Palisades mall in Nyack NY

Our visit to the Palisades Mall in Nyack NY offered a lot more than shopping and a food court.

Best 4th of July Celebrations in New Jersey for the whole family

Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day later, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

American's still celebrate the anniversary of our independence with parades,fairs and family get-togethers but the most synonymous activity with the fourth of July has to be our fireworks. For years elaborate displays have delighted Americans young and old. This year will be no different. On the East coast the Macy's Fireworks display is the pinnacle of all fireworks displays with more than 40,000 fireworks expertly synchronized to a 25 minute score including many standards and pop favorites.

Two of the best places to view the fireworks from are aboard the Intrepid. We did this last year and although it is pricey $160/ GA ticket the Intrepid offers a great view (provided you find your seats early enough to be at the front of the deck and an amazing backdrop for the fireworks.

The NYC waterway also offers a host of cruises for both families and couples with some packages including full buffet and open bar as well as DJ's on-board.

There are also a number of free or less pricey vantage points to get a great view of the fireworks from in New Jersey along the river in West New York and  Weehawken (You will need to get out early or use public transportation to get around because parking is will be almost non-existent also be prepared for an hour or more exodus out from any of the paid parking spots. I shot this video from the Riverwalk in West New York.

NYC isn't the only place celebrating independence day and the fourth isn't the only day to get out for the celebrations on Monday July 2 the town of Wayne NJ will be hosting its Annual fireworks extravaganza with clowns and magic acts for the kids. 

Also in New Jersey is the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration beginning at 9:00 am with the flag raising followed by the parade at 10:00 am and finishing up the day with fireworks (Gates open at 6:00 pm)

Be sure to check out previous years Fourth of July tips and Articles from Kidzense

Make sure your Child is Safe by Water

Kids love water but every year we hear about water related tragedies involving children. Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the pediatric age group and drowning rates are the highest among children ages 1 through 2 years. (More statistics)
Teach your kids about water safety and get them swim lessons.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you not begin formal swimming lessons until kids are at least 4 years old. That is the age that children are thought to be "developmentally ready" for swim lessons.
To reduce the risk of drowning, CPSC recommends adopting layers of protection, including physical barriers, such as a fence with self-closing, self-latching gates completely surrounding pools to prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house forms a side of the barrier, use alarms on doors leading to the pool area or a power safety cover over the pool.
It is important to always be prepared for an emergency by having rescue equipment and a phone near the pool. Also, all parents who own pools should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (or CPR).
No one layer of protection is foolproof to prevent drowning in pools. Use as many layers of protection as possible. Multiple barriers and constant supervision are essential to protecting children.
Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
Instruct babysitters about potential hazards to young children in and around swimming pools and the need for constant supervision.
Completely fence the pool. Install self-closing and self-latching gates. Position latches out of reach of young children. Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool area secure to prevent small children from getting to the pool. Effective barriers and locks are necessary preventive measures, but there is no substitute for supervision.
Do not consider young children "drown proof" because they have had swimming lessons; young children should always be watched carefully while swimming.
Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place, since children may become entrapped under it. Remove the cover completely.
Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
Keep toys away from the pool area because a young child playing with the toys could accidentally fall in the water.
Remove steps to above ground pools when not in use.
Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having to leave children unattended in or near the pool to answer a telephone elsewhere. Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone.
Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Keep rescue equipment by the pool.

I hope this article has helped make you aware of some of the dangers of water with small children and has help provide some ways to keep your children safe. It has been an wake up call and an eye opening article for me to research - Thanks and Be Safe

Children's Swimming Lessons in New Jersey

Bally Total Fitness Centers, Englewood, (800)495-1718. British Swim School is happy to announce that they will be hosting year round swim classes for children of all ages at Bally Fitness Centers in the Englewood area. Their 30-minute lessons will be held weekdays during the afternoon and evening, as well as Saturday mornings. Spring season of classes begins on 5/6. Call for more info.

The Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA, 1301 Washington Street, 201-963-4100. Families are invited to take advantage of another great season of activities, including Morning playtime, toddler programs, swim lessons and more! Call for more detailed information about programs and fees.

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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.

June Biking Activities for the Whole Family

Whether your a family that has been biking for years and looking for a fun organized ride or you have never ridden before but really wanted to learn. The folks at rideyourbike.us have you covered with a comprehensive list of events in and around New Jersey (NJ).
Click Here for the June List

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester

39 Fitzgerald Street

Yonkers, NY 10710

http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester

Description:
LEGOLAND Discovery Center is made up of a series of interactive features to immerse kids into a world where their imagination can run wild with creative inspiration at every turn.  Featuring a whole host of exciting attractions from the LEGO® Racers where children can build the fastest racer and reigning champion to an amazing recreation of New York’s famous skyline, the Center not only provides fun for LEGO fans young and old, but fantastic educational benefits too.

It's the ultimate place for all LEGO® fans, and all the attractions are included in the ticket prices.

Rides & Attractions

• LEGO® Factory
• LEGO® 4D Cinema
• Kingdom Quest
• MINILAND®
• LEGO® Racers: Build & Test
• Merlin’s Apprentice
• LEGO® Fire Academy
• LEGO® Construction Site
• LEGO® Master Builder Academy
• The LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Shop
• DUPLO® Village
• Earthquake Tables
• LEGO® Friends
• Café

Dinosaurs found in the Bronx

Remember Jurassic Park...Not the part where everyone is running for their lives, but the scene when they first see the Dinosaurs roaming around. Well now, thanks to the Bronx Zoo you too can you have your own Jurassic experience. Beginning today May 25 through September 8th visitors to the Bronx Zoo can go back 300 million years.The exhibit includes more than 20 life-like animatronic dinosaurs up to 40 feet long which snarl, roar and spit.

The narrated ride runs through a two-acre area of the zoo and highlights some of the similar physical and behavioral adaptations many prehistoric species share with modern-day wildlife. A guide helps identify the dinosaurs and explains how animals at the Bronx Zoo use similar adaptations to survive in the wild.

Dinosaur Safari begins with the Permian period which began about 300 million years ago and concludes about 20 minutes later with the Cretaceous period which ended 65 million years ago.

Each dinosaur encountered moves and vocalizes. At the end of the experience, there is a fossil dig for children; a Tyrannosaurus rex photo-op; a paleontologist’s tent where fossil replicas will be on display; and an interactive Stegosaurus that shows how the dinosaur animatronics work.
For tickets Click Here - For more information Click here

Memorial Day Savings at Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and to kick things off and Thank our readers, here are some hot savings for you.

Just Goto to Sixflags.com and type Promo Code: TGIS74





You will receive the following discounts:
Theme Park Admission...... $29.99
Water Park Admission........$16.99
Meal Voucher....................$13.49
Parking..............................$20.00

Valid 5/24 - 6/2 Limit 10 tickets per transaction