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

First Places to Spot Spring Blossoms

by Vanessa Druckman

April 07, 2009

Was I dreaming today when snow showers pelted me at school pick-up? It was too painful to be a dream as these were no puffy cotton like snowflakes that melt like a cold kiss upon your cheek. These were angry, hail-like flakes, whipped at me with gusts of arctic wind. Note to self: too early to banish my winter coat to the hall closet.

Regardless of today's freak weather, spring is definitely in the air. Daffodils and tulips are showing hints of color, and a few bushes of forsithia have begun their bright yellow fireworks. My kids are also showing serious signs of spring fever with an excess of energy that's difficult to channel. Long spring walks are the perfect way to let them run loose and blow off some steam. Here is a list of some great local parks to spot spring blossoms and revel in the rediscovery of the great outdoors:

• The Celery Farm in Allendale. At this 107-acre freshwater woodland preserve, you'll not only see spring blossoms, but you'll also spot many species of local birds returning to roost. Arm your little Dora or Diego fan with some binoculars and you have an adventure on your hands. The preserve is really a long loop around the pond, a great afternoon walk that will take you between 40 minutes to an hour, depending on how carried away your little explorers will get with their foraging.
• At the James McFaul Environmental Center in Wyckoff is the place to go for some serious spring blossoms. Every spring, over 25,000 daffodils burst into bloom on the grassy slopes near the parking lot. It's a stunning location for some spring shots of your children in their Easter best. After admiring the flowers, you'll be able to run on a circular path through the 81-acre property and observe various caged animals along the way.Call ahead for their schedule of activities as they frequently run wonderful guided walks and other seasonal classes and events.
• In a few weeks, the rhododendrons and azaleas of the Van Vleck House & Gardens in Montclair will be a sight to see. Up until May 1, they offer a Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuarpre-K garden discovery program every Wednesday from 1:15 to 2pm. The grounds are open every day from 9 to 5 and admission is free.
• If birds are more your passion than blooms, the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary in Short Hills is the destination for you.They offer a comprehensive menu of classes from mommy and me toddler classes to one day special events for elementary aged kids on topics such as Hoos Hoo in the Owl World and Slimey Slime and Gooey Goo: Concoctions from the Kitchen.

Not 10, not 20, but 100 Things You Should do with your Kids Before They Grow Up in New Jersey

by Vanessa Druckman

March 02, 2009

In October, when I started writing for Savvy Source, I posted about 25 things you should do with your kids before they grow up in New Jersey. I've gotten some great feedback on this post, and comment love is very motivational, I'm now back with 75 more ideas for a grand total of 100 Things You Should Do with your Kids in New Jersey Before They Grow up! If you have any that are not on this list, please comment, let's keep it growing!

But whatever you do, never complain that you don't know what to do this weekend again! 

