Who’s ready for the weekend? We sure are! We’ve rounded up plenty of things to do, so check out some of these fantastic and family-friendly activities!
Watchung Booksellers (54 Fairfield Street, Watchung Plaza, Montclair) will present Author Storytime with Rev Valdez, “Bunso Meets a Mumu” on Friday from 4–5 p.m. Join author Rev Valdez for a storytime reading of his new series Bunso Meets a Mumu. Meet Bunso, a boy with a really scary problem. It’s the Mumu, the Filipino version of the Boogeyman, who likes to punish kids who misbehave by sucking the fun out of everything! The Mumu will not let Bunso draw (on the walls), eat ice cream (before dinner), or play video games (his older brother’s). But Bunso has had enough! Gearing up to fight back against this destroyer of fun, Bunso makes surprising discoveries about the Mumu (and himself) in this fun, comic-like illustrated picture book that introduces children to Filipino culture and words.
Montclair Public Library (50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) will host Era Uma Vez, na Biblioteca – Dia das Criancas Portuguese Storytime on Friday from 4–5 p.m. This is a special O Dia das Crianças (Childrens Day) edition of Portuguese Storytelling as part of the Latin American Heritage Celebration. The stories will be interwoven with little songs and rhymes, all in Portuguese. The storyteller, Ana Cristina Coura, is an educator with a background in psychology who has taught children in Brazil and worked as an art educator. Registration is recommended. This activity is suitable for children up to 9 years old.
Montclair Public Library (50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) will host Where the Wild Books Are on Friday from 4–4:45 p.m. for children in 2nd through 5th grades. Children are invited to the Green Room in the Children’s Department, where teen volunteer Claudette will read different chapter books. Registration is encouraged but not required.
State Theatre New Jersey (15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick) will host Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live In Concert on Friday at 8 p.m. Featuring a soundtrack that blends symphonic orchestral music with hip-hop, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Live in Concert pairs a screening of the Academy Award®-winning animated film with live musicians and turntables featuring a DJ scratcher live on stage. Emmy®-winner Daniel Pemberton composed a sprawling score of boundary-pushing original music that is complimented with song contributions by Post Malone, Lil Wayne, Jaden Smith, and Nicki Minaj. The hip-hop-based score results in a sonic universe that is woven throughout the fabric of the film, supporting its themes of resilience and universal heroism. Tickets are $29-$99.
Morley’s Magic Theater will present Halloween Magic Shows this weekend. This (not scary!) show is full of exciting magic, amazing illusions, audience participation, plus lovable and wacky characters that will have you rolling in your seats! A perfect experience to share with the entire family to celebrate this whimsical season! Children who are 2 years old or younger who will sit on laps are free. Tickets are $18. Performances will be Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
The Clairidge (486 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair) will present PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie this weekend. When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ arch-rival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers for the two villains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it’s too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference. Showtimes are Friday at 1:45 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($11 for matinees) or $11 for members ($6 for matinees).
The Growing Stage (7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong) will present The Hardy Boys in The Mystery of the Haunted House this weekend. Ace amateur detectives Frank and Joe Hardy find themselves embroiled in a dangerous and perplexing caper that turns the tranquil town of Bayport upside down! This time, suspicious circumstances surround an eerie mansion on the edge of Barmet Bay, the setting for an international smuggling operation. Performed in the style of a classic 1920s film noir setting, our production offers as many laughs as it does shivers! This production is suitable for the entire family. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30.
Field Station: Dinosaurs continues at Overpeck Park (3 Overpeck Driveway, Leonia). The attraction is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 12. 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 the fearless dinosaur wranglers and come face to face with The Mighty T-Rex. On Friday and Saturday nights in October, check out Dinosaurs After Dark from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Go on a lantern-lit tour along mysterious trails and shadowy woods to search for a missing T-Rex.
The Essex County Environmental Center (621-B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland) will host Toddler Sensory Hike on Saturday from 9–10 a.m. Bring your toddlers for a sensory exploration outside with a naturalist. Visit the forest trails, frog pond, Passaic River, and more. This activity is suitable for children ages 1-5 with a caregiver. The cost is $30 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $10 per child and $12 per adult. Registration is required.
