October is here, and you know what that means—plenty of fall activities to do with the fam this week. Get up close to barnyard favorites at the Allaire Petting Zoo in Wall, see pre-historic dinos come to life at Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru in East Rutherford, or take a ride on the Great Pumpkin Train in Phillipsburg.
featured image via @lewisfamily2009
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.
Allaire Petting Zoo
September 29th-October 2nd, 11AM-5PM
October 6th, 11AM-5PM
Visit the farm and do some good: Allaire Community Farm is a nonprofit that rescues animals to help populations struggling with PTSD, special needs, cancer, and more. You and your family can meet and pet these precious animals (although with COVID, you can’t go into the paddocks or groom them). They also have barrel train rides and hayrides, and all proceeds go towards supporting the animals and farm.
$3 per person for entry, $2 for a bag of animal feed
Allaire Community Farm
1923 Baileys Corner Road
Wall
Virtual Capoeira Lesson
September 30th at 7:30PM
This virtual Capoeira lesson has it all—a way for kids (and parents) to destress from remote learning, an exercise routine, and education about Afro-Brazilian culture. Led by Jana Burton, a teacher, and freelance artist, this virtual live gathering will teach everyone about Capoeira (a martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music). Take a little break and get your heart pumping for an experience truly like no other.
Free
NJPAC
Demarest Farms Movie Nights
October 1st, 4th, and 5th, 8-10 PM
Treat the fam to a bunch of Halloween classics that you enjoyed as a kid like Goosebumps, Beetlejuice, and Gremlins. Watch the movies from the comfort of your car, or pull out the lawn chairs and sit outside to watch the action (while practicing social distancing, of course). With added treats like popcorn, soft drinks, and even ice cream, you’ll get the full experience of being at the movies—and be under the stars.
$25 per ticket
Demarest Farms
244 Wierimus Road
Hillsdale
Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru
Friday, October 2nd-11th, 11AM-8PM
Littles who are dino-obsessed will be in awe of the towering 50 and 80 foot, lifelike (yes they move) dinosaurs in this drive-through experience. Snap photos as you listen to the online guided audio tour and follow along, pointing out these pre-historic predators. And you won’t leave home without a souvenir—a family photo with a dinosaur backdrop is included in the admission price.
$49 per car
Met Life Stadium
1 Met Life Drive
East Rutherford
The Music Man: The Singing Ice Cream Shoppe Disney Sing-Along
October 2nd-3rd, 6PM-7PM
What can be sweeter than ice cream with a side of Disney? At this old-fashioned ice cream shop, you and the family can indulge in sundaes and shakes while listening to performers sing Disney classics and modern favorites, like Moana and Frozen. With delicious options like a Cookie Monster sundae, The Music Man M&M Sundae, or your own choice of scoops and toppings with Genie’s Three Wishes, you won’t have to wish upon a star to make your dreams of ice cream come true.
FREE with the order of an ice cream sundae!
The Music Man: The Singing Ice Cream Shoppe
2305 Grand Central Avenue
Lavallette
Alstede Farms Harvest Moon Hayride
October 2nd-October 3rd, 6PM-10 M
Kick your feet up and relax as you’re pulled through the picturesque farmland of Alstede Farms, as the moon rises and a chill fills the air. If you’re looking for more action, go through the corn maze, or listen to live music that’ll be sure to get the whole family dancing. As you sip on hot or cold apple cider and browse the pumpkin patch, you’ll marvel at how the moonlight shines on the farm, making it a beautiful and unforgettable experience (social distancing and masks are required).
$17 per person (additional cost for food, wine tasting, s’ mores, or pumpkins)
Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Lane
Chester Township
Wightman Farms Autumn Harvest Festival
October 3rd-4th, 9AM-5PM
It’s fall, and you know what that means—apples, pumpkins, and everything farm. Bring the whole fam to Wightman Farms to take part in all the favorites like going on a scenic hayride and having your pick of apples in the orchard (where you’ll get a reusable souvenir tote bag). After, make sure to stop by the giant corn maze, the rope maze, the paver maze, and the hay bale maze, or the rock labyrinth and hay bale pyramid, which accommodate for social distancing (masks are required upon entrance to the farm).
$25 per person—purchase tickets online in advance
Wightman Farms
1111 Mt. Kemble Avenue
Morristown
DIY Wood Sign Workshop
Sunday, October 4th, 2PM-5PM
Get in the Halloween spirit and start the decorating by painting pumpkin designs or classic fall leaf patterns on wood at this family-friendly workshop. Parents pick an adult design, while kids can choose their own cute ones. And whatever you choose, you’ll have treasured keepsakes to display after—and spend the day creating together.
$35 per child, $68 per adult–in the studio, masks are required
Board & Brush
25 West Northfield Road
Livingston
