Rose Sala

Rose Gordon Sala is a mom to three but also a longtime editor and journalist. She's covered all the capital 'P' subjects, including pets, politics, PR, and parenting. She's written for MSNBC.com, TODAY.com, the New York Post, and Mom.com.

Latest posts by Rose

Cheap Spring Break Trips for Family Vacations

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sat, 03/08/2025 - 11:00am

Visit DC in the spring for warm temps and maybe even cherry blossoms. Photo by m01229 via Flickr

Traveling during spring break can be expensive, but there are plenty of options for cheap spring break trips if you know where to look. Many cities and destinations cost a bit less but don’t scrimp on the family attractions, including top museums, eateries, beaches, and amusement parks.

In-the-know families also deploy a few tricks to plan fun spring break family vacations without blowing their mortgage payment, from scoring secret deals to compromising a bit on the location.

Read on for some of our favorite hacks for cheap spring break trips, including great budget-friendly destinations throughout the US. If a longer trip is not in the cards, check out your local guide to family day trips and weekend getaways. And, read our post on how to plan cheap, amazing, and affordable family vacations for even more money-saving ideas.

Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Fri, 02/21/2025 - 10:41am

The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader

We might be biased, but we think the family-friendly things to do in New York state are second to none. From the gorgeous Hamptons beaches to the rugged state parks of the Hudson Valley, serene Adirondack lake regions, and deafening Niagara Falls, the culture and arts found in New York City, and on up through the Hudson Valley river towns and beyond—we feel pretty lucky to live and raise our kids here.

New Yorkers are pretty good at making delicious food items, from ramen burgers and bagels to ice cream, and even wine at family-friendly vineyards on Long Island and in the Finger Lakes. There are children’s museums galore. Kids have no shortage of water and theme parks, cool playgrounds, zoos, parks, and nature, of course.

And yet, the thing about childhood is that it’s finite. The kids grow up and move away. We want to soak up every moment. So, we put together this list of 100 things to do in New York state, from upstate and the Adirondacks to the East End of Long Island. We collected suggestions from Mommy Poppins contributors, past and former, to fuse it all together just for you (OK, for us, too). Whether you're planning a long weekend getaway or a family day trip, you're sure to find some ideas here.

Ultimate New Jersey Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NJ

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Fri, 02/21/2025 - 9:10am

Romp with the triceratops and other dinos at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Leonia. Photo by Janet Bloom

Check out these iconic things to do in New Jersey with kids—including attractions, events, activities, museums, and more—that every Garden State native really must experience!

I never imagined that I would be raising three kids in New Jersey, but I'm happy with how things turned out, and living here definitely makes it easy to entertain kids.

Our state is crazy expensive, as we all know, but it's also diverse, both in population and geography, so there are plenty of fun things to do in New Jersey with kids of all ages and interests. From the gorgeous Jersey Shore beaches to our plentiful Garden State farms, New Jersey offers tons of incredible kids' activities during all four seasons. We have cool playgrounds, fantastic hikes and parks, and awesome zoos.

Read on for our list of the 100 best things to do in New Jersey with kids, and don't let those kids tell you they're bored again! For more bucket-list things to do with kids in NJ, check out our Best-Of Guide to New Jersey, which includes our piece on the absolute top attractions in New Jersey to see with kids.

Best Toddler and Baby Bath Toys & Baby Bath Tubs

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Thu, 02/13/2025 - 12:00pm

Take water play to the next level with Boon Building Bath Pipes.

Bath time can be a battle with little ones, but it doesn't have to be! Fun baby bath toys and toddler bath toys can distract infants and toddlers long enough to wash the dirt and germs away while turning bath time into a positive and fun experience.

Here are some of our favorite baby bath toys and toddler bath toys to make bath time lots of fun. We've also shared a few of the best baby bath tub options, as well as top picks for bathroom storage for bath toys.

Our Baby and Maternity Guide is full of more great product picks and tips for parents of infants and toddlers, from the best first birthday gifts to potty training tips that moms swear by.

25 Things To Do in New Jersey During November's School Holidays

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Tue, 10/22/2024 - 5:56am

Spend a day running around at Johnson's Corner Farm this November. Photo courtesy of the farm

While New Jersey students have an abbreviated November schedule to look forward to, parents are left to figure out things to do to fill those days off. The first holiday falls on Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, followed by NJEA Convention on Thursday, November 7, and Friday, November 8. Some school districts have gone a step further, giving students that entire week off!

Of course, don't forget about Thanksgiving at month's end, when kids have off both Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29; some even have a half-day or no school the Wednesday prior, too. Yikes!

With that in mind, we've pulled together this list of 25 things to do in New Jersey to keep your kids busy during November's school holidays, so read on for our picks for the best staycation ideas this November.

If you are looking for more activities this season, take a peek at our New Jersey Fall Fun Guide. It might also be a good time to check off one or two items on our list of 100 things to do in New Jersey with kids before they grow up.

Essex North Pole Express Train Tickets on Sale for 2024

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Thu, 09/05/2024 - 11:31am

All aboard for Christmas fun on the Essex North Pole Express! Photo courtesy of the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

The popular CT North Pole Express holiday train is expected to sell out fast!

Portland, ME with Kids: 50 Best Things To Do in Portland, Maine

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sat, 07/06/2024 - 10:56am

Walk the rocks at Fort Williams for views of Portland Head Light and the waves.

Among my favorite things to do in Portland, ME, is to simply walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Port district, shopping at the boutiques and strolling along the waterfront. As a kid growing up in Maine, my family biked Back Cove, sledded down the Eastern Prom, and ice skated at Deering Oaks; as a teen, I went into "the city" for live music, the fantastic restaurants, and the many art museums and festivals.

Portland, Maine, is a pretty port city with a strong progressive bent, which some might even call a hippie streak. Now, as a tourist, I love returning with my own kids. It's home to a top-notch children's museum, pretty parks and outdoor activities, plenty of culture, jaw-dropping coastal beauty, and truly great food.

Here are 50 top things to do in Portland, ME with kids. Our New England Family Travel Guide includes even more fun activities in the region, including our list of 100 things to do in New England with kids before they grow up.

36 Summer Day Trips from NYC to Take as a Family

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Fri, 06/14/2024 - 12:06pm

Keep everyone cool at the 95-acre Splish Splash water park on Long Island's East End. Photo courtesy of Splish Splash

Summer road trip season is on the horizon, and it's time to start planning one of these summer day trips from NYC. We're itching to get out and explore, from beaches and water parks to cool nature spots and pick-your-own fruit farms, we’ve rounded up three dozen of our favorite summer day trips from NYC. All of these summer day trip destinations are less than two hours away because, well, who wants to drive longer than that with kids in the backseat?

Find more ideas in our full Day Trips and Getaways Guide, or try checking something off our list of 100 things to do with kids in New York State.

Rose Sala

Latest posts by Rose

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