Margaret Hargrove

Latest posts by Margaret Hargrove

New NJ Play Space The Busy Bee Is Buzzing with Fun for Little Ones

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Thu, 03/29/2018 - 1:30pm

Yes, New Jersey, it’s still cold out there—and it seems like the playgrounds will be covered in snow until, oh, about June. Lucky for us, there’s a new indoor play space that just opened in Millburn, so staying indoors doesn’t have to mean staying home. Head on over to The Busy Bee, where your tykes can roll, jump, hop, climb, slide, and burn off the crazies every day of the week. The best part? There’s no membership required and you don’t need tons of cash, so you can drop in and play anytime you want.

Theaters with Sensory-Friendly Performances for NJ Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Mon, 02/19/2018 - 12:00pm

Taking littles to the theater opens up opportunities for exposure to the arts, building social skills, and learning about appropriate audience behavior. For children with autism, developmental disabilities, or sensory sensitivities (such as difficulties with bright lights, loud noises and sudden, surprising bursts of volume or activity), the theater can be an intimidating place.

Luckily, NJ is home to several performing arts spaces that offer exclusive performances for kids with special needs, so the entire family can experience the arts together. These sensory-friendly performances often include accommodations such as lowered volume and raised lighting, the ability to move about the theater freely, dedicated quiet areas, and trained staff to lend a helping hand should the need arise.

Read on for a list of theaters and upcoming performances where you can know that your child will feel welcomed and loved, just as they are. We hope you enjoy the show!

NJ's Imagine That!!! Museum and Play Space Reopens After Renovation

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Wed, 01/10/2018 - 2:00pm

The popular children’s museum we know and love has just gotten a major overhaul. Following a five-month gut renovation, Imagine That!!! in Florham Park, New Jersey, has been transformed into a beautiful and bright 16,000-square-foot indoor play space that feels fun and inviting. The updated fun spot boasts brand-new play structures like an electronic sand table and an interactive, LED light board, plus new-and-improved versions of original attractions like the grocery store, dance studio, play maze, and more.

Imagine That!!!, which quietly reopened in December, will celebrate its grand reopening the weekend of January 13-14. Here's a sneak peak inside the new space and its awesome attractions.

Quaint and Quirky Holiday Celebrations for New Jersey Families

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Fri, 12/01/2017 - 1:15pm

We all have our favorite family holiday traditions, whether it’s viewing an annual light display, cutting down a fresh Christmas tree, or having breakfast with Santa. All good stuff, to be sure. But if you’re looking to shake things up this year, try an experience you won't find at your local mega-mall.

One option is to go small: New Jersey’s charming small towns play host to a variety of quaint holiday happenings, from Dickens carolers to Christmas Candlelight House Tours.

If you're after something truly unique, NJ has plenty of that, too. You can celebrate Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium, get festive with the furry residents of Bluebird Farm Alpacas, or explore an animated wonderland at the Christmas Ice Caverns.

Who knows? One of these activities might become your family’s new holiday favorite. Check out our roundup below for some great small-town and off-the-beaten-path fun. For more ways to celebrate the festive holiday season, visit our Holiday Fun Guide.

2017 Long Island Bestie Guide

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Wed, 11/08/2017 - 8:43am

Long Island families, you have spoken! We asked you to weigh in on the Long Island's Besties—the best family businesses across 24 categories ranging from restaurants to party places, swim schools, and more. With all the great family fun experiences and resources on Long Island, it was hard to narrow down to just one winner per category, but you were up to the task. In the pages that follow, you will get to know our Besties, the most highly regarded Long Island businesses that live to serve, entertain, teach, and enrich the lives of your family.

We can't thank each of our 236 finalists and their fans enough for participating in our contest. We'd also like to extend a special thank you to our Besties Sponsors, and our congratulations to the four lucky voters who were picked at random to enjoy some amazing prizes. You made our contest awesome, and we love you.

And now, without further ado, Mommy Poppins proudly presents your guide to the best of family friendly Long Island, the 2017 Long Island Besties! Because 24 is a lot of winners, we've divided them into three groups: Family Fun, Parenting Resources, and Enrichment Programs. Enjoy!

Best Family Fun Winners | Best Parenting Resources Winners | Best Enrichment Programs Winners

NJ Doughnut Crawl: These 10 Shops Are Tops for a Family Treat

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Wed, 10/25/2017 - 2:00pm

Fruity Pebbles–covered doughnut from Palmer's Sweetery.

After a long week, there’s no better treat for a lazy, never get-out-of-your-pajamas weekend morning than a box of fresh, hot doughnuts. Luckily, New Jersey is chock-full of out-of-this-world doughy wonders. We (gladly) did the tireless research of combing the state's doughnut shops and bakeries for the best doughnuts for kids of all ages.

These 10 spots have taken fried dough to a whole new level. From shops selling candy-covered delights to brunch food–inspired delicacies—plus doughnuts featuring local ingredients and flavors—here’s where you can score delectable doughnuts that will delight everyone in the family.

If you're looking for more sweet treats, check out our roundups of fun ice cream joints, sweet shops, and spots where kids can make their own candy and sweets.

New Hot Spots for New Jersey Kids and Families

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Mon, 10/23/2017 - 2:15pm

These recently opened destinations for kids and families in New Jersey deserve a place on your family’s bucket list.

Two Essex County playgrounds have recently undergone major transformations, with brand-spankin’-new play equipment just waiting for your kids to try out before the weather turns cold. If you're looking for a birthday gift, skip the big-box store on the highway and shop local at a cool toy store in Maplewood. Read the day away in a cozy children’s indie bookstore, like the one you’ll find in Bayonne, and when your family is ready for some action, head to Woodbridge for the grand opening of NJ's first Dave & Buster’s. Or get the kiddos out of the house on a rainy day and burn off some serious energy at a new indoor trampoline park in Milltown.

And here's one that's worth a trip into the city: American Girl's flagship Midtown store is relocating to a new location on November 11, just in time for the holidays.

Read on to learn more about these new NJ hot spots, and find even more things to do in our Fall Fun Guide.

2017 Long Island Bestie Guide: Enrichment Program Winners

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 10/08/2017 - 9:57am

Long Island families, you have spoken! We asked you to weigh in on the Long Island's Besties—the best family businesses across 24 categories ranging from restaurants, party places, swim schools and more. With all the great family fun experiences and resources on Long Island, it was hard to narrow it down to just one winner per category, but you were up to the task! In the pages that follow you will get to know our Besties, the most highly regarded Long Island businesses that live to serve, entertain, teach and enrich the lives of your family.

We can't thank each of our 236 finalists and their fans enough for participating in our contest. We'd also like to extend a special thank you to our Bestie Sponsors and our congratulations to the four lucky voters who were picked at random to enjoy some amazing prizes! You made our contest awesome and we love you.

And now, without further ado, Mommy Poppins proudly presents your guide to the best of family-friendly Long Island, the 2017 Long Island Besties! Because 24 is a lot of winners, we've divided them into three groups: Family Fun, Parenting Resources, and Enrichment Programs. Enjoy!

Best Family Fun Winners | Best Parenting Resources Winners | Best Enrichment Programs Winners