Margaret Hargrove

Latest posts by Margaret Hargrove

25 Things To Do in Verona With Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Tue, 09/14/2021 - 5:38pm

Enjoy a royal adventure at Verona's Kips Castle. Photo by the author

Essex County is home to so many amazing family-friendly towns, but Verona is definitely one of our favorite small towns in New Jersey. Nestled between Montclair and West Orange, Verona enjoys proximity to these great communities but has a distinct personality and flavor that's all its own.

Verona is probably most well known for Verona Park, a 54.32-acre park with a lake bordered by Lakeside and Bloomfield Avenues, situated in the southern part of town. It's the fifth-largest park within the Essex County Parks system. But, Verona is also home to an actual castle. Not to mention, the town is a robust hub of excitement that's easily walkable, with a slew of fantastic eateries and shops to visit. With a population of about 13,000 residents, Verona caters to its diverse community with engaging family-friendly events and cultural entertainment throughout the year. It's the best of both worlds—small-town charm coupled with the perks of a big city.

Read on for 25 of our favorite things to do in Verona. Come for the park but stick around for so much more!

Dance Classes for Kids in New Jersey

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Thu, 09/09/2021 - 1:17pm

NJ School of Ballet offers top-notch training in classical ballet, as well as tap, hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary.

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!

Baha Bay at Baha Mar: A Luxury Water Park Opens in the Bahamas

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sat, 08/21/2021 - 1:04pm

Prepare yourself for the awesomeness of Baha Mar. Photo courtesy the resort

My 8-year-old daughter and I have visited quite a few water parks over the years. We’d even go so far to say that we’re somewhat experts in the field. But I can’t think of one that’s as beautiful as Baha Bay, the $200-million water park that recently opened at the fabulous Baha Mar Bahamas resort.

We recently traveled to Nassau and had the privilege of being one of the first visitors to the water park. Sitting on 15-acres, with 24 slides, a 500,000-gallon wave pool, and 1,400-foot "action" river, I'm excited to share this review of a truly amazing water park and family-friendly Bahamas resort. Find even more fabulous Caribbean getaways and resorts in our Caribbean Family Travel Guide.

Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in NJ that Come to You

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 07/25/2021 - 10:20am

My Fairytale Party delivers princesses right to your doorstep.

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.

15 Jersey City Restaurants for Family-Friendly Eats

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Fri, 07/23/2021 - 10:00am

Wurstbar offers kid-pleasing hot dogs and delicious fries, loaded or not.

Jersey City is one of New Jersey’s most exciting restaurant scenes, with many Jersey City restaurants serving delicious eats for all diners (Read: There's more than just mac and cheese and chicken fingers.) These restaurants are stepping up their family-friendly dining game by offering delicious kids’ menus that feature creative takes on the classics as well as approachable, palate-expanding options.

From the best place to score a burger to can't-miss brunch spots, we've rounded up the 15 best family-friendly Jersey City restaurants. The diversity of the local JC community is also reflected in our list. Cuban, Caribbean, Japanese, you name it, you can find it in Jersey City. Don’t forget to save room for dessert! We’ve even included the best Jersey City ice cream shops to swing by for a sweet treat after your meal. Find more family-friendly eats in our New Jersey Restaurant Guide.

How to Visit the Jersey Shore Beaches in 2021: Where to Get Beach Passes and More

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Mon, 05/10/2021 - 6:25pm

Catch a wave at LBI when Jersey Shore beaches open for the season later this month. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

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.

10 Things We're Looking Forward to At the Jersey Shore this Season

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 04/18/2021 - 5:37pm

After a year spent indoors, we're all excited to slowly re-enter the world and take advantage (safely) of all the fun the Jersey Shore and neighboring locales have to offer. From adorable baby animals to a new water park and fireworks galore, it's time to get out there and explore.

Here are 10 must-see places, events, and to-dos to add to your family's bucket list to enjoy this spring and all summer long, down the shore or nearby. Find more must-do activities in the region on our list of 70 things to do with kids at the Jersey Shore.

Botanical Gardens and Arboretums With Kid-Friendly Programming in New Jersey

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Fri, 04/16/2021 - 4:07pm

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum is home to hundreds of plant species and almost as many migrating birds.

New Jersey is teeming with amazing outdoor places to take kids. From educational nature centers to destination-worthy playgrounds, there is a multitude of fun events for little ones. But our beautiful state arboretums and gardens are often overlooked. These fabulous green spaces offer a great opportunity for children to see nature up close. Many locations also host educational and engaging programs, featuring hands-on gardening, guided hikes, and action-packed scavenger hunts.

So, with the spring season now in high gear, gather the kids and head to these beautiful, local gardens. We're not known as the Garden State for nothing.