Dore Duhaime

Latest posts by Dore Duhaime

Best Mother's Day Brunch in Northern New Jersey

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Mon, 04/21/2025 - 9:45am

Treat mom to a special Mother's Day brunch this year. Photo by Elsa Simcik

Celebrate Mother's Day 2025 in style, with an indulgent brunch in New Jersey 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 kids, and others are FREE for young kids. These Mother's Day brunches are perfect for families, but they usually require reservations and get booked up quickly.

If you're down on the shore, explore these wonderful Mother's Day 2025 brunch options and find more great eats in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in New Jersey.

New Jersey's Essex Cherry Blossom Festival is a Must-See Spring Event

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Tue, 04/08/2025 - 6:27am

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 2025 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Newark's Branch Brook Park from Saturday, April 5 through Sunday, April 13, 2025, 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 cherry blossom tree collection in the country.

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

41 Things To Do in Hoboken, New Jersey, with Kids

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Tue, 04/01/2025 - 6:02am

Hoboken is a colorful and charming city with plenty of metropolitan appeal. Photo by Wally Gobetz via Flickr

Hoboken is a small city where strollers, schoolkids, dogs, and young professionals come together, and it's more vibrant than ever.

With family-friendly parks, cafes, markets, and play spaces packed into a walkable city with easy access to Manhattan, it's no wonder so many young families love the Mile Square City.

Read on for 41 of our favorite things to do in Hoboken, and check out our Northern New Jersey Family Guide for more great coverage of the region, including our story on must-do activities in nearby Jersey City.

30 Spring Day Trips from New Jersey for Families

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Sun, 03/16/2025 - 6:02am

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.

Easy Spring Break Getaways for New Jersey Families

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Fri, 03/14/2025 - 6:19am

Have a tropical getaway without leaving New Jersey at Sahara Sam's this spring.

Spring break in New Jersey is a great time to explore destinations close to home, have fun with the fam, and welcome warmer weather.

Most New Jersey schools are on spring break in late April this year, when weather in the Northeast can be unpredictable: It's too chilly for outdoor swimming, yet too warm to stay cooped up inside all week. So dress everyone in layers and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor fun.

We've rounded up the best options for fun family destinations in and around the Garden State, from New Jersey beach towns and indoor water parks to Pocono resorts and Hudson Valley getaways.

If you're looking for a shorter jaunt minus the overnight stay, check out our guide to Family Day Trips in New Jersey and our Guide to the Jersey Shore.

Indoor Obstacle Courses, Ninja Warrior Training, and Aerial Arts Facilities in NJ

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Sun, 02/09/2025 - 8:51am

Kid will test their skill and agility at High Exposure. Photo courtesy of High Exposure

New Jersey is home to many indoor ninja-style obstacle courses and aerial arts gyms where little acrobats and ninjas can hone the skills they've seen on TV. That's perfect for kids who are obsessed with American Ninja Warrior and want the thrill of climbing warped walls, or junior acrobats hoping to twirl in the air like circus performers in The Greatest Showman!

These indoor adventures will get your kids climbing, vaulting, swinging, and balancing.

Find more active spots in New Jersey for kids in our Guide to Indoor Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones. If you'd rather stay in, we've also got fun at-home ideas to get kids moving like these 25 exercise games.

Top Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places to Play Indoors

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Fri, 01/10/2025 - 9:20am

Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys"R"Us. Photo courtesy of American Dream Mall

Free New Jersey indoor play spots–which range from malls and toy stores to libraries and bookstores–help banish winter boredom...at least for a little while. So grab a coffee, a friend, and schedule your next play date at one of these indoor gems.

For even more family fun, don't miss our guide to great indoor play spaces on Long Island with fees for winter drop-in hours.

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.

Latest posts by Dore Duhaime

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