5 Tips for making a difference this Halloween

Halloween is right around the corner. To get you in the "spirit" with a Kindness-inspired twist, here are five ways to make a difference this Halloween.......Read More

Rainy Day thing to do this weekend 10/24-25

This Saturday is Raining but fortunately there are some fun things to do that will keep you out of the rain
Paramus: New Jersey Children's Museum
New Jersey Children's Museum 11th Annual Spooktacular! The whole museum will be transformed for Halloween! Parents never fear they will not scare the little ones! Be sure to wear your costumes and join in our trick-or-treating throughout the museum. Decorate your very own pumpkin to take home! Halloween Stories, hand & face painting and much more hours have been extended on weekends to 10am-7pm during this Halloween event! The admission price is $14.00 per child and $10.00 per adult. Your admission includes unlimited and extended playtime, candy*, crafts, story time, and your own pumpkin to take home! *not a peanut free event

Monster Golf in Fairfield NJ
A Frightfully fun Mini golf and arcade.

Mini golf takes a spooky turn as you walk through a monster filled cemetery that glows in the dark. (not too scary though)
Directions: Take 46 West until you get to Gately Overpass. This overpass will bring you over 46. At the end of the ramp make a right. Make your first right in to the rear parking lot. There is a sign for Monster Mini Golf and The American Business School at the drive way, They are located on the first floor around the front of the building.

Hoboken:
Hoboken's Clearview Cinemas opens on 14th Street between Adams and Grand streets.

To kick things off On Sunday, Oct. 25th (Changed from Saturday), the two-story, five-screen theater will host an "Ultrasonic Super Fantastic Family Day" from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The day will feature an all-day festival with crafts, games and entertainment ranging from a petting zoo to bingo.

Tenafly Street Fair and Farmers Market
On Sunday the sun returns providing an opportunity to enjoy the day outside.

What: 3rd Annual Tenafly Street Fair.

When:10/24-25 11am-5pm
Details: The Fair Consists of 150 Artists, Crafters, Vendors.Live Music, Rides, Games, Family Fun.
Where: Downtown Tenafly, NJ (County Road by the Train station)
Free Admission, & Free Parking
for additional Information 908-654-1400

Before the Fair check out the Tenafly Farmers Market which runs from 9-2 on Sundays through Nov 22 It is held on the Corner of Washington Street and Tenafly Road for more information visit tenaflyfarmersmarket online.

Fwd: Discount Offer for Halloween Spooktackular at The Children's Museum

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Discount Coupon for Halloween Spooktacular at the New Jersey Children's Museum
Welcome to our 11th Annual Halloween Spooktacular! Saturday October 17-Saturday October 31st. It is that time of year again! We have made it to our 11th Annual Spooktacular! The whole museum will be transformed for Halloween! Parents never fear we will not scare the little ones! Be sure to wear your costumes and join in our trick-or-treating throughout the museum. Decorate your very own pumpkin to take home! Halloween Stories, hand & face painting and much more It's a great time for a Halloween Birthday Party! We have extended hours on weekends 10am-7pm during this Halloween event! The admission price is $14.00 per child and $10.00 per adult. Your admission includes unlimited and extended playtime, candy*, crafts, story time, and your own pumpkin to take home! We are sorry but coupons and special offers cannot be used for this event. This is a perfect field trip for preschoolers, special rate! Call for details! A great after school costumed birthday party too! * This is not a peanut free event. The New Jersey Children's Museum, 599 Valley Health Plaza , Paramus, NJ 07652 No pre-registration for activities. Groups must register for this Halloween event. For additional information call (201)262-5151,or e-mail NJCMinfo@aol.com Visit our website @ www.njcm.com. Please note we will be CLOSED: Friday, October 16th for set-up.
Please visit us at www.njcm.com

Witches and Pirates and Ghosts Oh My!

