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

Memorial Day Weekend 2023 in NJ: Festivals, Day Trips, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 05/24/2023 - 6:10am

Runaway Rapids water park opens for the season this Memorial Day weekend. Photo courtesy of the park

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

Memorial Day weekend has arrived, ushering in the unofficial start of summer and the official start to Shore season. If you're venturing to the Jersey Shore, check out the brilliant Wildwoods International Kite Festival, indulge in food and music at Bradley Beach Memorial Day Festival, or cool off at the opening of Runaway Rapids. Spend Memorial Day Monday at Woodland Park Street Fair or at commemorative events in Holmdel and Freehold, among others.

Avoid traffic when you embark on a Memorial Day weekend adventure by checking out these nearby spring day trips, and bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for more fun things to do.

Drive-in Movie Theaters in and around Boston for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 05/21/2023 - 2:50pm

Drive-in movie theaters and pop-up drive-in's are back in Boston for the summer! Mayor's Movie Night photo courtesy of Boston Parks and Recreation

Drive-in movie theaters in and around Boston have made a major comeback, offering New England families an fun activity for warm summer nights. Outdoor movie nights with kids means piling in the car and getting cozy in the backseat while munching on popcorn and enjoying a family film. Many drive-in movie theaters are running screenings all summer, while several towns are offering "pop-up" drive-in movies on certain days.

We've rounded up the latest summer drive-in movies in Boston and nearby Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut towns for fun family outings. Check back on this post for updates: As more screenings are added and pop-up theaters open, we will add them to the list. So read on for our guide to drive-in movie theaters in and around Boston for outdoor movie nights with kids.

While you've got summer fun on the brain, take a peek at our Ultimate Summer Bucket List Ideas: 100 (Mostly) Free Outdoor Games and Activities for Kids. If you're looking to get away for a day or two, we've compiled a list of the Best Cape Cod Beaches for Families. For some daytime fun, see our guide to the Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Boston.

Mother's Day Weekend 2023 in New Jersey: Brunches and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 7:06am

Head to the Shore with mom to walk on the boardwalk or race on the go-karts at Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach. Photo courtesy of Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach

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

It's all fun and games this Mother's Day weekend as moms score free admission to amusement parks on Sunday, including Jenkinson's, iPlay America, Castaway Cove, and Casino Pier. Plus, treat Mom to a weekend of food, music, and shopping at springtime festivals like the Creative Arts Festival, Branchburg Food Truck & Music Festival, and Spring Bazaar 2023.

Check out our full listing of Mother's Day events, and find more things to do on this list of the best things to do in New Jersey this May. Our Family Activity Calendar offers a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Free in May: 55 Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 05/05/2023 - 5:22am

Discover deep-sea secrets at Island Beach State Park's Ocean Fun Days festival. Photo courtesy of the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium

Hooray for May! Bring on the outdoor festivals, and the Memorial Day celebrations. And if you're budgeting for summer vacations and camp, no need to skimp on the May fun. These 50+ (!) activities and events are all FREE to attend.

Street fair season is in full swing this month. Check out food vendors, crafts, and live music at neighborhood fairs around the state, including Westfield, Maplewood, and L ake Hopatcong, among many others. Or head down to the Jersey Shore for admission-free, beachy extravaganzas like the Ocean City Spring Block Party, the New Jersey Seafood Festival, Ocean Fun Days, and the Wildwoods International Kite Festival.

Top off the month with FREE Memorial Day parades in Freehold and Glassboro, plus the Bradley Beach Memorial Day Festival.

Read on for this month's picks! For more free and low-cost fun, check out our Event Calendar and Guide to New Jersey Parks and Playgrounds.

Top Things To Do on Mother's Day 2023 in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 05/02/2023 - 9:42am

Enjoy a thrilling Mother's Day with your kids at Casino Pier. Photo courtesy of the venue

This Mother's Day, you'll find no shortage of options for a special outing in New Jersey to celebrate all the moms and mother figures in your life. Because we believe moms deserve more than one day to celebrate, we're including picks for family-friendly fun all weekend long.

Before you head out, why not treat mom to a great brunch? We've got picks for family-friendly restaurants in northern New Jersey serving up an extra special holiday menu. When you're done digesting, spend an action-packed day at iPlay America, have a day at the races with Mother's Day at the Track, or indulge in some shopping at this Spring Bazaar in Asbury Park.

Looking for even more things to do? Check out our Spring Fun Guide for other things to do on Mother's Day 2023—Sunday, May 14—and beyond.

Best Things To Do in New Jersey May 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 04/30/2023 - 9:23am

See the stunning show when the Wildwoods International Kite Festival takes to the skies Memorial Day weekend.

From Mother's Day to Memorial Day, we've rounded up fun things to do in New Jersey all month long!

The Garden State is in full bloom this May, and our calendar is loaded with springtime fun. As warmer weather arrives, it's time to get outdoors and soak in the sun at food truck festivals, k ite festivals, and the debut of outdoor movie season. Local town festivals take it to the streets in Ocean Grove, Kenilworth, and Lake Hopatcong.

The month also brings with it longer days and time to linger at a favorite destination playground, spread a blanket out for a leisurely picnic, and, come Memorial Day weekend, hit the sand and the surf at our favorite Jersey Shore beaches.

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

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Top Summer Day Camps in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 04/25/2023 - 6:14am

Jeff Lake Day Camp in Sussex County is set on a 50-acre lake.

While summer may feel like a lifetime away, it's not too early to start exploring New Jersey's summer day camp options. The Garden State is home to awesome summer day camps that offer a wide variety of activities within one campground. Traditional offerings at these camps include sports, swimming, and arts, while some even include zip lines, laser tag, cooking, gymnastics, and rope courses.

Read on for the top summer day camps in New Jersey, many of which have had entire generations of families pass through. Find more New Jersey summer camps in our Camp Guide and Full Directory of Listings.

Best Summer Camps in Hoboken and Jersey City

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 04/18/2023 - 7:00am

Kids can make a splash at COMPASS Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Hudson County kiddos have plenty to look forward to once school's out, with a variety of summer camp options available in both Jersey City and Hoboken. Choose from options like a gymnastics camp, an indoor play camp, and a traditional camp with a variety of activities. We've rounded up 10 summer camps located in Hoboken or Jersey City that will help your kids have a spectacular summer. Summer camp options include full or half days.

For more summer camps in New Jersey, check out our lists of affordable summer camps, the Bergen County Camps, and art camps, plus 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.