Kids Guide NJ | New Jersey's Guide to activities, places and events for children, teens and families

AMC Summer Movie Camp
Participating AMC Theaters offer $1 family films Tues. at 10am. Proceeds benefit VarietyThe Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. Advance tickets on sale approx. one week before showtime.
Tues
$1 Family Movie, 10am Tues. June 15-Aug. 10.

Bridgewater Sports Arena
1425 Frontier Road, Bridgewater, 732-627-0006.

Clearview Cinemas Summer Kid's Club
Participating Clearview Cinemas offer free family movies on Wed. and Thurs. at 10:30am starting June 30. Seating is based on availability, first come, first served.
Wed, Thurs
Free Family Movies, 10:30am Wed. & Thurs.

The Funplex
182 Rt. 10 W., East Hanover, 973-428-1166.

Kid Junction
Kid Junction of Branchburg, 3322 Route 22 West, Branchburg Commons, Bldg. 12, Branchburg, 908-252-0055 or Kid Junction of Mount Laurel, 16000 Commerce Parkway, Suite A, Mount Laurel, 856-273-9500. A new and exciting, parent supervised, play place, learning center, and birthday party facility in Somerset and Burlington Counties, Kid Junction is the best place for your child's next birthday party, play date, educational field trip or just walk in for hours of open play fun! Kid Junction franchises are now available.

Medieval Times
149 Polito Ave., Lyndhurst, 888-WE-JOUST (888-935-6878). Inside the fully-enclosed climate controlled castle, you'll feast on a fabulous 4-course medieval banquet while witnessing brave knights compete in daring games of skill, dangerous swordplay and an authentic jousting tournament.

Olympika Gymnastics
250 Sheffield St., Mountainside, 908-514-0449. Open tumbling day, free open gym, Friday and Saturday Parents' Night Out. www.olympikagymnastics.com

Regal Cinemas Free Family Fun Festival
Participating Regal theatres offer G or PG movies every Tues. and Wed. at 10am. Tickets available at the box office on the day of the show, first-come, first-served.
Tues, Wed
Free Movies, 10am Tues. & Wed. June 29-Aug. 25.

Ripley's Believe It or Not!
New York Ave. & Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 609-347-2001; 234 W. 42nd St., New York, 212-398-3133. Thirteen themed galleries feature strange and unusual artifacts collected from around the world. www.ripleysatlanticcity.com or www.ripleysnewyork.com.

Union Sports Arena
2441-A Rt. 22W, Union, 908-687-8610. Union Sports Arena is Union County's "coolest" place for fun, featuring a yearround indoor ice skating rink and two indoor soccer fields. Our skating, soccer, football and baseball birthday parties are the best!

Uptown Playaround
Rt. 27, Kendall Park, 732-955-2005. Drop-in hours: Mon.-Fri. 10-7, call ahead for weekend hours as they vary. Children's indoor play, party and enrichment center.

amusement & water parks
Participating Recreation Departments sell discount tickets to many amusement and water parks in NewJersey and Pennsylvania through a
consignment agreement with the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association. Contact your recreation office for availability and further information.

Bowcraft Amusement Park
2545 Rt. 22W, Scotch Plains, 908-233-0675. Mon.-Thurs.10am-10pm, Fri.-Sun. Always free admission and free parking. Open April-Sept., Oct. & Nov. (weather permitting). New Jersey's family amusement park with over 16 kiddie rides, many adult rides, 18 hole miniature golf, video arcade, midway games and two food courts. Pick up a Kids' Guide for discount coupon.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
3830 Dorney Park Rd., Allentown, PA, 610-395-3724.

Hershey Park
West Derry Rd., (Rt. 78 to I-81S to exit 28), Hershey , PA. 800-HERSHEY.

Land of Make Believe
Rt. 611 (Exit 12 Rt. 80), Hope, 908-459-9000. Get more, pay less! Water park and amusement park for one low price! Perfect day trip destination. Free parking, Free picnicking, incredible family fun.

Morey's Piers & Beachfront Waterparks
Boardwalk (GSP exit 4B), Wildwood, 609-522-3900.

Mountain Creek Waterpark
200 Rt. 94, Vernon, 973-864-8444, 973-864-8250. New Jersey's largest and best-valued waterpark featuring over two dozen attractions-including High Anxiety, Alpine Pipeline, H2-OH-NO speed slide, and the Colorado River Ride. Fantastic daily, group and season pass rates. Ride the mountain!

Sahara Sam's Oasis Indoor Water Park
535 N. Rt. 73, West Berlin, 856-767-7580.

