Liz Alterman

Latest posts by Liz Alterman

Best New Jersey Science Museums for Kids

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Fri, 03/07/2025 - 9:55am

The Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium at the Liberty Science Center is the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

At New Jersey's state-of-the-art science museums, fun and learning collide, helping kids engage with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) topics at an early age.

From mind-blowing minerals to awe-inspiring archeology and astronomy exhibits—with plenty of hands-on learning opportunities for all ages—these science museums for kids are as entertaining as they are educational. Read on for more info about the 14 best science museums in and near New Jersey.

Be sure to check out our Guide to Museums and Art for New Jersey Kids for more info on the Garden State's cultural institutions, including our rundown of The Best New Jersey Zoos and Aquariums to Visit with Kids.

25 Winter Day Trips in New Jersey

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Tue, 12/26/2023 - 7:27am

Visit the Wisner House during a winter day trip to Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit. Photo courtesy of the arboretum

Freezing weather can lead to stir-crazy kids and parents, so we've pulled together this list of great winter day trips in and near New Jersey for families. Options include bundling up for a day of snow tubing or, if you're dreaming of summer, splashing the day away at an indoor water park.

Whether your crew loves outdoor adventures or prefers indoor pursuits, read on to find the perfect winter activity for you from this list of 25 winter day trips from New Jersey for families.

Find all our picks for seasonal fun in our Winter Fun Guide and bookmark our Day Trips Guide for all-seasons destinations.

Free Admission for Kids at 50+ Top New Jersey Family Attractions

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Fri, 01/13/2023 - 6:25am

The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.

Looking for FREE museums and other attractions in New Jersey? Read on for our list of some of the top options in the Garden State.

New Jersey is home to many wonderful attractions for kids—the state’s museums, zoos, farms, and lighthouses are all great venues for family outings. And many of NJ's top destinations offer FREE admission for kids under certain ages, so we've rounded up more than 50 for them here. Keep this post handy, and make sure to strategically plan your visit before your child ages out, or it'll cost you!

Discover loads more FREE events and activities near you in our New Jersey Free Things To Do with Kids Guide.

You're Invited to Join the Mommy Poppins Operation Santa Project

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 1:46pm

Help us give back this holiday season by adopting a letter to Santa.

Our families and communities have been hit hard in 2021. For us at Mommy Poppins, much of this year has been turned inward as we’ve struggled with activities and schools shut down and families in various states of personal turmoil. After almost two years of this, we really felt the need to shift our focus outward this holiday season, both to uplift our communities and ourselves. We thought the best way to help parents this holiday season would be to bring joy to kids, so we’ve put together a team of volunteer Mommy Poppins Elves to fulfill the wishes of children in need through letters to Operation Santa.

We'll do all the shopping, wrapping, and shipping, making it super easy for busy parents to give without the schlep. We'll also purchase our gifts at small businesses, to help support our local business communities. Read on to learn more about this project and see how you can help with a $2 donation.

Private Playtime: 12 NJ Indoor Play Spaces to Book For Your Pod or Play Date

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Fri, 01/22/2021 - 11:38am

Urban Jungle visitors can enjoy experiential learning through play and sensory exploration.

Cold weather and the ongoing pandemic have created the perfect storm for parents and caregivers who wish kids had more opportunities to burn off some energy and hang out with their pals. Even if you've put together your own quaran-team—a small group or homeschool pod who agree to only socialize with each other to minimize the risk of exposure—you may be looking for new places to chill. Fortunately, play spaces throughout New Jersey cater to pods and offer reservations for private play in safe and sanitized environments.

If you're hoping to host a play date outside your home, the following play spaces are ready to accommodate your pod. Many facilities require that you sign waivers in advance, so visit the website and complete the forms before arrival.

Find more fun places to play in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces.

CDC Issues Halloween Guidelines for 2020: Is It Safe to Trick or Treat?

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 11:11am

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released guidelines for Halloween safety — and it doesn't look good for trick-or-treating.

The pandemic has drastically changed how we live our daily lives, including all our favorite fall and winter holidays. With Halloween right around the corner and Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas close behind, these new guidelines from the CDC and pediatricians aim to keep kids and families safe while enjoying modified celebrations.

24 Things To Do in Raleigh, NC with Kids

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Sat, 12/21/2019 - 2:01pm

Wow the kids with Raleigh's modern art or science museums. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Museum of Art/VisitRaleigh.com

There are plenty of fun things to do in Raleigh, North Carolina, with kids whether you're looking for a fun Southern city to explore with younger kids or beginning the college search with teens.

Known as the "City of Oaks," thanks to its mighty trees, the North Carolina state capital is the second-largest city in the state, right behind Charlotte. It's home to 12 colleges and universities, so it's no surprise that you'll find plenty of educational venues here, including museums and science centers. If you're also in the market for an action-packed good time, check out the go-karts and obstacle courses to arcades, escape rooms, and trampoline parks around Raleigh. We've also included our favorite free things to do in Raleigh for kids and noted at what ages free admission applies to some of the city's top attractions.

Here are 24 things to do in Raleigh for families, many of which are FREE.

Family-Friendly NJ Alpaca Farms for a Cute and Cozy Day Trip

Submitted by Liz Alterman on Fri, 10/04/2019 - 10:00am

Snuggle up with an alpaca at Bluebird Farm in Peapack, NJ.

If you're looking to expand your barnyard repertoire beyond cows, horses, and pot-bellied pigs, the Garden State is home to plenty of family-friendly alpaca farms that offer a chance to feed, touch, and spend time with these soft and gentle creatures.

Native to the Andean regions of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, alpacas found their way to North American back in 1984, when a small group of importers brought a carefully chosen herd to the United States and Canada. As of the end of 2018, that group had steadily grown to 20,000, spread among zoos and private farms, including more than a dozen farms in New Jersey.

Read on for five of our favorites.

Latest posts by Liz Alterman

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