One of the things that makes Halloween so much fun is being scared. Not Night of the Living Dead or the 6th Sense scary, more Like Scooby Doo Spooky. Nothing conjures up spooky images like Ghosts, Witches, and Vampires. These are classic spooky icons put them within a historical backdrop and you have the ultimate spooky setting.

With this in mind my daughter a I took the four hour drive up to Salem as part of our Halloween Celebrations.
Salem is a quaint New England waterfront village steeped in history. A history with witches and pirates. While Some of the towns famous "haunts" are said to be haunted among them the Hawthorne hotel (As seen back in 2007 on Ghost hunters.

Our trip consisted of visiting a few of the many museums and exhibits that are open year round. Including the Witch Museum, Witch History Museum, the Witch Dungeon, and the Pirate Museum (A nice way to break up the All things Witchy)

We also enjoyed a tour of Salem on one of the Red Trolleys. Our guides were fun, informative, and entertaining. The great thing about the Trolley tours is that you can buy a ticket for the day. This allows you can get on or off at any of the 13 stops points in Salem throughout the day. If you have small children (who may not have the attention span for a 45 minute trolley tour) You can use the trolley to get from place to place and learn about Salem while you ride in smaller 5-15 minute segments.

We had Lunch at Fountain Place on both days of our stay The waitress was really nice, the food was good, it was priced reasonably (12.00 for 1 adult and 1 child) and restaurant was decorated for Halloween. Fountain Place is directly across from where the 1st Salem Church was and the "Fountain" which is the site of a spring that dates back to the 1600's

The museums are probably too scary for really young children but my brave 5 year old seemed fine with everything and had a great time.
In general the museums are there to provide facts about the history of Salem and the 13 months of hysteria during which time the witch hunts that took place in New England in 1692.

The Witch History Museum – Starts with a brief history of the Events that took place in 1692. Q&A with the presenter followed by a walking tour through Exhibits narrative presentation in the basement of the museum. This was the least scary of the Exhibits but walk through is dark.





The Witch Dungeon - Begins with a presentation which talks about the conditions and treatment of those accused of being a witch followed by a re-enactment of the one of the trials, followed by a walk through of a re-created dungeon.This Exhibit is a bit more scary than the the witch History Museum.




Pirate Museum - Great tour (We showed up early and had a private tour so it was edited a bit for my 5 year old)
This tour tells the story of New England's many pirates including Notorious pirate captains, such as; Kidd, Blackbeard, Bellamy and Quelch Pirates make up a large part of Salem's colorful past. Many were said to have buried there treasure in the nearby Lynn Woods. And a ship carrying millions in Spanish gold was found of the coast in about twenty feet of water. Our guide was up to the part and relayed his script with both charisma and some humor.

Salem Witch Museum - The tour begins with a recorded presentation told in an ominous voice with erie music, lighting and sound effects.So this is definitely not for the easily scared. After the Presentation you are taken on a guided tour with both a live presenter and pre-recorded segments.The guided tour is not scary at all and dispels some misconceptions about witches ending with a segment on current day wiccans.The tour also points out other times in American history where fear has lead to persecution of it's citizens such as the McCarthy Hearings of the 1950's.

Old Burying Point Cemetery - The oldest cemetery in Salem, and the second oldest known cemetery in the country, started in 1637. It is located on Charter St. next to the Witch Trials Memorial and contains many famous individuals such as Jonathan Corwin and John Hawthorne, who were Judges in the Salem Witch Trials, Samuel Bradstreet who was a Governor of Massachusetts and many more interesting historical figures. There are currently 347 entries for this cemetery.

There are many places to shop and browse in the town center there are shops where you can purchase candles, incense, crystals, and herbs to perform your own spells.
If your not too magickal but a magician in the Kitchen stop in at Pamplemousse which is located on the pedestrian mall. Pamplemousse has latest kitchen gadgets, specialty gourmet foods, fine boutique wines and local and European craft beer.

During the Halloween season there are many activities, performances and Attractions to experience. Visit haunted happenings for a complete schedule.

