Another weekend is here! We’ve rounded up some fun and family-friendly things to do around town and beyond. Check out these great activities!
JCC MetroWest (760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will present 9 to 5 JR. this weekend with performances at 7:00 PM Friday, 7:00 PM Saturday, and 1:00 PM Sunday. 9 to 5 JR., with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Fun for the whole family with a running time of around 75 minutes! Tickets are $25.
Jurassic Quest will be at NJ Convention and Expo Center (97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison) this weekend on Saturday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Jurassic Quest is the world’s largest, most popular dino event with unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Observe the herd of life-size animatronic dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, and T-Rex! Tickets are $22.
Continuing throughout July, Watchung Booksellers is hosting Where’s Waldo? 2023. Participants can grab a passport at Watchung Booksellers. Participants have the entire month of July to find where Waldo is hiding at participating businesses around Watchung Plaza. During the whole month of July, participants will look for Waldo in any of the 20+ locations in the neighborhood. Once a participant finds 10 they will automatically get a Waldo temporary tattoo and a $1 off a Waldo book coupon. When they get 20, they are not only entered for a BIG grand prize but they are guaranteed some prize. Don’t miss the WALDO party on the afternoon of July 27, 4:00 PM with more raffles, prizes, games, and maybe a cameo by Waldo himself!
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. The theme for July is “Garden Magic.” Fairy houses are on display! This hunt will challenge hunters looking for fairies, fairy houses, and even more important, plants and flowers throughout the garden that bring the fairies here. The cost is $10 per family or group of 6 or fewer. Preregistration is required.
Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington Street, Newark) will host Summer Family Fun! on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Enjoy a day of fun activities for the whole family. There will be a MakerSPACE for kids of all ages, planetarium shows, and a Science Drop-In. The Science Drop-In will be Mars Rovers. Role-play as mission control or a robotic rover to complete an exploratory mission on the “surface of Mars.” Visit the website for a full schedule.
Macculloch Hall (45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown) will host Dig it! Plant it! Eat it! Family Saturdays. This week’s theme is Wonderful Watermelon. Join teaching artist Rachel Ferrante and create nature-inspired art. Through hands-on gardening, a tour of the Museum’s historic rooms, and an art-making experience with a New Jersey artist, participants enjoy nature while learning about life in the past. This activity is suitable for all ages accompanied by a parent or guardian. It will run on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Essex County Environmental Center (621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland) will continue to host their Butterfly Tent Safari 2023 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. This activity is for all ages and features live butterflies and butterfly-themed programming. Time slots must be bucked in advance. Walk-ins will not be accommodated. The cost is $8 per person and includes a take-away item per paid participant.
Essex County Environmental Center (621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland) will also host Buzz Into Action With Insect Education on Saturday from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM for children ages 5 and up. Love insects? Visit the Environmental Center for a family-fun and hands-on presentation all about bugs n’ butterflies. Pre-registration and payment are required. The cost is $30 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $10 per child and $12 per adult.
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.
STEAM URBAN and Newark Arts have joined forces again for Halsey Festival to present a Family S.T.E.A.M Fun Day. On July 22nd, Newark’s iconic Halsey Street comes to life with the BrownMill Anniversary Block Party x Halsey Fest (Halsey Street between Central Avenue and New Street, Newark) presented by Newark Alliance. This free outdoor event is a full day of curated cultural experiences that celebrate the community organizations, makers, and businesses fueling Newark’s unwavering creative energy. The Newark Alliance drives inclusive economic growth for all of Newark, New Jersey. From 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, there will be child-centered experiential activities for all ages. This event is free. Reserve your spot 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.
Turtleback Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will host Wonders of the Wild on Saturday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The Wonders of the Wild program offers students an opportunity to participate in supplementary science and nature-themed programs and projects that facilitate scientific literacy and life-long environmental stewardship. This week’s theme is Radical Reptiles. This activity is for children ages 6-12. The cost is $30 per person.
Montclair Jamfest will be held on Saturday at Wellmont Arts Plaza (Seymour Street, Montclair) beginning at 6:00 PM. Enjoy an evening of live performances by local band Waterbury Road and special guest Joe Lorge. Food and beverage options available throughout the event.
Bergen County Audubon Society will host the 14th Annual Butterfly Day at DeKorte Park (2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst) on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Enjoy a free fun-filled day of activities, including guided butterfly walks, information tables, butterfly talks, children’s activities, kids’ costume contest, music, and more.
Turtleback Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will host Family Nature Club: FNC Nature Adventurer on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Family Nature Club (FNC) is all about discovering the world and playing WITH nature, not just IN nature. Experience the sounds, smells, and sights of the outdoors with FNC as we explore the natural heritage within Essex County’s parks. The cost for this activity is $15 per person (best suited for children ages six and up).
Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair) will host Sunday Studio: The Art of Play with Anna Muniz on Sunday with sessions at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, there is an additional session, Sensory Sunday Studio, for families with members on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. Enjoy 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. This program is free with museum admission, but advance registration is required.
The Cooper Gristmill (66 Route 24, Chester) will host A Stitch in Time on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Using beads and watercolors, crafters will create a fun, one-of-a-kind piece on an embroidery hoop. The cost is $5 per person. This activity is suitable for children ages 6-12.
Montclair Public Library (50 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) will host Unique Creatures: Educational Live Animal Show on Sunday from 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM. Young animal lovers will learn about interesting friends from the animal world. This activity is for children ages 5 and up. Registration is required.
Field Station: Dinosaurs is back for another season at Overpeck Park (3 Overpeck Driveway, Leonia). The attraction is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM through September 3. Explore scenic trails, featuring over 30 moving and roaring life-size animatronic dinosaurs! This Saturday, learn about the puppetry behind the shows at Field Station: Dinosaurs and beyond with the Lead Puppeteer, Chris Palmieri! Fellow scientists will get to learn about the art, history, and science of puppets and learn how they can be puppeteers and put on shows of their very own! This event is free with Day Pass Admission.