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

Weekend Fun: NJ State Fair, Butterfly Festival, Peach Harvest Fest

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 12:00pm

Monmouth Park offers free kids' fun on Sunday Family Fun Days. Photo courtesy of the park

August is off to a peachy start with family-friendly weekend events like Alstede's Peach Harvest Festival and Peach Pancake Breakfast, as well as Terhune's Just Peachy Festival. Take in the beautiful sights of summer this weekend at the Stony Hill Farms Sunflower Festival, Watershed Butterfly Festival, and the final day of the Warren County Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Bring your taste buds to the 25th Annual Clam Festival, Cape May Beer & Crab Festival, and New Jersey State Fair, with food, rides, horses, and more.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including 13 Exciting Boat Rides for Families in New Jersey. And look to our August GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: Farmers' Fair, Summer Fest, Hot-Air Balloons

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 07/23/2019 - 3:00pm

The Warren County Farmers' Fair has tons of kid-friendly fun, including hot-air balloon launches. Photo courtesy of the fair

July comes to a close on a sky-high note with two amazing balloon events: the QuickChek Festival of Ballooning and Warren County's Hot-Air Balloon Festiva l. Music and food add to this weekend's excitement at the XPoNential Music Festival and 6th Annual Food Truck Seafood Festival.

Swing by county fairs in Gloucester and Monmouth counties this weekend, and celebrate New Jersey arts and culture at the Rutgers Gardens Summer Fest.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including Cute New Jersey Beach Towns to Explore with Kids. And look to our July GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: Sunflower Festival, Free Movies on the Beach, 4-H Fairs

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 07/17/2019 - 9:00am

Celebrate summer at Alstede Farms' Sunflower Festival. Photo courtesy of the farm

Your family will be over the moon with this weekend's roster of events throughout New Jersey, which includes celebrations of the Apollo moon landing anniversary: Moonwalk at 50 in Morristown, and Lunar Landing Picnic in Trenton.

Food and summery fun are on tap this weekend at The Feast of Our Lady Mount Carmel and at county fairs in Morris, Burlington, and Cape May counties. Plus, make room on your schedules for unique festivals that spotlight boats and cats.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including Free Beaches in New Jersey. And look to our July GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: Day Out with Thomas, Maplewoodstock, City of Water Day

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 07/09/2019 - 10:00am

Catch the second and final weekend of Day Out With Thomas! Photo courtesy of Delaware River Railroad Excursions

If you love music, movies, and delicious meals, you'll find plenty to look forward to this weekend in New Jersey!

Kick back to live music at Maplewoodstock, the Anglesea Blues Festival, and the South Jersey Caribbean Festival. Head to the Jersey Shore for some steak and lobsters at the Surf and Turf Festival, and catch free beachfront movies in Belmar and Seaside Heights. Plus, cool off with all kinds of water activities at City of Water Day.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including NJ Berry Farms for Families. And look to our July GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: NJ State Fair, Fireworks, Dino Dig Season Opening

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 1:30pm

Check out more than 150 rides and attractions at the NJ State Fair this weekend. Photo courtesy of the fair

The last weekend of June is packed with summer fun for NJ kids and families. Have a blast with pre–Fourth of July fireworks and celebrations in Scotch Plains, Montville, and Atlantic City; or listen to live music at events like the Fanwood Summer FanJam, Oak Ridge Park Food Truck & Music Festival and Hillsborough Music Festival.

Enjoy blueberries galore at the Red, White and Blueberry Festival in Hammonton (the self-proclaimed "Blueberry Capital of the World), and stop by Liberty Science Center for the season opening of Jack Horner's Dino Dig.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including 100 Free Things to Do with New Jersey Kids this Summer. And look to our June GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Weekend Fun: NJ State Fair, Blueberry Festival, Fairy Day

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 3:40pm

The NJ State Fair features the largest Kiddieland in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the fair

Fairs, fairies, and fireflies make for a fantabulous first weekend of summer! Revel in music, food, rides, and kid-friendly activities at a variety of summery festivals, including the New Jersey State Fair, North Wildwood Italian-American Festival, and St. Gregory the Great Family Carnival.

Check out a fair with a magical, whimsical theme, like the Fantasy Faire and Fairy Day, or celebrate the tiny, twinkling harbingers of summer at the Firefly Festival. Bring your appetite to food-centric celebrations including the 2nd Annual Taco Palooza and Whitesbog Blueberry Festival.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including the Best Lakes for Swimming with Kids in New Jersey. And look to our June GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

60+ Free Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 06/16/2019 - 9:00am

Oceanfest in Long Branch is fun and FREE! Photo courtesy of the fest

Summer is the season for FREE fun all across New Jersey. From fireworks and festivals to free outdoor movies, we’ve rounded up more than 50 family-friendly events to enjoy all summer long that won’t break the bank. You can find even more cool seasonal activities and destinations in our Summer Fun Guide and Event Calendar. Have a fabulous (and free) summer!

Weekend Fun: Magic School Bus, NJ Fairy Fair, Strawberry Festivals

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 06/04/2019 - 10:00am

The Magic School Bus makes a stop at Paper Mill Playhouse this weekend. Photo courtesy of Theatreworks USA

Feel like fair-hopping this weekend? The second weekend of June is packed with summery fairs of all kinds, spotlighting books, history, culture, and even fairies.

Step back in time at Civil War Weekend, or explore Spanish art and culture at Feria de Sevilla. There's something for readers of all ages to enjoy at the Maplewood- South Orange Book Festival, while little ones can spread their wings at The New Jersey Fairy Fair. Strawberry festival season continues at several farms throughout NJ, and local festivities are happening this weekend in Bayonne, Glassboro, Montclair, and Montvale.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including New Fun Spots for Kids Opening at the Jersey Shore. And look to our June GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.