Beginning at a very young age, children learn, grow, and develop by using all of their senses. This is especially true during play. That is why it is so important to choose the right toys. Since my boys were infants, I have always looked for toys that engage the senses and encourage learning through play. Even though my boys are older now, I still encourage the use of games, toys, and activities that allow them to grow and learn.  I was recently introduced to a new line of toys for little ones ages 12 months and up. Bababoo and Friends offers a unique learning through play experience for ..read more

I was first introduced to the Percy Jackson series last school year. My son was reading The Lightning Thief for his language arts class, and he came home and talked about it almost every day. His entire 7th grade class loved the series so much that they themed their 7th grade dance around this story. Yes, they even had blue food! Since then, my son has continued reading the series and has become captivated by this incredible group of teens. When we found out that The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical was going to be a part of The Growing Stage Season 41 line up, we knew we had to go ..read more

Kids learn best when engaging all of their senses. That’s why hands-on learning is so important beginning at a young age. That’s also why encouraging opportunities for children to learn through play is critical. Play allows children to use all of their senses to explore their environment and develop important skills. One of the BEST ways for little ones to play and learn is by using sensory bins! For those that don’t know, a sensory bin is exactly what it sounds like. It is a bin filled with items that engage the senses. Sensory bins can be big or small, purchased or made at home. A sensory bi ..read more

Need a night out…without the kids? Well I have the experience for you! LSC After Dark is a MUST DO adventure for adults. Book the babysitter, grab some friends, and head to Liberty Science Center for a night filled with fun, excitement, and SCIENCE! For those that don’t know, Liberty Science Center is located in Jersey City, NJ overlooking gorgeous views of NYC and the Statue of Liberty. During the day, LSC invites guests of all ages to immerse themselves in the world of science. From animals and giant fish to hands-on experiments and interactive exhibits to live entertainment and planetarium ..read more

One of my favorite holiday traditions is seeing a show at The Growing Stage. Each year, their shows are filled with magic and wonder. The lobby is festively decorated and the theatre is filled with holiday cheer. I love seeing all of the families come together with multiple generations sitting together creating amazing memories. This year was no different as The Growing Stage presents another holiday masterpiece, The Land of Forgotten Toys. Directed by one of my favorite Growing Stage members, Danny Campos, The Land of Forgotten Toys, is a heartwarming and uplifting show about following your o ..read more

“No job is too big. No pup is too small!” ~ Ryder If your kids LOVE PAW Patrol, then this is the post for you! PAW Patrol is a group of lovable pups who work together to help those in need. Each pup has a special skill that helps them in their adventures. While watching these adorable pups save the day, kids learn about problem solving, teamwork, and friendship. PAW Patrol also helps little ones increase language development and academic skills. I know there are a lot of fun PAW Patrol toys out there, (we had most of them), but in this post I wanted to highlight some fun activities for the PAW ..read more

My family absolutely LOVES visiting The Academy of Natural Sciences (or the “Dinosaur Museum” as my kids used to call it when they were little). There is always so much to see, do and learn which allows for hours of family fun. We love exploring all the exhibits at The Academy, and everyone has their favorite space. For those that don’t know, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, located in the heart of Philadelphia, was founded in 1812. Its focus intertwines research, education, and environmental awareness in order to promote a love of science. You can’t get much better than t ..read more

I am so excited to bring you this year’s Play and Learn Holiday Gift Guide. I am thrilled to partner with so many amazing and award-winning companies who provided many of the brain boosting toys on this list so we can share them with you this holiday season. Since even before I was a parent, when I purchased a toy for a child, I made sure it had a purpose. For me, a toy has to encourage learning, development and growth in some way otherwise what is the point? Toys and games should stimulate the brain, make kids think and reason and/or spark the imagination. Children learn through play so we ha ..read more

If you are looking for Halloween fun for the little ones, then make sure to visit Six Flags Great Adventure this fall. From now through October 31, guests can enjoy family friendly rides and spooktacular experiences all across the park at Kids Boo Fest. This daytime event is for all ages and is included with admission.  As soon as you enter Six Flags Great Adventure on a crisp fall day, you can feel the excitement in the air. From the incredible decorations to delicious food to the fun entertainment, kids will LOVE Boo Fest. Although there is a designated kid friendly area, th ..read more

Affordable family fun at Regal Cinemas This Summer! Regal Cinemas has been offering the Summer Movie Express program for over 25 years. In fact, it is not only available in New Jersey but in over 300 locations throughout the United States. This family fun program takes place every Tuesday and Wednesday ALL SUMMER long! Movies cost only $2/person which makes this the perfect family activity, especially on super hot or rainy summer days. Although the movies are not new releases, the schedule offers a wonderful variety of family friendly films that everyone will love. It is important to ..read more