New events and listings received after publication for the Kids Guide Calendar are listed below. Refer to the site index at left to look for upcoming activities by category and use the convenient links to access the most up-to-date information on exhibitions, events and activities. Email entries for HOT PICKS to kids@kidsguide.com or submit event using the form on the top menu bar.
| Recent museum exhibition openings |
| New events added to the Kids Guide calendar | Ongoing events and new events open for registration or advance tickets | 2011-2012 season announcements |
recent openings
Thru Feb 20
The Art of the Brick: LEGO Sculptures by Nathan Sawaya
Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown, 973-971-3700. Twenty five large scale sculptures created out of LEGO bricks on view. Special area set up where visitors can build their own LEGO creations.
Jan 28
Windmills and Wind Power, two-hour hands on model-building workshop led by Architect Stephen W. Schwartz for 50 families to create LEGO structures.
Thru Jul 1
Gone for a Soldier: Jerseymen in the Civil War
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, 973-538-2404. The exhibit, in collaboration with the New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, brings together memorabilia chronicling the experience of New Jersey and her soldiers in the Civil War.
new events
Thru Feb 3
Hudson County Restaurant Week
Washington St., Hoboken, 732-599-3522. Enjoy fine dining at special prices at some of the best restaurants in Hudson County. Participating restaurants online.
27 Jan
Infant Massage
Destination Maternity, 65 Rt. 4W, Paramus, 201-291-6151. Fridays 12pm. $100 for 4-week session. Infant touch and massage has become recognized as a powerful means to promote infant development, attachment with caregivers, and a multitude of physiological and emotional benefits. The approach is empowering and has the ability to create great benefits for both parents and baby. Learn massage techniques in this 4 week series that you can incorporate into your healthy routine.
27-28 Jan
Triple Threat Productions Presents Class Action by Brad Slaight
Green Brook Middle School Auditorium, Jefferson Ave., Green Brook, 908-868-6121. 7:30pm. Tickets $12. An evening of monologues and short scenes deal with situations that junior high and high school students face. Class Action has been performed in many schools as a tool to help students identify with problems and stresses in life around them and how to address issues head on. The cast is made up of teens and young adults from Somerset and Union Counties as well as Kean University.
28 Jan
The NJ Camp Fairs
Radisson Hotel Freehold, 50 Gibson Place, Freehold. 12-3. Free admission. Meet camp directors from local day camps to sleepaway camps. College students and adults are encouraged to job hunt.
Survival Series: Part 2
NJ Audubon Society Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Rd., Cranbury, 609-897-9400. 2:30-4pm. Members $3, non-members $5. If you have ever wanted to learn some skills that will help to keep you alive in a survival situation, then this is your chance. This three part series will expose participants to practical knowledge about shelter, making fire, procuring water, and other survival skills.
28-29 Jan
Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival
Bridge St., Lambertville & New Hope, 609-397-0055. Ice carving demonstrations, parade, music, chili cook-off, walking tours, children's activities, entertainment and more. Visit website for complete schedule.
Carnival of the Animals Lolli-Pops Concert
The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, East 68th St. between Park and Lexington Aves., New York, 212-971-9500. $15-40. Sat. 10 & 11:30. Sun. 1 & 2:30pm. Camille Saint-Saëns' beloved Carnival of the Animals, guest conducted by Daniel Meyer, comes to life as Peter H. Reynolds, New York Times best-selling author and illustrator of the Judy Moody books, creates original artwork before your eyes. See and hear how music tells a story! Kids in attendance receive a free coloring book by Mr. Reynolds. In addition, Mr. Reynolds will be available after the performance for a book signing.
29 Jan
LEGO Architectural Heritage Workshop
Washington Elementary School, Summit, 908-277-6100. Stephen W. Schwartz, AIA, Architect of SWS Architects in Livingston, brings over 60,000 Legos for family teams to recreate Summit buildings on the gym floor of Washington Elementary School. $25 registration fee per family supports the Summit Historical Society.
Academy of OLP Open House
99 South St., New Providence, 908-464-8657. 10am-12:30pm. Meet principal Mr. Tom Berrios and students, tour updated labs and classrooms and view Smartboard technology. Staff and students look forward to meeting you to discuss The Academy's challenging academic curriculum and many extra-curricular activities including the award-winning forensics and robotics teams and many sports teams. Offering full day Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and Kindergarten as well as Before and After Care. Come see what The Academy Advantage is all about!
The NJ Camp Fairs
East Hanover Ramada Inn and Conference Center, 130 Route 10W, East Hanover. 12-3. Free admission. Meet camp directors from local day camps to sleepaway camps. College students and adults are encouraged to job hunt.
Princesses & Pirates Open House Brunch
The Preschool at Adath Shalom, 841 Mountain Way, Morris Plains, 973-539-4440. 11:30-1:30pm. Free. Come enjoy a light breakfast with some famous Disney characters and then tour our magnificent facility.
