Weekend Family Fun: Dinosaurs, Art, History and More

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! As the unofficial start of summer, it’s definitely time for some family-friendly fun. Check out these local events!

Field Station: Dinosaurs is back for another season at Overpeck Park (3 Overpeck Driveway, Leonia). From Saturday until June 25, the hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It will also be open on Memorial Day. Field Station: Dinosaurs is a world-class family attraction that combines cutting-edge science with the creative minds of great artists to create a one-of-a-kind experience that’s thrilling, educational, and fun. Explore scenic trails, featuring over 30 moving and roaring life-size animatronic dinosaurs! Discover the story and science of Dinosaurs with live shows, games, and activities every day. Laugh with our fearless dinosaur wranglers and come face to face with The Mighty T-Rex.

Westfield Garden State Plaza (One Garden State Plaza, Paramus) will host L.E.A.D Fest Carnival from Friday through Sunday. There will be rides, food, shows, and much more. Join in the mission to help create safer, healthier communities free of drugs, bullying, and violence across the United States. Visit the website for tickets, prices, and a full schedule.

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum (353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Twp) continues to host the Family Photo Scavenger Hunt. Held daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, bring your camera or phone for this month’s hunt. This is the final weekend for the May theme, which is “What Smells?” Use your eyes and your nose to find this month’s plants and solve this month’s clues. The cost is $10 per family or group of 6 or fewer. Preregistration is required.

Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township) will host Bird Nerds on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Kids ages 8-14 can join this fun new series all about birds and meet other birding kids! Each month, the program will cover some birding basics and head out on the trails to look for birds and use field guides, binoculars, and birding apps to hone identification skills. Binoculars provided. The cost is $7 per child. Preregistration is required.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morristown) will host Sensory Friendly Saturday on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Visit Fosterfields for the new Sensory Friendly Saturdays. This event is designed to be less overwhelming to those with sensory sensitivities. This hour-long program allows families to come to the farm and enjoy the open, quiet spaces with no crowds. The cost is $5 per person.

Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington Street, Newark) will host May Family Saturday on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Enjoy a day of fun science activities for the whole family. Activities include a MakerSPACE, Planetarium shows, Creative Play, a Science Drop-In, and a Family Drop-In. Visit the website for the full schedule and descriptions of each session. Reserve tickets online. This event is free with general admission.

Historic Speedwell (333 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains) will host Hammerin’ Blacksmithing Master Class on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. William Barrett, of Bill Barrett Custom Knives, will lead a beginner blacksmithing class. The class will focus on basic blacksmithing technique. Prior experience will be helpful but not necessary. All supplies will be provided, and participants will work on a project that they can take home. Space is limited, so register early. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Historic Speedwell. The cost is $25 per person.

Reeves-Reed Arboretum (165 Hobart Avenue, Summit) will host Free Saturday Tours at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Free guided tours of the Arboretum take place Saturdays at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm from May 6 through October 7. Tours begin at the Visitors Center. No reservations are required, and tours are on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals who would like to learn more about the current season’s highlights. Limit of 10 people per tour. Anyone under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No groups. Tours last approximately 30 minutes.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morristown) will host Charleston Party on Saturday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Learn how to dance the Charleston at the Cottage and make a fun craft. 1920’s dress is encouraged. This activity is for all ages and is included with the price of admission.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morristown) will host Childrens Tour of the Willows on Saturday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM for children ages 4-12 with an adult. Step back in time at the Willows Mansion! Learn about the people who lived there, and use your senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch to learn about life in the past. This tour is designed for kids. The cost is $10 per person.

Montclair Public Library (50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) will host Spring Drop-in Crafts on Saturday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Children in grades K-3 are invited to stop in at the library for a fun spring craft all through the month of May. No registration is required.

South Orange Downtown will host the Downtown Public Art Celebration on Saturday from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Village Plaza Triangle (8-12 Village Plaza, South Orange). Enjoy the Village Plaza Triangle Unveiling at 6:00 PM and a performance by Viva Flamenco at 6:30 PM. There will be games and art activities throughout the evening.

Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington Street, Newark) will host May Family Sundays on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Enjoy a day of fun activities for the whole family at The Newark Museum of Art. Activities include MakerSpace and Family Drop-In: Flower paintings on canvas inspired by Georgia O’Keefe. Visit the website for timing and descriptions. This activity is included with general admission.

Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair) will host Sunday Studio: Healing Circle of Color with Peg Kenselaar on Sunday with sessions at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Join in each Sunday for a fun family art-making activity inspired by the current exhibitions. Explore materials, learn new techniques, and meet other community members while enjoying creative time with your family. Each week features a different project designed by MAM Teaching Artists to spark the imagination and encourage conversation in response to artworks on view in museum galleries. This program is aimed at families with children ages 5-12, but all are welcome. Inspired by artworks from exhibiting artist Saya Woolfalk, families will learn to create folded paper compositions representing mandala shapes using color and shape. This activity is free for members and with general admission. Register online.

Morris Museum (6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown) will host Spark!Lab on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Spark!Lab offers any child ages 5-12 (and accompanied by an adult), a new informal approach to hands-on learning. Created by the Smithsonian, Spark!Lab ignites kids’ ingenuity with fun, hands-on challenges. Instead of following instructions, kids tap into their natural creativity to tackle engineering and design challenges in Spark!Lab’s projects stations. Specially designed for our youngest inventors (Ages 1-4), Spark!Lab’s new Young Inventor Space features a train and an exploration table filled with unique tools to spark creativity and learning.