The weekend is here! We’ve rounded up plenty of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.
On Saturday, the next concert in the WBGO Free Kids Jazz Concert Series will be held at the Livingston Public Library (10 Robert H. Harp Drive, Livingston). Jazz musicians use music to bring awareness to the community about civil injustice. Find out how as saxophonist Camille Thurman & The Darrell Green Trio present “Rhythm and Justice: Music as a Voice of Small Justice.” Doors open at noon and the show begins at 12:30 PM. For more information about this series, check out our full article here.
The final shows in State Theatre’s Milk & Cookies series (15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick) will be held on Saturday at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. LuAnn Adams will take the audience on a journey around the world with folktales and true stories in “Celebrating Our Children.” Learn about young people who used ingenuity, courage and generosity to overcome obstacles and help others. The show is free and recommended for children 3-8 years old, but registration is required.
Watchung Booksellers (54 Fairfield Street, Montclair) will host a Saturday AM Storytime at 10:30 AM. Join Tim Miller, illustrator of Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in this Book). A narrator steps in to liven up Snappsy’s day, suggesting Snappsy is doing all sorts of things he is not. This humorous take on storytelling, friendship and creative differences is a story kids will love.
NYC Butterfly will be at Paramus Park Mall (700 Paramus Park, Paramus) on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Learn about butterflies and feed them inside the butterfly house. The exhibit also includes a chrysalis habitat and exotic mounted species. Admission fee is $5 per person.
Van Vleck House & Gardens (21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair) will host Garden Explorations – Earth Day Every Day on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Visit the education center anytime during the event and an environmental educator will be on hand to discuss topics relating to nature in and around the gardens. There will also be a simple craft and supplies for a self-guided activity on the property. All ages are welcome, though activities are designed for children ages 4 and up. $5 per child age 4 and up; $10 per family (2 or more children). Registrations is suggested but walk-ins are welcome.
On Sunday, Van Vleck House & Gardens will offer A Sensory Celebration from 11:00 to 2:00 PM in recognition of Autism Awareness Month. Bring a picnic or just stop by and enjoy the sights, sounds, scents and textures of the garden through sensory activities for everyone. Free and open to families.
Also on Sunday, stop by Chef It Up (512 Franklin Avenue, Nutley) between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to decorate a cupcake and help support Tackle Kids Cancer. Register to win a gift basket of coking supplies. Proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack UMC for Pediatric Cancer Research. Cost is $5 per person.
All weekend long, East Coast Comicon will be at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus). In addition to everything you’d expect like guests, cosplaying, vendors and panels, a special Kids Love Comics Pavilion will have tons of great activities for children including art demonstrations and classes. Learn to draw SpongeBob SquarePants, make a cape or mask to become a superhero, or participate in Jam Drawing with chances of Dance Outbursts! Line up for the kids activities is here. Kids age 5 and under are free and those age 6 to 12 are $14 for the weekend with a ticket holding adult. Adult weekend passes are $50.50. Saturday or Sunday only tickets are available.
For more upcoming events, check out the family friendly events, showcased in green, on Baristanet Calendar.