All Weekend

Sugarloaf Craft Festival  (Somerset, NJ)
This event at the Garden State Exhibit Center from 10am-5pm this weekend will appeal to everyone in the family. Moms and dads will enjoy shopping for unique hand crafted items such as decorative pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, wood, metal, furniture, home accessories, photography, and fine art made by over 250 talented artisans. Kids will certainly have a good time with the food tasting, watching master craftsmen's live demonstrations, participating in family activities and watching performances throughout the day. Adults $9 at the door/$7 online. Children under 12 are FREE. 800-210-9900.

Saturday March 10th

20th Anniversary Birthday Celebration  (Paramus, NJ)
The New Jersey Children's Museum is celebrating their 20th anniversary and everyone is invited to their party on Saturday from 10am-6pm. And what a party it will be with tons of kid-friendly fun and excitement including a DJ, princesses, super heroes, carnival games, prizes and of course CAKE! Free with admission price of $10 per person. Babies under 1 are free. (201) 262-5151

Sensory-Friendly Movie Screening: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax  (See website for participating NJ AMC theater locations)
This is the perfect opportunity for parents of children with sensory challenges to see this 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 visit here.

Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade  (Morristown, NJ)
Get your green on at the Morristown Green for this family-friendly parade that kicks off at 12pm (although, I've been told to arrive early as it does get rather crowded). It's looking like the perfect day weather-wise to get out there and enjoy watching the parade with your family and perhaps your little ones will even be lulled to sleep listening to one of the 20 bands scheduled to perform. Let's hear it for the bagpipes! FREE. For more information visit here.

Visit from Peter Rabbit  (Short Hills, NJ)
Ooooh, yes Spring must be around the corner if Peter Rabbit is filling his basket at the Short Hills Mall.  Actually, he will be visiting the Pottery Barn Kids at Mall from 12-2pm to say "Hello" to all his friends! Bring your kids and your camera for a sweet photo opportunity (and then you can even skip those lines for the mall Easter Bunny later this month). FREE. For more information visit here.  Also, Peter Rabbit's twin will be appearing at the Princeton Market Fair Pottery Barn Kids from 12-2pm too.

Rube Goldberg Machine Madness  (Princeton, NJ)
Children 5 and older will have a grand ol' time at this FREE drop-in event at the Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University from 2-4pm. The Library staff will be bringing in LEGOS and giving the kids the green light for experiments in engineering and imagination. Kids can sketch an idea or build a mechanism of their own. On display will be an actual Rube Goldberg machine, built by Princeton University Engineering students, that will flip, trip, roll, and drop its way to the “ultimate reading experience.” (609) 258-2324.

Sunday March 11th  

St Patrick's Day in the 1830's  (Farmingdale, NJ)
Spend your Sunday afternoon with the the family at historic Allaire Village Chapel to celebrate St. Patricks Day 1830's style, which is quite different than one might expect. This event will showcase the plight of the Irish Immigrant in the early 1800's and present an historically accurate portrayal of the social climate of the period through this event. Programs at 1pm and 2pm. FREE. 732-919-3500.

Come Build Montclair in Legos (Montclair, NJ)
Bring your family, creativity and engineering skills out to the Montclair Museum of Art for this wildly popular event. Your family will work together to recreate a real building from Montclair and then each LEGO building will then be used to create a giant, 3D map of the town. Suitable for families with children ages 5 – 14. Maximum four persons per group, with at least one adult per group. Advanced registration required. $35 per family. Programs at 2-4pm or 5-7pm. 973-746-5555.

Children's Hike: George Washington Bridge (Alpine, NJ)
Get out there and enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon just south of the bridge we've all driven over a gazillion times. You'll get to see the bridge in a whole new light on this FREE two-hour guided family hike from 2-4pm at the Palisades Interstate Park. Meet at 2pm at Fort Lee Historic Park. For more information call 201 768-1360 ext. 110.

Allentown Comic Con (Allentown, PA )
Just off of Route 78 over the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, you'll find this fun family event from 10am-5pm at the Merchants Square Mall. This kid-friendly pop-culture convention will filled with comic books, toys, cards and collectible memorabilia, and more! $6 per adult, FREE for children 12 years-old and under. Visit for more information. http://www.allentowncomiccon.com/2012-show-information.html

Open Shoot Archery (Lincroft, NJ)
Drop in at Thompson Park from 1-3pm to try your hand at archery during their open shoot event at the Activity Barn. All equipment (and guidance) will be provided. Children ages 8-13 with an adult. $5 per person. 732-842-4000, ext. 4240.

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 scoop on all the fun to be had, NYC-style.

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