Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids - New Jersey

The Best VR Arcades in New Jersey for Kids

Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:51:51 +0000

We love a good family day out, but now that the kids are getting older, the struggle is real. It’s so much harder to find an exciting spot that gives good vibes to my teen, hits with my younger kids, and doesn't leave us parents just standing on the sidelines.

My kids have been craving a fresh experience lately. And I think I’ve officially found the holy grail: NJ virtual reality (VR) arcades. VR arcades for NJ kids are the perfect way to get everyone—even teens—excited for a family day.

Read on for our guide to the top VR arcades throughout New Jersey, and, for more indoor fun, be sure to check out our stories on NJ's best trampoline parks, indoor water parks, and bowling alleys.

Sensory and Socialization Playtime at Ocean Township Library

Laurie Rein — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:30:43 +0000

Monday, January 26, 2026 - 3:30pm to 4:30pm

https://monmouthcountylib.libcal.com/event/16034234

Cost:

Free

Drop by the library with your tots for playtime and socializing. Stay for the full hour or less. Registration is not required.

Recommended Age:

up to 2

New Jersey

Events

Ocean Township Public Library

701 Deal Road

07712 Ocean , NJ 40° 15' 12.456" N, 74° 2' 5.0964" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Free

Admission Services

Winter Bluey Event at Poricy Park

Laurie Rein — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:00:07 +0000

Friday, February 13, 2026 - 10:30am to 12:00pm

https://www.middletownnj.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=6113&month=2&year=2026&day=13&cal...

Cost:

Free

Head over to Poricy Park for a meet-and-greet with Bluey. The fun includes photos, crafts, a game of Keepy Uppy and Musical Statues.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Recommended Age:

12 and under

Age:

Poricy Park

345 Oak Hill Road

07748 Middletown , NJ

Phone:

40° 21' 58.8096" N, 74° 5' 43.314" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Free

Admission Services

Ropework on the Farm at Historic Longstreet Farm

Laurie Rein — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 13:16:20 +0000

Sunday, January 25, 2026 - 12:30pm to 2:30pm

https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/Page.aspx?ID=2530

Cost:

Free

Join the folks at Longstreet Farm for a fun, hands-on session, exploring the fascinating world of knots and splices. Discover the difference between a square knot and a reef knot, learn when to use a bend or a hitch, and see how to splice an “eye” in a rope.

With guidance from our instructors, participants gain the confidence to tie and use the same practical knots we rely on every day around the farm.

Recommended Age:

All

New Jersey

Events

Historic Longstreet Farm

44 Longstreet Road

07733 Holmdel , NJ

Phone: 732-946-3758

40° 22' 0.5304" N, 74° 11' 7.008" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Free

Admission Services

25 Cool Things To Do on February Winter Break in New Jersey

Laurie Rein — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 12:27:57 +0000

Looking for things to do during winter break in New Jersey? Read on for more than two dozen terrific options.

It feels like I just put away the holiday decorations, and yet it’s already time to plan for New Jersey’s February break. This year, Presidents' Day is on Monday, February 16, 2026, and many NJ schoolchildren have a 3 or 4-day weekend, making it the perfect time for a family outing or family-friendly winter day trip. My kids definitely want to make the most of it with at least one NJ day trip.

Read on for our picks for the best February break activities for NJ kids, and bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for even more ideas.

Winnie the Pooh- Popcorn and Pajamas at UCPAC

Laurie Rein — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 22:02:29 +0000

Friday, January 23, 2026 - 7:00pm

https://ucpac.vbotickets.com/event/WINNIE_THE_POOH_POPCORN_PAJAMAS/181318?ref=fb...

Cost:

$10

Spend a cozy family evening at the movies with a showing of the 2011 Winnie the Pooh. The fun includes free popcorn and crafts.

The craft table opens at 6pm before the movie. Tickets can be purchased online.

Recommended Age:

All

New Jersey

Events

Union County Performing Art Center

36 Hamilton Street

07065 Rahway , NJ

Phone:

40° 36' 48.8484" N, 74° 17' 2.0976" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Films & Photography

Admission Services

Snowflake Sunday: Winter on the Farm at Miller-Cory House Museum

Laurie Rein — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 20:03:54 +0000

Sunday, January 25, 2026 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm

https://millercoryhouse.com/event-schedule

Cost:

$5 for adults and children 13 + $4 for children 3-12 and free under 3

Join the Miller-Cory House Museum for this kid-friendly program where guests share some snowy stories, make snowflake crafts, and learn how colonial families kept warm when it snowed.

Winter days kept colonial farm families indoors, tending to chores around the house. This was also a time to gather around the fire for games, stories, and maybe even some fresh baked treats.

No reservations required.

Recommended Age:

All

New Jersey

Miller-Cory House

614 Mountain Avenue

Westfield , NJ

Phone: 908-232-1776

40° 39' 45.576" N, 74° 20' 59.9856" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Exhibitions

Admission Services

Free Soup Tasting Weekend at Alstede Farms

Farmer Kurt — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 21:04:22 +0000

Repeats every week every Sunday until Sun Jan 25 2026.

Saturday, January 24, 2026 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Sunday, January 25, 2026 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm

http://www.alstedefarms.com

Cost:

Free

Warm up this winter with a free soup tasting at Alstede Farms. Visit the Chester or Wharton Farm Store and sample a selection of chef-inspired, homemade soups, carefully crafted with seasonal ingredients.

While you’re here, explore the farm store and discover winter weekend specials, featuring different items each week. Both locations are open all winter for your convenience.

Come for the soup, stay for the flavors of the season.

Recommended Age:

All

Age:

Alstede Farms

1 Alstede Farms Lane

07930 Chester , NJ

Phone: 908-879-7189

40° 46' 44.526" N, 74° 42' 49.6836" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Provider:

Alstede Farms, LLC - Family Fun

Activity Category:

Free

Admission Services

Winter and Spring Break Camps in New Jersey to Keep Kids Busy on Days Off

Laurie Rein — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:37:47 +0000

New Jersey's awesome spring break camps and winter break camps are perfect opportunities for hard-working students to enjoy screen-free, school-free days–or even a week of fun. If you're searching for structured activities to keep the kids active and engaged over the break, look no further than these school break camps.

We've rounded up options throughout New Jersey, ranging from action-packed camps that let kids burn energy to those that foster creative hobbies, like sewing. Parents may opt for full- or half-days and enroll kids for individual days or all week.

Don't wait too long to book upcoming break camp spots; spaces tend to have limited enrollment and book up quickly. While camp is on the brain, start making your summer plans. We've got tons of resources in our Camp Guide and Camp Directory.

MLK Weekend 2026 in New Jersey: Best Things To Do With Kids

Laurie Rein — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:35:50 +0000

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this long weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

The first long weekend of 2026 kicks off with a celebration on ice and concludes with a day of service and legacy. The weekend gets off to an icy start with Pier Village's free Ice Festival, complete with an ice sculpture demonstration and other wintry fun. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and there are service opportunities for all ages in Scotch Plains, Princeton, and Summit, among others.

Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!