We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Sponsored Post: Ugh. Is it still summer? You’re tired of the pool, can’t face another playground and the thought of taking the kids to a water park makes your eye twitch. What to do to entertain your littles for another day? Let them dig into the past at Liberty Science Center’s Jack Horner’s Dino Dig. Find them a hard hat, a shovel or a paintbrush then watch as your budding paleontologists happily sift through 35 tons of sand for hours. They’ll discover more than 60 fossils, including T. rex bones or teeth, a nest filled with dino eggs and a baby Maiasaura, a 6-foot long Triceratops skull or even a dragonfly fossil. Plus, full Velociraptor and Deinonychus skeleton casts in the new Dino Dig Raptor Zone. Dino Dig is open daily through September 16th (except September 10) and is free with general museum admission or membership. This outdoor exhibit is best for ages 4 – 12 and could be closed in the event of excessive heat or rain. Visit the website for details and tickets. (Liberty Science Center 222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City 201.200.1000)
Events Not To Miss:
Why: Feast your eyes on tons of family fun, including games, rides and eats.
When: Open through Sunday August 5, 6-11 pm
Where: Saint Rocco Society Fort Lee, 110 Main Street, Fort Lee
Why: The classic Disney tale hits the stage.
When: Thursday August 2-Sunday August 5, showtimes at 3 pm and 5 pm on certain days, $34, $44
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
What: NY Giants Training Camp
Why: FREE tickets for the Giants training, plus a kids’ zone and autographs for the first 400 kids.
When: Friday August 3 and Tuesday August 7, 10:30 am
Where: MetLife Sports Complex, Quest Diagnostics Training Center, 1925 N Service Road, East Rutherford
What: National Owl Day 2018
Why: Have a hoot with owl crafts, stories and a special visit with the zoo’s owls.
When: Saturday August 4, 11 am-2 pm
Where: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus
What: Garfield Street Fair
Why: A petting zoo, rides, and tons more entertainment.
When: Sunday August 5, 10 am-5 pm
Where: 500 Midland Avenue, Garfield
What: Give a Hoot!
Why: Celebrate International Owl Awareness Day with an up close visit and outdoor adventure.
When: Sunday August 5, 6:30-8:30 pm, member/$5, non-member/$10
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
Why: Enjoy a game of golf, tennis and games to support children with special needs.
When: Monday August 6, 6-10 pm
Where: Montammy Golf Club, 7 Montammy Drive, Alpine
Why: Round up the gals for a sweet night of sampling wines and decorating donuts.
When: Monday August 6, 7-9 pm
Where: Stokes Farm, 23 De Wolf Road, Old Tappan
What: Paramus’ Night Out
Why: Live music, bounce houses, food and trucks.
When: Tuesday August 7, 5-7 pm, 7:30 concert
Where: Paramus Public Library, 116 E. Century Road, Paramus
Why: The Maywood Police Department event bring food, music, rides and suprises to residents.
When: Tuesday August 7, 6-9 pm
Where: Maywood Police Department, 15 Park Avenue, Maywood
Why: Free train rides, bouncies, music and giveaways.
When: Tuesday August 7, 5-9 pm
Where: Votee Park, Palisade Avenue, Teaneck
Why: Local eats, a bounce house and petting zoo at this family night.
When: Tuesday August 7, 5-9 pm
Where: Municipal Complex, 525 Palisade Avenue, Cliffside Park
What: Lodi National Night Out
Why: Celebrate community safety with giveaways, activities, food and a family-friendly flick.
When: Tuesday August 7, 5:30-10 pm
Where: Borough Hall Parking Lot, 1 Memorial Drive, Lodi
Why: Free activities for the kids at this community night out.
When: Tuesday August 7, 6-9 pm
Where: Lincoln Park, 1-15 Highland Cross, Rutherford
Why: Meet your local police officers, plus a train ride, obstacle course and more games.
When: Tuesday August 7, 6-9 pm
Where: Highland Memorial Park, Tappan Road, Harrington Park
What: National Night Out
Why: Music, games, crafts, face painting and an inflatable obstacle course for residents.
When: Tuesday August 7, 6-9 pm
Where: Red Barn at Crestwood Lake, 300 W Crescent Avenue, Allendale
Why: Music, food and fun at this family-friendly night out.
When: Tuesday August 7, 6-10 pm
Where: Memorial Field, Hillsdale
What: Fort Lee Night Out
Why: Food truck mash-up, face painting, rides and Coco.
When: Tuesday August 7, 6-9 pm
Where: Fort Lee Community Center, 1355 Inwood Terrace, Fort Lee
Why: This week, kids explore Pakistan through art.
When: Wednesday August 8, 10-11 am, $10
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: PYO Peaches
Why: Peach picking season is ON, plus enjoy a hay wagon ride and petting zoo.