Bed and Breakfasts
Amelia Payson House16 Winter Street, (978) 744-8304
Built in 1845 for Amelia and Edward Payson, 16 Winter Street is one of Salem's finest examples of Greek Revival Architecture. Elegantly restored and beautifully decorated, each room is furnished with period antiques and warmed by a personal touch. A continental breakfast consisting of fresh fruit and home baked breads is served family style over friendly conversation, and provides your hosts the opportunity to share with their guests much information about their historic city and all its Witchcraft mystique.

Other Sites to visit:

The House of the Seven Gables (1668) is a Colonial mansion in Salem, Massachusetts, as well as the title of a novel written in 1851 by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. The house is now a non-profit museum, with an admission fee charged for tours.

Pickering Wharf - A harbor side Village with Shops, Restaurants, Attractions, and Events.

More Pictures

10 Tips for Safe Trick or Treating

1. Be sure older children TAKE FRIENDS and younger children are

accompanied by a TRUSTED ADULT when “Trick or Treating.”

2. Accompany younger children to the door of every home they approach

and make sure parents and guardians are familiar with every home and

all people from which the children receive treats.

3. Teach children to NEVER enter a home without prior permission from their parents or guardians.

4. Teach children to NEVER approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they are accompanied by

a parent or guardian.

5. Make sure all children wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick when out at dusk and

at night.

6. Make sure children are able to see and breathe properly and easily when using facial masks. All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.

7. Teach children to NEVER approach a home that is not well lit both inside and outside.

8. Teach children to stay alert for any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents,

guardians, and/or the proper authority.

9. Teach children if anyone tries to grab them to make a scene; loudly yell this person is

not my father/mother/guardian; and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming,

and resisting.

10. Consider organizing or attending parties at home, in schools, or in community centers as a

good alternative to “Trick or Treating.”

CyberChase Day at Central Park in NYC

On Columbus Day weekend, Cyberchase, the daily animated math series on PBS Kids Go!, and the Central Park Zoo team up for a special event in the heart of Manhattan.
Cyberchase stars Harry and Digit will be on hand to greet fans and infuse wacky and fun math moments all around the zoo. This all-day event is free and open to the public with regular paid admission.

Arrive early for giveaways, and get ready for a zoo day filled with fun math adventures, Cyberchase-style.

Special Activities

• Catch Harry hosting the sea lion feedings at 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Snap a photo with the stars during meet-and-greets at noon and 2:30 p.m.

Celebrate Halloween at the NYC Zoos

October 10–12, 17–18, 24–25 & Oct 31–Nov 1
Celebrate a New York Halloween tradition! October weekends are packed with activities, including wildlife magic shows, pumpkin carving demonstrations, and haunted hayrides. Join us for the first ever Haunted Safari and be part of the journey to Save the Species. Best of all, come visit with our bats, cats, and creepiest critters.

Activities

Haunted Safari
Embark on an adventure to help locate a lost species. Your journey takes you through a bat cave, the belly of a snake, and a rainforest swamp.
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Musical Performances
Join Annie and the Natural Wonder band for animal-themed tunes!
Time: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., & 3:00 p.m.

Wildlife Theater:
It’s A Wonderful Niche
Join the Wildlife Theater Players for puppetry, song, and interactive fun. Our story follows a young bat on his journey to discover his value and importance. (Note: no live animals in these shows.)
Times: 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:15 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

Hay Maze
Let yourself get lost at the zoo!
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Treat Stations
Special locations around the park will help sweeten your visit today.
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Scarecrow Adventure Hayride
Load up for a spook-tacular ride! Join us for an exclusive animated tour full of family-friendly surprises. Tour starts at Fountain Circle.
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fee: $3 per person

Pumpkin-carving Demonstrations
Watch an expert carve amazing animal shapes!
Time: 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Animal-themed Magic Shows
Enjoy a Boo at the Zoo family tradition.
Time: Noon, 2:00, & 4:00 p.m.

