Rose Sala

Rose Gordon Sala is a mom to three but also a longtime editor and journalist. She's covered all the capital 'P' subjects, including pets, politics, PR, and parenting. She's written for MSNBC.com, TODAY.com, the New York Post, and Mom.com.

Latest posts by Rose

25 Things To Do in New Jersey During November's School Holidays

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Tue, 10/22/2024 - 5:56am

Spend a day running around at Johnson's Corner Farm this November. Photo courtesy of the farm

While New Jersey students have an abbreviated November schedule to look forward to, parents are left to figure out things to do to fill those days off. The first holiday falls on Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, followed by NJEA Convention on Thursday, November 7, and Friday, November 8. Some school districts have gone a step further, giving students that entire week off!

Of course, don't forget about Thanksgiving at month's end, when kids have off both Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29; some even have a half-day or no school the Wednesday prior, too. Yikes!

With that in mind, we've pulled together this list of 25 things to do in New Jersey to keep your kids busy during November's school holidays, so read on for our picks for the best staycation ideas this November.

If you are looking for more activities this season, take a peek at our New Jersey Fall Fun Guide. It might also be a good time to check off one or two items on our list of 100 things to do in New Jersey with kids before they grow up.

Essex North Pole Express Train Tickets on Sale for 2024

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Thu, 09/05/2024 - 11:31am

All aboard for Christmas fun on the Essex North Pole Express! Photo courtesy of the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

The popular CT North Pole Express holiday train is expected to sell out fast!

Portland, ME with Kids: 50 Best Things To Do in Portland, Maine

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sat, 07/06/2024 - 10:56am

Walk the rocks at Fort Williams for views of Portland Head Light and the waves.

Among my favorite things to do in Portland, ME, is to simply walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Port district, shopping at the boutiques and strolling along the waterfront. As a kid growing up in Maine, my family biked Back Cove, sledded down the Eastern Prom, and ice skated at Deering Oaks; as a teen, I went into "the city" for live music, the fantastic restaurants, and the many art museums and festivals.

Portland, Maine, is a pretty port city with a strong progressive bent, which some might even call a hippie streak. Now, as a tourist, I love returning with my own kids. It's home to a top-notch children's museum, pretty parks and outdoor activities, plenty of culture, jaw-dropping coastal beauty, and truly great food.

Here are 50 top things to do in Portland, ME with kids. Our New England Family Travel Guide includes even more fun activities in the region, including our list of 100 things to do in New England with kids before they grow up.

36 Summer Day Trips from NYC to Take as a Family

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Fri, 06/14/2024 - 12:06pm

Keep everyone cool at the 95-acre Splish Splash water park on Long Island's East End. Photo courtesy of Splish Splash

Summer road trip season is on the horizon, and it's time to start planning one of these summer day trips from NYC. We're itching to get out and explore, from beaches and water parks to cool nature spots and pick-your-own fruit farms, we’ve rounded up three dozen of our favorite summer day trips from NYC. All of these summer day trip destinations are less than two hours away because, well, who wants to drive longer than that with kids in the backseat?

Find more ideas in our full Day Trips and Getaways Guide, or try checking something off our list of 100 things to do with kids in New York State.

100 Best Dad Jokes for Kids That Are Bad, Corny, and Funny!

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Tue, 06/11/2024 - 12:00pm

Laugh—or cringe—together with these dad jokes!

The best dad jokes for kids are sometimes the silliest or most cliché jokes around. The cringier the better, right?

But we’re showing up for you, Dad. We've rounded up 100 of our favorite one-liners, puns, corny dad jokes, and even bad dad jokes that are sure to make someone in the family chuckle this Father's Day and all year long. Maybe.

Read on for 100 of the best dad jokes for kids, from animal and food jokes to sports and pop culture gags. Find even more laughs—including our list of 75 jokes for kids that will keep the whole family in giggles—in our Boredom Busters for Kids guide.

Your Essential Beach List: Best Baby Beach Gear, Umbrellas, Wagons, and Tips for a Fun Beach Day

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Mon, 05/13/2024 - 11:34am

A pile of buckets goes a long way with young kids at the beach.

I vaguely remember going to the beach with a cute little beach bag that held just a towel, a bottle of sunscreen, a book, a water bottle, and maybe a snack. Going to the beach with my three kids, however, requires a mountain of beach chairs, towels, a heap of toys, two coolers, and a wagon to haul everything.

I’ve tried my share of beach gear over the years (I grew up in a beach town and now we live near the Jersey Shore), but to make sure I had left no stone unturned, I also polled our readers and everyone at Mommy Poppins for their picks on the very best things to bring to the beach with kids. Everything on this list will make your next day at the beach easier, less sandy, and a little more like, well, a day at the beach.

Legoland New York: A Guide to Visiting the Hudson Valley Theme Park with Kids

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Fri, 04/19/2024 - 9:20am

Friends young and old enjoy the attractions and Legoland New York, the first major theme park in the Northeast in 40 years.

Legoland New York delivers Orlando-sized theme park fun right outside of New York City—and its on-site Legoland Hotel makes it easy to extend your visit into a multi-day Hudson Valley vacation.

From its supersized (and aptly named) BIG Shop to its wet-and-wild Lego City Water Playground, and its only-in-New York Lego Factory Adventure Ride, here are all the things to do and see during a visit to Legoland New York. Find more thrilling theme park adventures in the tri-state area in our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks for Families.

Cheap Spring Break Travel Ideas for Families

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sat, 03/09/2024 - 11:00am

Visit DC in the spring for warm temps and maybe even cherry blossoms. Photo by m01229 via Flickr

Spring break travel is a great way to make family memories, but it can also be expensive. Hotels, airlines, and rental-car companies all raise prices during school breaks and other high-demand travel periods. Popular warm-weather destinations like Orlando and the Caribbean can cost even more money as families flock to have fun in the sun. But that doesn't mean you have to choose between staying home and going broke for spring break.

In-the-know families deploy a few tricks to plan a fun spring break vacation without blowing their mortgage payment, from scoring secret deals to compromising a bit on the location. There are plenty of family-friendly cities and destinations that cost a bit less but don’t scrimp on the family attractions, including top museums, eateries, beaches, and amusement parks.

Read on for some of our favorite hacks for cheap spring break travel, including some great budget-friendly destinations throughout the US. If a longer trip is not in the cards, check out your local guide to family day trips and weekend getaways.