We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
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Events Not To Miss:
Why: Pop in for Tot Shabbat and tour the school.
When: Friday January 18, 9:15-10:30 am
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly
Why: Slap on a scrunchie and rock out to this rad 80s cover band.
When: Friday January 18, 8 pm, $29-$39
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Hang with the hero pup and enjoy open play, balloons and glitter tats.
When: Friday January 18, 3:30-5:30 pm, $28
Where: The Big Playhouse, 312 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
What: January Winter Workshop
Why: Whip up hot cocoa cupcakes and craft a snowflake magnet.
When: Saturday January 19, 9:30-11 am, ages 3-5, $30
Where: The Crafty Kitchen, 51 Prospect Place, Hillsdale
Why: Create a winter snow scene on canvas.
When: Saturday January 19, 12-2 pm, member/$30, non-member/$40
Where: Wyckoff Family YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff
What: Babies & Books
Why: Bring the babe for an interactive storytime with Usbourne books.
When: First and third Saturdays of the month, January 19-March 16, 10 am
Where: Happy Hello, 33 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs
What: Full Moon Hike
Why: Take an night hike then hang by the campfire.
When: Sunday January 20, 6:30-8:30 pm
Where: The Closter Nature Center, 154 Ruckman Rd., Closter
What: Where Eagles Fly
Why: A day of nature with eagle watching and live music.
When: Sunday January 20, 10 am-2 pm
Where: Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main St., River Edge
What: Superbowl Workshop
Why: Sweet and savory snacks for the Super Bowl.
When: Sunday January 20, 3-5 pm, ages 10 and up, $35
Where: The Crafty Kitchen, 51 Prospect Place, Hillsdale
Why: Dine in or out and enjoy a delish 3-course meal at a hot spot in Ridgewood.
When: Sundays-Thursdays, January 20-January 24, January 27-January 31, $30.19 for 3-course prix-fixe menu.
Where: Participating restaurants, Ridgewood
Why: Kids spend the day exploring nature, making crafts and playing games.
When: Monday January 21, 9 am-3:30 pm, half day/$50, full day/$80
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
What: MLK Mini-Camp
Why: A slimetastic day of crafts and fun.
When: Monday January 21, 10:30 am-12 pm, 12:45-2:15 pm or full day, half-day/$35, full-day/$60
Where: Clay Paper Scissors Studio, 380 Kinderkamack Rd, Oradell
What: MLK Day Soccer Camp
Why: Kids kick it into high gear with world-class soccer training for the day.
When: Monday January 21, 8:30 am-2:30 pm, $75
Where: Wyckoff Family YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff
Why: Learn about Neil Klatskin Summer Camp at this free hour of jumping.
When: Monday January 21, 10-11 am
Where: Skyzone, 80 Commerce Dr., Allendale
What: Holiday Camp
Why: Support your child’s taste for healthy living at this one-day camp .
When: Monday January 21, 9 am-3 pm, $120
Where: HealthBarn USA, 1057 Hillcrest Rd., Ridgewood
Why: Meet the team, visit classrooms and learn how the Montessori Plus approach can work for your family.
When: Thursday January 24, 5-6:30 pm, Friday January 25, 9-10:30 am, 1-2:30 pm
Where: 75 East Ramapo Ave., Mahwah
Why: Race down a snowy mountain in a tube or practice ski skills in the cool outdoors.
When: Mondays-Thursdays, 2-8 pm, Fridays 1-10 pm, Saturdays 8:30 am-10 pm, Sundays 8:30 am-8 pm, $22-$45
Where: Campgaw Mountain, 200 Campgaw Rd., Mahwah
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
What: American Girl Live
Why: The iconic doll characters hit the stage and learn the power of friendship in this original musical.
When: Saturday January 19, 2 pm and 5:30 pm, $29-$79
Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street, Morristown
Why: Winter stories with an open house to follow.
When: Saturday January 19, 12-1 pm, open house 1-4 pm
Where: The Nature Place Day Camp at Green Meadow Waldorf School, 307 Hungry Hollow Rd., Chestnut Ridge
Why: Rides, games, animals, treats and tons more family fun.
When: Saturday January 19, 10 am-7 pm, Sunday January 20-Monday January 21, 10 am-6 pm, adults/$18
Where: Meadowlands Exposition Center, 355 Plaza Dr., Secaucus
Why: Thomas and friends learn about growing a garden in this high-speed musical performance.