1. Do arts and crafts at the Crayola Factory
2. Tour the Statue of Liberty
3. Visit the Liberty Science Center
4. Get Slimed at Nickelodeon Studios
5. Splash Around at Sesame Place
6. Run in the family fun race down the shore at the NJ Marathon in early May.
7. Take the kids carolling through the neighborhood.
8. Pick apples and pumpkins at Demarest Farms in the fall.
9. Go Tubing at Campgaw Mountain
10. Ice Skate at the Duck Pond
11. Have a Food Fight
12. See the Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center
13. Sit on Santa's Lap
14. Get Messy at the Children's Art Museum in Soho
15. Catch tadpoles and watch them transform into frogs
16. Pet the goats at Abma's Farm.
17. Have Breakfast for Dinner
18. Visit the South Street Seaport
19. Take the Circle Line around Manhattan
20. See the Elvis House at Christmas
21. Ice Skate at Rockefeller Center
22. Eat Zeppoli at the San Gennaro Festival
23. Go to Disney World
24. Eat Popcorn and Hot Dogs at a Yankee game
25. Go to a summer concert with fireworks in Central Park
26. Visit the Land of Make Believe
27. Go on a Safari at Great Adventure
28. Eat frozen custard on the boardwalk of the Jersey Shore
29. Take the ferry from Hoboken
30. Practice your batting at the batting cages.
31. Go ice skating at Bear Mountain State Park
32. Get some culture at the Newark Museum
33. Count all the exits of the New Jersey Turnpike
34. RIde a bicycle through the beautiful Cape May Victorians
35. Go fishing for blue fish on a party boat
36. See Ringling Brothers at the Newark Prudential Center
37. See the birds singing at dawn at the Celery Farm
38. Ride the fire engine at the Children's Museum of New Jersey
39. Ghost your neighbors at Halloween time with a bag of candy
40. Go on a scavenger hunt through the decorated houses of your neighborhood at Christmas time.
41. Cheer on the Newark Bears.
42. Sing louder than the instructor at a Music Together class.
43. Splash the summer heat away at the Mountain Creek water park.
44. Take NJ Transit to Manhattan and shake the conductor's hand.
45. Visit your local firehouse.
46. See a magic show at Unbelieva-bill's.
47. Dare your child to pick the craziest mix-ins at Maggie Moos.
48. Go on a tour of the NJ State Capitol
49. Take a helicopter ride above the Delaware Water Gap.
50. Take a helicopter ride above New York City.
51. Coach your child's t-Ball team.
52. Play laser tag.
53. Bake chocolate chip cookies
54. Sell girl scout cookies
55. Dig for dinosaurs at Dinosaur Falls.
56. Ski the magic carpet at Mountain Creek.
57. Have dinner at Newark airport and then watch the planes taking off and landing.
58. Ride a bicyle car on the boardwalk.
59. Walk the nature loop at the James McFaul Environmental Center.
60. Show your kids that veggies can be good at the Health Barn.
61. See the Wild West Live in NJ.
62. Spend the day rock climbing indoors.
63. See amazing family shows at the Saddle River Cultural Center.
64. Collect leaves of gorgeous color at the Ramapo Reservoir.
65. Ride the rapids on the Delaware in New Jersey.
66. Spot the whales in Cape May.
67. See NJ from the sky in a hot air balloon.
68. Test your survival skills by going camping.
69. Make S'Mores.
70. Build a tent in the backyard and spend a night under the stars with a toilet nearby.
71. Head to the Funtown Pier in Seaside Heights.
72. Soon you'll enjoy tons of indoor fun at the Xanadu Meadowlands indoor facility.
73. Ride the ferris wheel in Atlantic City.
74. Read a story to your child's class.
75. Play mini golf and splash by the sea in LBI.
76. See the fish at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden.
77. Catch a rodeo in Pilesgrove.
78. Explore the natural world at the Camden Children's Garden.
79. Enjoy wild rides at Storybook Land.
80. Design your own necklaces at Montclair Beadworks.
81. Build a Bear - need we say more?
82. Enjoy great entertainment with your sundae at the Surflight Theater down the shore.
83. See where milk comes from at the Bobolink Dairy.
84. Visit the big bad wolf at the Lakota Wolf Preserve.
85. Learn all you could imagine about insects at Insectropolis.
86. Board a pirate ship, and live to tell the tale!
87. See the largest indoor model railroad in New Jersey.
88. Climb aboard for fun at Funtime Junction!
89. Head down to Hershey Park for fun and relaxation for the entire family.
90. Rent a kayak or a canoe.
91. See the Holiday Lights Exhibit at the Bronx Zoo
92. Take a Halloween Train Ride at Van Saun Park
93. Stay in your Pajamas all Day Long - when you're not sick
94. Play Hookie from School
95. Cheer on the runners of the NJ Marathon
96. Grow your own tomatoes.
97. See a play, in a castle at the Pax Amicus Castle Theater.
98. See a movie on the really big screen at the IMAX Theater.
99. Participate in the Ridgewood Memorial Day Family Fun Run.
100. March in your town's Fourth of July parade.

Top 5 Things To Do Outside in Northern New Jersey when the Weather Clears

by Vanessa Druckman

October 08, 2008

After a few days of rain, the house is a mess and the kids are overflowing with nervous energy. The minute the sun gives us a little ray of hope, we are all out the door, ready for an outdoors adventure. Depending on how exhausted I am after being cooped up in the house too long, there are a few places I like to head to. The easiest place is the Ridgewood Duck Pond . There's a lot to do  Read more...