SATURDAY ONLY

13th Annual Tewksbury Harvest Festival (Califon)

It’s harvest time! Celebrate small town-style this Saturday in Tewksbury with pony-and-hay rides, a hot air balloon, classic car show, petting zoo, face and pumpkin-painting, dunk tank, live music, dancing, police/rescue vehicles, pig roast, pie contests and more!  Proceeds to benefit the Tewks Rescue Squad and Library. Saturday, Sept. 24. 11am-4pm. (Raindate: Sept. 25.)  Admission $20./car and includes all activities and coupon for door prizes. For more information, call 908-439-0022.

Superhero Breakfast at Imagine That! (Florham Park)

Got a Spiderman in the making?  A wee Wonder Woman? Let your little superhero's imagination soar this Saturday when your kids meet their favorite superheroes over a tasty breakfast, then stay and play at the museum all day.  Capes and masks welcome, but leave the Kryptonite home. Saturday, Sept. 24. 9:45am. $10.99/adults; $13.99/child. Price includes breakfast and admission to the museum.  Reservations required and available online, or call 973-966-8000.  

Autumn Family Campfire at the Tenafly Nature Center (Tenafly)

If the only s’mores your kids have tasted come in a cereal box, it’s time to try the real thing! Head to the Tenafly Nature Center and gather ‘round the campfire to learn about seasonal changes, listen to stories and roast marshmallows for s’mores. In case of inclement weather, the campfire will be moved to the fireplace in the pavilion, or there’ll be an indoor program.  Appropriate for adults and families with children 5-and-older.  Saturday, Sept. 24. 6:30pm-7:30pm. $10./non-member.  Space is limited and pre-registration is required. (Available online.) For more information, call 201-568-6093 or email info@tenaflynaturecenter.org.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Fairies and Wizards Festival at Camden Children's Garden (Camden)

Fairies and wizards and wands, oh my! Celebrate these magical creatures with games, crafts and more: make a wizard hat, fairy wings, fairy wands and a take-home fairy garden. Listen to an enchanted storybook reading by a fabulous fairy and enjoy a magical treat at the Faerie Fixings concession stand.  Hey, Halloween’s upon us, may as well let the lil’ ones start the costume-making now!  Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25. 1pm-4pm. $6./person; FREE for children 2-and-under.  For more information, call 856-365-8733.

at/around/beyond: Fluxus at Rutgers, 1962-1984 (New Brunswick)

You want to introduce your kids to art beyond finger-painting and popsicle-stick crafts, but want the experience to enjoyable for them AND you? Enter Fluxus. This radical, experimental, and multimedia art movement of the mid-twentieth century focuses on the unpredictable, ordinary, and ephemeral moments of everyday life. There’s even an interactive game room open at specified times for visitors to participate directly in Fluxus games and performances inside the gallery.  The kids’ll enjoy it from a visual perspective.  You can read the info and appreciate it on a deeper level–or just dig it along with them.  At the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University.  Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25. Noon-5pm. $6./adults; Seniors $5./seniors; FREE for children.  For more information, call 732-932-7237.

The Sound of Music at the Open Air Theatre at Washington Crossing (Titusville)

“Doe, a deer, a female deer...” Oh, come on, you KNOW you know it! It’s the famous musical that has features Maria, a young nun, sent off to be governess for the widowed Captain von Trapp. She teaches the children about love, eventually stealing the heart of the Captain. Sigh. Get your kids into this great classic while enjoying the last precious nights this Fall you can still bundle up and watch a show under the stars.  Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25. 7:30pm. $15./adults; $10./children 12-and-under.  For more information, call 267-885-9857.

SUNDAY ONLY

Apple Cider Making at the Tenafly Nature Center (Tenafly)

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but it’s fresh, crisp apple cider that really puts a smile on your face!  Help make cider using an apple press, while learning a bit about the history of apple cultivation and cider making. Apples provided, but more apples mean more cider, so try to bring three or more apples per person to the program. All ages welcome and program runs rain or shine. Sunday, Sept 25. 12:30pm-1:30 pm or 2pm-3 pm. (Note: Option to sign up for the Family Nature Walk after the 2pm session. Visit site for more details.)  Non-members/$10. FREE for children under 2.  (No strollers allowed.)  Space is limited.  Pre-registration requested and available online. For more information, call 201-568-6093 or email info@tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Monster of a Garage Sale (Franklin)

Haven’t taken your kids “garage sale-ing”?  Head to the New Jersey Herald’s 7000 square feet Monster of a Garage Sale event at the Littel Community Center where 50 garage sales converge, and be amazed at the sheer excitement exhibited.  You’ll find great deals on household needs while your kids scour the grounds on a treasure hunt for gently-used, insanely cheap finds like stacks of Pokemon cards, Barbie houses, cool clothes and more.  And they thought that allowance wouldn’t go far.  Sunday, Sept. 25. 9am-3pm. Admission: $1.  Call 973-303-1047 for more information.

Fungus Fest 2011 (Morristown)

Think you’ve discovered a new kind of growth on that sandwich left for weeks in your kid’s lunchbox at school? Here’s your chance to find out!  The New Jersey Mycological Association celebrates Fungus Fest 2011 this Sunday at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum with exhibits, talks, cooking demonstrations, guided mushroom walks, mushroom arts and crafts, books, artwork and more.  It’s spore to be a great time!  Sunday, Sept. 25.  10am–4pm. . FREE with suggested donation: $2./adults; $1./children 16-and-under.  For more information, call 908-227-0872.

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