Zoo Boo 2014

Zoo Boo at the Bergen County Zoo
216 Forest Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey

Trick-or-Treating in Zoo • Ghostly Storytelling • Magic Shows
and for the brave of heart there is the Eerie Express Train*

ADVANCED PURCHASE IS REQUIRED

Tickets go on sale October 1st, 9am at the Zoo; $6 each for 

ages 3 & up. Get your tickets early—this event sells out quickly!

*Train runs from 6:30-9:30pm each night; not recommended for young children. 

Train tickets cost $5.00 for all riders.

For more information call 201-262-3771 ext.110

Dates:
Friday, October 24th 6:00 - 9:00pm
       and
Saturday, October 25th 11:00am - 2:00pm and 6:00 - 9:00pm

(Rain Date: Sunday, October 26th)

---

Bronx Zoo - Boo at the Zoo

Safe, family-friendly activities include: Jack O ‘Lantern Illumination – Creatures of the Night walkthrough experience; 3-D Pumpkin Carving Demos and Displays, Broadway Cast Member Appearances; Costume Parade, Music, Magic, Crafts, and MORE

Boo at the Zoo festivities run FIVE weekends beginning Saturday, Oct 4 and include Columbus Day and Halloween

Oct. 4-5, 11-13, 18-19, 25-26, 31, and Nov. 1-2

New York – Sept. 8, 2014 – Boo at the Zoo: Dragons and Dinosaurs is returning to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and it may be the last time to check out the Dinosaur Safari: Mysteries Revealed experience before it becomes extinct. This year’s Boo at the Zoo activities are themed around the zoo’s lifelike animatronic dinosaur experience and real-life dinosaurs in the komodo dragon exhibit at Zoo Center.

Boo at the Zoo: Dragons and Dinosaurs is presented by Canon and will begin on Saturday, Oct. 4 and will run for five full weekends including Columbus Day and Halloween. All attractions and activities will embrace the spirit of the season while highlighting wildlife and conservation. Annual favorites including the hay maze, pumpkin carving demos, costume parades, music, magic and more will return with some additional Halloween surprises.

An eerie walk-through experience – Jack O ‘Lantern Illumination – Creatures of the Night – will take over the exhibits in the former World of Darkness creating a one-of-a-kind illuminated Halloween display. Broadway cast members from plays including Pippin, Motown, Cinderella, On the Town, and the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe will make special appearances. Entertainment will include original musical revue Carnival of Extraordinary Animals and encore performances from magician David Levitan and musical group Gigi and the Lend me a Hand Band

All Boo at the Zoo activities are included with the price of admission with the exception of Dinosaur Safari and the Jack O’Lantern Illumination; both are included with the Total Experience Ticket.

Visit www.bronxzoo.com for a complete schedule of dates, performances and activities.

Get a premium Family Membership save $20 if you apply by Sunday October 5th

---

Family Halloween Camp In: Mystery at the Museum

Friday, October 17, 2014

Explore the Center. Navigate our exhibits and theaters. Solve a crime?!

A priceless artifact has been stolen from the Science Center and we need your help to solve the mystery. Everyone is a suspect and the clock is ticking… We need to find out whodunit before bedtime.

Work with our Police Commissioner to interview suspects, process clues, and track down the culprit. Conduct microscopic investigations, analyze soil samples, and solve a ransom note puzzle.

Keeps your eyes and ears open as you enjoy our exhibitions and shows because clues may be revealed throughout the night!

The cost is $60 per person, which includes our Mystery at the Museum program and:

• Open admission to all exhibit galleries
• An evening snack and light breakfast
• A movie in the nation’s largest IMAX Dome theater
• An eye-popping RealD 3D movie
• Live science demonstrations
• An LSC Camp In patch that allows you to return to LSC free for one year

Call 201.253.1310 for more information and to register.

Your Science Center, Your Night!

In appreciation of your support, we open our doors exclusively to our members on Member Nights. Visit the Science Center after hours on these special nights and explore your favorite exhibits. Enjoy special themed programming, activities and reduced film tickets prices.

Member Night:  October 24, 2014 5:30 – 9:00 pm

Join us for Halloween Science Fun!  Costumes Welcome! 

Trick or treat around the Center, try some spooky experiments, and dance with princesses, ghosts, and superheroes at our annual members’ Halloween party.

