Melanie Bodner

3 weeks ago | njmom.com | Melanie Bodner

Whether you prefer a traditional English tea time with finger sandwiches and scones or want to try a Japanese ceremony tea ritual, planning to sip a cuppa at one of the tea rooms in NJ can bring together friends and family. You can find tea houses all around the Garden State, whether you want to sample exotic teas in a soothing garden or make it a traditional one with all the proper accessories like tiered trays and china cups. Want to keep it cozy?

1 month ago | njmom.com | Melanie Bodner

If your kids are tired of the same old playground, here’s an idea—take a road trip to discover some of the best playgrounds in NJ. And happily, with warmer weather on the horizon, it’s a perfect time to try them out. To help you plan, we created a list of our favorite places to let your kiddos climb, run, and slide, and many offer cool themes and accessible equipment for inclusive play.

1 month ago | njmom.com | Melanie Bodner

If spring brings to mind pretty windmills and tulip fields abroad, then take a trip to Holland, where you don’t need a passport. Capture a bit of the Dutch culture and beautiful tulip fields at Holland Ridge Farms, only a quick trip down the Turnpike in Cream Ridge, NJ. With a new 100-foot windmill visible from the highway, Holland Ridge Farms’ rows of 18 million colorful tulips will make you feel like you dropped into a tulip farm in Holland.

1 month ago | njmom.com | Melanie Bodner

Spring is finally here, and with it, a chance to try a new product and earn some extra cash. With Consumer Product Testing Labs (CPT), you can do both easily—sign up, visit the CPT laboratory to qualify, try the product at home, and revisit CPT to report back (your feedback helps shape the final product). The best part is that you and your family can test stuff you can really use, like skincare products and concealer, and kid-friendly products, like baby shampoo.

1 month ago | njmom.com | Melanie Bodner

When the weather is at its best, visiting one of the many NJ parks is a must. Heading to a park can be just the thing your family needs to breathe in some fresh air, see blooms, and sneak in a bit of fitness, too. Whether you want to reach the Garden State’s highest point, explore a Revolutionary War historic park, or observe a freshwater marsh, there are plenty of unique parks and wide-open places to enjoy a hike, try fishing, or have a picnic.