Scrap Kins Recycled Mask-making
Turn trash into treasure! Scrap Kins artists will help you build a one-of-a-kind wildlife mask from recycled materials.
Times: 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m., & 3:45 p.m.
Special Animal Enrichment Activities
11:15 a.m.: Birds of Prey Aviary
2:00 p.m.: World of Reptiles
2:15 p.m.: Carter Giraffe Bldg
3:30 p.m.: Monkey House

Safety Tips & Giveaways
On October 25, FedEx and Safe Kids USA remind families how to keep kids safe on Halloween. FedEx and Safe Kids USA will provide reflective giveaways and safety tips for parents and drivers. For more information on child pedestrian safety, please visit safekids.org

Special Offer: A child age 3-12 wearing a wildlife costume will receive a free General Admission ticket when accompanied by an adult purchasing any full-priced adult admission ticket. Limit one free child per paying adult.

Central Park Zoo
It’s all treats and no tricks as our polar bears and other animals wolf down their yummy Halloween snacks at this spooktacular event. There are plenty of goodies in store for visitors, too, including a wildlife witch, face painting, crafts stations, and more.

Do you love bats, cats, and slithery snakes? Celebrate Halloween all month long at Boo at the Bronx Zoo. Enjoy wildlife magic shows, pumpkin carving demonstrations, hay mazes, and the first ever Haunted Safari.

Schedule of Events

Animal Trick-Or-Treat
Watch polar bears, snow monkeys, and Rainforest and Children's Zoo resident dig into pumpkins that are filled with goodies like corn on the cob,bamboo, and fish.

Wildlife Witch
Learn about all things creepy and crawly when our wildlife witch presents a spooky show in a haunted habitat.
Time: Noon, 1:30 and 2:15 p.m.

Scavenger Hunt
Search the zoo for colorful replicas of extinct animals using our special word jumble. Successful explorers receive a special treat.

Face Painting
Transform yourself into a pumpkin, a ghost, a bat, or a spider!

Crafts
Design a creepy headband featuring a bat, spider, or snake design to enhance your costume.

Bat Chats
Fly by the Zoo’s bat exhibit to chat about bats.
Times: Noon, 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

NYC Aquarium
Dress up the family and join the NYC Aquarium in Brooklyn for their annual Halloween celebration, occurring over two special weekends. Learn all about monsters of the deep while you enjoy games, prizes, and arts and crafts. Beginning October 10, experience the Haunted Sea-fari Perils of the Sea.

Special Offer: A child age 3-12 wearing a wildlife costume will receive a free General Admission ticket when accompanied by an adult purchasing any full-priced adult admission ticket. Limit one free child per paying adult.

Activities take place noon–4:00 p.m.

A-Scarium Activities

Haunted Sea-fari Perils of the Sea
Visit the haunted house for a unique Halloween experience. Travel through murky waters and pass by extinct sea life tombs, jellyfish tentacles, and other creatures of the deep as you make your way to dry land. At the end of your journey, you’ll have a better understanding of the threats facing the ocean’s extraordinary animals.
Schedule: Weekends beginning October 10
Location: Above Ocean View area

Storytelling
Join LuAnn Adams for stories about the sea!
Dates: 10/24–25, 10/31 and 11/1

Music
Dance to kid-friendly, marine and Halloween-themed tunes by DJ Dave.
Pumpkin-carving Demonstrations
Watch an expert carve amazing animal shapes!
Dates: 10/24–25, 10/31 and 11/1

Crafts
Make a sea creature costume or a mask out of recycled materials.
Treat Stations
Trick or treat at our holiday treat stations.

New 4-D Movie!
The Curse of Skull Rock is a swashbuckling animated adventure that pits plucky cabin girl Jill Hopkins against the tyrannical Captain Scabb in pursuit of the lost treasure of Skull Rock. This family-friendly 4-D adventure with special effects brings the on-screen action to life.
Schedule: Airs in the 4-D Theater from Oct. 3–Nov 1