SATURDAY ONLY

Eighth Annual Rubber Ducky Festival (Berkeley Heights)

Rubber ducky, you’re the one! Your kids’ll get a kick out of watching thousands of rubber duckies race down the Passaic River into Passaic River Park, where there’s a festival filled with live music by local teen bands, a car show, a moon walk, water balloons, kids' activities, games, Famous Dave's BBQ, refreshments and more.  Make the day a real splash by “adopting” your own duck for $5. for a chance to win cool prizes donated by local businesses.  Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights and the Berkeley Heights Volunteer Rescue Squad. Saturday, June 11 (Rain date June 25) Noon-4pm.  (Rubber Ducky Race 3pm.) FREE. Rubber Ducky Adoption Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available at various local businesses listed on website. For more information, email info@bhrubberducky.org.

Bugfest 2011 at Insectropolis, The Bugseum (Toms River)

If the only “bugfest” you’ve experienced recently involved swatting mosquitos and ants away from your picnic blanket, check out this insect celebration at the Bugseum of New Jersey. Amidst the slew of creepy crawly exhibits and displays, there’ll be cockroach races, face painting, scavenger hunts, prizes, and more. Special guests include the Herbertsville Honey Co., Mosquito Commission, Master Gardeners, and Cattus Island Park. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary’s Scholarship Fund.  Saturday, June 11. 10am-3 pm.  Admission $7./visitor. Children 2 and under FREE. For more information, call 732-349-7090.

Imagination Station: Out the Window at the Montclair Art Museum (Montclair)

The refrigerator door doesn’t have to be the only place your kids get exposed to “art!” Drop into the Montclair Art Museum for a full family fine art experience with “Imagination Station.” Instructors lead you through museum galleries focusing on the theme “Out the Window,” engaging everyone in active looking, lively discussion, interactive activities, and scavenger hunts.  Then, get in touch with your inner Van Gogh by sketching in the galleries. Saturday, June 11. 1pm-2pm.  Admission: $12./adults; $6./children.  For more information, call 973-746-5555.

Family Fun Day at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (Madison)

Why “knot” celebrate Father’s Day a little early this weekend with a trip to a Family Fun Day focused on learning the art of tying fancy knots?  (Just don’t call us after when you can’t get your shoelaces undone.) Saturday, June 11. 1pm-3pm. FREE with admission: $5./adults; $3./children (6 and over), students and seniors (62 and over.) Maximum charge for a single family:  $13.  Advance registration recommended; call 973-377-2982, ex. 12 to register.

Tots on Tour and Wallet Workshop at the Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton)

This Father’s Day give Dad a little bling for his ka-ching! Drop into the Museum Shop, purchase a $15. do-it-yourself wallet and let instructors inspire your charges with FREE markers, embellishments and decorating materials. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bringing a toddler? Take your 3-5 yr. old to the “Tots on Tour” program; they’ll learn about sculpture through fun hands-on activities–yes, TOUCH the art.  Tots on Tour space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Saturday, June 11. Wallet Workshop 1pm-3pm.  Tots on Tour 11am and 4pm. FREE with admission: $12./adults; $10./Seniors (65+); $8./Children (6-17); FREE for children 5 and under. Call 609-586-0616 for more information.
                        
Stone Soup and Other Stories  at the Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn)

In the tale, “Stone Soup,” a village learns that the magic ingredient in creating something amazing is simple: sharing. How fitting, then, that the Paper Mill Playhouse created an amazing show  to share the magic of theater specifically with children on the autism spectrum or with other developmental disabilities.  The theater environment will be altered for this performance, providing a sensory-friendly, comfortable space welcoming for all families. At this unique presentation, theater lights will remain up, sound volume will be lowered and consistent, and children will be free to talk and leave their seat under parental supervision. Time-out space will be available, and parents may bring their own snacks and drinks.  For those children new to the theater experience, there’s even a special FREE “Meet Your Seat” open house event on Friday, June 10 from 3pm-6pm. (No reservation required for open house.)  Share this experience.  It’s sure to be magical!  Saturday, June 11. 10am. Tickets $12.-$15. available for purchase through website. For more information, call 973-376-4343.    

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

7th Annual Celtic Festival at Historic Cold Spring Village (Cape May)

Get your Gaelic on this weekend celebrating traditions of the Celtic Highlands with live entertainment including pipes and drums, 'Past Times Present' Irish-American tunes, storytelling, traditional dulcimer and instruments, readings from the Book of Kells and more. Then, head over to the Pub Pavilion for brews and more live music.  ‘Tis sure you’ll be dancing a jig soon enough!  Saturday & Sunday, June 11-12. 10am-4:30pm. FREE. For more information, call 609-898-2300.

SUNDAY ONLY

Cabaret in Shipyard Park (Hoboken)
   
Channel your inner Annette Funicello this weekend when Hoboken’s The Theater Company brings Beach Blanket Bingo to life with a rock-n-roll cabaret. Grab your kids, your lawn chair or blanket, and your best sing-along voice–no judgments, promise! Sunday, June 12. 3pm. FREE. For more information, call 201-248-2788.

Choral Concert: The Princeton Girlchoir at the Princeton Festival  (Lawrenceville)

Seeking a more serene setting? The Princeton Festival delivers this weekend with a concert by Princeton's own Princeton Girlchoir.  The program features works by Mozart, Franck, Orff and others. Princeton Girlchoir is the area's premier training and performance choir for over 200 girls ages 8-to-18.  It may even have your kids requesting requiems in place of “Wheels on the Bus!” (Maybe. Worth a shot, right?) Sunday, June 12. 4pm. Tickets $25./person; $15./students.  For more information, call 609-759-0379.