Laura J

Latest posts by Laura J

Where To Go Ice Skating Indoors with Kids in NJ

Submitted by Laura J on Tue, 01/31/2023 - 6:45am

Clary Anderson Arena in Montclair offers public skating hours 7 days a week.

Indoor ice skating is a fun way to take part in a winter activity without exposing yourself to the elements. Happily, there are many indoor rinks throughout the Garden State. We've focused on those that host public skate sessions, but most of them also offer skating lessons, hockey, birthday parties, and more.

Read on for our indoor rink recommendations for NJ families. For more wintry sports, check out our Ski & Snow Guide.

10 Top New Jersey Gyms for Indoor Rock Climbing with Kids

Submitted by Laura J on Tue, 11/08/2022 - 6:55am

The Gravity Vault has climbing locations throughout New Jersey.

Your local rock-climbing gym combines fitness, thrills, and fun. It's the perfect way to get the kids moving and out of the house and still stay indoors when the weather isn't cooperating. Check out these 10 New Jersey facilities for open climbing, with options for beginner through advanced climbers!

Check with each facility about age requirements and which sections are best to try with kids. Some facilities recommend a staff-belay booking if you're new to climbing.

Take a look at our rundown of indoor obstacle courses and other great options in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for NJ Kids.

Wild West City: A Cowboy Theme Park in New Jersey

Submitted by Laura J on Mon, 04/03/2017 - 11:41am

New Jersey is filled with fun amusement parks, boardwalk fun, and more attractions for kids, but one of the more unique options might just be Wild West City. This western-themed outdoor mini amusement park in rural Sussex County, New Jersey, lets families experience life in a frontier town circa 1880.

Attractions include live-action shows; stagecoach, pony, and train rides; mini golf; a barnyard zoo; and fun events for kids, including a dress-up day. Ever since Toy Story made its way onto our Netflix queue, my boys have been fascinated with Woody, so we took our two little Wild Bills and headed to Wild West City to check it out.

Leftover Halloween Candy? Ways To Use It or Donate It in New Jersey

Submitted by Laura J on Wed, 10/26/2016 - 12:25pm

Twix, Milky Ways, Sour Patch Kids, Skittles! It seems like kids collect enough Halloween candy to last a lifetime. Instead of saving your surplus supply of Kit Kats or having your children consume it all in one night (or worse, you consume it all in one night), take a look at our alternate ideas for using up your little ones' leftover candy haul – whether you donate it, bake with it, make money from it (!), or make others smile with it. Hope you have a great Halloween, New Jersey!

Ballroom Dance Classes for Kids in NJ

Submitted by Laura J on Mon, 08/01/2016 - 10:04am

The late great James Brown once said “The one thing that can solve most of our problems is dancing.” From tap to jazz; ballet to funk; dance lessons are a wonderful way to express emotion while learning new skills. For those looking a bit outside of the "kids' dance class" box, ballroom dancing is a unique option that teaches children to respect one another and work together as partners. And don't forget to check out our Enrichment Programs, Classes and Activities Guide for NJ Kids!

Outdoor Fitness with Babies and Toddlers in Northern New Jersey

Submitted by Laura J on Sat, 06/18/2016 - 5:32am

We want to spend as much time as possible with our kids. They grow up so fast; we don’t want to miss a thing. Sometimes that means sacrificing the gym for time with our little munchkins. However, since we all still need to burn those extra calories before our skinny jeans become a distant memory, here are some ways get your heart pumping without losing out on those precious moments.

Visiting the Lakota Wolf Preserve in NJ with Kids

Submitted by Laura J on Wed, 04/20/2016 - 6:00am

Thomas Fuller was quoted as saying, “It is madness for sheep to talk peace with a wolf.” He may have lived in the seventeenth century, but Mr. Fuller already knew my family dynamic. I, the sheep, live amongst a pack of wolves disguised as 3-year old humans. So knowing these little beasts now dominate our lives (literally), we decided to add another great spot into the Mommy Poppins Day Trip Guide by visiting the Lakota Wolf Preserve.

Earth Day Family-Friendly Fun in NJ

Submitted by Laura J on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 10:00am

Earth Day isn’t just a celebration of all things green; it’s a movement. By fostering awareness and supporting environmental protection, Earth Day is helping to shape a green generation. From hiking beautiful New Jersey trails to celebrations in various counties, our little ones appreciate Mother Earth for all she has to offer. We've rounded up fun and eco-friendly ways to celebrate Earth Day this spring in New Jersey.