When: Saturday January 19-Monday January 21, 9 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, kids/$18, adults/$30
Where: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: Lunar Mania
Why: Celebrate the dark side of the moon with a Pink Floyd Laser Show, eclipse vieweing and planetarium shows.
When: Sunday January 20, 9 am-1 am,
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: ELEV8 World Snow Day
Why: Kids make their way through the snowy hills of a cross country course
When: Sunday January 20, 8 am-5 pm
Where: National Winter Activity Center, 44 Breakneck Rd., Vernon Township
Why: Kids get a taste of what it takes to create the structures for animals at the zoo.
When: Monday January 21, 9 am-4 pm, $85
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: NYC Restaurant Week
Why: Forget cooking and visit one of hundreds of restaurants ready to please your palate.
When: Monday January 21-Friday February 8, two-course lunch/$26, three-course dinner/$42
Where: Participating restaurants, NYC
Why: Mondays are for sundaes, plus special crafts from the farm.
When: Monday January 21, 10 am, $9.99
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: Holiday Train Show
Why: Model trains make their way through Lower Manhattan, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Rockefeller Center in this huge display.
When: Now through Monday January 21, 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays-Sundays, weekends: kids/$18, adults/$30, weekdays: kids/$10, adults/$23
Where: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
Why: Model trains make their way through Lower Manhattan, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Rockefeller Center in this huge display.
When: Now through Monday January 21, 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays-Sundays, weekends: kids/$18, adults/$30, weekdays: kids/$10, adults/$23
Where: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
What: NYC Broadway Week
Why: Two-for-one tix to the shows you’ve been waiting to see.
When: Monday January 21-Sunday February 10, tickets go on sale Wednesday January 9
Where: Broadway theaters, NYC
What: Big Apple Circus
Why: Amazing acrobatics, juggling and animals to make you flip.
When: Now through Sunday January 27, check schedule for times, $29-$175
Where: Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC
Why: The Doc is in! Kids step into the doctor’s role as they perform check-ups and groom toy pets.
When: Now through Sunday January 27, free with admission
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: A dazzling display of model trains that travel from NYC to the North Pole.
When: Now through Sunday February 3, Monday-Friday 8 am-8 pm, Saturday-Sunday, 10 am-6 pm
Where: New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store, 89 East 42nd St., NYC
Why: Show some love to the original Disney icon with over 16,000 square feet of Mickey paraphernalia, art and history.
When: Open Tuesdays-Sundays through February 10, 10 am-8 pm, $38
Where: 60 10th Ave., NYC
What: Bear Mountain Ice Rink Opening
Why: Lace up the skates for a cool family day on the rink.
When: Now through March 3, check website for session times, $5
Where: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Route 9W N, Bear Mountain
Why: Lace up the skates for a cool family day on the rink.
When: Now through March 3, check website for session times, $5
Where: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Route 9W N, Bear Mountain
Why: A winter wonderland filled with ice skating, holiday shopping, and tasty treats.
When: Now through Sunday March 3, 8 am-10 pm, $20 skate rental
Where: Between 40th and 42nd Street and Fifth and Sixth Aves., NYC
Why: A wintery wonderland where you can slip on skates and enjoy eats at The Lodge.
When: Now through Sunday March 3, 8 am-10 pm
Where: Bryant Park, 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Aves., NYC
Why: Play detective for the day and solve a murder mystery.
When: Now through Monday May 27, available with combination or premium pass
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: Dancing, singing and plenty of hug time with Poppy and friends.
When: Now through Sunday May 12, 10 am-9 pm weekdays, 9 am-8 pm weekends, $25
Where: 218 West 57th Street, NYC
Upcoming:
What: Parents’ Night Out
Why: Shop, dine out, clean the house – all without the kids! Drop them for movie and crafts night and enjoy your own night out.
When: Saturday January 26, 6-10 pm, $45, reserve a spot at 201-894-1333
Where: Progressive Dance Studio, 27 S Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Tour the school and learn about how program can work for your child’s education and Catholic faith.
When: Sunday January 27, 11 am-1 pm, Tuesday January 29, 9-11 am
Where: St. John’s Academy, 460 Hillsdale Ave., Hillsdale
What: The Chocolate Expo
Why: Chocolate takes over NJ, plus meet actors from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or enjoy the Kidz Zone.
When: Sunday January 27, 10 am-7 pm, $10 online, $15 at the door
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Level 2,
Why: A pinkatastic show about the beloved children’s book character and her pinka-predicament.
When: Sunday January 27, 1 pm and 4 pm, $15-$39
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