Exhibits open from 5:30 to 9:00 pm, Activities run from 6:00 – 8:30 pm, Cafe Skylines open from 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Movies (IMAX) Movie tickets are $2.50 each and may be purchased onsite or in advance by calling 201.253.1310:

• Island of Lemurs Madagascar:6:15 pm
• Mysteries of the Unseen World:  7:15 pm
• To the Arctic: 8:15 pm

Scheduled Activities:

• Tesla Lightning Show:  6:15, 7:15 and 8:15 pm.  Limited space.  Free but ticket needed.  Tickets distributed on a first-come first-served basis in PSE&G Court.
• Dance the night away at the Bug Ball with DJ Dave
• Trick or Treating stations – bring your own bag!

Halloween Celebrations at the Liberty Science Center

Members Night Thursday, October 24, 2013; 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Join us for Halloween Fun! 

Spooky experiments, trick or treat and dance the night away at our Halloween celebration for members. 

Costumes Welcome!

Please RSVP at rsvp@lsc.org to let us know how many adults and children will be attending.

Our doors open at 5:30 pm for members going to the Cafe (which is open until 7:30 pm).

This evening’s benefits include free parking, $2.50 movie tickets and 10% discount at the Cafe and the Store.  Because our Halloween event has been well-attended in the past, please limit guests.  All guests will be charged $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for children.

Special Activities include:

• Trick or Treat - treats and bags given out while supplies last.  Supplies are limited.
  
• Arts & Craft Station:  make some eye-popping crafts
• A Bloody Mystery:  Help us test samples found at a crime scene to determine if the mystery splotches are blood
• Dance Party – join DJ Dave as he gets the party going
• Mystery Boxes:   What’s inside?  Reach inside to find out!!

Movie:     Great White Shark in IMAX at 6:15, 7:15 and 8:15 pm

All movie tickets are $2.50 each and may be purchased onsite or in advance by calling 201.253.1310

Halloween Camp In: Sleepless Slumber Party

October 25, 6:00 pm – October 26, 9:00 am

Celebrate this spooky time of year with our first-ever family Halloween Camp In!

Explore Liberty Science Center under the cover of darkness! With exclusive film showings, engaging activities and the chance to sleep in our exhibits! Brain dissections, slimy snacks, and a scary “campfire” story time await you (there’s a not-so-scary story time, too) along with some other special activities and shows.

Nipping your Noggin: Brain Dissection

The human brain is so complex that doctors and scientists still don’t know what some parts of it do. Let’s investigate a sheep brain for clues. Put on our mad scientist lab coat and let the mayhem begin!

From Pen to Ink: Squid Dissection

The ink in our pens is a mixture of water, dye, and oils. But what is squid ink made of? Squids are a diverse and abundant species in the ocean that varies in pattern and color. Explore the anatomy of a these complex sea creatures before they end up as calamari!

Monster’s Alive: Nature of the Beast

After traveling to Egypt, Transylvania, and the Black Lagoon, we have proof that Hollywood’s most famous monsters are real! We’ve captured them and they are ready to be displayed at Liberty Science Center. Join renowned monster hunter Carl Denham in this live-action spectacle. How is the Wolfman really like a butterfly? Is the Creature from the Black Lagoon a cousin of the salamander? Marvel at the true nature of beasts up close and in person!

Dead or Alive: A Zombie Autopsy

Little research exists on zombies despite their recent popularity in film and television. Scientists around the world have tried to uncover the mystery of these creatures. Do zombies live? Do their organs mutate? Can they return to human form? Learn the cutting truth we take a look at their real organs!

Brainless Artifacts

Vampires and ghosts don’t really exist, but skeletons do! Take a look at our real bones and see if you can identify them. They might be bones you know!

Pumpkin Chunkin’

Ever carved a pumpkin that didn’t look quite as you thought it would? Let’s cut them up instead! Join us in examining the anatomy of a pumpkin.

Call or email Mary McDonald to reserve your spot today: 201.253.1214, mmcdonald@lsc.org. Mention code “SPOOKY” to receive a special discount.

FREE FAMILY Yoga with Linda Olivo at Yoga Morristown

{FREE FAMILY Yoga with Linda Olivo at Yoga Morristown}

Sunday June 9th, from 2:15pm - 3:15pm

Join Yoga Morristown and bring the FAMILY!  Linda Olivo (Go Grounded Training [kids] / Teacher Training at DIG Yoga) will once again hold our FREE community yoga class, but this time they have opened it up to families as well. The class will be held Sunday June 9th, from 2:15pm - 3:15pm.  The Class is free but Registration is required.

