want to spend their summer improving their athletic skills, learning to cook, or exploring the arts and sciences, there is something for most kids ages 3-15.

This edition of our biweekly news post includes all upbeat info—no closures, no bummers! Find out about a bunch of brand-new FREE enrichment programs for kids, a couple of worthy crowdfunding campaigns, a big Brooklyn maker space coming to Manhattan and how your kids can try to snag a trip to Hollywood for the premiere of Disney's Big Hero 6.

It’s officially October, the season of Halloween, pumpkins and all that is autumn! New Jersey has no shortage of pumpkin activities this weekend so check out one of the many fall events like the annual Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm, the Pumpkin Train Festival at Whippany Railway Museum or the Holmdel Harvest Festival at Bayonet Farm. For some nighttime fun, sign up for a cozy Harvest Moon Hayride at Alstede Farms. And if you’ve got little animal lovers in the family, head to Community Day at Woodlands Wildlife Refuge – a special once a year event where the sanctuary opens its doors to the public. And remember, you can check out the full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Things that go bump, bump, bump in the night… It’s the season for shivering and quivering; howling and frowling (that's not a real word, but it should be). Take your love-to-be-scared tweens and teens and hayride through the darkness full of wicked witches and the undead. And if you make it out alive, take a deep breath and take on the haunted houses and spooky trails in these five great New Jersey haunts.

Halloween is a time of year when we search for new and fun things to do with our NJ kids. There are plenty of spooky events, but why not try something unique this year? Sling a pumpkin with the family, settle in for some classic ghostly tales ! If you are in the mood for something different this Halloween, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of “off the beaten path” Halloween events for NJ kids and families.

We recently spoke with Leslie Venokur and Risa Goldberg, the driving forces behind Big City Moms and the organizers of the Biggest Baby Shower Ever. Big City Moms is a resource for for moms, moms-to-be, and families to connect through a variety of special and customized events. For the first time ever, the company has brought the Biggest Baby Shower Ever, a show that features over 100 of the best companies in the baby industry, to Boston.  We are excited to attend this event and meet our readers (and future readers!) face to face.  Stop by the Mommy Poppins Boston table to find out about our favorite things to do in Boston with kids, what you can do now to get connected with other new parents after the baby arrives, and how to get through the winter months with little ones. But first, get the details on the Biggest Baby Shower Ever straight from the moms who are making it happen.