Laurie Rein

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16 Stores That Offer Free and Cheap Classes for NJ Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sat, 01/05/2019 - 3:25pm

Extracurricular activities create enriching experiences for kids, but they can also take a toll on your wallet. While kids are encouraged to explore their passions, the price tag on sports teams, dance classes, and art lessons can be overwhelming.

The good news is that stores throughout the state offer free—and nearly free—classes that allow you to save money while developing your family’s interests. These low- or no-cost classes, crafts, storytimes, and other activities are great ways to fill in schedule gaps without busting your budget.

Many stores have various locations, so be sure to check the websites for local schedules.

January GoList: The Best Things To Do With NJ Kids This Month

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 12/28/2018 - 12:00pm

Best cure for the post-holiday blues? Load up your January calendar with fun and festive events that the whole family will look forward to!

Start 2019 right with creative spins on some of your favorite films. See the Frozen crew skate their way into Prudential Center. Sing along with Grease on the big screen at MAYO. And watch The Empire Strikes Back accompanied by live music in various locations.

January is the perfect time to relax at family-friendly theatrical productions. Don't miss Pinkalicious: The Musical, Pete the Cat, Bubble Trouble, and the debut of American Girl Live. And if you're ready to brave the chill, go festival-hopping at Fire and Ice Festival and Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival.

For more wintry fun, check out our Winter Activity Guide, and discover the best places to play indoors when the temperature plummets. And as always, you can find many more great things to do in our Event Calendar, including some freebies.

Where To Enjoy High Tea in New Jersey with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Mon, 12/17/2018 - 12:00pm

If your little sweetie loves the finer things in life—and has the patience to make it through a sit-down meal—he or she may be ready to enjoy an afternoon at one of NJ's many local tea rooms. From the fine china and finger sandwiches to the tempting sweets, your little one will be enchanted during this special one-on-one mommy time. Many host sweet birthday parties, and several offer special holiday events.

25 Things To Do with New Jersey Kids Over Holiday Break

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 12/16/2018 - 9:13am

The lazy days of December break may be the best time to take part in New Jersey's family-friendly holiday activities—especially if you have visiting relatives to entertain or kids who have already moved on from their presents. From spectacular light displays to cold-weather fun, there's plenty to do during the days off from school.

Most New Jersey schools are closed from Monday, December 24, 2018 through Tuesday, January 1, 2019, allowing plenty of time to experience some of the holiday highlights you may have missed in the hectic run-up to Christmas. It's also the perfect time to check out an indoor play space, museum, or fun zone.

Be sure to check out our December GoList and Holiday Fun Guide for more great ideas. Happy Holidays, NJ!

December GoList: 25 Best Things To Do in NJ for the Holidays

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 9:00am

The month of December is like one big jolly holiday. Santa's making his rounds via planes and trains, and even underwater. Local towns and Jersey's favorite haunts are glowing with holiday lights. Plus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve round out the month-long festivities.

If you and your kids are eager to celebrate the season, you're in luck—there are so many wonderful events and activities happening throughout the state every day this month. You'll find plenty of free things to do, as well as activities j ust for little ones. You can have breakfast with Santa, catch a seasonal show, and see at least one of the spectacular light displays around NJ.

We know you’re busy with things like shopping, baking, and figuring out what the heck to do with your Elf on the Shelf, so we’ve sorted through all of this month's happenings and picked 25 of our favorites.

For even more ideas, check out our Holiday Guide and Event Calendar. And sign up for our FREE newsletters so you can have our picks delivered directly to your inbox!

Happy Holidays!

November GoList: The Best Things To Do With NJ Kids This Month

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 10/26/2018 - 10:00am

Put away the pumpkins and get out the garland! November is here, and the holiday season has officially begun.

Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season, and you can celebrate the old-fashioned way at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm and the Historic Village at Allaire. And it's already beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with the start of holiday train rides and holiday light shows like the ones at Skylands Stadium and Turtle Back Zoo. Santa Claus is coming to town, too, with celebrations of his arrival at Storybook Land and in Nutley.

November is a month full of drama, with everyone's favorite characters taking the stage. Check out family-friendly performances of The Wizard of Oz, Disney on Ice, Sesame Street Live, Peppa Pig Live, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Elf: The Musical, and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Read on for more can't-miss events coming up in November, and for even more kid-friendly choices, be sure to check out our Event Calendar, updated daily with new happenings. Happy (beginning of the) Holidays, New Jersey!

Top Pumpkin Patches and Picking for New Jersey Families

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 09/21/2018 - 11:30am

Nothing says fall (or Halloween) quite like a pumpkin. When these festive gourds start appearing on front stoops and in windows across New Jersey, you know autumn really has arrived. This year, skip the grocery store pumpkins and take a day trip to one of NJ's excellent pumpkin patches, where you're sure to run into more fall fun, including barnyard animals, hay and corn mazes, and even the season's other favorite fruit: apples.

Red on for more than a dozen spots where you'll be sure to find the perfect pumpkin.

Closer to the New York border? Check out these Westchester and Hudson Valley pumpkin patches. If you're in south Jersey or headed for a Bucks County getaway this fall, our Philadelphia site has the scoop on Pennsylvania pumpkin patches.

Amazing Corn Mazes at Family-Friendly New Jersey Farms

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 09/06/2018 - 1:00pm

Get ready… get set… get lost in an amazing New Jersey corn maze! The Garden State is home to oodles of spectacular corn mazes, ranging from massive 10-acre labyrinths to simpler, child-friendly courses, including hay bale mazes just right for toddlers and preschoolers. Games, clues, and even techie bonuses enhance many of the more elaborate maze experiences. Got a tween or teen? Check out courses that are open after hours for a nighttime and sometimes spooky adventure.

Many of these 16 corn mazes we've rounded up are day trip–worthy on their own, but you'll also likely find apple and pumpkin picking options, hayrides, and even fall festivals, plus petting zoos in some instances. So get out your fall to-do list, and navigate your way through one of these great New Jersey corn mazes. Check out our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids to find even more ways to enjoy the crisp autumn days.

Laurie Rein

Laurie R

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