Saturday May 5

Great Scott, It's Magic (West Orange, NJ)
I'm always on the lookout for fun (and AFFORDABLE) theater for the family and this show at the Luna Theater certainly fits the bill! Illusionist Scott Drukker's magic show features live animals, lots of audience participation, and is sure to be fun for the whole family. And at $10 per ticket, your budget will also be happy! Showtimes at 11am and 2pm. 973-395-5551.

Robots! – FIRST® LEGO® League Competition (Jersey City, NJ)
Join some amazing youngsters at Liberty Science Center as they show off their robotics skills at this FIRST LEGO League (FLL) district competition. These teams have been working for months to perfect their creations to navigate the competition course, so come cheer them on! Open to spectators 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Free with general museum admission. 201-200-1000.

Mommy and Me Tea and Craft Workshop (Union, NJ)
A wonderful event right before Mother's Day for moms and their children to work together to create a beautiful spring crepe paper flower arrangement. During the workshop you will also enjoy tea, lemonade, tea sandwiches and cookies, too. Call 908-527-0400 to preregister for this event. 10am-12pm. $20.00 for each child and adult, all additional adults $5.00.

¡¡¡Cinco De Mayo!!! (Florham Park, NJ)
Somehow, I usually end up missing this fun holiday now that I am in weary-parent mode instead of happy go lucky young adult, but for today, at least, Imagine That Museum is bringing the celebration back with their special admission price of $5 for both children and adults all day at the door. Your kids will have a blast exploring this hands-on museum! 10am-5pm. (973) 966-8000.

Clay Day: A Celebration of Chinese Arts, Crafts and Culture  (Morristown, NJ)
Stop by the Morris Museum from 10am-4pm for this fun family program in conjunction with their new exhibit "Harmony in Clay: The Elegance and Refinement of Song Ceramics". Kids' activities include making a clay pot, creating a Chinese fan and paper lanterns, decorating a dragon, family scavenger hunt and a calligraphy demo. There is also a special performance by Celadon Youth Music Ensemble from 3-4 pm. Free for members. Non-members: $7/child, $10/adult. 973-971-3700.

Spring Family Day (Morris Plains, NJ)
Spend a spring day with your family at Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms from 12-4pm and enjoy a ton of springtime fun such as: pony rides, bubble station, maypole dancing, scavenger hunt, old-fashioned games and races and lots of crafts for the kids. Bring a picnic lunch to eat on the grounds or purchase food from local vendors. $5 Member Children, $7 Non Member Children, $7 Adults (maximum cost per family $25). 973-540-0311.

What's in the Water (Lyndhurst, NJ)
Come out to the Meadowlands Environmental Center for this great outdoor event where you can collect live creatures, examine plant life and discover the salt marsh as you hike through the park with a few pit stops along the way for fun! Through dip netting and water testing, children will learn about the many organisms living in their marsh. $5 per person nonmembers/ $4 members. Call 201-460-8300 to pre-register.

Sunday May 6th

Hoboken Arts and Music Festival (Hoboken, NJ)

The gigantoid festival with three stages of live music, vendors, food, and copious kiddie fun is back! The children get such luminaries as Preschool of Rock and Little Club Heads and the 'rents get Freedy Johnston, the dB's and many many more. From 11am to 6pm. Free.

29th Annual Family Fun Day (Basking Ridge, NJ)
It's a day of horse fun at Lord Stirling Stables from 8am-4pm. You can watch experienced riders play games on horseback and join in the fun with free pony rides and hayrides for everyone. Local vendors offer their specialties for sale and child-friendly arcade games ensure that everyone is a winner. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase. FREE. 908-766-5955.

Green Weekends: Go Wild For Nature (Chatham, NJ)
Come out to the Great Swamp Education center to explore their natural wonders with a trained naturalist and see firsthand how the plant and animals worlds cooperate to survive. These easy, hour long walks are designed to entertain and educate participants of all ages. Afterwards, enjoy the interactive displays in the Visitors Center and learn how native plants can help bring watchable wildlife to your home. Walks depart at 10:30 am, 1 pm, and 2:30 pm. $2 per person. 973-635-6629.

Springtide (Alpine, NJ)
Visit the Palisades Interstate Park's historic picnic pavilion at Alpine Boat Basin & Picnic Area (Alpine entrance/PIP Exit 2) for this FREE celebration of spring. Events include music & games, an old-fashioned barn dance, a traditional riverside fish bake, fun & learning for all ages (with river seining, Native American survival skills, and just plain horsing around!). 11 am–3 pm, with free sampler plates of baked fish at 2 pm. Light refreshments available for purchase all afternoon, or bring a picnic lunch! For more information: 201 768-1360 ext. 110.

Wild Earth Fest (Mountainside, NJ)
Get your green on at Trailside Nature Center for their eco and family friendly festival from 11am-5pm. Enjoy live animal demonstrations and educational displays, family activities such as music, face painting, recycling olympics, and eco-art giveaways. Food will be available for purchase from local vendors. $3 per person, Ages 6 & under FREE. 908-789-3670.

And the winner of a NJ Playgrounds Guide from the wonderful and knowledgeable moms at NJ Playgrounds is: Lesley Whyard! Lesley, you have 24 hours to email us to redeem your prize, congratulations!

Don't forget: We have additional activity listings in our Event Calendar.  And if you are heading into NYC for the weekend make sure you visit the New York City Mommy Poppins events calendar  to get the latest on all the fun to be had NYC-style.

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