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 | 2012-2013 season announcements |
recent openings
Open
Kiddieo Mall
An online marketplace for parents to buy and sell brand name and high quality gently-used kids' clothes, baby gears, books, toys, etc. Earn reward points for every dollar spent on purchases to redeem for gifts. Join free!
5 May-Jan 13
Maya 2012: Lords of Time
Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St., Philadelphia, 215-898-4000. Tues. 10-5, Wed., 10-8, Thurs.-Sun. 10-5. Adults $22.50, srs./military $18.50, students and children 6-17 $16.50. Special exhibition timed tickets may be purchased online or by phone, 1-888-695-0888. A world premiere family-friendly exhibition confronts the current fascination with the year 2012, comparing predictions of a world-transforming apocalypse with their supposed origins in the ancient Maya civilization. Visitors explore the Maya world through a range of interactive experiences and walk among sculptures and full-sized replicas of major monuments while uncovering the truth behind these apocalyptic predictions.
Thru Jun 3
85th Anniversary of Essex County Preby Memorial Iris Gardens
474 Upper Mountain Ave., Upper Montclair, 973-783-5974. This living museum, listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Sites, offers a spectacular display of thousands of iris varieties. Open 10am-8pm daily during bloom season, May 5 through June 3.
26 May-Nov 12
Field Station: Dinosaurs
One Dinosaur Way, Secaucus, 855-999-9010 tickets, 973-748-4317 groups. Open May 26-July 1 and Sept. 3-Nov. 12: Mon.-Fri. 10am-3pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am-5pm. July 2-Sept. 2: Open 7 days 10am-7pm.
Field Station: Dinosaurs is a thrilling dinosaur expedition featuring over 30 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. Set against the breathtaking natural backdrop of the New Jersey Meadowlands and nestled at the base of a 150 million year old rock formation, the Field Station is an oasis of natural wonder.
Open
New KidZone
Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Dr., Camden, 866-451-AQUA. Adventure Aquarium's largest renovation since first opening in 2005 features new interactive activities, games, exhibits, kids' characters and an impressive collection of new and returning animals and touch species, located upstairs in Zone C.
Thru Jun 3
The Steins Collect: Matisse, Picasso, and the Parisian Avant-Garde
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., 212-535-7710. The Stein family's Saturday-evening salons introduced a generation of visitors to recent developments in art, particularly the work of their close friends Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, long before it was on view in museums. The exhibition will unite some 200 works of art to demonstrate the significant impact the Steins' patronage had on the artists of their day and the way in which the family disseminated a new standard of taste for modern art.
9 Jun-Sept 9
Delaware River Tubing
2998 Daniel Bray Highway, Frenchtown, 908-996-5386. Open daily from June 9 through Sept. 9. See website for specific hours and pricing. Spend a day floating down the beautiful Delaware River in a tube, raft, canoe or kayak. Every rental includes a free bbq meal with "The Famous River Hot Dog Man" with picnic tables in the water.
Thru Jun 24
13th Annual Gaelen Juried Art Show & Sale
Gaelen Gallery West of the Lautenberg Family Center, Aidekman Campus, 901 Rt. 10 E., Whippany, 973-530-3413. Gallery hours are Mon.-Thurs. 7:30am-7:30pm, Fri. 7:30am-4pm and Sun. Exhibition is free and open to the public. 100 works in drawing, mixed media, painting, photography and sculpture are featured. Most of the art in the highly selective and prestigious show is for sale. School groups and community groups are welcome to visit the show; arrangements for a docent to provide a tour and lecture can be made upon request.
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.
Thru Jul 19
W. Carl Burger, Drawing for Fifty Years
Kean University Carl and Helen Burger Gallery, 1000 Morris Ave., Union, 908-737-0392. Exhibition examines Burger's prolific career, beginning with his early renderings of French landscapes and European architecture seen through the eyes of a young artist-soldier in the 1940s, then advances through each subsequent stage of development to the present.
