Scott Edwards

Top Snow Tubing Spots Near New Jersey for Families

Submitted by Scott Edwards on Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:41pm

Snow tubers hurtle from top to bottom at exhilarating speeds at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area

When it comes to winter activities, snow tubing is one of our favorites. Of course, we love ice skating, skiing, and more winter sports, but snow tubing is something the whole family can enjoy—regardless of skill.

No experience or equipment is necessary, and you can tube alone or in groups. Tubing is a lot like sledding, but easier. You can barrel down the snowy slopes at thrilling speeds without having to hike back up the hill. Read on for a list of local ski resorts that offer snow tubing in and around New Jersey and find more active winter fun in our Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Sports Guide.

Things To Do with Train-Loving Kids in New Jersey

Submitted by Scott Edwards on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 12:00pm

All aboard at the Whippany Railroad Museum! Photo courtesy of the museum

If Thomas, Percy, and James are a part of your daily conversations, take advantage of the many train and railroad attractions throughout New Jersey. From North Pole excursions to the world's largest model railroad, the Garden State has it all.

The holidays are an extra-special time for train-lovers, with Christmas train rides, model train shows, and rides through holiday lights. We've rounded up all these and more below, so read on for a list of places where you can ride the rails with your little one, check out amazing displays, and more.

Day Trip to NJ's Adventure Aquarium: What's New and Best to See

Submitted by Scott Edwards on Thu, 01/18/2018 - 1:00pm

With the grip of cabin fever feeling stronger every day—the struggle is real—the search for ways to get the kids out of the house in winter becomes a bit more desperate. Indoor play spaces are great for whiling away a frigid day, but what if we tempted you with a more exotic destination, somewhere warm and humid, but still within a short drive?

That place is Brazil, by way of Camden, New Jersey. (Stay with us.) Piranha Falls, the centerpiece exhibit at Adventure Aquarium, is a full-on immersion into the vibrant ecosystem along the Amazon. We're talking two waterfalls, hundreds of native plants, abrupt thunderstorms, and a school of spectacular-looking piranhas. The kids will be awed. You'll be transported. Everyone leaves a little refreshed—at least until you step back out into the bitter cold.

Read on to learn more about some of Adventure Aquarium's most impressive attractions, which include the East Coast's largest collection of sharks, a couple of charming hippos, and several ways to get up close and personal with sea creatures. And, if your visit to Adventure Aquarium happens to spark a new interest in life under the sea, check out our rundown of the Best Aquariums for Your Next Family Vacation.

12 Easy DIY Sensory Activities to Entertain Babies

Submitted by Scott Edwards on Mon, 01/08/2018 - 12:00pm

Sensory activities for babies open the world up to our kids while they're still happily stationary. Maybe even more important, it begins to familiarize them to their own bodies. Every new day delivers a fresh overload of sights, sounds, and sensations.

Bonus: Sensory games give us something fun to do with our little ones beyond tummy time! We've rounded up a dozen of our favorite sensory activities that you can create right at home. DIY sensory toys nurture a basic understanding of the people, places, and stuff that populate their lives, along with the motor and communication skills that they'll need to interact with the world. There will be new things for baby to touch, smell, see, and figure out. Watch as your little one giggles her way through these micro-discoveries.

Everything featured here can be crafted from simple, recycled materials and stuff found within reach around the house or a couple of clicks on Amazon.

For more sensory fun, see our posts on 99 Sensory Activities for Toddlers, Infants, and Kids of All Ages and 10 Sensory Bin Ideas for Busy Toddlers.

25 Free Things To Do in NJ this Holiday Season

Submitted by Scott Edwards on Fri, 11/17/2017 - 1:00pm

A miniature display at An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit in Cape May.

The holiday season has finally arrived! It’s time for festive shows, visits with Santa Claus, and spectacular light displays. All the hustle and bustle is great fun, but it can also be a strain on the wallet. With that in mind, we've rounded up 25 free events taking place in New Jersey this season.

Read on for ways to have some budget-friendly holiday cheer. And to get the scoop on wonderful activities all year long, subscribe to our newsletter.

Scott Edwards

Latest posts by Scott Edwards