Glen Ridge Public Library (240 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge) will host Paper Plate Owl Craft on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Transform an ordinary paper plate into an adorable owl. This craft involves coloring, folding, cutting, and gluing. This activity is suitable for a child with an adult’s assistance. No reservations are necessary.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum (165 Hobart Avenue, Summit) brings back Discovery Weekends on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Explore the Arboretum’s gardens and grounds as autumn brings amazing changes! Drop by the Stackhouse Education Center on Saturdays and Sundays for this self-guided program for families and children 3 and older. Borrow a magnifying glass (please remember to return it once you’re done), grab an interactive activity guide, and head out to see what wonders big and small await. There may be a surprise, a clue to follow, a mystery to solve, a chance to create, and always an engaging nature activity. Each weekend is a new discovery!
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township) will host Kids in the Wild: Worst Case Scenario for children ages 8-13 on Saturday from 10–11 a.m. Get into the woods, learn different outdoor skills, meet other like-minded kids and build confidence. In this session, participants will learn what to do when the worst happens out in the wild – getting lost, running out of water, and more. The cost is $10 per child, and pre-registration is required.
Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington Street, Newark) will host October Family Saturdays on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy a day of fun science activities for the whole family at The Newark Museum of Art. The day will include a MakerSPACE, planetarium shows, Creative Play: World of Colors, Science Drop-In: 3,2,1 Blast Off!, and Family Drop-In: Collage and Assemblage. Visit the website for full descriptions and start times for each activity. This event is free with general admission.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morristown) will present Fall Farm Fun on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fall festivities have begun at Fosterfields! Experience the Autumn season the old-fashioned way! Watch apples being pressed into cider, take a wagon ride and pick your own pumpkins! Pumpkin guaranteed with pre-registration only. The cost is $15 per person. Children 2 and under are free.
City Green (171 Grove Street, Clifton) will host Open Saturday on the Farm on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Saturday on the Farm is a passive recreation experience where families can partake in self-led activities, free guided play, and nature exploration. The theme this month is the Harvest. Children and their grown-ups can feed the goats and chickens. water and dig in the gardens, and connect with the season’s harvest. Participants will also learn all about harvesting and preserving produce and make a craft to take home. This activity is free.
New Jersey Botanical Garden (Morris Road, Ringwood) will host Harvest Fest! on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s bushels of fun at the NJBG Harvest Fest at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood. There’ll be hayrides, pumpkin painting, games, walks, tours, food trucks and a craft fair. Proceeds from Harvest Fest activities benefit NJBG, the non-profit member support group for the New Jersey State Botanical Garden. Admission is free, and parking is $5.
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township) will host Sunshine Yoga for Kids: Monster Mash on Saturday from 10–10:45 a.m. This is an awesome class for kids who want to play games, use their imaginations, and have fun! Each class is taught by a licensed yoga instructor and centers around a nature theme. Kids learn 5 yoga poses to use in the games. At the end of every class, participants will talk about a “big feeling,” such as being mad, and learn a new tool to help cope with that feeling. The cost is $12 per child, and pre-registration is required. This activity is suitable for ages 4-7.
Macculloch Hall (45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown) will host Growing in the Garden – Time for Pumpkins on Saturday from 10:30–11:30 a.m. What do pumpkins need to grow big, plump, and orange? Find out during a walk through the historic garden. Hear a story about pumpkins and learn about the very large pumpkin believed to have grown on Mr. Macculloch’s farm in 1845. The program includes a pumpkin craft. This activity is appropriate for children ages 4 and older with a caregiver and includes a story, a visit to MHHM’s gardens for nature journaling, and an art project. The cost is $8 per child member or $12 per child non-member.
Morris Museum (6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown) will host Spark!Lab on Saturday and Sunday from 12–4 p.m. 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.
The annual Maplewood Art Walk & Music Fest returns on Sunday, October 15, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., to bring art, music, and dance to the streets for everyone to enjoy and experience! Maplewood’s streets will be transformed into pedestrian-friendly walkways through a town-wide art gallery. The Children’s Corner invites kids to explore their creativity with arts and crafts. Adults and teens can join A Paper Hat’s live Drawing Jam on Baker Street.
