NJ Family Life

🐉🎢 JUST ANNOUNCED: A FIRST TASTE OF BAKUNAWA IS COMING TO SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE!

Before the highly anticipated, world record-breaking Bakunawa roller coaster makes its full debut in 2027, Six Flags Great Adventure is giving guests an exclusive taste of the experience with Bakunawa’s Wrath—a vibrant purple specialty cocktail created in partnership with New Jersey-based Shipwreck Rum! 💜🍹

Available beginning Friday, October 9, exclusively at Sea Gulps, this limited-edition drink features:

🍹 Shipwreck White Rum
🍋 Shipwreck Lime Rum
💙 Blue Curaçao
❤️ Grenadine
🍋 Lemonade
✨ Club soda
🐍 A green gummy serpent garnish inspired by the legendary Bakunawa

The special cocktail will only be available for one weekend and while supplies last, giving coaster fans an early preview of a signature drink experience expected to return with the attraction in 2027.

📍 Six Flags Great Adventure — Jackson, NJ
📅 Beginning October 9
🍹 Available exclusively at Sea Gulps
⏳ One weekend only, while supplies last
🔞 Guests must be 21+ and present a valid government-issued ID to purchase.

This collaboration brings together two New Jersey brands for one bold—and seriously Instagram-worthy—preview of what’s coming next season!

Would you try Bakunawa’s Wrath? And who else is excited to experience the new coaster in 2027? 🐉🎢 Tag your Six Flags partner below!

🎄 10 Advent Calendars Kids Are Going to Want for 2026 🎁

🚨 ADVENT CALENDAR ALERT! It’s only September and some of the most wanted kids’ Advent calendars are ALREADY getting hard to find! 🎄🎁 I rounded up 10 of the ones I think parents are going to be hunting for this holiday season — including the viral NeeDoh Squishmas calendar! 👀

SAVE this list now because I have a feeling several of these will be gone before December!

1. 🩷 NeeDoh Squishmas Advent Calendar — the viral one!
This is probably the calendar I would lead the Facebook post with. It has 24 mini NeeDoh squishies, with different shapes, colors and textures. Each mini is about 1.25 inches and it’s recommended for ages 3+. The regular price is around $29.99, but demand is huge. Amazon currently has it through its request-an-invitation system; Office Depot has also listed the 2026 calendar for around $32.99. Be careful with reseller prices because some are dramatically marked up.
Where to buy: Amazon by invitation / Office Depot / specialty toy stores when restocked.

2. 🎀 Squishmallows Squish-a-longs Holiday Advent Calendar
Perfect for the Squishmallows-obsessed kids. This version includes 24 festive Mini-Squish collectibles to reveal throughout December. There is also a pricier Micromallows plush version with 24 tiny plush Squishmallows. Recent holiday shopping coverage lists both Squishmallows and NeeDoh among the calendars expected to be popular this year.
Where to buy: Amazon and specialty toy retailers; approximately $35+, depending on version.

3. ⚡ Pokémon 2026 Holiday Calendar
Pokémon has several great choices this year. The larger Jazwares Pokémon Holiday Calendar has 19 two-inch Pokémon figures plus five accessories behind 24 doors and is around $49.99. There’s also the smaller Funko Bitty Pop! Pokémon 24-Day Countdown Calendar around $34.99.
Where to buy: Amazon for the Jazwares version; Funko and other major retailers for Bitty Pop.

4. 🧱 LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026
A really good all-around choice for kids who love building. The 2026 LEGO City calendar has 24 daily builds/surprises, including holiday characters and mini builds, and is designed for ages 5+. It has been selling around $25–$35 depending on retailer and sale.
Where to buy: Walmart, Target, Amazon and LEGO.

5. 🏎️ Hot Wheels Advent Calendar 2026
This one gives kids something they can actually keep playing with after Christmas. The 2026 calendar includes 10 Hot Wheels cars plus winter-themed accessories, with 24 days of surprises. Current holiday guides have it around $26.99, although retailer pricing varies.
Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart and toy retailers.

6. 💙 Bluey Advent Calendar
Such a cute preschool option! There are 24 windows of Bluey-themed surprises, including mini figures and accessories. Target currently lists the Bluey Mini Figure Advent Calendar around $19.99, making this one of the more affordable branded options.
Where to buy: Target, Walmart and Amazon.

7. 🌈 Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar
Great if parents want something more activity-based instead of another collectible. Kids open 24 days of Play-Doh colors, tools and creative surprises, then use everything to create a winter scene. It’s one of the better-value calendars at roughly $18–$25.
Where to buy: Staples, Walmart, Amazon and other major retailers.

8. 💖 Barbie Fantasy Advent Calendar
Barbie gets a full holiday makeover with 24 days of accessories and surprises, starting with a Barbie doll and continuing with outfits and fantasy-themed pieces. Current listings are around $40, though there are several Barbie Advent Calendar styles this season.
Where to buy: Best Buy, Walmart and major toy retailers.