A reception with the artist will be held on Tuesday, April 24, from 4-6pm.
Thru Jul 22
My Neighborhood Forest Photo Contest
Visit Challenge.gov for details about My Neighborhood Forest photo contest, celebrating America's urban and community forests. The contest, sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, seeks to highlight the natural beauty that spring and summer bring to U.S. neighborhoods, communities and cities, as well as the crucial role of trees in the places we call home. The Grand Prize winner will receive $200 in outdoor gear courtesy of the National Forest Foundation.
Thru Sept 3
From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life & Music of Bruce Springsteen
National Constitution Center, 111 S. Independence Mall E., Philadelphia, 866-917-1787. Created by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.
Thru Jan 6
Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminescence
The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. at 79th St., 212-769-5100. A series of re-created environments explore the diversity of extraordinary organisms that produce light, from flickering fireflies to alien deep-sea fishes that illuminate the perpetually dark depths of the oceans.
new events
16-19 May
Our Lady of Peace Annual Country Fair
111 South St., New Providence, 908-464-7600. Wed. & Thurs. 6-10pm, Fri. 6-11pm, Sat. 1-11pm. Rides, games, food, 50/50, unique crafters and new virtual gaming experience featuring Wii and Xbox games. Tickets available at Our Lady of Peace Rectory.
17-20 May
Shrine Circus
Mennen Arena, 161 E.Hanover Ave., Morristown, 973-992-2860. 3-ring family circus includes lions, tigers, elephants, clowns, high-wire act. Visit website or call for show times and ticket info.
18 May
Art Museum Day
Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, 732-932-7237. 10am-4:30pm. Free. Coinciding with International Museum Day, the day also features a special scavenger hunt for children.
2012 Caring For Kids
Hilton East Brunswick Hotel, 3 Tower Center Blvd., East Brunswick. 9am-1pm. Fun-filled activities for all children, special needs kids and networking opportunities for caregivers and professionals associated with their care. 100% of net proceeds benefit the March of Dimes. Sponsored by Try Us Health Care Services.
19 May
Cookies for Kids' Cancer 2nd Annual Free Kids' Fun Day
Bauer Community Center, Taylor Park, Millburn. 1-4pm. Performing will be Anya Parker-Lentz, Preschool of Rock, Rizzo's Reptile Discovery and Uncle John's Musical Puppet Show. Face painting, arts and crafts by Creative Kids, and more. Stop by the biggest bake sale in front of Splurge Bakery. Visit website for many ways to support the Children of Millburn/Short Hills efforts to raise money for Cookies for Kids' Cancer. Schedule a photo shoot with Jordan Elyse on May 19 from 9-5, purchase a signature t-shirt, attend the celebrity chef book signing on Sunday from 2-4 at Word Bookstore in Maplewood, place an order for the signature Cookies for Kids' Cancer cookie by calling Splurge Bakery at 973-379-0740.
Wizard of Oz Family Fun
Community Childrens Museum, 77 E. Blackwell St., Dover, 973-366-9060. 10:30-12:30pm. Kids $7, adults $5, srs. $4. Snack and museum entrance included.
Food Revolution Day
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Rd., Morristown, 973-285-6536. 11am-4pm. Free. Farm tours: adults $6, srs. $5, ages 4-16 $4, ages 2-3 $2, under 2 free.
All ages are invited to celebrate food, history, culture and healthy cooking. Enjoy fun fitness activities across Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, including nature walks, 20-minute exercise routines designed for all ages, and Charleston dance lessons. Listen to a variety of lectures beginning at the top of every hour with topics ranging from genetically modified organisms to childhood obesity awareness to the benefits of a raw vegetarian diet. Demonstrations and cooking tutorials are given every hour on a variety of cooking topics. Local wellness and cultural organizations are also participating. In coordination with the Jamie Oliver Foundation.