Sesame Place®
100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, PA 19047, 215-752-7070, 1-866-GO-4-ELMO. The nation's only theme park based on Sesame Street is designed for families with children ages 2-13. Water rides and activities, live shows, Vapor Trail roller coaster, Rock Around the Block Parade.
2010
30th Birthday of Sesame Place, special events all season.

Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari & Hurricane Harbor
Jackson, 732-928-1821. Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari offer fun for the entire family! With 13 thrilling roller coasters such as Kingda Ka, Bizarro, and El Toro, four children's areas, interactive animal shows like Dolphin Discovery and Temple of the Tiger and a sensational concert line-up, there is entertainment for the whole family. After the sun goes down, the park will light up with the Glow in the Park parade and Saturday Night Lights fireworks. Adjacent to the theme park, encounter more than 1,100 exotic animals from six different continents in the largest drive-thru safari outside of Africa. Families can also explore the Wild Safari Exploration Station, featuring hands-on Safari interactive adventures. And for water park enthusiasts, don't forget to stop-by Six Flags Hurricane Harbor to ride the all-new Tornado, offering more wet and wild fun at the No. 1 water park in the Northeast. For more information on ticketing, directions and attractions, visit www.sixflags.com
New
Tornado, new 60-ft. funnel-shaped water attraction in Hurricane Harbor.

SplashZone Waterpark
Schellenger Ave. & the Boardwalk (GSP exit 4B), Wildwood, 609-729-5600.

Tomahawk Lake Waterpark
Tomahawk Trail, Sparta, 973-398-7777. Weekends & holidays 9am-7pm. Weekdays: June & August 10:00am-5:30pm. Weekdays: July 10:00am-6pm. Weekends & holidays: Adults $11, ages 8 & under $10. Weekdays: Adults $10, ages 8 & under $9. Purchase individual tickets for water rides and game attractions or wristband for unlimited sliding for $15 weekends/$12 weekdays plus admission. Boat rentals and mini-golf additional.
Celebrating its 58th season, this family operated waterpark and "old-fashioned picnic place" features waterslides, bumper boats, paddle boats, rowboats, Kiddie Water World play area, and large swimming area on a white sandy beach. Catered group and senior picnics are a specialty. Call 973-478-7490 for brochure or visit www.tomahawklake.com.

Wild West City
Rt. 206, PO Box 37, Netcong, NJ 07857, 973-347-8900. Hit the trail to Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1880's.

creative fun

Color Me Mine of Bernardsville
30 Olcott Square, Bernardsville, 908-953-9000. Color Me Mine is a paint your own ceramics studio where kids of all ages can make masterpieces and have fun. We have fantastic parties, corporate team building, educational programs, fun fund raising, wedding and baby showers, gifts and more!

fairs & festivals
See Calendar of Events in the print version of the Kids' Guide for more Fairs & Festivals.

Forest of Fear
600 Rt. 17A, Sterling Forest, Tuxedo, NY, 845-351-5174. Open Oct. 8-31 Fri. Sat. and Sun. Hours and discount coupons available at www.forestoffear.com. A haunted Halloween attraction in a twisted carnival setting featuring a 6,000 sq. ft. walk-through haunted house. Screamingis only the beginning! Are you brave enough? Enter the Slaughterhouse and see if you survive the dark arena of terror! Experience your worst nightmares at every twisted turn! Frenzied vintage carnival rides and games, side-show entertainment in a dark carnival style, psychics, scary novelties, food and more. Located next to the New York Renaissance Faire. Only 45 minutes from NYC!
Oct 8-31
Open Fri.-Sun.

Hudson Valley Garlic Festival
NYS Thruway exit 20, Cantine Field, Saugerties, NY, 845-246-3090. $10 at gate, advance ticket discount. Two-day festival of everything garlic includes garlic marketplace, garlic food, lectures, demonstrations, music, arts and crafts, children's area. Sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Saugerties.
Sept 25-26

New Jersey Renaissance Kingdom
At Red Mill Museum Village, 56 Main St. (exit 15 Rt. 78), Clinton, 732-271-1119. Adults $20, children/srs. $10, 7 & under free. King Arthur and his court entertain with music, comedy performances and the Shakespeare Troupe. Living chess tournament; children's games, fairy tale performances and arts and crafts; merchants.
Jun 19-20, 26-27

