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

Bridgewater Sports Arena
1425 Frontier Road, Bridgewater, 732-627-0006. Open 7 days. Year round ice skating on three surfaces. Daily sessions open to the public. Fitness center boasts two floors with personal trainers on staff. One of New Jersey's largest indoor arcades and soft play area.

The Funplex
182 Rt. 10 W., East Hanover, 973-428-1166. Great for fun lovers of all ages. Foam Frenzy, Free Fall, Lazer Runner, Go Karts, XD Theater, Arcade, Magiquest, Bumper Cars and more. Open 363 days of the year.

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.

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.

Camelbeach Waterpark
Exit 299 I-80, Tannersville, PA, 570-629-1661.

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, 973-827-2000.

Sahara Sam's Oasis Indoor Water Park
535 N. Rt. 73, West Berlin, 856-767-7580. New 58,000 sq. ft. water park with retractable roof and game center.

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.

Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari & Hurricane Harbor
Jackson, 732-928-1821.

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

Tomahawk Lake Waterpark
Tomahawk Trail, Sparta, 973-398-7777. 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.

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!

Glassworks Studio Inc.
151 South St., Morristown, 973-656-0800. A make-your-own glass art studio. You can choose from a make-and-take beading project or a make-and-fire fusing project. All ages and genders welcome; no experience necessary. Host your next event at Glassworks.

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

New Jersey Renaissance Kingdom
At Red Mill Museum Village, 56 Main St., Clinton, 732-271-1119. Check website for 2010 dates and location.
Jun

State Fair Meadowlands
Giants Stadium Fairgrounds, East Rutherford, www.njfair.com. 150 rides and attractions, free entertainment, game and food concessions. Advance discount tickets sales begin in February. See website for special promotions.
Jun 17- Jul 5

parent/child play

The Connection for Women and Families
79 Maple St., Summit, 908-273-4242. Wide variety of aquatics and play programs for ages 6 mos. and up.

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.

Kangaroo Kidz Youth Gymnastics
35 Rt. 202, Far Hills, 908-766-0300. A parent-tot class for children 12 mos.-3 yrs. Includes free play, eye/hand coordination, parachute games and an obstacle course. Call for class days and times.

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. 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.

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.

Tea Time and Tiaras
973-289-4934. Specializing in themed Tea Parties onsite or at your home for children ages 3 and up. From Fairy and Princess parties for girls 3-6 to Spa and Rock Star parties for girls 6 and up, we do it all so you can sit back and enjoy. Mommy and Me Craft and Tea workshops also available each third Sunday of the month starting in February.

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.
Thru Jan 3
Bella is Back.

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.
Feb 4-Apr 30
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. Opens March 4.
Billy Elliot: The Musical.
Blue Man Group, Astor Place Theatre.
Bye Bye Birdie, Henry Miller's Theatre.
The Gazillion Bubble Show , New World Stages.
Hamlet, Broadhurst Theatre.
Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Marquis Theatre.
The Lion King, Minskoff Theatre.
The 39 Steps, Helen Hayes Theatre.
Mamma Mia, Winter Garden Theatre.
Mary Poppins, New Amsterdam Theatre.
The Phantom of the Opera, Majestic Theatre.
South Pacific, Lincoln Center Theatre.
Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark, Hilton Theatre. Opens Jan. 16.
Stomp, Orpheum Theatre.
West Side Story, Palace Theatre.
Wicked, Gershwin Theatre.

Garden State Exhibit Center
50 Atrium Dr., Somerset, 732-469-4000.
Jan 16-17
     Greenberg Train Expo.
Jan 22-24
     The Fly Fishing Show.
Feb 5-7
     Garden State Home Show.
Feb 19-21
     Wood Working Show.
Feb 26-28
     Greater New Jersey Golf Show.
Mar 4-7
     The Quilt Festival.
Mar 12-14
     Sugarloaf Craft Festival.
Mar 19-21
     Salt Water Fishing Expo.
Mar 26-28
     Paddlesport 2010.
May 21-22
     Scrapbooking Expo.

Izod Center
Rt. 3, East Rutherford. Box office: 201-935-3900; group sales 201-460-4370.
Jan 21-24
     Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Magic.
Feb 5-6
     Monster Jam.
Feb 13-14
      Harlem Globetrotters.

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.
Thru Jan 3
     Wintuk, Cirque du Soleil.
Feb 4-15
     Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up.
Feb 15-16
     134th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Feb 12
     Harlem Globetrotters.
Apr 7-25
     101 Dalmatians, The Musical.

New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
Raritan Center (Rt. 287 exit Rt. 514W), Edison, 732-417-1400.
Dec 18-19
     Market Pro Computer Show.
Jan 8-9
     NJ Youth Soccer Demo & Exhibition.
Jan 14-17
     Garden State Outdoor Sportsman Show.
Jan 22-24
     NJ RV Show.
Jan 29-31
      Jersey State Feline Fanciers.
Feb 12-14
      Super Pet Expo.
Feb 18-21
      NJ Flower & Garden Show.
Mar 4-7
      NJ Winter Boat.
Mar 13-14
      Greenbergs Train & Toy Show.
Mar 19-21
      The Home Show.
Mar 25-28
      New Brunswick Kennel Club Dog Show.
Apr 16-18
      The Football Spectacular.
May 14-15
      NJ Homeschool Convention.
Jun 5-6
      Challenge of Champions, mixed 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.

Prudential Center
165 Mulberry St., Newark, tickets: 201-507-8900. General information: 979-757-6000.
Feb 13
Harlem Globetrotters.
May 12-13
Taylor Swift: 2010 Fearless Tour.

Radio City Music Hall
Rockefeller Center, 60th St. & Ave. of the Americas, 212-307-1000. Groups: 212-465-6100.
Thru Dec 30
      Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Feb 13-21
      Shen Yun, classical Chinese dance & music.
Mar 17-21
      Riverdance: 15th Anniversary Farewell Tour.
Mar 31-Apr 4
      Nickelodeon's Storytime Live.
Oct 8-9
      The Lord of the RingsThe Two Towers, Howard Shore's score performed live to film.

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.
Feb 13
      Laura Ingalls Wilder, Growing Up on the Prairie, musical. 6:30pm.
Feb 20
      Blues Clues Live! 11 & 3pm.
May 16
      Pinocchio, musical adaptation. 5:30pm.

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.
Jan 8-9
      Monster Truck Winter Nationals.
Jan 12
      Hairspray.
Jan 27-31
      Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic.
Feb 19
      World Championship Ice Racing.
Mar 9
      Jesus Christ Superstar.
Mar 13
      Harlem Globetrotters.

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.
Dec 23- Jan 3
     Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate.
Feb 21
     John Mayer.
Mar 14
     Harlem Globetrotters.
Mar 18-19
     Taylor Swift.
Mar 23-24
     Bon Jovi.

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 27-Aug. 30. Free, reservations required, 732-571-5542.

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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