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
Drive-in movie theaters made a comeback during the pandemic, and we're hoping that this retro form of family movie night is here to stay. While there is one drive-in movie theater in New York City, there are plenty more old-fashioned drive-in movie theaters in the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and Connecticut where local families can enjoy a night out.
While Brooklyn's Skyline Drive-In is still going strong, we're still on the hunt for the pop-up drive-in movies that have been popular the past couple of summers. Bookmark this post; we'll keep updating it and our Family Activity Calendar as we find more pop-up drive-in movies near NYC. Find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Summer Fun for NYC Families.
For parents and kids in the Nutmeg State, few outings marry family fun with retro vibes better than a drive-in movie in Connecticut. Families can bring (or buy) snacks and a few pillows and enjoy this classic form of entertainment at several drive-in movies in CT, or cross state lines and enjoy outdoor movies at New York drive-ins. Summer 2022 movies are going up at drive-ins near you with some showings beginning this month.
Be sure to keep tabs on our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide for more outdoor movies in CT and warm-weather family fun.
Pop-up and permanent drive-in movie theaters will suit those still looking to keep most excursions socially distanced or anyone interested in a little al fresco entertainment. Catch flicks in the comfort of your own car at New Jersey's only permanent drive-in theater, Delsea, or head down the Shore for the Barnegat Drive-In Movie Series. Or, consider a weekend excursion for drive-in options in the Brooklyn and Westchester theaters that we have included.
Most of the theaters offer concessions and some even feature pre-show entertainment.
Check out more warm-weather, outdoor fun in our Summer Guide for New Jersey Kids, and keep an eye on this post and our Event Calendar as new outdoor movie series continue to pop up. Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.
If you’re looking for a small town full of energy and neighborhood pride, Scotch Plains in Union County fits the bill. Scotch Plains is a family-oriented community with a downtown anchored by a village green, year-round community activities, an abundance of playgrounds, and a mini-golf course.
The town is located off Routes 22 and 78 and accessible from NJ Transit trains at the Fanwood station or via bus lines. Thanks to its walkable downtown, there are tons of family-friendly things to do in Scotch Plains, so now's the time to plan a day trip to this lovely enclave.
Junior golfers can perfect their swings this summer at these golf summer camps and classes in New Jersey. Golf courses throughout the Garden State host group lessons, summer camps, and clinics where golfers as young as 7 learn fundamentals of the sport based on age and ability. Taught by PGA professionals, most of these golf summer camps are booked by the week and may run half- or full-day sessions.
For more summer camps in New Jersey, such as affordable summer camps and STEM summer day camps, 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.
While playing Roblox may be your tween or teen's idea of summer activity, keeping this age group busy and active in the summer can pose a dilemma for parents. Too old for some traditional summer day camps and too young to find a summer job or internship, these big kids still require structured, entertaining, and challenging activities to fill the long days of summer. We've rounded up more than 10 summer camps for tweens and teens in New Jersey. These cool summer camps offer specialties ranging from sports to theater, travel, and well-rounded fun.
Bookmark our New Jersey Summer Camp Guide for more programs that may pique the interest of teens, like our picks for the best STEM summer camps in New Jersey. Plus, our Summer Camp Directory allows you to search for programs by age, interest, and location.
If your days of rowdy reveling and guzzling green beer are a distant memory, you might find yourself wondering: Are there any kid-friendly St. Patrick's Day activities in NJ? You bet your lucky charms there are! Grab the kids and march on over to one of these great St. Patrick's Day celebrations in New Jersey. Our picks include a slew of FREE parades and St. Patrick's Day celebrations guaranteed to make you feel a wee bit Irish—at least for this month.
Looking for more fun things to do? Be sure to bookmark our Family Activity Calendar, which is filled with family-friendly picks no matter the date.
With warmer days ahead, amusement park season is just around the corner. There's no better feeling than zipping through the air on a speedy roller coaster, chilling on a carousel, or watching the little ones enjoy low-key kiddie rides. But, just when do amusement parks open for the season? We've got the scoop, whether you're hoping to catch ocean views and sandy beaches at the Jersey Shore's boardwalk amusement parks, like Jenkinson's and Castaway Cove, or you are dreaming of high-velocity thrill rides at mega parks like Six Flags Great Adventure.
We've rounded up the opening days for the most popular amusement parks in New Jersey and nearby. Be sure to click through to each park's website for the latest information, ticket deals, and season passes.
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