Free Acting/Performing Social Training Session
Somerset location. 1:30-3:45pm. Free. Acting makes an ideal activity to develop and refine social communication and this class takes full advantage of this fact, offering critical skills training in perspective-taking and social-mirroring for students with special needs, while also sprinkling in "For Everyone" mini-lessons from the New Way Center's "No Drama, Please!" curriculum. After the presentation, the kids will have time to meet each other, chat or play. Visit link for details and location.
Studio Yoga Open House
Studio Yoga, 2 Green Village Rd., Madison, 973-966-5311. 12-6pm. Free. Everyone is welcome for a wide variety of mini-classes and performances for children and adults, refreshments and raffles for free classes. Throughout the day participants can enjoy a different yoga class every hour, including Chair Yoga, classes for kids and teens, Vinyasa Yoga, and Yoga for Everyone. Studio Yoga Staff Instructors will also offer mini-classes in Zumba, Pilates, and Tai Chi.
New this year will be mini-classes in MELT, Women's Self-Defense, Nutrition, Embodied Anatomy, singing bowls, meditation, and The MELT Method for erasing pain and tension. For a small fee, threading and henna tattoos will also be available. A Belly Dance performance presented by Tasha and Dancer features cabaret-style belly dance students demonstrating this fun and accessible dance form.
1 Feb
Academy of OLP Open House
99 South St., New Providence, 908-464-8657. 9-11am. Meet principal Mr. Tom Berrios and students, tour updated labs and classrooms and view Smartboard technology. Staff and students look forward to meeting you to discuss The Academy's challenging academic curriculum and many extra-curricular activities including the award-winning forensics and robotics teams and many sports teams. Offering full day Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and Kindergarten as well as Before and After Care. Come see what The Academy Advantage is all about!
4 Feb
Passport to Art: The Art of Rachel Perry Welty
Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, 732-932-7237 ext. 615. 12:30-3pm. Members $10 per child, non-members $15 per child, parents or guardians are free. Advanced registration is required. Travel the world of art on six first Saturdays. In conjunction with the Zimmerli's special exhibition, Rachel Perry Welty 24/7, artist and educator Dot Paolo leads a workshop that explores the creation of artworks from consumer goods, such as advertisements, price tags and even twist ties.
World Culture Day: Chinese New Year Celebration
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St., Philadelphia, 215-898-4000. 11am-4pm. Ring in the Year of the Dragon at the 31st annual, daylong extravaganza celebration. Penn Museum invites the whole family to celebrate the New Year with a wide variety of music and dance performances, children's activities, storytelling, arts and crafts, and martial and healing arts workshops. The day ends with a drum roll, a roar, and the popular Lion Dance parade. Free with Museum admission.
Animal Tracking Series
NJ Audubon Society Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Rd., Cranbury, 609-897-9400. 2:30-4pm. Members $3, non-members $5. Come and learn about the art and science of animal tracking. This second class will focus on trailing animals and how animals move. If there is snow program participants will trail animals on an adventure outdoors. Dress appropriately for the weather, and bring a notebook.
Paper Mache, Cartoons & Craft Party for ASD Kids
Marlboro location. 2-4pm. $20. Let the kids create their own 3D animals, food, famous characters and more. There will be painting, drawing, water color, Papier Mache and many other arts and craft activities to choose from. Visit link for details and location.
5 Feb
Free First Sundays
Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, 732-932-7237. 12-5pm. Free. Admission is free to all the first Sunday of every month at the Zimmerli. Scavenger hunts are offered between 12:30 and 4pm and tours for children and adults are available at 1 & 2pm. Visit Studio Z throughout the day for self-guided learning and creativity.
A Collection of Novelty Valentines
Miller Cory House Museum, 614 Mountain Ave., Westfield, 908-232-1776. 2-4pm. These are not your standard Valentine's Day cards! Filled with tiny embellishments of cloth or metal; featuring puns, plays on words or silly rhymes; cut in unusual shapes; or made with materials other than paper, the valentines on display at the Museum will delight all ages. The program also includes a children's craft and storytelling.
Winter's Day on the Farm
Fosterfield's Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Rd., Morris Twp., 973-326-7644. 12-4pm. Adults $6, srs. $5, children 4-16 $4, ages 2 & 3 $2. Free for children under age 2 and Frends members with valid I.D. Enjoy a tractor-pulled wagon ride. Weather permitting, watch ice as it's harvested on the pond. Assist with maple tapping, saw wood, crack corn, collect eggs, and churn butter. See wood stove cooking demonstrated in the Farmhouse and The Willows kitchens.
The NJ Camp Fairs
Bridgewater Marriott, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater. 12-3. Free admission. Meet camp directors from local day camps to sleepaway camps. College students and adults are encouraged to job hunt.
The Mothers Circle Mini Course
Panera Bread, 165 W. State Rt. 4, Paramus, 201-489-2463 for info. 10-12pm. Free 3-session introductory workshop to Jewish parenting is designed for women of other religious backgrounds who are raising Jewish children within the context of intermarriage. The three sessions will cover topics such as how to create a Jewish home, the Jewish child's life cycle events, and an overview of the Jewish holidays. Workshops will be held Feb. 5, Feb. 12 and March 4.
ongoing events, advance tickets, open for registration
Jan 28-29, Feb 4-5, 11, 18-19, 25-26, Mar 4, 10-11
Maple Sugaring Demos
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Southern Blvd., Chatham, 973-635-6629. 2pm. $3 per person. Discover the process of maple sugaring by identifying and tapping maple trees, collecting sap and making syrup over a wood-fired evaporator.
