Once spring hits I could jump for joy; no more germ ridden, crowded indoor play-spaces! After my joyous display of enthusiasm, my kids and I sit down and make our spring and summer bucket list; places we want to visit before the weather gets chilly. Skylands Botanical garden is on the list every year, and we go as many times as possible.
Well done, mothers! You've made it through another year of child rearing and now you get your reward. No, not the satisfaction of a well-rounded, loving, intelligent, happy child--you get flowers! And brunch! And maybe a sweet little craft, heavy on the glue and glitter. Of course, the small humans doling out the goodies are really the reason for the season. The heart of your heart. The "NO!" to your "But you must…" The apple to your eye. The love to your life. They might not always listen or eat their (or any) vegetables, but they're pretty wonderful. Oh wait, it's not kid's day! It's Mother's Day! Enjoy it moms, because the next day is Monday and you probably have to make lunches.
We all want to raise cultured, engaged children and luckily for us NJ parents, many local museums are willing to lend a hand. Several museums have spring exhibits that include intricately crafted fine art and options for your young scientist. The observations and conversations that can strike up on a museum stroll are a welcome breather from the constant activity of daily life. So pick a rainy day and head to one of these wonderful spots for some hands-on discovery.
You may still be waiting for the weather to warm up (and itching to get out of the house), but you can get the whole family into a spring state-of-mind. What’s a better excuse for a day trip than a spring festival? As usual, NJ doesn’t disappoint. Check out these great April spring festivals for NJ kids and families to enjoy, and check back in next month for May festivals! If you're still looking for spring time fun, take a look at our post on spring activities for NJ kids and families.
Punxsutawney Phil may have predicated an early spring, but Mother Nature had other ideas. We’ve all been cooped up for weeks now, and spring break is right ahead. Yes, it' a short one (thanks a lot, lousy NJ weather), but if you are looking for an alternate plan for your brood for the few precious non-school days, check out the list of local spring break options.
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