Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
Latest posts by Laurie
Whether you're seeking a summer camp that provides a performing arts experience, scientific fun, or all-around outdoor adventure, these Bergen County, New Jersey, summer camps cater to all ages and interests. We've rounded up 11 summer camps located in Bergen County that will help your kids have a sensational summer. Summer camp options include full or half days and indoor or outdoor facilities.
For more summer camps in New Jersey, check out our lists of affordable summer camps, the best dance summer camps, and STEM summer day camps, plus bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town.
Looking for the best places to go maple sugaring in New Jersey? Read on for our guide.
February is a sweet month in New Jersey. Not only do we have Valentine's Day to look forward to—it's also the start of maple sugaring season. Visitors of all ages flock to New Jersey farms and nature centers to learn about the process of maple sugaring, from tapping the maple trees to boiling the sap into delicious syrup. Some events even offer a sweet taste of the end product.
For even more outdoor winter fun, check out our post on where to play outside in NJ, plus find additional seasonal entertainment in our Winter Fun Guide.
Year-round swimming lessons are a great way to help New Jersey kids develop a love of swimming and instill confidence around the water. These swimming classes teach water skills in a safe and age-appropriate way, and most allow children as young as 6 months old to participate. Many of the swim programs listed below include programming up to age 12 or beyond and some even offer competitive swim teams.
For the youngest swimmers, check out our post on baby swimming lessons in New Jersey.
You can find more swim and sports programs for kids–and even book a class online–in our directory of classes and listings. Check out our New Jersey Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.
If you are looking for special needs programs in New Jersey, here are our top two dozen to look into.
Parents of children with special needs often face a great challenge in finding after-school and weekend enrichment courses. Luckily, New Jersey is a very inclusive state that offers many special needs classes, social skills groups, and enrichment programs. These classes provide structured, supportive, and judgment-free environments where children with a range of abilities can grow and learn while having fun. Here, we've compiled a list of classes and activities throughout New Jersey where your child will always feel welcomed and loved.
You can find more special needs programs for kids–and even book a class online–in our directory of classes and listings. Check out our New Jersey Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.
Birthday party ideas for teens in New Jersey can be a challenge because the days of princess and pirate parties have come to an end. Tweens and teens will want to celebrate their big day with cool, creative, and unique party ideas.
Impress the big kids in your life (and their friends) with an awesome party in one of these age-appropriate New Jersey venues. From cooking and art to sports and science—plus trampolines, laser tag, rides, and more—parties at these tween/teen–friendly New Jersey spots are sure to be talked about the next day.
For more fun things to do with your older kids, check out our Tweens and Teens Guide to New Jersey, and our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NJ has you covered when it comes to anything bday-related.
Put your kids on the swings and your feet in the sand at beachfront playgrounds along the Jersey Shore. The beaches of New Jersey are home to playgrounds that are like giant sandboxes, with colorful play structures and ocean views. Swing by some of these beachy-keen playgrounds on your next day trip or vacation to the Shore—and check out our bonus pick in northern New Jersey.
Please note that some of these playgrounds may require fees for beach entrance during the summer months. Find more great things to do on hot New Jersey days in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Family Activity Calendar.
A day trip to Van Saun Park in Bergen County will give you and your family an outdoor play adventure beyond the local playground. My own family makes this hour-away journey a few times a year, and it never disappoints. With its massive playground, splash pad, carousel, and train rides–plus a zoo–a trip to Van Saun Park almost feels like a free theme park. The playground and zoo are open year-round, while some of the activities, such as the rides, are open seasonally from April through October. A little tip–there’s plenty of parking, but weekends get pretty crowded– you may want to arrive early. Please note that admission to Van Saun Park is free, including the playground and splash pad, but some features do require an additional fee, as noted. Here are 12 awesome things to do on your next Van Saun Park adventure.
If you're looking for other rec areas worth visiting, read out our rundown of the best NJ playgrounds worth driving to or our look at Garden State playgrounds that big kids will enjoy. For even more on parks and playgrounds, check out our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in New Jersey.
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