25-29 Jan
Disney on Ice Presents Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey
Sun National Bank Center, 81 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, 609-656-3200. $20-$65. Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a journey into the magical worlds of Disney's The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan, and Lilo & Stitch.
18 Jan-Feb 6
20at20
Off Broadway Theatres, New York. Tickets for all 20at20 shows are only $20, starting 20 minutes before show time. Just go to the box office of the show you want to see 20 minutes before it begins and say, "20at20" and you'll get your ticket! Select from many family shows, see website for a complete list of participating shows.
Thru Mar 24
Paper Moon Puppet Theatre presents The Sleeping Beauty
Paper Moon Puppet Theatre, 171 First Ave., Suite 8 (entrance is around the corner on West Garfield), Atlantic Highlands, 732-787-0400 for reservations. Performances on Saturdays at 2pm. Tickets $9. This is the classic tale of the beautiful princess who falls under a witch's spell and sleeps for 100 years. Three lovable fairies, a court jester and a little dog add to the story's timeless charm.
Feb-Apr
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center Family Theatre
457 Shirley Rd., Elmer, 800-394-1211. Performances 2-3pm. Tickets $8.
Feb 11
A Year with Frog and Toad, ages 3 & up.
Mar 17
Finn McCool and Other Tall Tales, ages 3 & up.
Mar 31
The Fun & Funny Juggling Show with Will Shaw, all ages.
Apr 14
Jim West in North, South, East & Jim West.
Ongoing
Playwrights Theatre's Creative Arts Academy for Kids & Teens
Playwrights Theatre, 33 Green Village Rd., Madison, 973-514-1787 x21. Registration now open for two week summer workshops offered for ages pre-K to 12th grade. Half and full-day sessions.
Star Shows & Laser Concerts
Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium, Rt. 28 & Lamington Rd., North Branch, 908-231-8805. $6 per person per show. $11 per person for two shows in one day. Reservations recommended.
State Theatre
15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, 732-246-7469.
Jan 27
BLAST!, winner of the 2001 Tony® Award for "Best Special Theatrical Event" and the 2001 Emmy® Award for "Best Choreography," is comprised of 35 brass, percussion, and visual performers brought together in a unique explosion of music and theater. 8pm. $25-57.
Jan 29
Sing a Long Sound of Music, your chance to test your vocal range with several hundred other assorted nuns, Von Trapp family members, and Julie Andrews look-a-likes! The evening begins with a live show in which your host will lead you through a vocal warm-up, judge the fancy dress competition, and award the prizes. Costumes are not required but they are highly recommended. The host will then show you how to use your free goody bag throughout the film and suggest some appropriate heckles and accompanying actions (such as hissing at the countess, barking at Rolf and, of course, cheering for Maria). Then, you sit back and watch the original 1965 movie with the lyrics for all the songs on the screen. The audience takes over as the star of the show from this point and almost anything can happen. 3pm. $18-22.
Feb 20
Dan Zanes and Friends, the former lead singer of the 1980s pop band, the Del Fuegos, Zanes has been dubbed "the crown prince of contemporary kids' music" by People magazine. He gives children's classics like "Waltzing Matilda" and "The Hokey Pokey" his own rockin' spin, mixing in folk, country, Latino grooves, and smart, inventive original songs in both English and Spanish. 10:30am. $10-20.
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, features world class entertainers including internationally acclaimed clowns, amazing circus acts, and live music for all ages. 3:30pm. $10-25.
Mar 18
New Shanghai Acrobats, features astonishing acrobatics, breathtaking feats of strength and balance, contortion acts, juggling, magic, and more. 4pm. $22-38.
Mar 28
The Fresh Beat Band, Nickelodeon's popular preschool music group and stars of the hit TV series of the same name teaches preschoolers about music appreciation and how to express their feelings through movement, song, and instrumental music. 3 & 6pm. $19-119.
Now Taking Reservations
2011-2012 School Reservations
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, 973-538-2404. The museum offers ahnds-on programs for elementary and high school students both on-site at the museum and off-site in New Jersey classrooms. Activities and topics meet New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards.
10 May
Imagination Movers Rock-O-Matic Tour
Count Basie Theater, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, 732-224-8778. 4 & 7pm. $19.50-$119.50. If the Beastie Boys collaborated with Mr. Rogers, you'd have The Imagination Movers, the Emmy Award winning child-centered rock band, stars of the hit Playhouse Disney TV show and chart-topping stars on XM Kids Satellite Radio. Their concerts use songs, stories, skits and audience games to encourage children to exercise their bodies and brains, "reach high, think big, work hard and have fun."
2011-2012 season announcements
See the Music & Dance and Theatre categories for selected children, family and adult events and use the convenient links to access complete season calendars.