Star Parties
Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Rd., Mountainside, 908-789-3670. 8-10pm. Get the latest planet/constellation information in Trailside's auditorium, then go outside to see Saturn, Mars, M13 Globular Star Cluster in Hercules, Mizar and Alcor.
emPOWERED Family Day Festival
Newark Museum, 49 Washington St., Newark, 973-596-6550. 12-4:30pm. Discover renewable energy with hands-on activities involving solar car races, electrical generators, radiometers, wind mills, plant power, hydro power and solar telescope. An interactive musical show for kids, The Magic of Energy, will be shown in the auditorium at 1 & 3pm. Planetarium shows will be shown at 1, 2 3 & 4pm.
Circle Line Kids Cruise Series Kick Off
Pier 83, New York. Boarding begins at 9:30am, sailing from 10-11:15am. Adults $28, ages 3-12 $20, ages 3 and under free. Circle Line cruise's kickoff event includes a performance from special guest, Dan Zanes, and many NYC attractions participating on Pier 83 including guests from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Onboard activities include a live interactive tour guide, juggler, magician, balloon artist, meet and greet with The Berenstain Bears, food and drink available for purchase, raffle prizes and giveaways and a complimentary giftbag. Kids Cruise sailings are scheduled for the first Saturday of the month June-Aug.
19-20 May
Fine Art and Crafts at Verona Park
Verona Park, corner of Pleasant Valley Way & Bloomfield Ave., Verona. 10-5 rain or shine. 140 juried fine artists, photographers and fine crafters.
Ocean Fun Days
Island Beach State Park, GSP exit 82; and Sandy Hook, from GSP South exit 117, from GSP North exit 105. 11am-3pm. Free. Enjoy exhibits, nature tours, classes and children's activities about our coastal environment. Learn the science of our shorelines and how to care for them for years to come.
Bourbon Street Blues Fest
Lebanon Twp. Memorial Park,Bunnvale Rd., Lebanon Twp. Gates open at 11am, music 11:30-8pm, rain or shine. Purchase tickets online or at the gate. Two stages of live music, covered pavilion, food and beverages, Southern specialties, merchandise, kids activities. Advance ticket discounts.
Mayfest
Historic Smithville, Rt. 9 at Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, 609-748-6160. Crafters and auto show.
Duke Farms Orientation Center & Miles of Trails
80 Rt. 206S, Hillsborough, 908-722-3700. Duke Farms celebrates the grand opening of its new orientation center in the estate's former horse and dairy barn and the opening of 18 miles of trails, 4 miles of paved wheelchair-accessible and stroller-friendly lanes and 12 miles of paved and gravel paths for biking. Visit website for a full schedule of weekend activities, some require advance registration.
Family Nature Program: The Birds Are Back in Town
NJ Audubon, 80 Scotts Corner Rd., Cranbury, 609-897-9400. 3:30-5pm. Non-members $5, members $3. Meet a live bird up close and discover what makes birds so special. After some inside discovery time and activities introducing budding naturalists to birds, participants will head outside for a bird adventure. Children, ages 3-7, must be accompanied by an adult.
20 May
11th Annual Maplewood MayFest
Springfield Ave. from Indiana St. to Oberlin St., Maplewood. 12-5pm. Enjoy rides, games, two petting zoos, pony rides, live music on two stages, food, a classic car show and more than 100 participating vendors. Bands kick off the event with live music starting at noon. Raindate: May 27.
Art Afternoon: Meet & Make
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm St., Summit, 908-273-9121. 1-4pm. Free. Meet the three Spring/Summer exhibiting artists and create art inspired by their work. Three different hands-on workshops will offer collage, painting, and kinetic art projects for the whole family. The three Spring/Summer exhibitions are John Goodyear: Shifting Views; David Ambrose: AFTERimage; and Changing Times: Seven Years of The Collage Journal by Peter Jacobs.
Conservation Celebration
Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island, 718-442-3101. 10:30am-3:30pm. Find out what the Zoo is doing to help the Amur Leopards in their biggest conservation project to date. There are only 34 left in the wild. Meet local environmental organizations and learn what you can do to keep our planet healthy. There will also be keeper talks, displays, face painting, crafts and more.
