Saturday August 11th

Sensory-Friendly Movie Screening: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Dog Days (See website for participating NJ AMC theater locations)
This is the perfect opportunity for parents of children with sensory challenges to see this great new movie. Each month AMC offers this program which provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing! 10am showing only. Theater matinee pricing. For additional information.

Butterfly Festival (Hopewell, NJ)
Come out to the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve from 10am-4pm to celebrate all things butterfly! You will enjoy the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House filled with local varieties of butterflies, including the latest generation of their Monarchs before they head on their long migration south for the winter. Children can participate in the Butterfly parade, as well as explore interactive learning stations. Fun activities and crafts for all age groups. Local food, artisan vendors, live music and more! Fee per person: $10 or $25 per carload. 609- 737-3735.

Amazing Aquatic Adventures (Ringwood, NJ)
Beat the summer heat with this cool nature program from 10-11:30am at Weis Ecology Center. Armed with dip-nets and plastic buckets, your kids will be exploring the Blue Mine Brook to look at different organisms’ aquatic adaptations (always fascinating for kids and adults alike). This program is geared towards elementary aged children, however younger siblings are welcome to join too. $5 members, $8 non-members. Family (parents plus children): $15 members, $24 non-members. Pre-register by calling 973-835-2160.

Corn Festival (Hackettstown, NJ)
How exciting, it's not even October and there's already corn carousing and celebrations! From 2-8pm at Donaldson's Farm your whole family will have fun with a variety of corn-y activities such as cooking demos with their famous sweet corn, live entertainment, hayrides, crafts, a corn cannon, games for the kids, pony rides (3:00-7:00 pm), and planting projects. And of course no corn festival would be complete without contests: Corn on the Cob Eating as well as Corn shucking! Non-corn related fun includes a variety of food vendors. Adults $10/ Children $8. 908-852-9122.

Seasonal Scavenger Hunt (Tenafly)
Families will receive a set of clues to help solve active nature riddles along the trails of the Tenafly Nature Center. Each family will need to work as a team to complete the hunt and receive a small prize. Program is intended for adults and children 4 and up. In case of inclement weather the program will be canceled. 2-4pm. Members $5, Family max. $20 Non-members $10; Family max. $30.

Sunday August 12th

Vintage Baseball on the Farm (Denville, NJ)
What's better on a warm summer day than baseball? Come out to historic Ayres Knuth Farm from 11am-4pm with your family for an old-fashioned, vintage baseball game or two. Playing in period uniforms, and using the rules of the day, The Flemington Neshanock Base Ball Club will meet the Elkton Eclipse. The games start at 11:00 a.m. and play will continue until about 4:00 p.m. Two games are planned for the day. Come for one, or come for the double-header. Food available for purchase. Advance tickets: $5 for adults and students, $2 for children 12 and under. Tickets purchased at the games will cost $8 for adults, $5 for students, and $4 for children.

Family Fun Day (Flanders, NJ)
Bring your whole family out to Camp Deeny Riback for the JCC Metrowest's FREE day of fun-filled camp activities including swim, sports, challenge course, and more. Kosher barbecue too! Special guests: Mama Doni Band (performance at 1pm) and the Frisbee Guy. 11am-2pm. 973-929-2901.

Butterfly Walk (Ringwood, NJ)
It's certainly a butterfly weekend here in New Jersey as August is the perfect time to watch butterflies. Join the Bergen County Audubon Society on a walk of the garden and fields to look for and identify the butterflies of New Jersey Botanical Garden. Meet at the Carriage House. FREE. 1pm. 201-636-4022.

Frog Fest (Middletown, NJ)
If butterflies aren't your cup of tea, there's also some frog fun at Poricy Park from 3-4:30pm. Join their staff as they celebrate frogs with amphibian activity stations, which are appropriate for frog lovers of all ages! Children must be supervised by their adult. Please register in advance by calling 732-842-5966. $5 members; $7 non-members; $20 Family (up to 2 adults, 3 children)

The Sky Above - Sensory Friendly Planetarium Show (Branchburg, NJ)
All ages are welcome to this one-hour sensory-friendly program at the Planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College. The show will provide a comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. The doors will remain open so that children will be able to come and go. Lights will be left dim and audio will be lowered and at a consistent level. The sky show will include: music, videos, planets, the Moon, constellations and laser lights. $5 per ticket. 4:30-5:30pm. Please call 908-231-8805 to make a reservation.

Plays in the Park: John Sebastian Concert (Edison, NJ)
Check out this great FREE family friendly summer concert at Roosevelt Park. You know the songs... "Do You Believe in Magic?", "Daydream," "Summer in the City," "Did You Ever Have to Make-up Your Mind," "Welcome Back, Kotter." Singer and songwriter AND Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Famer John Sebastian will be performing his iconic folk-rock tunes for everyone. Enjoy some family fun prior to the show - gates open at 5pm. Concert starts at 6pm.

 

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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