Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

The Scoop on Fundaes, a Cool New Arcade in Central New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 01/10/2023 - 7:11am

Whack a Krabby Patty on the SongeBob SquarePants game at Fundaes.

Families looking for indoor fun have a sweet new option in Central NJ: Fundaes Arcade, a 7,000-square-foot arcade and ice cream parlor, held its grand opening in Chesterfield in late December.

In addition to a slew of favorite arcade games and newer VR options, the facility will also tempt anyone with a sweet tooth with its candy wall and big ice cream counter.

Check out our rundown of the best New Jersey arcades to visit with kids and find other options for indoor fun in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids.

Best of 2022 New Jersey Kid Edition: Top Openings, Happenings, and Other Awesome Stuff We Loved

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 12/25/2022 - 11:00am

American Dream's new attractions in 2022 include the Dream Wheel, which provides stunning views of the NYC skyline. Photo courtesy of the mall

As we say a fond farewell to 2022, we also remember it was a good year for saying hello to many family-friendly attractions that opened in New Jersey this year. From indoor play places to outdoor playgrounds—and even an enormous Ferris wheel—NJ's great tradition of having lots of exciting new things to do is alive and well. Read on for the best kid-friendly openings in New Jersey in 2022.

Jump for Joy! The Ultimate Bounce House Comes to Georgia

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 11:40am

The mega bounce house, dubbed Bounce the Mall, is coming to Dawsonville, Georgia. Photo by author

Ready for a crazy, bounce house adventure? Bounce the Mall is a unique, touring inflatable attraction that's making its rounds at Simon malls across the country. Bounce the Mall will thrill kids—and kids-at-heart—in Dawsonville, Georgia from November 5-20. This colorful event is sure to impress kids of all ages ready to bounce to the highest heights!

Haunt O'Ween Debuts in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 12:54pm

Haunt O'Ween is spooky but not overly frightening.

A fun and frightful immersive Halloween adventure has made its East Coast debut in Holmdel, New Jersey: Haunt O'Ween 2022. This spooky, but whimsical, haunted carnival has everything a family could want in an outdoor Halloween experience: amazing decor, costumes, trick-or-treating, inflatables, games, and pumpkins galore!

Haunt O'Ween hits the perfect sweet spot of being spooky, but not overly frightening—and definitely not gory. It's just plain thrilling, chilling fun that's perfect for kids ages 3-12. But don't wait to buy tickets. The event runs only on select dates through Monday, October 31. Here's what to expect on your trip through this ghost-filled city.

You can find even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

Reach New Heights at Catch Air Trampoline Park in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Mon, 08/29/2022 - 6:08pm

Looking for a new play date spot in Northern New Jersey? A high-flying trampoline park has just opened, and Catch Air of Hasbrouck Heights delivers on the "wow" factor, promising to keep toddlers through elementary school-age kids busy hours'hours worth of indoor fun. This play center opened its doors in May 2022 and features tons of out-of-this-world space-themed activities. We recently checked it out and can say with certainty that it's a worthy day trip for kids who love to slide, climb, and bounce.

Read on for our full review of Catch Air's trampoline park and find more action-packed places to play on our list of the best play spaces in Northern New Jersey. Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey for Kids.

Top Places to Enjoy Delicious Shaved Ice in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 08/07/2022 - 7:16am

Snag a hot-pink hued treat from DiCosmos Italian Ice.

Looking for the best places to enjoy refreshing shaved ice or Italian ice in New Jersey? Read on for a rundown of some of the top spots in the state to get your fix of these summery treats.

When it's hot and steamy, cravings for frosty treats are bound to kick in. And if you're looking for something a little different than your go-to ice cream shop, try indulging in shaved ice. That is, if you can pick from all the fun flavors and styles! Some shops specialize in snowy, melt-in-your-mouth Hawaiian or New Orleans shaved ice, while others feature international styles. And, of course, who doesn't love shaved ice's creamy cousin, Italian ice? Here are a bunch of places around NJ where you can score one of these frosty treats.

Looking for great things to do in NJ before summer is over? Check out Mommy Poppins' New Jersey Kids Summertime Activity Guide and make the most of the dog days.

Visiting the Adventure Aquarium in NJ: 10 Best Things To Do and See

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 6:20am

Sea creatures galore wait to greet visitors at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey.

Adventure Aquarium is a captivating day-trip destination that will engage and educate family members young and old.

Camden's world-class aquarium showcases a huge collection of underwater life—more than 8,500 aquatic species—plus hippos, penguins, and an assortment of amphibians, birds, and reptiles. Also: sharks. Lots of sharks. Adventure Aquarium houses the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, and it features the only great hammerhead on exhibit in the U.S.

In short, the kids will be awed. You'll be transported. Everyone leaves a little refreshed.

Read on to learn more about some of Adventure Aquarium's most impressive attractions and several ways to get up close and personal with sea creatures. And, if your visit to Adventure Aquarium happens to spark a new interest in life under the sea, check out our rundown of the best aquariums for your next family vacation. For trip ideas further afield, read our comprehensive Family Travel Guide.

Hot Air Balloons near New Jersey: Hot Air Balloon Festivals and Rides

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 07/28/2022 - 4:54pm

Watch the skies above for colorful hot air balloons, or drop in to the Warren County Farmers Fair Balloon Fest to take a tethered ride. Photo by Giulia Grotenhuis

Ever wish you could go up, up, and away in a hot air balloon in New Jersey? Or maybe just watch a hot air balloon float across the horizon with your feet planted firmly on the ground? In some parts of New Jersey, ballooning is part of the local culture, with local hot air balloon festivals and opportunities to soar high above the treetops as you take the trip of your life.

We've rounded up a few vendors offering hot air balloon cruises in New Jersey as well as some popular hot air balloon festivals—including the uber-popular, long-running NJ Lottery Festival of Ballooning—where you can catch a glimpse of a hot air balloon-filled sky. A hot air balloon festival makes a great day trip and a ride—while pricey—is an unforgettable splurge to celebrate your kid's next milestone birthday.