The Mohonk Mountain House

Sitting atop the Shawagunk ridge, The Mohonk Mountain House is a resort that calms the mind, stimulates the body, and awakens the soul. From the moment guests pass under the majestic Willows they are greeted by the site of the 267 Victorian Castle and transported to a place of natural beauty from the Lake in the Sky to the Cliffs that surround the lake to the View of the Hudson Valley.

Guests at the mountain house receive three delicious satisfying meals a day as well as afternoon tea and cookies. For Lunch we opted for the Outdoor cookout at the Granary. The Granary sits above the Swimming area of the lake and is BBQ style lunch along with full salad and dessert bar. There is also an ice cream and Sundae bar.
The main dining room provides a westerly view overlooking the Hudson Valley where diners are treated to a stunning sunset views.

There are plenty of activities to take part in including swimming, hiking, boating, and fishing. Additional guide led activities such as Mounting Biking, Rock Climbing, and Horseback riding are also available for an additional fee.

Sitting at the top of the Mountain is the Albert Smiley Memorial

tower. Those who climb to the top of the tower will be rewarded with spectacular views of the landscape outstretched below.

As a single parent I enjoyed the opportunity to share time with my daughter away from the distractions of everyday life. We enjoyed our time together be it out on the lake fishing or pedaling one of the paddle boats, building sand castles on the lakeside beach, hiking along the trails or just relaxing in one of the rocking chairs overlooking the lake while enjoying an afternoon treat.

Mohonk also has a Kids camp which provided me with some personal time. I was able to hike up the rock scrambles and the crevasse, get in a mountain bike ride, a trail run, and even a yoga class while my daughter made friends with the kids at Mohonk.
While walking into the dinning hall the first evening after Kids camp one of the kids called out to my daughter and asked if she was doing the kids swim that night. Throughout dinner We met a few more "friends". I think it's great the way kids just get together. They remember each others name and refer to each other as friends. "That's my friend Sara she like Ariel (from the little mermaid) just like me" is a common type of introduction.

The Kids camp is made up of 2 daily sessions as well as evening activities like the kids swim.
Kids are placed in groups according to age.
Activities are age appropriate but parents can limit activities that their child is able to participate in.

Parents can feel comfortable that their kids are safe and enjoying themselves while they engage in one of the many activities offered at Mohonk or they can decompress at Mohonk's full service Spa, or participate in one of the classes offered at the Mohonk fitness center including Yoga and Pilates.

Our stay at Mohonk was for two nights and 3 days and while short we were able to pack a lot of fun into our days and nights creating memories to last a lifetime. One of my favorites was at the campfire after we ate some smores my daughter snuggled up with me on a log bench and we just watched the fire and looked up at the stars for a while nothing being said but a moment shared.

Kid Friendly Businesses the 3rd Installment

Finding a place to eat with kids can be a challenge even when the menu contains kid friendly fare. Attributes like the tables, service, bathrooms, and waiting area can mean the difference between an enjoyable dining experience and hurriedly paying the bill and getting a doggy bag. One such restaurant is the The Original Pancake House. We recently had breakfast at the Pancake house at 1638 Schlosser Street in the Fort Lee Town Center There are 2 other locations in New Jersey
West Caldwell: 817 Bloomfield Ave. West Caldwell and Whippany: 831 Route 10 EastWhippany
The Fort Lee Location has a kid friendly waiting area with toys, We were seated in a booth with crayons and a Kids menu that had activities and a coloring page. The menu also has a number of food choices including Pancakes, waffles and grilled cheese. The restaurant had a separate kid sized bathroom that was a hit with our little one. The Fort Lee Shopping center also houses a Borders which hosts an interactive story time on Saturdays at 11:00 am
For Dinner try The Blue Moon Mexican Cafe they have an extensive kids menu which doubles as a coloring page and can be entered in a monthly drawing for a free dinner for 3. Kids also get glow-in-the-dark bracelets and tattoos. The restaurant can have a long wait on weekends so call ahead for wait time. The offer a Sunday Brunch, Kids Parties, and have a special kids night on Halloween and New Years Eve.
Moving from food to hair I have been trying to find a kids salon one such place that I recently came across was Sharkey's Cuts for Kids in Ridgewood a Hair Salon specializing in Kids Haircuts. They also have Kids parties and Art Classes.
Children can sit in a Harley Davidson Motorcycle, Barbie Car, Big Red Jeep, and Sparkling Silver Mercedes while watching their favorite DVD'S and videotapes.
I have not been here yet but plan on giving it a try.

