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

Father's Day Weekend Things To Do in NJ: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth and More

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 06/14/2023 - 8:57am

Celebrate dads on their special day at Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach Waterpark. Photo courtesy of Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach

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

Dad is the VIP on this mid-June weekend, which is filled with family-friendly festivities honoring Father's Day. If dad likes rides and games, you can hit the Tri-County Fair or the Warren Lions Club Expo Carnival. Score FREE-for-fathers admission on Sunday at Casino Pier and Jenkinson's.

This weekend also marks Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Celebrate at events in Scotch Plains, Burlington, Morristown, and Union.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach tote, plus each entry also counts as an extra entry into our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

Free Summer Concerts in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 7:19am

The Westfield Community Concert Band presents its annual summer concert series in Mindowaskin Park. Photo courtesy of Westfield

Outdoor concerts are a summer staple throughout New Jersey, and going to one is the perfect way to spend a beautiful summer evening. Luckily for us, it's possible to take in FREE live music nearly every night of the week in New Jersey, so get ready to go concert-hopping at the local parks, downtown areas, and beaches we've listed below.

Find more summer freebies with our guide to Free Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer with Kids and our rundown of free summer outdoor movies in New Jersey. We also have lots more ideas in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

105 Free Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 06/09/2023 - 8:06am

Get ready for beach treasure hunts this summer in Lavallette. Photo courtesy of Enjoy Lavallette

Summer is the season for FREE events all across New Jersey. We’ve rounded up more than 100 family-friendly events to enjoy this summer that don't involve breaking the bank, including fireworks displays galore, festivals that offer something for everyone, and outdoor movie screenings throughout the Garden State.

You can find even more cool seasonal activities and destinations in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide and our Activity Calendar. Have a fabulous summer full of FREE fun!

Top Things To Do on Father's Day in NJ

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 06/06/2023 - 7:24am

Head to the Jersey Shore's Jenkinson's Boardwalk for a day out with dad. Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's

There are so many awesome family-friendly Father's Day activities in New Jersey that your celebration this year can definitely involve more than golfing and barbecues. Whether dad prefers fishing, a train ride, or an amusement park, our list of Father's Day happenings has all that and more! Read on for our top picks for celebrating dad this June.

For even more ways to have fun with fathers throughout the month, check out our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide, which includes a roundup of family-friendly festivals in June. And be sure to bookmark our Event Calendar for top picks every day of the week.

Free in June: 47 Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 06/02/2023 - 7:24am

Get your fill of Jersey-fresh berries at the West Cape May Strawberry Festival. Photo courtesy of Exit Zero

Load up your calendar with dozens of FREE events taking place throughout June in New Jersey, because there's no reason summer fun has to come with a big price tag. As the days get longer, under-the-stars movies, carnivals, and other activities fill your summer roster without emptying wallets.

Swing by local fairs like West Orange Street Fair, Sparta Day 2023, and Glassboro Community Day, or kick back at evening events like Wildwood Boardwalk Friday Night Fireworks, Summit Street Sounds, and Jenkinson's Movies on the Beach.

Read on for this month's picks! For more free and low-cost fun, check out our roundups of water playgrounds and free beaches in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Best Mini Golf in New Jersey for Kids and Families, From the Jersey Shore to Northern NJ

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 05/30/2023 - 7:49am

Golf with friends at The Funplex. Photo courtesy of the course

Whether you call it mini golf, miniature golf, or putt-putt, you'll find tons of places to play throughout New Jersey. The Garden State apparently has a thing for the game—there are dozens of mini-golf courses throughout New Jersey, and most of them have already reopened for the 2023 season.

We're highlighting nearly the best courses in the state, from the Jersey Shore to Northern NJ. These courses have imaginative themes that range from pirate shipwrecks and African safaris to a medieval castle. Read on to find the perfect New Jersey miniature golf course for you.

For more things to do this summer, from spray parks to amusement parks, don't miss our Summer Fun Guide for NJ Kids.

Best Things To Do in New Jersey June 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 05/28/2023 - 7:02am

Visit the real-life mermaids at the Adventure Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

Get ready for summer vacation! June in New Jersey brings festivals for Juneteenth, Father's Day, ripe strawberries, and some early fireworks.

As the school year comes to a close and summer makes its debut, we're finding our June calendar is exploding with outdoor activities. Don't miss big-time festivals, including the New Jersey Renaissance Faire, Paramus L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival, and the New Jersey State Fair. Get in the spirit of June holidays at events like Burlington Freedom Day: A Juneteenth Celebration and Father's Day Train Rides.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

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31 Family-Friendly Fairs and Festivals in New Jersey this June

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 05/26/2023 - 6:19am

State Fair Meadowlands is the biggest fair in the New York metropolitan area. Photo courtesy of the fair

Family-friendly summer festivals and fairs in New Jersey offer fun for all ages and interests this month. With the change of seasons and rising temperatures, fill your calendar with a long-awaited lineup of early summer events that center on everything from music and food to rides and games.

Bring your appetite to palate-pleasing food fests like the West Cape May Strawberry Festival and Donaldson Farms Food Truck Fest. Peruse local town fairs in West Orange and Sparta. Or go big at the New Jersey State Fair.

Read on for more than 30 great New Jersey fairs and festivals happening in June. Check out our Event Calendar for even more family fun this month, and look to our Summer Fun Guide for NJ Kids to start planning for the season ahead!