When: Open through Friday August 31, 10 am-3 pm, $5
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
What: Field Station: Dinosaurs
Why: Go back in time and have a roaring good day with the dinos. Check out the summer “Super Stars of Science” series on Saturdays.
When: Open Tuesdays through Sunday through September 2, 10 am-6 pm, $15.50 day pass
Where: Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
What: 2018 Butterfly House
Why: Try to catch one on your finger or watch a butterfly emerge from a cocoon.
When: Open Wednesdays-Sundays through September 2, 11 am-3 pm, 1 adult and 2 children non-members/$5
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
Why: Try to catch one on your finger or watch a butterfly emerge from a cocoon.
When: Open Wednesdays-Sundays through September 2, 11 am-3 pm, 1 adult and 2 children non-members/$5
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
What: BBQ Thursday
Why: Tons of finger-licking good food and music for a perfect summer night on the farm.
When: Thursdays through August 30, 5:30 pm, kids 4 and under/$5.95, kids 5-12/$10.95, adults/$19.95
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
What: Free Summer Craft Series
Why: Shop and craft a new project each week.
When: Thursdays through summer, 12-2 pm
Where: Bergen Town Center, Center Court, Route 4 East & Forest Avenue, Paramus
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
What: Cirque Italia
Why: Soar into this eye-popping performance filled with superhuman talent.
When: Thursday August 2-Sunday August 5, check schedule for times, $10-$50
Where: The Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapowski Road, Elizabeth
Why: Head to the shore for tons of seafood, carnival rides, games and more fun.
When: Thursday August 2, 6-10 pm, Friday August 3, 6-11 pm, Saturday August 4, 12-11 pm, Sunday August 5, 12-8 pm
Where: Huddy Park, 325-329 Bay Avenue, Highlands
Why: Carnival rides, horse shows, animals and more fun on the farm.
When: Friday August 3-Sunday August 12, 10 am-10 pm
Where: Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta
What: World Robot Olympiad
Why: Watch as competitors build a robot to compete in challenges in this ultimate robot showdown.
When: Saturday August 4, 9 am-5 pm
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
What: Pirate Quest
Why: Hunt for treasure and keep a lookout for pirates in this digital game.
When: Saturdays through August 25, 10 am-2 pm, kids/ $6, adults/$12
Where: Philipsburg Manor, 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY
What: Dino Days
Why: Enjoy a train ride filled with a dinosaur show, fossils and more prehistoric fun.
When: Saturday August 4-Sunday August 5, see schedule for times
Where: Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 99 Elizabeth Street, Phillipsburg
What: Peach Harvest Festival
Why: Have a peachy keen day enjoying peach treats and farm fun.
When: Weekends through August 12, 11 am-5 pm
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: Stone Barns Center Weekend Admission
Why: Farm activities from meeting pigs and bees to collecting eggs.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am-5 pm, $22
Where: Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills
Why: Farm activities from meeting pigs and bees to collecting eggs.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am-5 pm, $22
Where: Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills
What: Minefaire
Why: Attention Minecraft families: meet your fave YouTube player, compete in batles and watch live stage shows.
When: Saturday August 4-Sunday August 5, 10 am-5 pm
Where: NJ Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison
Why: Meet your fave princesses and Star Wars characters, plus face painting, games and makeovers. $15 at the door, kids under 12 free.
When: Sunday August 5, 1-4 pm
Where: Wayne PAL, 1 Pal Drive, Wayne
Why: Put on your dancing shoes for the summer concert series.
When: Monday August 6, 11 am-12 pm
Where: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack
What: Passport to the World
Why: Travel around the world without leaving the Bronx in this cultural adventure.
When: Open through Sunday August 19, 10 am-5:30 pm (5 pm weekdays), kids/$26.95, adult/$36.95
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
What: Grossology
Why: Explore the grossest parts of the human body, in the coolest of ways.
When: Open through Sunday September 23, premium pass required.
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
What: Dino Dig
Why: Sift through the sand to uncover dinosaur bones, eggs and fossil.
When: Open through summer
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
What: Arthur’s World
Why: Join Arthur and his friends and family in this interactive learning exhibit.
When: Open through September 16, free with admission
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
Why: Swifties: Step inside the life of the hugely popular singer, who hand-picked personal photos, videos and lyrics for display.
When: Open daily through October 19, 11 am-6 pm
Where: GRAMMY Museum Experience, Prudential Center, 165 Mulberry Street, Newark
Upcoming:
What: Fluttering Butterflies
Why: Visit the butterfly garden and learn about the beautiful bug.
When: Saturday August 11, 11 am-12 pm, members/$3, non-members/$6
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
What: NJ Wine Festival
Why: Because do you need a reason to enjoy great all-day food, wine and entertainment?
When: Saturday August 11-Sunday August 12, 12-6 pm, under 21/$6, 21 and over/$12
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
