Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Kaylynn Ebner, a mom of three, has been writing for Mommy Poppins since 2016. She’s passionate about exploring new spots with her family and sharing NJ’s best attractions and hidden gems with the Mommy Poppins community.

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello

3 Days on the Jersey Shore with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 03/30/2023 - 3:13pm

Spread your towels on the expansive beach in Seaside Heights. Photo courtesy of Seaside Heights Boardwalk and Beach

The Jersey Shore overflows with things to do and see, from action-packed boardwalks and beautiful family-friendly beaches to lighthouses, and nature centers. There are tons of family-friendly attractions in the region.

If you're not a local, it can be a little daunting to think about what to do and where to go—especially if you only have a couple of days to play with. Here, we've put together a three-day plan to help you hit some of the best things to do in the Point Pleasant, Seaside, and Long Branch areas. Plus, we've even offered a bonus side-trip idea if you have time.

So, read on for our top things to do on a mini-vacation to the Jersey Shore and find more family-friendly things to do in our Guide to the Jersey Shore, plus more local getaways in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Top Indoor Playgrounds in Central New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 02/10/2023 - 6:27am

Kids can test their climbing skills at Gravity Vault in Middletown.

Indoor playgrounds abound in Middlesex, Monmouth, and other central New Jersey counties, with venues featuring bouncy rooms, arcades, rock walls, imaginative play, and much more. Read on for more than 25 of our favorite drop-in playgrounds in central NJ.

If you're looking for other great indoor activity ideas, be sure to read our rundown on the best New Jersey arcades and check out all the other posts in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids.

Rock 'N Air Adventure Park Brings High-Flying Trampoline Park Fun to East Brunswick

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 02/07/2023 - 10:07am

Rock 'N Air is an enormous high-tech trampoline park.

My family loves trampoline parks, indoor play spaces, rock climbing, and obstacle courses. We're frequent visitors to these indoor fun zones in Northern New Jersey and Central Jersey, but we recently found a new go-to that's skyrocketed to the top of our favorites list: Rock 'N Air Adventure Park of East Brunswick.

Read on for our visit to this all-ages indoor playground and find more fun places to play with New Jersey kids in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces.

10 Best Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 6:38am

No matter which of Hidden Grounds locations you visit, expect to find a comfy, cozy vibe.

Looking for coffee shops in New Jersey where both you and your kid will enjoy yourselves? Read on for our top picks.

Coffee shops often conjure up fond memories of listening to music, having great conversations, and sipping soothing, steamy beverages. It might seem daunting to bring little ones to this kind of venue, but we've found 10 family-friendly coffeehouses where you can totally kick back and relax with the kids.

Some have fun children's programs, and most serve non-caffeinated drinks like steamers (steamed milk with flavored syrups), hot chocolate, frozen drinks, and more. Since coffee shops often have limited seating, pick an off-peak time, pack up a few favorite books, and get ready to settle in for some cozy family time.

If you prefer a spot of tea, check out our post on where to enjoy high tea in New Jersey with kids, and bookmark our New Jersey Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide for tons of great places to dine with your family.

The Scoop on Fundaes, a Cool New Arcade in Central New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 01/10/2023 - 7:11am

Whack a Krabby Patty on the SongeBob SquarePants game at Fundaes.

Families looking for indoor fun have a sweet new option in Central NJ: Fundaes Arcade, a 7,000-square-foot arcade and ice cream parlor, held its grand opening in Chesterfield in late December.

In addition to a slew of favorite arcade games and newer VR options, the facility will also tempt anyone with a sweet tooth with its candy wall and big ice cream counter.

Check out our rundown of the best New Jersey arcades to visit with kids and find other options for indoor fun in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids.

Best of 2022 New Jersey Kid Edition: Top Openings, Happenings, and Other Awesome Stuff We Loved

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 12/25/2022 - 11:00am

American Dream's new attractions in 2022 include the Dream Wheel, which provides stunning views of the NYC skyline. Photo courtesy of the mall

As we say a fond farewell to 2022, we also remember it was a good year for saying hello to many family-friendly attractions that opened in New Jersey this year. From indoor play places to outdoor playgrounds—and even an enormous Ferris wheel—NJ's great tradition of having lots of exciting new things to do is alive and well. Read on for the best kid-friendly openings in New Jersey in 2022.

Jump for Joy! The Ultimate Bounce House Comes to Georgia

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 11:40am

The mega bounce house, dubbed Bounce the Mall, is coming to Dawsonville, Georgia. Photo by author

Ready for a crazy, bounce house adventure? Bounce the Mall is a unique, touring inflatable attraction that's making its rounds at Simon malls across the country. Bounce the Mall will thrill kids—and kids-at-heart—in Dawsonville, Georgia from November 5-20. This colorful event is sure to impress kids of all ages ready to bounce to the highest heights!

Haunt O'Ween Debuts in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 12:54pm

Haunt O'Ween is spooky but not overly frightening.

A fun and frightful immersive Halloween adventure has made its East Coast debut in Holmdel, New Jersey: Haunt O'Ween 2022. This spooky, but whimsical, haunted carnival has everything a family could want in an outdoor Halloween experience: amazing decor, costumes, trick-or-treating, inflatables, games, and pumpkins galore!

Haunt O'Ween hits the perfect sweet spot of being spooky, but not overly frightening—and definitely not gory. It's just plain thrilling, chilling fun that's perfect for kids ages 3-12. But don't wait to buy tickets. The event runs only on select dates through Monday, October 31. Here's what to expect on your trip through this ghost-filled city.

You can find even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

Latest posts by Kaylynn Chiarello

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