Historic Speedwell (333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown) will host Amiguitos de Speedwell: Speedwell’s Little Friends on Saturday from 1–3 p.m. Historic Speedwell has lots of animal inhabitants. Learn about the wildlife in Morristown and create a mola-inspired design of one of our animal neighbors during this afternoon crafting activity. This activity is suitable for children ages 6-12, and the cost is $8 per person.
Historic Speedwell (333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown) will host Can If You Can on Saturday from 1–3 p.m. Help out with the fall harvest and learn the importance of canning and pickling in 19th-century life. Take home and enjoy your own mason jar of pickles. The cost is $8 per person. This activity is suitable for children ages 6-12.
Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South Street, Morristown) will present Coco Live-to-Film Concern on Saturday at 3 p.m. Disney Pixar’s Coco Live-to-Film Concert features a screening of the movie Coco, with Oscar® and Grammy®-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed live by the 20-member Orquesta Folclorica Nacional de Mexico. Coco also features the Oscar®-winning song “Remember Me” by songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen), and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco and co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina. Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Disney and Pixar’s Coco is directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist Monsters University), and produced by Darla K. Anderson (Toy Story 3). Tickets are $29-$59.
The Cooper Gristmill (66 Route 24, Chester) will host Apples in Autumn on Saturday from 1–3 p.m. Get into the fall spirit with an afternoon of harvest-themed activities at the Cooper Gristmill. Participants can learn how to use an apple press and try fresh apple cider, take a family portrait backed by seasonal decoration, and create corn husk dolls. This activity is suitable for children ages 6-12, and the cost is $8 per person.
Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington Street, Newark) will host October Family Sunday on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy a fun day of science activities for the whole family, including MakerSPACE and Family Drop-In: Collage and Assemblage. Visit the website for more details and a schedule. This activity is free with general admission.
Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will host Family Nature Club on Sunday at 10 a.m. This week’s theme is Let’s Go Birding! 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 you explore our natural heritage within Essex County’s parks. The cost is $15 per person. This program is for ages 6 and up.
Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will host Zoo Explorers Program on Sunday at 10 a.m. Participants will use movement, stories, games, and crafts for these interactive, science-based lessons to learn about the wonderful and fascinating world of animals. Supervised outings to specific areas of the Zoo that support the lesson are included as weather permits. The cost is $30 per child. Advanced registration is required. This activity is suitable for 4- and 5-year-olds.
The Essex County Environmental Center (621-B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland) will host their 18th Annual Fall Family Festival on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox at the Environmental Center! There will be fun-filled activities for the entire family to enjoy, including hands-on nature games and crafts, naturalist-led walks, live butterflies, live animals, canoeing, Native American life, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, food, and more. This activity is free and suitable for all ages.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum (165 Hobart Avenue, Summit) will host Celebrate Fall 2023 on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy this fun, family-friendly autumn festival. The day’s activities will include fall games, crafts, activities, a story trail, and a chalk maze. There will also be a pumpkin patch and spooky trail. Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. This activity has timed entry at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m., and registration is required. This activity is free for members and $10 per person for non-members.
Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair) will host Sunday Studio on Sunday: Optical Ellipses with Monica Hill at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Join MAM 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 the museum galleries. This program is aimed at families with children ages 5-12, but all are welcome. This activity is free for members or included with MAM admission. Inspired by the exhibition, Taking Space: Contemporary Women Artists and the Politics of Scale, families will learn to create optical designs using positive and negative space to create colorful paper ellipses.
Frelinghuysen Arboretum (353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown) will host Scarecrows in the Garden throughout the month of October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take a stroll through the gardens to see dozens of ghoulish, historic, and colorful scarecrows, including Gary the Gardener and the Lampshade Sisters tasting tea. This activity is free and is suitable for all ages.
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum (353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Twp) continues to host the Family Photo Scavenger Hunt. Held daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., bring your camera or phone for this month’s hunt. The theme for October is Scarecrows in the Garden. The scarecrows are back! This fun, family photo scavenger hunt challenges you to look for clues to find all the scarecrows and win a prize. The cost is $10 per family or group of 6 or fewer. Preregistration is required.