Margaret Hargrove

There's no shortage of dance classes for kids in New Jersey to keep little ones on their toes! Depending on your children'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 dance class made just for them.

New Jersey's proximity to the cultural mecca of New York City means many choreographers, former Broadway talents, and retired professional dancers from such elite companies as American Ballet Theatre 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 dance classes for kids will get them to bust a move. Read on for our picks for the best dance classes for kids in New Jersey. Interested in other enrichment? Find more ideas in our Guide to Classes and Activities for NJ Kids!

There’s nothing like the comfort of your own home when it comes to hosting your kid’s birthday party. Sure, you have to clean up, but you’re in control, and you don't have to worry about sharing a space with other parties. And, since the cost of an at-home party tends to be lower, it's the perfect opportunity to splurge on a one-of-a-kind experience that brings the party to you.

We've rounded up top New Jersey entertainers for your next bash. From costumed characters to magicians, balloon twisters, and face painters—even ponies and lizards—these party entertainers make house calls to delight your birthday kid and pint-sized party guests.

Find more ideas in our NJ Birthday Party Guide.

After an unprecedented summer last year, Jersey Shore beaches are preparing for a return to a new normal in 2021. Governor Phil Murphy recently announced beaches can reopen with restrictions on Saturday, May 22, 2021. “The Jersey Shore, after all, is where memories are made,” Murphy said. “The last thing any of us wanted was for a summertime down the Shore to be a memory.”

While Jersey Shore beaches will be open in time to kick off the unofficial start of summer, most beaches require a beach badge, and many beach offices aren’t selling tags in the traditional, in-person way. They're either offering prepaid pickup, mail orders, or online-only sales through the Viply app.

Visitors can also expect beaches to have COVID restrictions in place (decided by the local municipalities) on the number of beachgoers allowed on a given day, and social distancing rules will be in effect and fully enforced. Families must remain six feet away from other parties, and group gatherings aren’t allowed.

Despite these limits, we are still looking forward to summer days down the Shore. Read on to learn what you need to know before you go, and bookmark our Jersey Shore Family Guide for more summertime fun.