Margaret Hargrove

Latest posts by Margaret Hargrove

40 Things We Can't Wait to Do with NJ Kids This Fall

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 09/02/2018 - 8:45am

What’s not to love about fall? The cool autumn air, brilliantly colored leaves, apples, pumpkins, Halloween... the list goes on and on. Once fall begins, I always find that my calendar is bursting with activities, from pumpkin picking to harvest festivals and everything Halloween. Get outside and take advantage of all of the seasonal fun our Garden State has to offer. Here are 40 fantastic fall activities to enjoy with your family.

Looking for more? Check out our NJ Fall Fun Guide, which we'll continue to update throughout the season.

Special Needs Classes and Enrichment Programs for NJ Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 1:46pm

As we learn more about how kids develop and play, it has become evident that one size does not fit all. Parents of children with special needs often face a great challenge in finding after-school and weekend recreational and enrichment programs; most community-based programs are not designed to accommodate a range of abilities. Yet extracurricular programs that promote socialization, friendship building, and other enrichment opportunities can be of great benefit to children with autism, developmental disabilities, social challenges, or sensory sensitivities.

Luckily, we live in a very inclusive state that offers many classes, social skills groups, and enrichment programs that provide structured, supportive, and judgment-free environments where children with special needs can grow and learn while having fun. Here, we've compiled a list of special spots and activities where you can know that your child will feel welcomed and loved, just as they are!

Dino Dig Returns to Liberty Science Center for Another Summer of Fun-Filled Fossil Finding

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Mon, 08/06/2018 - 1:00am

Yes, back by popular demand, Dino Dig has returned to Liberty Science Center for a third fossil-filled summer! From now until September 3, little explorers are invited to sift through 35 tons of sand in the museum's completely transformed backyard in search of T. rex bones and teeth, an egg nest with a baby Maiasaura, and even a 6-foot-long Triceratops skull. Aspiring dino hunters will be wowed as they unearth replicas of fossils first discovered by Jack Horner, the famed paleontologist who inspired Jurassic Park.

Just one mention of "dinosaurs" and my own 5-year-old, pint-sized paleontologist was all in for a trip the much loved exhibit. So, with two of her best buds in in tow, we traveled back in time 66 million years via Route 78 and the New Jersey Turnpike, to see what we could dig up ourselves at LSC.

End-of-Summer Bucket List: 30 Things To Do With NJ Kids Before School Starts

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 08/05/2018 - 10:00am

August is here and Target is fully stocked with school supplies... which only means one thing: Summer is almost over! If you haven’t been to the been to the beach, picked your own fruit, or ridden a roller coaster yet, there's still time to squeeze in more fun before saying so long to summer. Read on for 30 awesome adventures to have with your kids before school starts, and get ready to go out with a bang!

Find even more bucket list–worthy ideas in our Summer Fun Guide, August Go List, and Events Calendar.

Land of Make Believe: A Charming Family-Friendly Amusement Park in NJ

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Fri, 07/27/2018 - 1:00pm

For more than 60 years, Land of Make Believe in Hope, NJ, has entertained and amused families and kids of all ages. Designed as an amusement park where kids and adults can have fun together, there’s literally something for everyone. And the best part is that it’s affordable. The Pay-One-Price policy covers both the amusement park rides and water park, giving you the convenience to move from attraction to attraction without the hassle of endlessly having to reach into your pocket. Parking is also free, and you can even bring your own food and drinks to picnic right inside the park.

Perhaps you visited Land of Make Believe when you were a kid. I know I did. That’s why I was eager to talk a walk down memory lane and introduce my 5-year-old daughter to the thrills and adventures of my own youth. While I found that a lot has changed since then, the essence of this charming amusement park remains.

Read on to experience a bit of this magical-sounding amusement park for yourself.

18 Top Pick-Your-Own Peach Farms in New Jersey

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Thu, 07/19/2018 - 11:28am

There’s nothing that screams summer more than a warm-off-the-tree peach, with the sweet juices dripping down your chin. With farms a-plenty and peaches ripe for the picking, choose your spot from the list below, grab your baskets and babes, and head to one of these u-pick farms.

The peach-picking season in the Garden State really gets going in mid-July and carries on through August and early September at some farms. Before you go, call ahead or check the farm’s Facebook page to make sure crops are still plentiful and what, specifically, is available on any given day. (You might also be able to pick blueberries, which are available at many farms through July.)

Read on to find out where the juiciest fruit can be found.

15 Awesome Water Parks for New Jersey Kids and Families

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 05/20/2018 - 12:46pm

New Jersey has several fantastic water parks, some of them right on the beach! From big-name parks and boardwalk favorites to the state's first municipal water park, we've rounded up 15 of New Jersey’s best water parks and an overview of what to expect from each one. We've even included a couple of fantastic indoor water parks to keep kids splashing on rainy days.

If you're looking for water fun on a slightly cheaper scale, check out our Best Water Playgrounds and Splash Pads roundup. For more summer awesomeness, visit our New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide and our NJ Theme Parks Guide.

Pick Your Own Strawberry Farms and Festivals in New Jersey

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 05/06/2018 - 1:00pm

Nothing screams springtime in the Garden State like getting your hands dirty picking strawberries, and heading to a pick-your-own farm is an outdoor adventure with a sweet reward.

Whether this is your child’s first time at the berry patch or you’re looking to fill pies, jam jars, smoothies, and shortcakes for months to come, you'll want to check out our list of more than 20 farms and festivals around the state, where your sweeties can their hands on bushels full of juicy red berries.

Check out our May GoList and Spring Fun Guide to find more events and activities to enjoy with your kids this season. Happy picking!

Margaret Hargrove

Margaret Hargrove

Latest posts by Margaret Hargrove

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