All Weekend

Opening Weekend of Archaeological Exhibit - New Jersey's Original People (Trenton, NJ)
Come on out to The New Jersey State Museum from 11am-4pm for the exciting opening weekend of their new archaeological exhibit.  You can tour their new archaeological hall, participate in many interactive programs and activities, and meet a real archaeologist and learn about the science of Archaeology. There is also a free planetarium show "Earth, Moon and Sun" at 2pm. (Other  Planetarium shows have a fee). Free general admission to the museum. (609) 292-6464.

Mayfest (Smithville, NJ)
This fun festival at Historic Smithville Village from 10am-5pm is a perfect spring day trip for the family (and worth the drive!). This event will have over 100 Juried Crafters, an International Food Court, Music, Kids Activities, non- Profit organizations and more. All of this is in addition to the over 60 shops, carousel ride, train ride, paddle boats, restaurants, and antique arcades that are already located at the Village year round. 609-652-0544.

Saturday May 19th

Garden Party (Montclair, NJ)
This FREE mini-festival at the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens from 10am-3pm is will delight the entire family with live music, an art sale tent, crafts, and more. Plus, a Student Art Show will be displayed along the Gardens’ fence. 973-268-3500.

Great Swamp Scavenger Hunt (Morristown, NJ)
The first Great Swamp Scavenger Hunt will not only give your family a day outdoors, but will take you places you might not know about, or have not thought about visiting before. Between 9am-12pm you pick up a set of clues designed to take you on a journey of discovery through the region. Along the way, you will choose where you want to go and what questions you will answer to prove that you've been there. Scavenge as much or as little as you want throughout the day. This will be your time to explore!  At 4pm there's a celebration refreshments. while the results are tallied. Special prizes for the highest-scoring scavengers! FREE to participate, but please register HERE in advance. Call (973) 635-6629 for additional information.

Children's Day 2012 (Franklin Township, NJ)
Stop by Rockingham  Historic House with your kids from 12-5pm for their annual Children's Day event (FREE). There will be crafts, games and toys to try, militia men to talk to and drill with, quill and ink writing, country dance demos and lessons, mini-tours of the house and kitchen garden with period music and the museum store will be open. Refreshments will also be available. The event is held rain or shine, but in the event of constant rain, some activities may be curtailed.

18th Annual Family Science Morning (Paramus, NJ)
Take your space fans to the Buehler Challenger & Science Center for a fun morning of science experiments, simulated space missions, traveling museums and much more! Bring the whole family for a day you'll never forget.  Advanced registration required by calling their Mission Services Department Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm at 201-251-8589.

Family Day: A Journey Through Time (Princeton, NJ)
Join the Princeton Art Museum from 10am-2pm for a day of fun, travel and adventure as you explore art from the ages and around the world. Family day offers hands on activities, live performances, storytelling, scavenger hunts and prizes. Pizza and refreshments will be served. FREE. 609-258-3788.

Discovery Center Saturdays  (Summit, NJ)
Discover all that spring has to offer at the Reeves Reed Arborteum's weekly nature program from 9am-12pm every Saturday. This weekend event comes highly recommended by my OWN kids who attended last weekend and had a blast exploring this fantastic, kid-friendly arboretum. Stop by for hands-on exploration of a variety of nature topics; this week you will be learning all about azaleas. Activities include stories, crafts and experiments. You can also borrow one of their backpacks, which has binoculars, field guides, a magnifying glass and everything else you will need to explore the Arboretum. Free for members, $5 per person for non-members. (908) 273-8787.

Sunday May 20th

Be Our Guest - Free Admission to Museums in Morris County (Morris County, NJ)
Ten historic sites and museums throughout Morris County are inviting the public to “Be Our Guest” on Sunday, May 20, from noon to 4 p.m. in celebration of National Tourism Week. Participating institutions will open their doors and waive their admission fees during those hours. The event is sponsored by the Morris County Alliance for Tourism. For more information, call 973-631-5151.  

Bluegrass & Barbeque Festival (Tuckerton, NJ)
Kick off the summer with the down home sounds of bluegrass and the sweet smell of barbeque at Tuckerton Seaport’s 6th Annual Bluegrass and BBQ Festival. Visitors will be able to watch demonstrations, see a beekeeper in action, tour the Seaport by land or water, and participate in hands-on craft activities in our Lighthouse, as well as listen to great live music and, of course, partake in some yummy BBQ goodness.  Price also includes admission to this Mommy Poppins approved Seaport museum. 10am-5pm. Adults $8, Seniors $6, Children 6-12 $3, Five and Under & Seaport Members Free.

11th Annual Baby Parade (Hoboken, NJ)
I'm a sucker for a parade, so a BABY parade? Well, that's just pure fun in my book. This great parade in Hoboken has babies decked out in their finest attire, toddlers flaunting their cutest costumes, and parents creating amazing mini-floats balanced atop carriages and wagons. The Parade begins at Sinatra Park—located at Fifth Street and the Hudson River—and proceeds south along the waterfront to Pier A. The Parade is free and registration begins at noon (parade starts at 1pm). Parents are encouraged to dress up their babies, toddlers and older siblings—and, of course, themselves and their strollers. Trophies are awarded for Best Dressed Child, Most Creative Carriage, and Best Dressed Family.

Family Day: Draw On! (Montclair, NJ)
Stop by the Montclair Art Museum from 1-5pm for a great day of art! Families are invited to participate in art projects, demonstrations, and workshops. Investigate still life and drawing from a model, performances, and gallery activities, all inspired by the basic art of drawing. Come ready to try new drawing mediums and techniques as the museum hosts an afternoon of artistic activities. Explore the galleries and join the MAM community for a fun-filled afternoon! FREE. 973-259-5137.

Spiritual Drumming for Families (Montclair, NJ)
Join Emmy award-winning composer, educator and Afro-Jazz musician, Richard Reiter in a drumming workshop for families at the beautiful Van Vleck garden (we visited on Mother's Day and had a blast!) Parents and children are invited to participate and learn how to drum. Workshop is held Rain or Shine. $5 per person. 973-744-4752.
 

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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