Be Our Guest
Visit 10 different sites in Morris County free for one day only, 12-4pm. Participating sites are: Acorn Hall, Community Children's Museum, Dover History Museum House, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morris Museum, Morristown National Historical Park, Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Schuyler-Hamilton House, and the Stickley Museum of Craftsman Farms. For more information, visit website or contact Morris County Tourism Bureau, 973-631-5151.
Garden Fair
Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Rd., Mountainside, 908-789-3670. 12-5pm. $3, ages 6 and under free. Union County Master Gardeners annual plant sale and workshop.
Free Family Day: Draw On!
Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Ave., Montclair, 973-746-5555. 1-5pm. Free. Families are invited to participate in art projects, demonstrations, and workshops. Investigate still life and drawing from a model, performances, and gallery activities, all inspired by the basic art of drawing. Come ready to try new drawing mediums and techniques as MAM hosts an afternoon of artistic activities. Explore the galleries and join the MAM community for a fun-filled afternoon. Free Family Days are made possible, in part, by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. This community-based program is in conjunction with The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art's program Draw On! 2012.
Kidsland 2012 at the Katz JCC
1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, 856-424-4444. 11am-4pm. $5 per person, free for children under age 2. Over 100 hands-on activities and educational exhibits, as well as continuous entertainment, prize drawings and food. Hands-on activities include make your own cupcake, a rock climbing wall, face painting, inflatables, pony rides, petting zoo, sports mascots, put yourself in a bubble and more. Entertainment includes a DJ and dancing, Mummers performance and live shows.
8th Annual Touch-A-Truck hosted by the JLBC
1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, 201-447-2292. 10am-2pm. $20 per family. The Junior League of Bergen County invites your family to a fun and educational event for kids of all ages. Kids will get to climb on all kinds of vehicles, honk the horns, learn about cars and explore. Event also includes food and music, face-painting, a bouncy-house and a children's safety exhibit.
Family Woodland Walk
New Jersey State Botanical Garden, 2 Morris Rd., Ringwood, 973-962-9534. 1pm.
Family walks, offered the 3rd Sunday of each month, are designed with the whole family in mind: grandparents, parents and kids will explore the extensive trail network surrounding the Botanical Garden. Additional walks are scheduled for June 17 and July 15.
Millington's Arts & Crafts Blossomfest
Long Hill Rd. between the Millington Firehouse and the Post Office, Millington. 10am-5pm rain or shine. Juried show features local and regional artisans selling works of original art and craftsmanship. Refreshments and music.
Bernardsville Street Fair & Craft Show
Rt. 202, Downtown Bernardsville, 908-654-1400. 11am-5pm. Artists, crafters, vendors, inflatable rides, games, live music, clowns and family activities.
Woodbridge Animal Shelter 5th Annual Dog Walk
Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park, Sewaren, 732-726-7036. Registration begins at 10am, event begins at 11am. $10 registration fee. A day of food, fun, music, vendors, rescues, prizes and more. See details on Facebook page.
New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF) and New Jersey PGA Play Golf America Day!
201 Hamilton Rd., Hillsborough. 11am-3pm. Free, registration is not required. A variety of fun-filled and free golf activities for the whole family includes free golf instruction from PGA Professionals, FlightScope Launch Monitor Long Drive Contest, SNAG Golf Junior skills area, exciting prizes and more.
North Haledon Cooperative Nursery School 45th Anniversary Celebration & Alumni Day
North Haledon Cooperative Nursery School, 200 Squaw Brook Rd., North Haledon, 973-427-8709. 3-6pm. Bounce House, petting zoo, games, popcorn and cake. Food available for purchase from Jersey Johnny's and the ice cream man.
ongoing events, advance tickets, open for registration
Thru May 31
Mansion in May Designer Show House
Glynallyn Castle, Canfield Rd., Morris Twp., 973-971-8800. Advance tickets $25 through April 30, purchase at select locations or online; $30 at door and online May 1-31. Over 40 interior designers and 16 landscape designers showcase their talents at the historic Glynallyn castle, a 66-room mansion, including dungeon, situated on 7.5 acres. Proceeds benefit Morristown Hospital's new Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Center.