33rd Annual New York Renaissance Faire
600 Rt. 17A, Sterling Forest, Tuxedo, NY, 845-351-5174. Open Aug. 7-Sept. 26. Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day 10-7. Adults $20, children (5-12) $10, children under 5 free. Open rain or shine.
Hundreds of brightly costumed performers fill the stages and bustling streets with laughter. Join Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth I on her grand visit to an amazing 16th century Faire! Cheer your favorite knight at the Joust Tournament. Meet Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Experience a Living Chess Match. Enjoy and interact with magicians, jugglers, swashbuckling pirates and strolling musicians. Laugh at tall tales! Witness amazing acrobatic feats! Play a game of skill or chance. Feast on savory sweets and tempting treats. Browse hundreds of shoppes, featuring the finest in handmade wares, as you stroll through our quaint village. Join us in this great escape! Only 45 minutes from NYC.
Aug 7-Sept 26

8th Annual Open House New York
Free. Famous buildings and architecturally significant sites in neighborhoods throughout all five boroughs open their doors to the public for tours, talks, performances, and family-friendly workshops. Guide, maps and children's activity guides are available.
Oct 9-10

Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
Solberg Airport, Readington, 800-HOTAIR-9. Fri. 1-10pm, Sat. 6am-10pm, Sun. 6am-8pm. Adults $17 advance, $25 at gate; children ages 4-12 $7 advance, $10 at gate; 3 & under free. On-site parking $5, free off-site shuttle bus from Raritan Valley Community College.

   Daily events include up to 125 hot air balloons ascending at 6:30am and 6:30pm. Entertainment tent, magic corner, family fun pavilion, zhu-niverse featuring zhu-zhu pets, amusement rides and numerous free exhibits and product samples. Rain or shine. Follow us on facebook and twitter.
Musical Highlights
Jul 23
      Air Supply, 8pm. Fireworks at 9:30pm.
Jul 24
      Emily Osment at 2pm. George Thorogood & the Destroyers at 8pm. Balloon Glow at 8pm.
Jul 25
      Rick Springfield at 3pm.

73rd Annual Warren County Farmers Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival
Fairgrounds in Harmony Twp., Rt. 519 (3 miles north of Phillipsburg), 908-859-6563. Admission prices that won't make you have a cow! Adults $5, ages 5-12 $3, 4 & under free. Weekday specials on admission and rides.
      Elvis impersonator Ryan Pelton on Monday night in the main arena. Grandstand tickets on sale now for $15 chairs and $10 grandstand seating. 10th Annual Balloon Festival with tethered balloon rides and launches every night. Livestock exhibits and shows, the Kids' Corral, midway, car and tractor shows, horse shows and more. Other main arena events: Mud Bog Competition, Tractor and Truck Pulls, Demolition Derby. For advance tickets call 908-859-6563. For a free brochure and schedule of events, group rates, or to schedule a balloon ride email info@warrencountyfarmersfair.org or call 908-454-3431.
Aug 1-7
      Kid Friendly, Family Friendly, Wallet Friendly!
Aug 2
      Elvis Impersonator Ryan Pelton, Monday night in the main arena. Tickets on sale now for $15/$10.

parent/child play

The Connection for Women and Families
79 Maple St., Summit, 908-273-4242. The Connection offers a wide variety of parent/child classes that provide children and their caregivers a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore, learn and participate in fun activities.

Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA
1340 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains, 908-889-8880. Parent/toddler gymnastics classes for children ages walking through 3 years old. Parent/child Swim Program for ages 6-30 months. Y Adventure Guides program for fathers and sons or daughters ages 4-12.

Kid Junction
Kid Junction of Branchburg, 3322 Route 22 West, Branchburg Commons, Bldg. 12, Branchburg, 908-252-0055 or Kid Junction of Mount Laurel, 16000 Commerce Parkway, Suite A, Mount Laurel, 856-273-9500. A new and exciting, parent supervised, play place, learning center, and birthday facility in Somerset and Burlington Counties, Kid Junction is the best place for your child's next birthday party, play date, educational field trip or just walk in for hours of open play fun! Kid Junction franchises are now available.

My Gym Children's Fitness Center
1100 South Ave. W., Westfield, 908-317-0888; The Marketplace, 3885 Rt. 27, Princeton, 732-422-3600; Coming soon to Glen Rock, Bergen County. Day, night, weekend classes and birthday parties. Children's fitness center, 6 wks.-13 yrs. 5/6 to 1 student/teacher ratio. Songs, dance, puppets, games, relays, sport skills, gymnastics and more. Birthday parties, Parent's Night Out, Summer, Spring and Winter Fun Days.

Olympika Gymnastics
250 Sheffield St., Mountainside, 908-514-0449. Mom-and-me classes. See complete listing under SportsGymnastics.

