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
When you think of the fall, you think of crisp weather, vibrant colors, pumpkins and hay rides. If your child has a fall birthday, celebrate with all the best elements of the season at a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. New Jersey is home to great pumpkin farms throughout the state, and many offer party packages jam-packed with seasonal activities, such as hay rides and corn mazes. Pumpkin parties are typically offered September through November and tend to book up early. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, some pumpkin farms offer indoor options or date changes; see individual websites for rain policies. Enjoy all the fun of the fall at these Garden State pumpkin farms. And for all kinds of party ideas, visit Mommy Poppins NJ’s Birthday Party Guide.
Dining out should be a enjoyable, bonding experience for the family. However, kids and restaurants don’t always mix. Waiting for food or sitting still at the table can be a challenge for little ones. When crayons just don’t cut it, bring the gang to one of these family-friendly favorites on their scheduled “kid’s night”. From magicians to characters to balloon animals, the following restaurants offer fun entertainment and events for kids during the week. Also, check out restaurants that offer Kids Eat Free specials.
Are the dog days of August starting to wear you down? As much I love summery outdoor fun, there are days when I need a break from chasing sweaty kids, globbing on lotion and cleaning sand from the car. If you need an escape from the August heat or rain, chill out indoors at these fun, air-conditioned events and activities. If your budget’s tight after camp and summer vacation, don’t sweat it. Everything on this list is free! And for more ideas to finish off the summer, check out the New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide.
Beat the summer heat at one of New Jersey’s spectacular water playgrounds, known as spraygrounds. On a hot summer day, my kids last 10 minutes on a conventional playground. Add some water play to the mix and we have a low-cost, low-maintenance day of fun. Spray parks and splash pads are popping up all over the state. Most of these water playgrounds are free or inexpensive and can be enjoyed by all ages. Get wet at these Central and Southern New Jersey spraygrounds, including some newcomers. For more water fun throughout the state, check out the Best Water Playgrounds in NJ and 6 Awesome New Jersey Water Parks.
Who says there’s no such thing as a free meal? Restaurants throughout Central New Jersey offer free kid meal promotions nearly every night of the week. You’ll never cook again. Dining out is a fun way to spend time with the family, but the bills can eat into your budget. Visit your favorite establishment on a kids-eat-free night, and you won’t have to worry overspending on kids’ entrees, especially the ones that are barely touched. Check out some of these Central New Jersey restaurants that feature free kid meals on certain nights of the week.
Complimentary meals are with the purchase of an adult meal, unless otherwise noted.
Who doesn’t love pizza? It’s tasty, easily accessible and comes in varieties that’ll satisfy the pickiest palates. Pizza night at your favorite pizzeria makes for a fun and inexpensive family outing. With tomato sauce and perhaps a veggie topping, you can even count it as somewhat nutritious (I do). The following are family-friendly pizza joints in Central New Jersey. Aside from yummy pies, these places offer child-friendly options like kid portions, quick service or gimmicky fun, without noise being a factor. Grab a slice and enjoy!
It’s official- summer kicks off this weekend! The kids are done with school, camp’s around the corner and parents need some warm-weather fun to fill the gap. Look no further. Mommy Poppins has the recipe for a jam-packed weekend. Blast off the summer at the Meadowlands energetic New Jersey State Fair. Brighten up the weekend at Terhune Orchards’ Firefly Festival. Put on your party hats and Celebrate New Jersey’s 350th Birthday at the New Jersey State Museum and Planetarium. Chill out at the theatre with family-friendly performances of The Little Engine That Could or the Frozen Movie Sing-A-Long, where it’s okay for kids (and adults) to belt out “Let It Go.” Check out the full list of weekend activities on our Event Calendar.
Pages
