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
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.
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.
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