P.E.P. Club (Preschool Enrichment Program)
732-271-1007. Class locations in Warren, Lebanon and Bernards Twp. A parent & tot program for ages 6 mos.-4 yrs. that takes your child on imaginary adventures through music, tumbling, puppetry and crafts. Take a train ride, go to the zoo, farm and many other places. Also offer cooking class (3-7 yrs.), birthday parties and holiday theme parties.

Sunburst Gymnastics
565 Rahway Ave., Union, 908-810-1300. Parent and tot classes for ages 18 months-3 yrs. See listing under Gymnastics.

Hot Shot Tennis
Joli, 908-727-0011. Offering Toddler Tennis Together at many locations in Somerset, Middlesex and Essex Counties. Call for information.

big shows & concerts
New concerts and shows are continuously being added. Use the convenient links below for the latest events.
For smaller concert venues, see listings under Music & Dance.

Big Apple Circus
Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center, 800-922-3772, 888-541-3750. Intimate, classical one-ring circus at Lincoln Center Nov.-Jan. and other locations throughout the year.

Beacon Theatre
74th & Broadway, New York. Group sales 800-223-7565. Concerts and a variety of special events are presented in a newly renovated, 2,800-seat landmark building.

Thru Aug 29
Banana Shpeel, a new twist on vaudeville, Cirque du Soleil.

On & Off Broadway
www.ticketmaster.com; www.telecharge.com; www.DisneyOnBroadway.com. For a listing of shows with recommended ages, visit www.generationbroadway.com.
Open
The Addams Family, Lunt Fontanne Theatre.
American Idiot, St. James Theater.
Billy Elliot: The Musical, Imperial The
The Gazillion Bubble Show , New World Stages..
The Lion King, Minskoff Theatre.
Mamma Mia, Winter Garden Theatre.
Mary Poppins, New Amsterdam Theatre,
The Phantom of the Opera, Majestic Theatre.
South Pacific, Vivian Beaumont Theatre.
West Side Story, Palace Theatre.
Wicked, Gershwin Theatre.

Garden State Exhibit Center
50 Atrium Dr., Somerset, 732-469-4000.
Jun 18-20
      Animenext 2010.
Jul 17-18
      Garden State Cat Show.
Sep 11-12
      NJ Home Show.
Oct 1-3
      Garden State Greenfest, A PlanetHugger Event.
Oct 29-31
      Sugarloaf Craft Festival.
Dec 11
      13th Annual Craft Show & Pet Expo.

Izod Center
Rt. 3, East Rutherford. Box office: 201-935-3900; group sales 201-460-4370.
Aug 17
The Wiggles Wiggly Circus Live!

Jambase.com
Guide to live music, concerts and festivals, nationwide.

Live Nation
From the website of Live Nation, one of the largest producers of live concerts, you can search concerts by artist or venue and purchase tickets.

Madison Square Garden
WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, 7th Ave. at 33rd, 212-465-6741. Ticketmaster: 212-307-7171. Groups: 212-465-6080.
Jul 21-25
Walking with Dinosaurs.
Nov 17-Jan 2
Wintuk, Cirque du Soleil. The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
Raritan Center (Rt. 287 exit Rt. 514W), Edison, 732-417-1400.
Jun 26
      Funkmaster Flex Celebrity Car Show.
Jun 27
      Feis Irish Dance Competition.
Jul 17-18
      Innovative Beads Expo.
Aug 14-15
      Greenbergs Train & Toy Show.
Oct 15-17
      Country Folk Art Craft Show.
Oct 15-17
      Wizard Entertainment.
Oct 29-31
      Fall Home Show.
Nov 12-14
      It's A Baby & Family Expo.
Nov 19-21
      Waterford Warehouse Sale.
Nov 20-21
      Innovative Beads Expo.
Nov 27-28
      Greenbergs Train & Toy Show.
Dec 3-5
      Country Folk Art Craft Show.
Dec 11-12
      Challenge of Champions, martial arts.

Paramount Theatre
1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, 732-897-8810. On the State and National Register of Historic Places, the Paramount hosts concerts and other events in a 1,600 seat theater on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park.

PNC Bank Arts Center
Parkway exit 116, Holmdel, 732-335-8698. Box office: 732-203-2500. Outdoor concert season May-Sept. with seating in open-air pavilion and on lawn. Free heritage festivals and classical performances presented by Garden State Arts Foundation, 732-442-9200. See listing under Arts in the Parks for info about summer festivals.
Sep 18
African American Festival, 9-6. Free.
Sep 26
Slovak Festival, 9-6. Free.

Prudential Center
165 Mulberry St., Newark, tickets: 201-507-8900. General information: 979-757-6000.

