Stores

The Meadowlands, once a punch line to many NJ jokes, is now a beautifully landscaped, wild ecosystem.  This Northern New Jersey destination has enchanted many visitors as an urban oasis. The transformation of the one-time landfill is a history, environmental and health lesson all rolled into one, a perfect balance of city life and wildlife…with a few highways in between. From hiking a short trail to visiting the outlets, exploring the Meadowlands is the perfect day trip for any local family.

I have to admit that I'm a coupon queen and rarely spend full price on any piece of clothing for anyone in our family. However, Easter is the one time I splurge and dress my littles ones up to the "nines". I also have many friends with children making their first Communions in the next few months. Sure, you could go to a regular department store, but New Jersey is home to some fun Easter and Communion boutique finery, so why not make it special?

One doesn’t usually associate the phrase, “fun things to do with kids in NJ” with spring cleaning. However, this beautiful weather has got me thinking about how to combine the two! I have started to clean out one closet a day and I’ve found a great way to get my two kids involved by adding a twist. My daughters sort the piles into ‘donate,’ ‘garbage’ or ‘consign’. Consigning is a great way to repurpose and recycle and save or earn money. With the money we make from consignment shops my kids can either buy a new summer toy/outfit or bank it in our family Disney Cruise fund. They’re so into it, it is getting a bit out of hand- I found my favorite pair of Tory Burch sandals in a ‘consign’ bag!!!!! Here are some of my favorite “green” consignment shops that are merchandised to look like boutiques in Northern New Jersey.

New Jersey is known for its outlets, its malls and of course, its mini-malls. Although we can all find some bargains and good deals at chain and departments stores, sometimes we need a unique touch. The garden state has an abundance of independent baby boutiques. So you if you’re looking for a special gift for your niece or just a stand-out look for your own tot, visit one of the many shops open in our area.

I don’t know about you, but our family pretty much steers clear of New Jersey shopping malls from November 1^st through early January. We treat any holiday excursions like military missions, get in, get the job done and get out! But now that the holiday rush (and early January return/exchange rush) is over, I’ve started to visit the malls with my husband and daughter again. Without the crazy bargain hunters and holiday shoppers, we can actually enjoy leisurely browsing and relaxing late lunches at favorite stores and chain restaurants. So load up the SUV, get out of the cold and gear up for an outing at these family-friendly New Jersey malls.