Spend this week with your kids experiencing fun and interactive events throughout New Jersey. Catch Rapunzel at Live Children’s Theatre or a film at the Montclair Film Festival, see Peppa Pig live in Sewell or Asbury Park, party Star Wars-style with Jason Fry at Short Stories Bookstore, and even support local students at Newark’s Wish Upon A Prom event.
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are our top picks for family events in NJ this week:
Montclair Film Festival
Friday, April 28-Sunday, May 7
This local festival features global filmmakers, and connects their work with audiences in a diverse, culturally vibrant community by presenting films and year-round programs that engage, entertain and educate through the power of visual storytelling. Visit Montclairfilmfest.org for ticketing information and a schedule of events.
505 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
Price: Ticket prices vary.
Musical Theater Fun at Short Stories Bookshop
Tuesday, May 2, 6:00PM
Join middle-grade authors and Broadway stars Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies, Tuck Everlasting) and Kate Wetherhead (Legally Blonde) for a night of musical theater fun at Short Stories. Madison’s own Kathryn McManus, FDU Freshman, and Founder of the Spotlight Kids Company will host, and Andrew and Kate will sign copies of their Jack and Louisa books.
Short Stories Bookshop & Community Hub, 23 Main St. at Green Village Rd, Madison, NJ 07940
Price: Free!
A Taste of NJ’s Best
Tuesday, May 2, 6:30PM
Featuring New Jersey’s finest restaurants and caterers, A Taste of NJ’s Best will raise funds for FAMILYConnections’ 35 counseling and family support programs benefiting 4,000 children, adults and families. Vendors include: Ariyoshi, Basilico, Blue Morel Restaurant and Wine Bar, Chef Jesse, Chef to the Stars, Fiorino Ristorante, Libretti’s, Lickt Gelato & Sorbet, Nero’s Grille, Papillon 25, Restaurant Latour, Restaurant Lorena’s, Restaurant Serenade, RW Delights, Home of the Heavenly Souffle, Slamwich Scratch Kitchen, Splurge Bakery, Strip House, and The Bernards Inn. James Laird, Award-Winning Chef, Restaurant Serenade, and Ellen M. Davenport, FAMILYConnections Past President and a former mayor of Maplewood will be honored.
Westminster Hotel, 550 West Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039
Price: $150 per person
New Movie Matinee: La La Land
Wednesday, May 3, 2:00PM
Catch this Academy Award winning musical at the Emerson Public Library this week. La La Land follows two LA dreamers, their journey to artistic success, and the love and music they encounter along the way. Emerson Public Library presents a new film on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. No registration is required for this event.
Emerson Public Library, 20 Palisade Ave, Emerson, NJ 07630
Cost: Free!
Hour of Code at Warren County Library
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 4:00PM
Master how to code this week while having fun by learning in a hands-on way. Code is the mathematic magic nearly all aspects of our daily lives, from traffic lights to video games. Kids ages 5-12 will use fun games at code.org with the library staff to learn this valuable skill in a fun and supportive environment.
2 Shotwell Drive, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Price: Free!
Peppa Pig Live – Peppa Pig’s Big Splash!
Wednesday, May 3, 6:00PM at Investors Bank Performing Arts Center & Friday, May 5, 5:00PM at Paramount Theater
Peppa Pig is visiting New Jersey! This theatrical performance brings Peppa Pig, George, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, and many more of your pre-schooler’s favorite Peppa Pig characters to the stage featuring life-size puppets. The show promises fun songs, exciting games, plenty of surprises, and muddy puddles. Catch Peppa Pig’s live performance in Sewell or Asbury Park this week.
Investors Bank Performing Arts Center 519 Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd., Sewell, NJ 08080
Paramount Theatre, Ocean Avenue between Fifth and Sunset, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Price: Ticket prices vary, starts at $21.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BE0_ADBFYif/?tagged=peppapiglivebigsplash
Wish Upon a Prom in Support of Newark-Area Students
Wednesday, May 3, 6:00PM
Join the Berger Organization and Charity Kings in supporting area middle school and high school students at the 4th annual Wish Upon a Prom event at the Robert Treat Hotel in downtown Newark. This event offers prom suits and dresses to New Jersey students in need. Students can shop for prom outfits, makeup, and accessories, as well as meet with hair stylists, makeup artists, and photographers. Plus, there will be live DJ and refreshments.
