It’s the first weekend of June! We’re in the home stretch of spring, and school is almost out! And the weekend means it’s time for some family-friendly fun. Check out these local events!
Out Montclair and Bike & Walk Montclair will host Pride Ride on Friday from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. The ride will start and end at Canterbury Park, in the area off Planchet Drive, which is in the center of Canterbury Park by the basketball courts. Participants can picnic in the park following the ride. There will be music, games, and food vendors. Register online.
Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South Street, Morristown) will present Matilda the Musical on Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace! Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs, and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination. Tickets are $20-$35. This show is recommended for ages 6+.
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 full schedule.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morristown) will host Hook, Line and Sinker on Saturday from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Fish on! Anglers wanted at Fosterfields. Fish the farm pond using bamboo poles, then throw your catch of the day back in! All supplies included. The cost is $7 per person, which includes admission to the farm Registration is required.
Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington Street, Newark) will host Science Extravaganza 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, performances by 123 Andres, Planetarium shows, Creative Play, a Science Drop-In, and a Family Drop-In. Visit the website for a full schedule and descriptions of each session. Reserve tickets online. This event is free with general admission.
The Clairidge (486 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair) will present a sensory-friendly screening of The Little Mermaid on Saturday at 10:00 AM. The screening will feature relaxed, soft lights that will be kept on throughout the film, lower and more consistent volume, and a limited number of trailers. Guests are encouraged to spread out and move around as necessary. Tickets are $6 for members and $11 for non-members.
The Fairy & Pirate Festival will be held on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Turkey Brook Park (30 Flanders Road, Budd Lake). The wee fae folk and swashbuckling buccaneers are returning to overtake Turkey Brook Park again this spring turning it into a magical wonderland. The festival has drawn so much attention in the realms local knights and princesses are coming to join the festivities. Celebrations will abound with Inflatables, face painting, crafts, games, pony rides, vendors, performances, and more! Attendees are encouraged to come in costume! No registration is required to attend the festival. Parking and admission are free.
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township) will host Sunshine Yoga for Kids: Night Sky on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. This is an awesome class for kids ages 4-7 who want to play games, use their imaginations, and have fun! Each class is taught by a licensed instructor and centers around a nature theme. Kids learn five yoga poses to use in the games. At the end of the class, participants will talk about a “big feeling,” such as being mad, and learn a new tool to cope with that feeling. The cost is $12 per child. Preregistration is required.
The Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation will host its annual Parade & Festival on Saturday. The parade will begin at Glenfield School (25 Maple Avenue, Montclair) at 10:30 AM. It will end at Nishuane Park (High Street and Cedar Avenue, Montclair). The festival will follow.
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.
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts (23 Main Street, Madison) will host its monthly Makerspace on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Whether you are looking for a kid-friendly project or for something creative to do after spending time at the Museum, drop by Makerspace for hands-on activities in the new collaborative workspace geared towards kids ages 5 to 12! Kids will build with Legos, paint, make jewelry, experiment with engineering and coding robots, and more! Children must be accompanied by guardians at all times. Registration is not required. This activity is free.
The West Orange Street Fair 2023 will be held on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The fair features local crafters, food from local vendors, street performers, a classic car show, a rock-climbing wall, free all-day admission to the Thomas Edison Museum, and more. There will also be face painting, crafts, music, and costumed characters for the kids.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morristown) will host Dairy Demo Day on Saturday at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. To celebrate the start of dairy month, learn the various uses and benefits of milk. Help an educator separate the cream from the milk to start the butter-making process. This activity is suitable for all ages and included with the cost of farm admission.
South Orange Downtown’s Under Cover Music Fest will be held on Saturday from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM in the Sloan Street Parking Lot (12 Sloan Streat, South Orange). This year, there’s even more great music to enjoy as NINE cover bands will take the stage. In addition to the music, there will be food and drinks available for purchase from local eateries plus a beer garden (cash bar) hosted by Osteria Del Corso featuring local breweries. This family-friendly event will have kids activities in the Y-Zone from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, courtesy of the South Mountain YMCA.
Field Station: Dinosaurs is back for another season at Overpeck Park (3 Overpeck Driveway, Leonia). The attraction is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM every weekend through June 25. 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.
The Garden State Model Railway Club (575 High Mountain Road, North Haledon) will host the 65th Annual Model Railroad Show on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This event is suitable for all ages, and there is a special kiddie layout that children will enjoy featuring Thomas the Tank Engine. The requested donation is $8 for adults. Children 10 and under are free with an adult.
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.
Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair) will host Sunday Studio: Pride Rainbows with Emily 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 the new exhibition, vanessa german: …please imagine all the things I cannot say…, families create mix-media assemblage rainbows from upcycled materials in honor of National LGBTQ+ Pride month. This activity is free for members and with general admission. Register online.
https://www.montclairartmuseum.org/events/yard-school-art/sunday-studio-5
From 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, there will be a Sensory Sunday Studio session with the same theme, however, the hour is limited to a smaller group, will offer fidgets and noise-canceling headphones upon request, and low-sensory zones for quiet breaks.
Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington Street, Newark) will host June 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: Bleep, Bloop Beep, where kids can design a cardboard robot. Visit the website for timing and descriptions. This activity is included with general admission.
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township) will host Lenape Life on Sunday from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Get a feel for what life in New Jersey was like hundreds of years ago for the Lenni-Lenape! Tour the decorated model wigwam, try out stone and wooden tools, learn the games Lenape children played, and try making a fire with a bow drill.