Weekends
Spring Weekend Family Scavenger Hunt
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 E. Hanover Ave., Morristown, 973-326-7603. Anytime Sat. and Sun. 9am-4:30pm. $10 per family. Grab a camera or phone and stop by the Haggerty Education Center for a nature photo scavenger hunt. Take a picture of every item, return to the Education Center and pick up your prize. Register by calling or visit website.
Weekends
StoryTime at Trailside Nature & Science Center
Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Rd., Mountainside, 908-789-3670. 3pm, donations appreciated. Join a Trailside staff members for engaging and entertaining stories of the season. Meet at the lower level of the Visitor Center by the bird viewing area.
Mar-May
Sprouts & Seedlings Parent-Child Workshops
Camden Children's Garden, 3 Riverside Dr., Camden, 856-365-8733. Wednesdays 10-11:30am. $10 per session.
Ages 2-4 with one adultEngaging garden-themed programs are designed for ages 2-4 with one adult. Each week focuses on a subtopic of the monthly theme and includes circle time, songs, hands-on activities, healthy snacks, story time, nature crafts, guided garden explorations, and a ride on our train or carousel. Advanced registration at least three days before each session is required, and sessions may fill up.
May 9, 16, 23
Beautiful Butterflies.
16 May
Bravo! Peter & the Wolf
State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, 732-246-7469 ext. 545. 10 & 12pm. All seats $8. School day matinee with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra.
1 Jun
Dyslexia: The Basics Conference
Englewood Hospital, 350 Engle St., Englewood, 908-876-1179. 8:45am-3pm. $20-$65 depending on registration. A one day conference offered by the New Jersey Branch of the International Dyslexia Association on the topic: Dyslexia: The Basics. Presenters will discuss: What is Dyslexia?; Understanding What Works: Best Practices for Teaching Students with Dyslexia and Your Legal Rights & Working with Your School District. All registrations by May 11. Lunch and free parking provided. Proceeds benefit three scholarship funds. Anyone interested in dyslexia is invited, especially parents, administrators, and teachers.
30 Sep
Autism Friendly Broadway Performances–Mary Poppins & The Lion King
The Theater Development Fund Autism Theater Initiative presents autism-friendly performance of Disney's The Lion King. All tickets are available at discount prices to families whose members include individuals on the autism spectrum. Tickets are sold only through the TDF website. To be notified when performances go on sale, as well as any future autism-friendly performances, sign up online.
Sep 30
The Lion King, Minskoff Theatre, 1515 Broadway, NYC. 1pm.
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.
Sundays May 20, 27, Jun 3, 10, 17, 24
Preschool Activities
The Brook Academy, 49 East Midland Ave., Paramus, 201-234-4488. 10am-4pm. Free.
Activities are designed for children ages 1 year to six years old--bouncy castle, play gym, arts & crafts, movie and more. Coffee, pastries and free wireless internet connection available for parents.
Adult Volunteers Wanted
The Boys & GIrls Clubs of Union County Bike Exchange
The Boys & Girls Club of Union County is looking for 25 or more adults interested in volunteering at the new Plainfield Bike Exchange. If you are interested, call Joe DeMaio at 908-687-2697 ext 115 or email jdemaio@bgcuc.org.
Now Taking Reservations
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.
2012-2013 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.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
One Center St., Newark, 1-888-GO-NJPAC.
Paper Mill Playhouse
Brookside Drive, Millburn, 973-376-4343; 973-379-3636. New subscribers save 40% off regular ticket prices.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
36 Madison Ave., Madison, 973-408-5600.