Students must register in advance and must attend with an adult.
Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Pl, Newark, NJ 07102
Price: Free!
Flowers in Art with the Newark Museum at Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Thursday, May 4, 7:00PM
Love flowers and art? Reeves-Reed Arboretum is partnering with the Speakers Bureau of the Newark Museum to present Flowers In Art, a lecture about flowers in paintings, sculpture, folk art, decorative arts and jewelry. Focusing on art from the Newark Museum collections, the event will discuss everything from Colonial botanical explorers to modern artists and address the aesthetic and cultural priorities reflected in various works. The RRA presentation will be led by the Museum’s Judi Robinson, a former a third grade teacher in Summit who now resides in Madison. Additionally, each attendee will receive a special Newark Museum packet which includes a free pass to the Museum for six months.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, 165 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ 07901
Price: Free for member, $10 for non-members. Registration required.
& Juliet at New Jersey Repertory Company
Thursday, May 4 through Sunday, June 4, Showtimes vary
This world premiere by Robert Caisley, directed by Marc Geller and starring Nadia Brown, John FitzGibbon, and Jacob A. Ware follows a new, young director on a conservative college campus who invites the wrath of a collegiate black actress when he decides to cast the role of Juliet with a 14-year old boy as was the Elizabethan custom. He then seeks the advice of a 30-year drama department veteran on how to handle the student’s challenge to his authority.
New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Price: $46-$50. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
Color Your World at Little Falls Public Library
Thursday, May 4, 1:00-2:30PM
Who doesn’t love coloring? It’s one of the best ways to relieve stress and inspire creativity in little ones. Little Falls Public Library hosts coloring month on the first Thursday of every month. Materials are provided, just bring your creative spirit and some stress to relieve.
8 Warren St, Little Falls, New Jersey
Price: Free!
Kids’ Creativity Center at the Montclair Art Museum
Thursday, May 04, 5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Enjoy MAM’s Free First Thursday Night this week. Get some quiet museum time to yourself after dropping off the kids (ages 5+) at the MAM’s kids workshop. Little ones will get creative with a fun and seasonal art project led by the museum’s art educators and learn how to use fine art materials, all while you enjoy the galleries. Sign up for a one hour time slot (5:30PM or 6:30PM) of your choice while space is available.
3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
Price: $25 for non-member, $20 for members
Star Wars Party & Booksigning with Jason Fry at Short Stories Bookstore
Friday, May 5, 6:00PM-8:00PM
This official Children’s Book Week party at Short Stories Bookstore will host New York Times Bestselling author Jason Fry and members of the 501st Legion (the premiere Star Wars costuming group). Try to stump Fry with your best Star Wars trivia question, have your book signed, and come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character. Get ready for trivia contests, crafts, snacks, and lots of Star Wars fun.
23 Main Street, Madison, New Jersey
Price: Free!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNSlkdNABkX/
Rapunzel – Live Children’s Theatre
Friday, May 5th, 10:30AM and Saturday, May 6th, 10:00AM & 1:00PM
The baker and his wife are preparing to have a child. But when her bizarre craving leads them to the witch’s garden and they get caught, they must surrender the baby to the witch. The witch locks Rapunzel away in a tower. Come see the rest of Rapunzel’s story unfold at The Broadway Theatre of Pitman’s live Children’s Theatre this week.
Broadway Theater of Pitman, 43 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071
Price: $9.00
The Mythbusters at Liberty Science Center
Tuesday, May 2-Friday, May 5, 9:00-4:00PM
Visit the Liberty Science Center this week for some crazy mythbusting fun. Just as the team from the popular MythBusters TV show has done for years, use scientific observations and your own curiosity to search for the truth behind some commonly held beliefs. The temporary exhibition includes live demonstrations, participation, and spectacular sets and experiences from the TV show.
Price: $31.75 for adults, $25.75 for children
222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305
