Laurie Rein

Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.

Latest posts by Laurie

Veterans Day Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 11/07/2025 - 9:57am

The Bergen County Zoo's holiday lantern show, "Let It Glow," opens this week. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Veterans Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Many New Jersey students are looking forward to a 4-day NJEA Convention, pre-Veterans Day weekend, and we've got plenty of ideas for how to keep kids busy.

The holiday season is off to a bright and early start with the kickoff of Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular, with larger-than-life glowing animals throughout the Bergen County Zoo. The malls are also gearing up for the holidays, with Westfield Garden State Plaza hosting the Big Santa Lighting and Drone Show.

For more school break fun, check out 25 Things to Do in New Jersey During November 2025 School Holidays, and with the holiday season starting to rev up, check our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events.

15 Best Things To Do in NJ with Kids November 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 10:16am

Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights this season as its popular Orchard of Lights returns for another holiday run. Photo courtesy of the farm

November brings loads of things to do in the Garden State as New Jersey gears up for holidays that include Veterans Day and Thanksgiving—and then it's full steam ahead to the holiday season!

If you're hoping for a mellow month following Halloween's sugar high, that's just not going to happen! Holiday lights illuminate the season at favorite holiday light shows like the PNC Arts Center Magic of Lights, Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms, and the new U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms.

Plus, Santa starts making his rounds later in the month at Cape May County Zoo's Santa's Tree Lighting Celebration and the Holiday Tree Lighting at Physick Estate.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Halloween Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Trick-or-Treat and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 10:10am

New Jersey is decked out for Halloween and there are plenty of great events to check out. Photo courtesy of Cape May

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Halloween weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's time to scare up some fun this weekend, which kicks off with Halloween festivities! There are plenty of Halloween activities to choose from on Friday, including Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo, which has treat stations peppered throughout the grounds. Hoboken hosts its celebrated Ragamuffin Parade and Costume Contest, with music, floats, and creative costumes.

Celebrations continue over the weekend in honor of Day of the Dead, with activities in Princeton featuring strolling mariachis and skull decorating, and in Jersey City, with Mexican artists, dance groups, and more family fun.

We've got more seasonal treats in our New Jersey Halloween Guide, including our picks for the best places to trick-or-treat in New Jersey.

New Jersey's Most Popular Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out for 2025

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 10/24/2025 - 9:46am

More than 50,000 illuminated tulips will line the fields of Holland Ridge Farms' Winter Wonderland show. Photo courtesy of the farm

As we put our finishing touches on Halloween costumes and hit up some final harvest festivals, it's definitely not too early to start thinking about the next set of holidays! The official winter holiday season is sneaking up on us, and some of New Jersey's big-ticket Christmas and holiday events have already started ticket sales.

Don't miss out on tickets to New Jersey's Polar Express Train Rides, which fill up quickly, and snag early tickets to the area's most popular holiday light spectaculars.

Load up your calendars with more upcoming holiday events, featured in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families, as well as our New Jersey calendar, which is updated daily.

Polar Express Trains in New Jersey for Families in 2025

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 10/21/2025 - 7:12am

Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway

Every year, Polar Express train rides come to New Jersey, with the Garden State's railroads decked out in their holiday best. We know it's a bit early to start hauling out the holly, but these Polar Express trains and Christmas trains are a popular holiday tradition, and they sell out fast!

Though these Christmas trains don't go all the way to the North Pole, most include a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with treats, caroling, movies, and stories. We've even included a trolley ride hosted by Mrs. Claus herself. Read on to find out where to take a Christmas train ride near New Jersey with Santa, and book your tickets as soon as possible.

If you're already thinking about other must-do activities this holiday season, be sure to check out our Guide to Christmas and Holiday Events in NJ for Families.

Not-So-Scary 2025 Halloween Activities in NJ for Preschoolers

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 7:40am

Jenkinson's Boo at the Boardwalk features trick-or-treating and more. Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's Boardwalk

New Jersey offers plenty of not-too-scary Halloween celebrations perfect for the preschool set. From parades, like the Ocean City Halloween Parade, to over-the-top events at amusement parks, like Trick-Or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land, to zoo celebrations, like Cape May's Boo at the Zoo, these safe activities let toddlers experience the magic of Halloween.

And, there's some spooktacular news for parents: Many of them are FREE!

Read on for dozens of fun and preschool-friendly Halloween events in New Jersey, plus a couple of extra-special events just over the border in Pennsylvania. You can find even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 7:35am

Check out a sky full of colorful kites at the LBI Fly International Kite Festival. Photo by Wayne Herrschaft

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long weekend.

Indigenous Peoples' Day, on Monday, October 13, 2025, marks the holiday formerly known as Columbus Day for NJ school kids. Take the opportunity to get immersed in fall splendor at the annual and spectacular LBI Fly International Kite Festival or visit a local autumn festival in Dunellen and Califon. On Sunday, take in "Ada Twist, Scientist," a family musical being staged at Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

And on Monday, treat the family to delicious bites at Battleship New Jersey's Food Truck Festival.

Spooky season is upon us, so start making Halloween plans with our Top Free Halloween Events in New Jersey. Find other fantastic things to do this weekend in our Family Activity Calendar.

Best Harvest and Pumpkin Festivals in New Jersey for Fall Fun 2025

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 10/03/2025 - 10:07am

Enjoy apple and pumpkin picking all month long at Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford. Photo by Lisa Warden

You know harvest festival season is upon us when New Jersey's farms are bursting with ripe apples ready to be plucked from the trees. We've rounded up lots of great fall fairs and harvest fests in New Jersey, all packed with signature seasonal fun like hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, contests, scarecrow making, live animals, live music, and more. Some even incorporate a little early Halloween fun.

For more seasonal activities, be sure to check out our New Jersey Fall Fun Guide.

Laurie Rein

Latest posts by Laurie

Pages