Radio City Music Hall
Rockefeller Center, 60th St. & Ave. of the Americas, 212-307-1000. Groups: 212-465-6100.
Oct 2-3
      Yo Gabba Gabba! Live.
Oct 8-9
      The Lord of the RingsThe Two Towers, Howard Shore's score performed live to film.
Nov 5-Dec 30
      Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

St. George Theatre
35 Hyatt St., Staten Island, 718-442-2900. Call box office or Ticketmaster for tickets, www.ticketmaster.com. 2,800-seat 1929 movie and vaudeville house has been newly restored and presents concerts, comedy, Broadway touring companies, small and large scale children's shows, and school-time performances. Sep 9-10
      Disney Live! presents Disney Magic Show!
Oct 22
      Celebrate Motown! with Idol Stars.
Dec 17-19
      The Christmas Show.

Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. at Rt. 129 (Tnpk. exit 7A), Trenton, 609-656-3200, 888-SBA-TIXX. Hotline: 609-656-3222. Tickets: www.comcasttix.com.

Susquehanna Bank Center at the Waterfront
1 Harbour Blvd. (Tnpk. exit 4), Camden, 856-338-9000. Outdoor amphitheater with huge lawn during the summer months converts to a fully enclosed theater in the fall and winter.

Wachovia Center
3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, 1-800-298-4200. Event hotline: 215-336-3600. Sportsentertainment complex. www.comcastTix.com.
Jul 11
American Idol's Top Performers.
Jul 14-18
Walking with Dinosaurs.

spectator sports

Camden Riversharks
Campbell's Field, Cooper St. or Market St. (at the base of Walt Whitman Bridge), Camden, 856-583-0027. Fireworks on Fridays, kids run bases on Saturdays and free ice cream post game on Sundays. Utz Fun Zone.

Lakewood BlueClaws
FirstEnergy Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, 732-901-7000. Baseball at the Jersey Shore. Kids eat free every Monday. Fireworks every Friday. Birthday parties.

Monmouth Park Racetrack
175 Oceanport Ave. (GSP exit 105), Oceanport, 732-222-5100. Thoroughbred racing Wed.-Sun. Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend. Grandstand $2.50, clubhouse $4, under 12 free. Srs. half price. Gates open 11:30; 1st race 1pm.
Summer Events
Sun
     Family Fun Days, kids entertainment, live music, pony rides. 12-4pm.
Fri & Sat
     Dawn Patrol, behind-the-scenes track tours, all ages. Fri. at 7am, Sat. at 8am June 26-Aug. 29. Free, reservations required, 732-571-5542.
Aug 1
      Haskell Invitational, the richest invitational event run in North America.

Newark Bears
Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium, 450 Broad St. (on NJ Transit Morris-Essex line), Newark, 973-848-1000. Unaffiliated team in Atlantic league. Kids clinics.

New Jersey Devils
Prudential Center, Lafayette at Mulberry St., Newark, 800-NJ-DEVIL. National Hockey League.

New Jersey Jackals
Yogi Berra Stadium, Montclair State University, 973-746-7434. Reserved & box seats. Unaffiliated team in Northeast League. June-Aug. season. Party packages.

New Jersey Pride
Yurcak Field, Rutgers University (Busch campus), New Brunswick. Major league lacrosse team plays Jun.-Aug. season.

New York-New Jersey Revolution
Mennen Sports Arena, 161 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Twp., 973-975-4266. Home to NY/NJ Revolution professional indoor football.

Philadelphia Phillies
Citizens Bank Park, One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, 215-463-1000. Pre-game children's games and activities.

Prudential Center
165 Mulberry St., Newark, tickets: 201-507-8900. General information: 973-757-6000. Home to New Jersey Devils hockey, Seton Hall Pirates basketball and New Jersey Ironmen indoor soccer league.

Rutgers Sports
Rutgers Stadium, River & Sutphen Rds., 866-445-4678.

Somerset Patriots
Office: 20 W. Main, Somerville, 908-252-0700. Ballpark: off E. Main St. (on NJ Transit's Raritan Valley line), Bridgewater. Field box, upper box, family section (alcohol-free), group sales, luxury suites, party packages & Baseball Buddies program for youth teams. Atlantic league club. Picnic in the Park area overlooks field.

Sussex Skyhawks
Skylands Park (I-80 exit 34B), Rt. 206 & 15, Augusta, 973-300-1000 ext. 21. Can-Am league plays May-Sept. season.

Trenton Thunder
Waterfront Park, 1 Thunder Rd., Trenton, 609-394-TEAM. Tickets $3-8. Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox in Eastern league. April-Sept. season.

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