Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Newark, NJ

When it comes to children's programming, the Ridgewood Public Library is the gold standard around here. They have so many programs - it's one of the reasons we moved to this area.

There's a month-long storytime program that you register for. The storytimes are divided by age group: Baby and Me, Toddler Time, Tales for Tykes, and Pre-K & K Storytime and Craft. They also have special events around holidays involving stories and crafts. These events fill up quickly and are only open to Ridgewood residents. However, they also have some great programs available to non-Ridgewood residents like the Storytime with Fireman John and the Goblins Galore event they just held. Coming up soon is the Christmas Carol show in December and an upcoming Crafty Animals event.

The Montclair Public Library also has a wealth of programs for kids, and although residents receive priority in registration, non-residents are also welcome. Their storytimes include Mother Goose, Babies Meet Babies, and Toddler Time. Saturdays are full of fun with Saturday Storytime and Saturday Crafts.

The Maplewood Public Library offers many baby and preschool programs including Library Babies, Nursery Rhyme Time, Toddler Storytime, Preschool Storytime, Special Needs Storytime and Friday Morning Specials. Their creativity doesn't end there.  They also offer a story inventing activity to foster early writers, a craft time for grades k-1, a build it activity for grades 3-5, book clubs, and monthly story and craft events around artists and holidays.

So if you haven't familiarized yourself with your local library's offerings yet, don't waste any more time. There's a wealth of activities waiting for you - and they're free!