Every year, New Jersey's railroads get decked out in their holiday best to offer special Christmas-themed rides for the whole family. Wait—Christmas? We know, it's a bit early to start hauling out the holly, but these rides are a popular holiday tradition, and they sell out fast!

Though these trains don't go all the way to the North Pole, most include a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, along with treats, caroling, and stories. One storybook Santa train invites kids to wear their pajamas and hear a classic Christmas story read aloud on the rails, while another ferries passengers to a Christmas tree farm.

Read on to find out where to take a holiday train ride with Santa Claus, and book your tickets as soon as possible. Then you can put Christmas aside for a while and get back to your fall fun.  

If your kids can't get enough of trucks and dirt, head to Diggerland USA, a construction-themed amusement park in West Berlin. Diggerland is a child's construction-site fantasy, with a setup designed to fulfill the dreams of little builders ages 2 and up.

My 2-year-old son and I recently took the ride to West Berlin to see what it was all about, and we had a blast. However, we'll probably wait another year before returning so as to avoid the temptations of the rides he wasn't big enough to go on just yet. That said, if you're looking for a unique alternative to traditional amusement parks this summer, a trip to Diggerland is definitely in order. 

Baby, it’s cold outside! And the kiddos are probably going stir-crazy, because there are only so many craft projects they can do. We're here to help with 30 activities to help keep the family busy all winter long. With everything from story times and music events to fun with animals, kids will have a blast while getting a much-needed break from the house. For even more ideas, check out our list of Indoor Activities: 25 Ways to Spend a Rainy Day in NJ. And visit our Event Calendar for a full list of happenings throughout the state.