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. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her dancing, playing piano, baking, or walking her beagle. By day, Kaylynn edits pharma, science, and medical content.

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello

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.

Amusement Parks Near NYC: Top Thrill Rides and Roller Coasters

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 06/30/2022 - 2:12pm

Hersheypark's Skyrush reaches speeds of up to 75 mph and includes five zero-G airtime hills.

Is your family daring enough to take on one of the fastest, highest, twistiest roller coasters or other thrilling rides at these amusement parks near NYC? From amusement parks on Long Island to New Jersey's top amusement parks, and Pennsylvania-area amusement parks, we've found 10 of the most scream-inducing, white-knuckle-causing roller coasters and thrill rides for your crew to try. So take a deep breath, hold on tight, and get ready to experience the ride of your life.

Liberty Science Center: Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 04/12/2022 - 4:04pm

Kids can climb to their hearts content on the Liberty Science Center's Infinity Climber. Photo courtesy of the museum

It's no wonder the Liberty Science Center has become a New Jersey mainstay for area parents and kids—and one of our favorite attractions in New Jersey. This 300,000-square-foot educational center on the Jersey City waterfront is jam-packed with exciting hands-on STEM learning activities for kids of all ages. With live animals to see, unique structures to climb and explore, skyscrapers to build, planetarium shows to watch, and experiments to try, it’s easy to visit this four-story museum again and again. And the best part? The exhibits are constantly refreshed and new ones are rotated in, so there’s always something fresh to see. It's even a great place to enroll in a STEM-inspired summer camp or celebrate a birthday.

Read on for the top 10 things to do and see at the Liberty Science Center and find more great local cultural institutions in our Guide to Museums and Galleries in New Jersey.

Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 04/10/2022 - 8:10am

Toddlers love crawling through the tunnels at Colonial Park's playground in Somerset, NJ.

Toddlers may be tiny, but their sense of adventure is enormous. On the playground, this can mean near-heart attack moments for parents and caregivers! Luckily, New Jersey has a bunch of great tot lots with age-appropriate equipment for the littlest daredevils. Here, we've rounded up some of the best toddler playgrounds in New Jersey.

No matter the age of your kids, we've got plenty more places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in New Jersey.

Best Biking Rail Trails near NYC: Get Your Rail Explorers Off-Road

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 03/31/2022 - 1:16pm

Rail Explorers offers a variety of rail trail experiences to bike in New York state.

Who's ready for an adventure? If your family enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and biking, your crew might love rail biking. Rail biking is a super fun way to enjoy nature and see the sights while pedaling a special bicycle along a stretch of abandoned rail trails. From Cape May to the Adirondacks, there are several places to go rail biking near New York City. These beautiful rail trails in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut are a jumping-off point for a picture-perfect family outing.

Find more fun things to do in our Guide to Family-Friendly Outdoor Fun.

Best Dance Summer Camps in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 02/22/2022 - 8:45am

Dance Innovations offers summer camps for all skill levels.

If your child pirouettes in the kitchen, buffalos down the hallway, or freestyles to the radio, a dance summer camp may be the perfect way to pass the summer break. From recreational summer day camps to more rigorous ballet boot camps, first-time dancers through pre-professionals have lots of ways to explore their love of dance throughout New Jersey. We've found 12 dance summer camps in New Jersey with programming for toddlers, teens, and everyone in between.

For even more summer camps in New Jersey, including our picks for affordable summer camps in the Garden State and STEM summer day camps, check out our Guide to Summer Camps in New Jersey and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello

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