New Jersey parents have no shortage of dance programs to keep their little ones on their toes! Depending on your child's ages and interests—do they want to emulate Misty Copeland, be the next Beyoncé or dance to the beat of an African drum?—there's a class made just for them.

Luckily, NJ's close proximity to the cultural mecca known as New York City means there are many choreographers, former Broadway talent, and retired professional dancers from such elite companies as American Ballet Theatre who are ready and willing to help mold and shape the next generation of dancing stars. 

Whether your tots want to twirl, tap, or pop and lock, these local schools will get them to bust a move. Read on for our picks of some of the best dance studios for kids in New Jersey. Interested in other disciplines? Find more ideas in our Guide to Classes and Enrichment Programs for NJ Kids!

As we prepare to count down to the new year, we're looking back at all the wonderful new kid attractions we gained in New Jersey over the last 12 months. We added more than a handful of new indoor play spaces, two playgrounds updated with modernized equipment and cool features, and a museum dedicated to NJ's Revolutionary War history. 

If you didn't get enough shopping during the holiday season, swing by for storytime at Indigo, a gigantic new bookstore at Short Hills Mall. Menlo Park Mall's Disney Junior Play Zone and PopFit Kids at Paramus Park Mall also keep mini shoppers in mind with FREE indoor play.

Looking for a sweet treat? You can't go wrong with ice cream at Brooklyn-import Ample Hills, or a custom confection from Sugarsuckle, known for their amazing kids' birthday cakes. 

Soar to new heights in 2019 at iFly, which opened its first NJ location this year. Other chains including Dave & Busters and Sky Zone expanded their presence in the Garden State this year with new locations. And what's old is new again, as favorites such as Asbury Lanes, Imagine That!!!, and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse reopened in 2018 after being closed for extensive renovations.

Whether you want to hit the (sensory) trail or jump for joy, you're in the right place. Read on for the coolest, brightest, and best new offerings for NJ kids.

Sensory play—any activity that stimulates any one or all of a child’s five senses—is a crucial part of development. And for children who have difficulties processing all the different sensations that they receive from their senses, sensory stimulation can be even more valuable.

Enter the Watchung Reservation Sensory Trail in Mountainside. The first of its kind in Union County, the trail, located in Union County's largest park, is designed to provide sensory stimulation and interaction for all kids, with an emphasis on special needs children and their families. According to Union County park officials, it is the most extensive sensory trail in the U.S.

On a recent visit with my 5-year-old, we set out to determine if this sensory-friendly trail would stimulate all five of our senses. Read on to find out what we saw, heard, smelled, touched, and yes, maybe tasted, too.

Check out our Fall Fun Guide to find more easy trails along with other seasonal fun.