Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
Latest posts by Laurie
Every year Polar Express train rides come to New Jersey, with the Garden State's railroads decked out in their holiday best. We know it's a bit early to start hauling out the holly, but these Polar Express trains and Christmas trains are a popular holiday tradition, and they sell out fast!
Though these Christmas trains don't go all the way to the North Pole, most include a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with treats, caroling, movies, and stories. We've even included a trolley ride hosted by Mrs. Claus herself. Read on to find out where to take a Christmas train ride near New Jersey with Santa, and book your tickets as soon as possible.
If you're already thinking about other must-do activities this holiday season, be sure to check out our rundown of the most spectacular holiday light displays in New Jersey and other tips in our Guide to Christmas and Holiday Events in NJ for Families.
Little ones love nothing more than dressing up and collecting goodies at Halloween events, and New Jersey offers plenty of safe, not-too-scary celebrations perfect for the preschool set. From trunk or treats to over-the-top events at amusement parks and zoo celebrations, these safe activities let toddlers experience the magic of Halloween. Good news for parents: Many of them are FREE!
Read on for dozens of fun and preschool-friendly Halloween events in New Jersey, plus a couple of extra-special events just over the border in Pennsylvania. You can find even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.
When tots are ready to explore their independence, it's time to introduce them to classes specifically geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. These creative, active, and educational classes offer the opportunity to practice gross and fine motor skills, explore the arts, and build on skills learned in preschool. Some classes may require a parent or guardian to stay, while others are drop-off.
Read on for a sampling of the best classes for toddlers and preschoolers in New Jersey. And be sure to check out our post on NJ's top mommy-and-me classes, as well as our Guide to Classes and Activities for Kids in New Jersey.
For a safer alternative to trick-or-treating, New Jersey kids can collect goodies at family-friendly trunk-or-treats. Instead of wandering door-to-door, young trick-or-treaters can load up their Halloween bags with candy from decorated cars.
These trunk-or-treats—most of which are FREE—take place in parking lots, parks, and on blocked-off streets. They sometimes include parades, costume contests, and other Halloween activities. Another bonus for sugar-crazed kids: Many of these trunk-or-treats take place before Halloween. That means double the loot if you make your plans right!
For more boo-tiful Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Guide for New Jersey Families, which includes our picks for The Best Halloween Events in New Jersey for Families and more.
There are no tricks here; instead, we've got a special treat: More than 30 FREE Halloween events and parades in New Jersey. The weeks leading up to Halloween are full of festivals, costume parades, and plenty more opportunities for ghosts and goblins to dress up and score some scary-good treats.
Read on for our top picks, and be sure to bookmark our Halloween Fun Guide for even more seasonal fun. From pumpkin picking and corn mazes to harvest festivals and Halloween train rides, we've got you covered with fun things to do during this spooky season. Happy Halloween, New Jersey!
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