Kid Friendly Businesses Part Deux

Kids Workshops are free "How-To Clinics" designed for children ages 5-12. The workshops are offered on the first Saturday of each month between 9:00 a.m. and noon at all The Home Depot stores. Children accompanied by an adult construct projects from pre-fabricated kits. The kits are designed to be both educational and practical.
The Home Depot's Kids Workshops offer useful projects including the creation of toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers, as well as more educational projects, such as a window birdhouse, bughouse or Declaration of Independence frame kit.
The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.
In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.
Fun Facts
Since 1997, 12 million projects have been built at Kids Workshops
More than 750,000 children built their first toolbox at The Home Depot
Nearly 600,000 birdhouses have been constructed at Kids Workshops
More than 290,000 children have built a step stool at Kids Workshops to help them reach higher 75 children per store attend a Kids Workshop on average while many stores have 200 kids attend regularly
Find Kids Workshops at Your Local Store

Previous Kid Freindly Business Blog Posting

Haircuts for Kids

When my daughter was about one and 1/2 I tried my hand at quickly snipping the few long wisps falling into her eyes. But now that she's got a full head of hair I am getting ready to take her for her 1st haircut at a hair salon. My wife and I have both brought our daughter with us when we have gone for our haircuts so she seems pretty comfortable with the idea. While both of our hairstylists have offered and even requested to give her a haircut I was looking for a place more geared towards kids. My internet search yielded quite a few places but only a couple were in New Jersey.
The other thing that I found was a number of articles that were about children being anxious about getting a haircut. We have not actually gone for the haircut yet so I cannot comment from experience on this but I do not anticipate this being a tramatic endeavor.
Some Places I found in the Tri-State Area were
Snipits - Who has there own line of Hair care products, Kids themed Spa services, and Parties
Cartoon Cuts - Not Local but site has some resources
Prohaircut.com - Another resource

Some Good tips that I read were:
Have your child go with you or see someone else get a Haircut prior to them going for their own.
Make sure you go when your child is awake (not due for a nap), and fed
Make an appointment so you are not waiting to get in the chair which can cause anxiety to build

If you have a place that you like please let us know where it is and why you and your child like it.

Kid Friendly Businesses

There are some places that you go with your children and you immediatly feel that it's not a good idea and you are probably better off coming back without the kids. There are other Businesses that seem to Cater or at least have their younger patrons in mind.
In this article and Future Kid Freindly Posts I will list some of these. This weeks list has a bank, a grocery store, and 2 book stores. The Bank is Commerce Bank and if you have been there with your Kids it is probably no surprise it is on the list. They have a change counter (Coin Arcade) that allows kids to guess the amount they have in change and gives them extra money if they guess within a certain amount.

Right next to the change counter is a restroom to clean your hands after handling the money. I opened an account with my daughter after getting a receipt for her change (There is no minimum for Kids accounts) my daughter received a Statement Saving Book, (passbook is also available) a coloring book, a Commerce "piggy bank", and of course a lollipop. There is also a kids website with money lessons and games http://www.commercewowzone.com/kids/
Trader Joes is the Grocery store on the list because they offer instore crafts that kids can do this Wednesday the 13th Kids can make a Valentines Day card at the Edgewater store. They also have kids size carts which have a capacity similiar to a hand basket (My daughter loves to push the big carts at the grocery store. This usually adds about 5 to 15 minutes and a little tension to a visit to the grocery store) The Kid carts are very welcome and a great idea. Trader Joes also gives kids a Balloon of their color choice and some stickers at checkout giving kids something to look forward to "if they are good". There are also food and beverage samples to stop and try during your shopping trip. (Bonus for Parents)
The Book Stores are 2 of the biggest on the east coast, both Borders and Barnes and Noble offer in-store events and dedicated Childrens Book Sections. Check the Links above as well as Upcoming Events for in-store story times and special Events.