9. 🧲 MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar
One of my favorite choices for families that want something with a STEM/creative-play angle. It includes 34 holiday-themed microMAGS pieces, including characters and pieces that build into a little train adventure. It’s designed for ages 3+ and currently runs about $39.99.
Where to buy: Target, Walmart, Amazon or directly from MAGNA-TILES.

10. 📚 Mini Brands Mini Books Advent Calendar
This is a fun one to include because it reaches the older kid/tween/collector crowd instead of only little kids. There are 24 surprises: 18 miniature classic books plus six reading-themed accessories. Current 2026 listings have been around $20–$35, depending on retailer.
Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and collectible/toy retailers.

🌎 SNACK WORLD IS NOW OPEN IN POUGHKEEPSIE! 🌎🍭

If you love trying snacks you can’t find at your everyday grocery store, you NEED to check out the brand-new Snack World at the Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall! 😍

They have SO many exotic snacks, candies, drinks and wild flavors from around the world — including unique chips, international chocolates, fruity drinks, limited-edition treats and flavors we’ve never even seen before! 🤯🍬🥤

Half the fun is walking around and finding the craziest flavor to try next. 😂 From sweet to salty, spicy to totally unexpected, there is seriously something for everyone!

We had so much fun checking out the new location and picking out some treats to taste test. 👀✨

📍 Snack World
Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall
Poughkeepsie, NY

2001 south Rd , Poughkeepsie Newyork
Second floor near food court/arcade/American Eagle

Would you try the weirdest flavor you could find or stick with something safe? 😂👇

💈💇‍♀️💇‍♀️💇‍♀️

🎀 Fresh cuts + big smiles at Pigtails & Crewcuts Teaneck! 🎀✂️

Haircut days are so much easier when the salon is made just for kids! 💕 From the fun chairs and kid-friendly atmosphere to the sweet and patient stylists, Pigtails & Crewcuts in Teaneck makes getting a haircut feel like a special little outing instead of a chore. 🥰

If your little one is nervous about haircuts or you’re just looking for a cute, family-friendly salon, definitely add them to your list! ✨

📍 Pigtails & Crewcuts — Teaneck, NJ
✂️ Kids’ haircuts
🎀 Adorable styles
💗 A fun, welcoming experience for little ones

We love a fresh-hair moment! 💇‍♀️✨

We stepped straight into the DC Universe for the Opening Night of DC™ Heroes and Villains Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure — and this event was SO much fun! 💥

Metropolis completely transformed with Super Heroes, Super-Villains and nonstop entertainment around every corner. From the DC Heroes Bash Cavalcade and character meet & greets to The Joker™ Dance Party, Harley Quinn™ & The Hyenas, Catwoman™ Purr-Petrators-A-Go-Go and the epic Super-Hero Smackdown! finale — there was always something happening! 🃏🐾💥

And of course, we had to check out the limited-time DC-themed food and drinks while still squeezing in some of our favorite Six Flags rides! 🎢🍿

If you have a little superhero (or villain 😈) at home, definitely add DC Heroes and Villains Fest to your Six Flags Great Adventure plans!

Who are YOU choosing — Team Hero 🦸‍♀️ or Team Villain 🦹‍♀️? Tell me below! 👇

This event ends Aug 30th so hurry !

Thank you Six Flags Great Adventure for having us! ❤️💙💛

👀👀🌊can’t wait to visit soon!

🚨 GRAND OPENING ALERT 🚨

Bloomfield, NJ just got a whole lot crispier 🍗🔥
If you love Korean-style fried chicken, you NEED to try Two Box Chicken! Every bite is perfectly crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with bold flavor 🤤

From the crispy texture to the delicious sauces, this spot is officially our new obsession. Perfect for family dinner, date night, or grabbing food with friends 🙌

Run, don’t walk to the new Bloomfield location and thank us later 👏🔥

📍 Bloomfield, NJ

Don’t forget to stop by the NEW ! Build a bear hello kitty store at American Dream
Mall today from 11-1 for a Hello Kitty meet and greet! 💓💓💓

SCOOPING up the cutest summer ever 🍦🎀✨

We got an exclusive first look at the NEW Hello Kitty® and Friends Ice Cream Shop Collection at Build-A-Bear and it is PURE childhood magic 💕 From adorable plushies to the sweetest ice cream shop vibes, this is officially the must-visit summer stop for Sanrio lovers!

Even sweeter? 🍨
Ice Cream Social Hours are happening EVERY Tuesday in June — making this the perfect fun family outing, girls day, or summer surprise for your little ones ☀️💖

📍Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty® and Friends Workshop
American Dream, NJ

Tag your Hello Kitty bestie because this collection is going to melt hearts 🩷🍦✨