It’s November mamas, and even though the days are shorter, there’s plenty to do this week to get your family moving for a good cause and in the (pre) holiday spirit. Pick up unique gifts at the Christmas and Holiday Craft Show at The Historic Village in Allaire, lace up for the Littoral Society Lobster Run in Asbury Park, or walk to beat pancreatic cancer anywhere you want with Virtual Purplestride.
Psst! We love seeing your social-distancing New Jersey adventures. Be sure to tag your photos with #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured in our round-up next week.
Late Night at the Museum: Paleontology of Pokemon
November 4th, 6PM – 7:30PM
Pokemon is more than just a TV show, fun game, and phone app—believe it or not, it can also teach us about paleontology. This virtual presentation from the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences discusses the real-life animals that inspired the Pokemon creatures with a trivia game and educational activities everyone can do at home.
Free
Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences
Christmas and Holiday Craft Show
November 7th, 10AM – 4PM
Are you ready for the holidays? Kick-off the season with this outdoor craft show in the historical village of Allaire. While you browse over 80 crafters and artisan vendors, kids can watch the demonstrations at the blacksmith, carpenter, and tinsmith shops or pick up treats from the bakery and gourmet food truck. All proceeds will go towards the educational programs at Allaire.
$5 per person
The Historic Village At Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Farmingdale
Littoral Society Lobster Run
November 7th, 9AM
Get the whole family together and lace up your sneakers for this fun run. The American Littoral Society’s mission is to educate people about the conservation of nature, and their fifth annual Lobster Run 5K is a perfect way to spread the word. You can either do the run virtually wherever you want or do the Boardwalk course that goes along the beach (a mask is required, and start times will be staggered). Since the course is entirely flat and about 3 miles, it’s doable for all ages and all levels of walkers or runners.
$25-50
American Littoral Society
1000 Ocean Avenue and Second Avenue
Asbury Park
Springfield Avenue Open-Air Retail Market
November 7th, 10AM – 2PM
It’s never too early to start holiday shopping—take the whole fam to Maplewood and spend the day perusing local makers, artists, and stores. Kids can “chalk the walk” and listen to live music, while you pick up treats and gifts.
General Store Cooperative and Springfield Avenue Partnership
1866 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood
Outdoor Vendor & Crafter Fair
November 7th, 9AM – 3PM
Stop by the front lawn of the historic Dr. Wm Robinson Museum for early holiday shopping with vendors offering crafts, jewelry, wood, and handmade soaps. The tables will be spaced apart to allow for social distancing and if it rains, no worries—the rain date is for November 8.
Free
593 Madison Hill Road
Clark
Virtual Purplestride New Jersey 2020
November 8th
Walk from anywhere and join the thousands of other virtual walkers to stomp out pancreatic cancer. The whole family can get in on this good cause. Register ahead of time, fundraise as a group or individually, and print out your race bibs. The day of, watch the virtual opening ceremonies, gear up, race in your neighborhood or on a trail, and then post your results on their Facebook page—all donations will go towards funding life-changing programs and services to accelerate progress for pancreatic cancer patients.
Free
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Meet the Author Virtual Series
November 9th, 4:30PM – 5PM
Gather round the laptop to visit with children’s book author Valerie Peña and her certified therapy dog, Zoey. Peña will read the first book in her “World of Wally” series, “Wally’s Wish” with Zoey by her side. She will also discuss her writing process, and answer any questions.
Free registration required for link
Somerset County Library System of New Jersey
