Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Kaylynn Ebner, a mom of three, has been writing for Mommy Poppins since 2016. She’s passionate about exploring new spots with her family and sharing NJ’s best attractions and hidden gems with the Mommy Poppins community.

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello

10 Amazing Drive-thru Zoos and Safaris

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 11:52am

Spend the day on safari with over 1,000 animals at Lion Country Safari.

If you're itching for a safe, socially distanced family travel option, why not go on a safari right here in the US? A drive-thru safari, that is, where you can experience a day at the zoo without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds (or sneezes!). Zoos and wildlife preserves nationwide are reimagining how families can take a drive on the wild side by giving them the chance to see animals from the comfort of the car.

When planning your visit, be sure to make reservations in advance and pay attention to the rules of your safari. Some restrict certain types of vehicles and others do not sell tickets in person. Even if a day at the zoo isn't a typical one during summer 2020, the drive-through option is bound to create wild and wonderful family memories. So, go ahead: Your next big adventure awaits!

Find more local day trips and travel ideas in our Weekend Getaways Guide.

Visiting Insectropolis: The Buzz About New Jersey's "Bugseum"

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 02/21/2020 - 11:22am

The numerous exhibits at Insectropolis include Rock State Prison, where disease-spreading insects are kept in "solitary confinement."

Insectropolis, The Bugseum of New Jersey, has been on my bucket list of NJ kid-friendly museums to visit for a while. My younger son is absolutely fascinated with creepy crawlies and loves hands-on learning experiences. So, we cleared our schedules one Saturday morning and headed down the Parkway to Toms River, home of our next "bug" adventure.

The Slime Factory at Menlo Park Mall Is Messy Fun for NJ Kids

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Wed, 02/12/2020 - 1:07pm

The Slime Factory experience includes time to play in a giant vat of green slime!

Got slime-obsessed kids at home? Love a good DIY arts and crafts project? If so, run don't walk to Menlo Park Mall in Edison, where New Jersey's first (and the nation's third) The Slime Factory, Powered by Maddie Rae recently opened.

Maddie Rae is probably a familiar name to slime fans. The 14-year-old Instagram celebrity and entrepreneur from Connecticut has a propriety line of Slime Glue sold nationwide. Her products are used at The Slime Factory "lab," where slime lovers can enjoy a unique sensory experience and make-and-take their very own gooey creations. After hearing lots of great things about The Slime Factory, my daughter and I recently scheduled a visit to see what all the buzz was about.

Long-Awaited Reopening of NJ's Fairy Tale Forest Theme Park Set for Spring 2020

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Mon, 01/27/2020 - 9:04am

The iconic shoe stands at the gate of Fairy Tale Forest, a beloved NJ theme park that's scheduled to reopen this spring. Photo courtesy of the park

The long-awaited reopening of Fairy Tale Forest in Oak Ridge, NJ, could kick off as early as March with the launch of Fables Restaurant and Marketplace at Fairy Tale Forest. But what has locals really stoked is the restoration and potential reopening of the North Jersey theme park on which the restaurant is situated.

The park has been undergoing renovations since 2018, and previous plans for reopening—first in the fall of 2018, and then in spring of 2019—have been delayed. According to an article on NJ.com and other sites, the owners now say that Fairy Tale Forest should be ready to welcome visitors by Memorial Day.

Find High-Energy Fun at North Jersey's New Indoor Action Center

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 01/23/2020 - 9:11am

Xtreme Energy, which opened in Englewood, NJ, in fall 2019, offers fun for toddlers to teens.

I'm usually pretty tolerant of a noisy, sometimes floor-vibrating home, but when my kids recently turned the couch into a trampoline and the dining room into an obstacle course, I knew it was time to burn off some steam elsewhere. With the January cold upon us, indoor play was clearly the way to go, so we decided to check out one of Northern NJ's newest indoor playgrounds: Xtreme Energy in Englewood.

The facility, which opened in the fall, is amazing for kids and preteens—especially those who love climbing, jumping, and challenging themselves with unique physical activities.

Hot New NJ Birthday Party Spots To Celebrate in 2020

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 01/05/2020 - 9:06am

Host a birthday party at Nailed It, where guests can make their own creations to take home.

We've all been there: Your little one is counting down the days until his next birthday, while you're secretly sweating it out to find the perfect spot to celebrate. Luckily for NJ kids, the Garden State's 2019 crop of new kid-friendly venues has brought a bunch of fresh places to host amazing birthday bashes. From indoor playgrounds to trampoline parks and a new sprayground, here's a taste of some new NJ birthday party spots where kids will have a blast celebrating with their friends.

Looking for more ways to celebrate? Check out our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide!

Giant Candy Department Store Opens at NJ's American Dream

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 12/19/2019 - 9:00am

IT'SUGAR's three-floor candy store opened Saturday in the American Dream mega mall. Photo courtesy of IT'SUGAR

The first retail store in the American Dream mega-mall has officially opened its doors, and it's a sweet deal for candy lovers. IT'SUGAR, the first department store in the country devoted to candy, offers an insane assortment of sweet concoctions from old standbys like Pez and M&Ms to unique international bites. (Matcha-flavored Kit-Kat, anyone?)

Jersey Shore's New Jungle-Themed Indoor Playground Is Worth a Trip!

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Wed, 12/18/2019 - 9:00am

Jungle Jim & Jane puts a new spin on indoor playgrounds. Photo courtesy of Jungle Jim & Jane's

A brand-new interactive play experience has come to Atlantic Highlands, and kids of all ages are going ape over it. Jungle Jim & Jane puts a new spin on indoor playgrounds with unique equipment and high-tech games that let kids go wild and have fun in a safe, clean space.

This day trip–worthy play space, geared toward ages 0-8, opened in October. I visited recently with my three kids, and we were all impressed.

Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello

Pages