Bergen Winter Break Activities Guide

Weekly Events  / 

You need downtime to work- our picks for Holiday Camps for every interest.

Last minute gift ideas can be found here for every little person on your list.

No babysitter for New Years?  No problem...checkout Blue Moon Cafe’s Family NYE party, Gravity Vault’s Kids Only Bash, or get active at Bounce Safari’s Countdown to Midnight which includes a laser light show, noisemakers, pizza and treats and bring in 2014 right. 

Events Not To Miss:

What: Gingerbread Cookie Decorating at Sweet Spot in Cresskill
Why: Sweet treats, decorating and happy little faces.
When: Saturday, December 21st, noon-4pm
Where:  Sweet Spot, 22-B Union Ave, Cresskill, (201) 266-8667

What: Holiday Lights at Turtle Back Zoo
Why: Come and view the spectacular light show at the zoo! Admission is FREE with canned and toy donation.
When: Now through January 1st, Closed on December 24th & 25th, Open January 1st in the evening from 5pm to 9pm
Where:  Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange

What: Nature Story Time
Why: Listen to stories and hang out with the nature center’s Education Animals. For children ages 3 to 7
When: Saturday, December 21st, 11:30am to 12:15pm; Members are FREE Non-Members $5
Where:  TNC Visitor Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly

What: 12 Days of Science at Liberty Science Center
Why: Make snow, create ice cream with liquid nitrogen,see the Polar Express in an IMAX and more.
When: Saturday, December 21st through Wednesday, January 1st.
Where:  Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City

What: 1 Year Anniversary at World of Wings: Fun and Magic Show
Why: A blowout party of fun and magic show featuring clowns and photo ops with Santa!
When: Saturday, December 21st and Sunday, December 22nd, 2pm to 3pm
Where:  Windsor Hall at WOW, 1775 Windsor Rd., Teaneck

What: Dickens’s A Christmas Carol
Why: Nestle in to the cozy Old Dutch Church with cocoa, cider and cookies while a master storyteller with musical accompaniment, regale you with his adaptation of this Charles Dickens classic.
When: Sunday, December 22nd, Check website for ticketing and showtimes
Where:  381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY

What: Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve
Why: Come and check out the wide array of plant and animal life. BYO binoculars or borrow a pair from the Reserve!
When: Sunday, December 22nd, 9am to 11:30am, FREE
Where:  Nature Preserve, High Mountain Rd., Franklin Lakes

What: Tutu’s and Bowties Holiday Party
Why: Call it the pre-pre-prom. Boys and Girls in their Sunday best dance to holiday music and enjoy refreshments.
When: Sunday, December 22nd, 11am to 1pm; register online, $22 per child.
Where: The Big Playhouse, 316 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood

What: JCC Bubble Mania
Why: Ordinary becomes extraordinary in the hands of the bubble artist!
When: Wednesday, December 25th, 11am to 12:30pm; Pre-register by December 16th
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly

What: Open House at Outragehisss Pets
Why: Your armadillo-chinchilla-reptile lovin’ brood will go crazy over these critters (and get an education).
When: Friday, December 27th and Monday, December 30th, Live Shows begin on the hour 11am to 3pm, $5 per person
Where:  The Barn, 811 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Chestnut Ridge, NY

What: Holiday Fun Days: The Lion’s Whiskers
Why: After the Special Performance, join everyone in hands-on science & art workshops plus the planetarium light show.
When: Friday, December 27th, 2pm
Where:  Newark Museum, 49 Washington St., Newark

What: Winter Animal Tales
Why: Participate in all things winter! Meet winter animals, listen to stories and other activities. Perfect for Children 4 to 7
When: Friday, December 27, 11am; $10 fee & registration required
Where:  Bergen County Zoological Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus

What: Winter Open House
Why: Come hang out in the Discovery Lab, learn about nature and wildlife through displays, discussions and activities! All ages are welcome
When: Friday, December 27th,  , 11am through Sunday, December 29th, 3pm
Where:  Bergen County Zoological Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus

What: Holiday Camp at WOW
Why: Holiday activities galore! Live Butterfly Atrium, Giant Bounce House, Creative Crafts and Live Animals… to name a few.
When: Friday, December 27th, 9am to 1pm; $50 fee-registration required with [email protected]
Where:  Windsor Hall at WOW, 1775 Windsor Rd., Teaneck

If you’re heading out of Bergen….

What: Ice Displays!
Why: Ice Sculptures, an Ice Playground featuring a 25 foot polar bear slide, igloos and of course, animals.
When: Thursday, December 26th through Tuesday, December 31st
Where:  Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx

Take a trip over the GW and visit the brand new Museum of Math (MoMath) which boasts 19,000 square feet and 30 interactive exhibits, sure to keep your whizkid’s mind sharp over break.

What: Meet Olivia the Pig
Why: Come and hang out with the amicable Olivia and all of her friends. Free book giveaways while supplies last. Don’t forget to check out the ice sculptures, too.
When: Friday, December 27th and Saturday, December 28th, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Where:  Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx

What: Pole Position Raceway: Indoor Karting
Why:  Adrenaline junkies over 48inches will get a rush at this brand new indoor karting track that’s the largest in the US. 
When: Open all break except Christmas Day, prices start at $22 for non members
Where: 99 Craven Point Rd, Jersey City

What: Julie Timor’s “The Magic Flute”
Why: Armed with a magical flute, witness the Prince go through a magical journey to rescue his Princess from the evil Sarastro.
When: Now through January 4th; Check website for admission and showtimes.
Where:  Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan

What: Holiday Train Show
Why: With a model train layout that will wow kids & railroad enthusiasts alike.
When: Saturday, December 14th through Sunday, February 23rd, 2014
Where:  Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store, Grand Central Station, 89 E. 42nd St., NY, NY

Upcoming:

What: Discover the Dinosaurs
Why: A lifelike Dino Experience featuring “touchable” dinos, a dig, inflatables and more.
When: January 3rd to 5th
Where: Meadowlands Expo Center, Secaucus

What: Teen Camp Expo
Why: A chance to meet, greet and gather info on hundreds of top programs available to your teen.
When: Tuesday, January 9th, 7pm to 9pm, FREE!
Where:  Demarest Northern Valley High School

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