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

Best Pumpkin Patches in New Jersey for Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 09/17/2023 - 11:25am

Pick the largest pumpkin you can carry at Alstede Farms. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

This year, skip the grocery store pumpkins and head to a New Jersey pumpkin patch, where you're sure to experience other fall fun, including barnyard animals, corn mazes, and plenty of juicy apples that are ripe for the picking.

Read on for 20 family-friendly pumpkin patches to check out in and near New Jersey. Closer to the New York border? Check out these Westchester and Hudson Valley pumpkin patches. If you're in South Jersey or headed for a Bucks County getaway this fall, our Philadelphia site has the scoop on where to go pumpkin picking in Pennsylvania.

Find more Halloween activities in our New Jersey Halloween Guide and be sure to consult our New Jersey Fall Fun Guide for the best things to do with kids this autumn.

37 Free Things To Do in New Jersey this September

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 09/05/2023 - 7:58am

Take to the water during Port Monmouth's Wind & Sea Festival. Photo courtesy of the Monmouth County Park System

Our roundup of more than three dozen FREE September events and activities in New Jersey is the perfect remedy for end-of-summer blues.

With street fair freebies in Burlington, Jersey City, and Cranbury, September is off to a promising start. Meanwhile, kids can explore vehicles at Netcong Touch-a-Truck and Bridgewater Community Day Featuring Touch-a-Truck.

As summer transitions to fall, get in the autumn spirit at admission-free seasonal events, including Westfield FestiFall, Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, and Harvest Home Festival.

For more free and low-cost fun, check out our Event Calendar and the Best Fall Fairs and Festivals for NJ Families in September.

Best Fall Festivals and Fairs in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 09/03/2023 - 7:57am

Jersey City's downtown is transformed into a blocks-long street fair for the All About Downtown festival. Photo courtesy of the event

As the carefree days of summer draw to a close, New Jersey families can look forward to plenty of fall festivals in New Jersey this September. Get in Halloween mode early with Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest, chow down on delicious seafood at The Downbeach Seafood Festival, and spend Labor Day weekend with rides and games at the St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival. Plus, get a taste of fall at local fairs in Riverdale, Bridgewater, and Jersey City.

Check out the awesome 30+ fall festivals and fairs in New Jersey listed below, and be sure to bookmark this list of the best things to do this September with kids for more Mommy Poppins picks.

20 Best Things To Do in New Jersey September 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 09/01/2023 - 1:43pm

The Warren County Hot Air Festival takes flight in late September. Photo courtesy of the event

Labor Day kicks off September activities, launching New Jersey's season of apple picking, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.

Great things to do over the long, Labor Day weekend include rides and games aplenty at the Boonton Fire Department Carnival and St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival. Celebrate the arrival of fall with family-friendly events like Bridgewater Community Day and All About Downtown Street Fair. And get a sneak preview of Halloween at Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest and DiDonato's Trick-or-Treat Train.

September is also prime time for apple picking in the Garden State. We've got more seasonal picks in our Fall Fun Guide, and you can find even more great things to do in our Activity Calendar.

Labor Day Weekend 2023 in New Jersey: Fireworks, Concerts, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 09/01/2023 - 10:23am

Get lost in a corn maze this weekend at Alstede Farms. Photo by Canva

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

Whether you are ready to celebrate the last licks of summer or want to enjoy an early taste of fall, the long Labor Day weekend is bursting with change-of-month and change-of-season excitement. Carnivals are in the spotlight this weekend, with multi-day festivities like the Boonton Fire Department Carnival, and St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival. Local towns welcome the new month and season with neighborhood celebrations in Wildwood and Riverdale.

If you're looking for even more ways to spend the long holiday weekend, embark on an Easy Waterfall Hike in Northern New Jersey, and be sure to bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for more great things to do.

Cooking Classes in NJ for Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 08/22/2023 - 7:26am

Learn to cook farm-to-table cuisines from around the world at the Montclair Culinary Academy. Photo courtesy of the academy

A fun, hands-on cooking class close to home in New Jersey is something to consider whether you have an aspiring Julia Child or are just looking for something different to do with the kids. These NJ cooking classes for kids cater to all ages. Cooking classes teach culinary techniques and are also a great way to encourage kids to try new foods, master hand-eye coordination, and gain essential life skills.

You can find more cooking classes for kids or book a class online in our directory of classes and listings. Check our New Jersey Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for all ages and interests.

Allaire State Park Guide: Train Rides, Hikes, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 08/15/2023 - 6:43am

Allaire State Park has beautiful walking paths, hiking trails, and historical buildings. Photo courtesy of NJ.gov

Growing up in NJ's Monmouth County, I visited Allaire State Park frequently with my family as a child. Those day trips were filled with playground time, train rides, and old-fashioned candy purchased at the village’s general store. Now I take my own kids there, just like my parents took me.

Allaire is easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway, close to the Jersey Shore, and bursting with outdoor fun like family-friendly hiking, bike riding, picnicking, and camping. But what sets this 3,000-acre New Jersey state park apart from other bucolic green spaces are its historic village and working steam train. Read on for the highlights.

Be sure to check out our post on great day trips to New Jersey state parks and more in our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in New Jersey.

Please note that the park's dinosaur sculpture exhibit has closed due to vandalism.

Top Mommy-and-Me Classes for Babies and Toddlers in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 08/06/2023 - 8:23am

Gymboree offers movement classes for babies and toddlers with caregivers. Photo courtesy of Gymboree

Mommy-and-me classes in New Jersey can be some of the most wonderful bonding activities during your child's early months and years—plus these parent-and-me classes are a great excuse to get out of the house! These interactive baby and toddler classes help babies, toddlers, and preschoolers forge new friendships with others, sample a host of playthings, and test out new skills.

The choices multiply yearly with enriching music classes, swim lessons, and more. Don't expect these sessions to be filled with just moms—dads, nannies, grandparents, and all caregivers can join in the fun. Some classes offer independent play for toddlers or even options where siblings can attend.

Read on for a sampling of the best mommy-and-me classes in New Jersey, and find even more options in our guide to the best Classes and Activities for Kids in New Jersey.