Dore Duhaime

Latest posts by Dore Duhaime

Holiday and Thanksgiving Volunteering for Kids and Families in New Jersey

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Sun, 11/03/2024 - 6:45am

Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities abound in New Jersey.

Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities throughout New Jersey offer great ways to connect as a family this holiday season. Volunteering together can spark the joy of giving in children of all ages.

Read on for our rundown of volunteer opportunities for kids of all ages in New Jersey, from activities suited to younger kids, like coloring greeting cards, to ways for teenagers to serve Thanksgiving dinners.

Check out other feel-good holiday ideas in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families.

40 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey on a Rainy Day

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Sun, 10/06/2024 - 11:47am

Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

New Jersey is teeming with potential rainy-day activities that are perfect for when your active kiddos want to do more than curl up with a book or stomp in a puddle. No matter the season, New Jersey has an array of great indoor activities for the whole family, from museums and indoor play spaces to bowling alleys, roller rinks, and more.

If staying in sounds better, we've got plenty of ideas for at-home rainy-day fun, too. Find more picks for things to do with kids on the next bad weather day in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey for Kids.

25 Fun-Filled Fall Day Trips from New Jersey for Families

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 9:14am

Johnson's Locust Hill Farm is a picture perfect backdrop for a stroll through sunflowers. Photo by Cody Conk

Autumn in New Jersey is a perfect time for a family day trip. We've got the lowdown on the best foliage tours, apple picking, and pick-your-own farms in the state—so grab a sweater and a mug of hot cider, and head out with the family on one of these fall day trips from New Jersey

Find all our picks for seasonal fun in our Fall Fun Guide and bookmark our Day Trips Guide for all-seasons destinations.

17 Great Picnic Spots in New Jersey for Families

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Tue, 05/07/2024 - 7:08am

Liberty State Park boasts picnic spots, a playground, riverfront paths, and stunning views of NYC. Photo by Ken Lund via Flickr

New Jersey is teeming with picnic spots that kids of all ages can enjoy, so get your baskets and blankets ready. From majestic views and wooded trails to tranquil lakes and shaded playgrounds, these parkland treasures are worth a visit.

For even more warm-weather activities, check out our Spring Fun Guide.

Best Mother's Day Brunch in Northern New Jersey

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Sun, 04/14/2024 - 7:00am

Treat mom to a special Mother's Day brunch this year.

Celebrate Mother's Day 2024 in style with an indulgent Mother's Day brunch in New Jersey that's prepared by someone other than mom.

Restaurants throughout northern New Jersey like Biagio's in Paramus and Alstede's in Chester are cooking up some fabulous meals full of breakfast delights, salads, carving stations, and desserts. Some of these eateries offer discounts for children, and others are FREE for young kids. These Mother's Day brunches book quickly, though, and many require reservations.

If you're down on the shore, explore these wonderful Mother's Day brunch options and find more great eats in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in New Jersey.

Here's Why the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is a Must-See Spring Event

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Sun, 04/07/2024 - 6:55am

The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is full of springtime family fun. Video by Andre Sala

Enjoy world-class cherry blossoms this spring in New Jersey at one of the region's premier festivals. The 2024 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Newark's Branch Brook Park from Saturday, April 6 through Sunday, April 14, 2024, allows you and your family to revel in rows and rows of gorgeous cherry blossoms. There's definitely no need to travel to D.C. to see a stunning display of lush blooms!

The event features two festivals-within-the-festival, the Essex County Family Day and Bloomfest. Both Family Day and Bloomfest offer plenty of family fun, including performances, bounce houses, a nearby playground, live music, and Japanese cultural demonstrations. It all takes place under the fragrant canopy of the sprawling park's 5,000 cherry blossom trees—the largest collection in the country.

Read on for an overview of Branch Brook Park and the festival, along with tips for visiting with kids, and find more seasonal must-dos in our Guide to Spring Activities in New Jersey.

30 Spring Day Trips from New Jersey for Families

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Fri, 03/29/2024 - 9:01am

Enjoy the blooming daffodils at Reeves-Reed Arboretum on a day trip this spring. Photo courtesy of the arboretum

Spring day trips in New Jersey are a great way for your family to enjoy the rising temps and increasing hours of sunshine, so we've rounded up dozens of wonderful out-and-back options in the Garden State.

Looking for more? Our Spring Fun Guide is loaded with even more family-friendly ideas and our Family Activity Calendar is blooming with events.

19 Laser Tag and Paintball Arenas in New Jersey

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:37am

Scale obstacles and hide behind barriers at the Funplex, which has locations in Mt. Laurel and East Hanover.

New Jersey laser tag and paintball venues both feature running, hiding, and shooting at your opponents. Kids will race through rough outdoor terrain to avoid the harsh splat of incoming paint pellets, or dart from cover to cover in a darkened arena trying to dodge laser beams.

Teens, tweens, and older kids will feel the rush of competition as their teams try to stay alive in the game. Both are great for older kids' birthday parties or family outings.

Most paintball venues allow players age 10 and up, while laser tag is appropriate for children as young as 5 or 6. Check websites for age limits, drop-in hours, party packages, equipment rentals, and reservations.

Check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids for more great indoor play spots.

Latest posts by Dore Duhaime

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