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

Essex North Pole Express Train Tickets on Sale for 2023

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Tue, 09/05/2023 - 3:31pm

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

The ever-popular Essex North Pole Express train ride is back for the 2023 holiday season! It's arguably one of the most popular Polar Express holiday train rides in the country and certainly in the Northeast, so we expect tickets to sell out fast.

Tickets are for sale online only this year, with no phone or in-person sales. Partial and full car tickets are available starting Tuesday, September 12 at 9am and all remaining tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 13 at 9am—so set your alarms now.

67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Thu, 08/31/2023 - 2:32pm

Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander

Searching for kid-friendly science experiments to do at home? Whether you're prepping for a fifth-grade science fair or want something fun to do with preschoolers, these cool science experiments for kids are super easy and a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Parents may end up learning a new thing or two, too!

Children are born scientists. They're always experimenting with something, whether they're throwing a plate of spaghetti on the wall, blowing bubbles in the bathwater, or stacking blocks into an intricate tower only to destroy it in one big swipe. Happily, you can do some pretty mind-blowing, hands-on science experiments at home using stuff you probably have lying around the house.

Want even more science experiments for kids like this? Check out our list of 25 Preschool Science Experiments, and more, in our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids, which is packed with fun STEM activities.

100 Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids Before They Grow Up

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sun, 07/16/2023 - 11:30am

Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ

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

Never did I imagine that I would be raising three kids in New Jersey, but I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out as this area makes it easy to entertain kids.

Our state is crazy expensive, as we all know, but it's also diverse, both in terms of its population and geography, which means 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. We have cool playgrounds, fantastic hikes and parks, and awesome zoos. There are lakes to swim in every summer and mountains to ski in the winter.

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!

Free Admission for Connecticut Kids: Over 100 Museums Participate this Summer

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Mon, 06/26/2023 - 11:00am

Connecticut kids get hands-on fun for free this summer! Photo courtesy of the Mystic Aquarium, Facebook

It's back, and Connecticut kids have another summer freebie. More than 125(!) of the state's museums will provide free admission for Connecticut kids and an accompanying adult this summer. Read on for more details.

And don't miss our roundup of the 50 best things to do for FREE in Connecticut with kids this summer. And our Ultimate Connecticut Kids Summer Vacation Guide is here to help you with the best things to do in Connecticut, from beaches and pools to water parks and festivals, plus cool deals, and giveaways—all summer long.

Cheap Spring Break Travel Ideas for Families

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sun, 03/12/2023 - 8:00am

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

Spring break travel is a great way to make family memories, but it can also be expensive. Hotels, airlines, and rental-car companies all raise prices during school breaks and other high-demand travel periods. Popular warm-weather destinations like Orlando and the Caribbean can cost even more money as families flock to have fun in the sun. But that doesn't mean you have to choose between staying home and going broke for spring break.

In-the-know families deploy a few tricks to plan a fun spring break vacation without blowing their mortgage payment, from scoring secret deals to compromising a bit on the location. There are plenty of family-friendly cities and destinations that cost a bit less but don’t scrimp on the family attractions, including top museums, eateries, beaches, and amusement parks.

Read on for some of our favorite hacks for cheap spring break travel, including some great budget-friendly destinations. If a longer trip is not in the cards, check out your local guide to family day trips and weekend getaways.

21 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for Kids

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sat, 02/11/2023 - 12:00pm

A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.

All-inclusive resorts are the way to go when you need a family vacation that's both relaxing and activity-packed, where delicious food and drinks flow freely, and where you don't have to worry about pulling out your wallet. The best all-inclusive resorts offer so many fun activities for grown-ups and kids, such as swimming, sports, arts and crafts, and more. Many of them even have kids' clubs so the adults can get a break. Plus, the plethora of fabulous all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico make it easy to escape the cold weather for a warm and sunny winter getaway.

We've rounded up some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean for families. Of course, they don't always come cheap, so we've included a couple of more budget-friendly options, too. These soup-to-nuts getaways will please the most discerning pint-sized guests (and their paying adults).

Check out our Guide to Family Resorts and Hotels for even more great places to stay on your next family vacation.

Registration Opens for Free Spring Break STEM Camps in NYC

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Tue, 01/24/2023 - 9:53am

Kids can get a lesson in space technology at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum's STEM Matters spring break camp. Photo courtesy of the museum

The NYC Department of Education's popular free STEM Matters program is back in 2023 and offers FREE week-long camps during New York City's spring break, with programming running from Monday, April 10-Friday, April 14, 2023. The deadline to apply for these hands-on programs, serving kids in kindergarten through 8th grade, is fast approaching.

Seventeen different sites are offering programs across the five boroughs, and many are hosted by New York City’s top cultural institutions, including kid hot spots like the Bronx Zoo and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The subjects are diverse but focus on the sciences.

Looking for more camp coverage for spring break or beyond? Be sure to bookmark our New York City Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for camps by type, age, and neighborhood.

25 Christmas Jokes for Kids and Holiday Riddles

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Tue, 12/20/2022 - 10:24am

Christmas jokes for kids make the season a bit jollier all around!

Give everyone a little comedic relief with these Christmas jokes for kids. Shopping deadlines, cookie baking, and lights untangling can make the final weeks of anyone's holiday season stressful. Lighten the mood by telling a few holiday jokes for kids while frosting gingerbread men or just enjoying a family meal.

We rounded up our favorite reindeer jokes, snowmen jokes, Hanukkah jokes, holiday riddles, and plenty of Santa and Christmas jokes for kids. All of these two dozen jokes are rated G and most are simple enough for kids to memorize and retell to their friends.

Once you're done giggling at these Christmas jokes, check out these cool (under $10) stocking stuffers, the best Christmas cookie recipes, the funniest Elf on the Shelf antics, and more Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids.