We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Sponsored Post: Where else can your kids feel their way through an 80-foot touch tunnel, meet mole rats, and tour an energy-efficient beach house all in one day? Only at Liberty Science Center. And we're super stoked about the their brand new adorable Doc McStuffins The Exhibit featuring Doc’s backyard clinic and the McStuffins Toy Hospital. Based on the Disney Junior TV series (but you knew that), the exhibit allows the kids to don a lab coat, grab a stethoscope, and perform check-ups in the ER, groom toy pets at the Pet Vet, feed baby toys in the nursery, and more. The exhibit is included with the price regular ticket and, every Saturday and Sunday in November, any kid who brings a stuffed animal to receive a checkup (aww) gets $45 off a child’s ticket.(Runs through January 27th, Liberty Science Center, 221 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City, click here for tickets)
Save the Date: The Laurie Berkner Band Holiday Concert is coming to BergenPAC on December 9th! (tickets available here), and we're giving away a Family 4 Pack, click here to enter.Events Not To Miss:
Why: Whether you’re a novice or yogi, get zen with this FREE class.
When: Friday November 9, 7:15-8:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Ages 7 and up decorate Thanksgiving sugar cookies.
When: Friday November 9, 10-11:30 am, 1:30-3 pm, $35
Where: Clay Paper Scissors Studio, 380 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell
What: Seasonal Scavenger Hunt
Why: Solve nature clues with your family to complete the hunt and claim a prize.
When: Saturday November 10, 2-3 pm, member/$3, non-member/$6
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
What: It’s Santa Photo Time
Why: Put the kids in their holiday best for pics with Santa.
When: Open daily except Sundays, starting Friday November 9, 10 am-8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am-8 pm weekdays, packages/$27.99-$52.99
Where: The Shops at Riverside, 390 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack
Why: Create lasting holiday memories, and don’t forget to make reservations to skip the line.
When: Open daily except Sundays starting Friday November 9, 11 am-8 pm, packages/$39.99-$49.99
Where: Paramus Park, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
What: Open Cockpit Weekends
Why: Hop into the pilot seat of a number of aircraft.
When: Saturday November 10-Sunday November 11, 10 am-4 pm, kids/$9, adults/$12
Where: The Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey, 400 Fred Wehran Drive, Teterboro
Why: Vendors, food, music and fall fun.
When: Sunday November 11, 11 am-6 pm
Where: Village Green 4th and 5th Streets, Calstadt
Why: Over 100 vendors are ready for you to shop their jewelry, knits, home goods and more.
When: Sunday November 11, 10 am-5 pm, $3
Where: 425 Paramus Road, Paramus
Why: Thousands of toys to browse and buy at your fingertips.
When: Sunday November 11,10 am-4 pm, kids/$1, adult/$7
Where: The Hilton Hotel, 650 Terrace Ave., Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouk Heights
Why: Have a roaring good time with the dinos.
When: Open through Sunday November 11, 10 am-5 pm, $16.75
Where: Field Station Dinosaurs, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
Why: Tour the school, sample classes and meet the staff.
When: Wednesdays November 14-December 5, 9-11 am
Where: Dwight-Englewood School, 315 E Palisade Ave., Englewood
What: Posh Boutique
Why: Spend the night shmoozing and shopping for gifts – and for yourself.
When: Wednesday November 14, 4-9 pm
Where: Temple Emanu-El, 180 Piermont Road, Closter
Why: Support the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC’s garden and honoree, Dr. Derek Hanson.
When: Wednesday November 14, 11 am-2 pm, $75
Where: Season’s Catering, 644 Pascack Rd., Washington Township
What: me.n.u Trunk Show
Why: Shop the latest fashion from the tween brand and update your kid’s wardrobe.
When: Thursday November 15, all day
Where: Marcia’s Attic for Kids, 29 N Dean St., Englewood
What: “Big Santa” Returns
Why: Check out the 51-foot high “Big Santa” display at the lighting ceremony with performances, music, food trucks and arrival of the Santa on a fire truck.
When: Thursday November 15, 4-7 pm, lighting ceremony begins at 6 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Shop for all your gifts from hundreds of crafters.
When: Now through Sunday December 2, 10 am-5 pm, $8, kids under 12 free
Where: The Hermitage, 335 North Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus
Why: The fave first-grader hits the stage in this musical adaptation of the best-selling series.
When: Weekends through Sunday December 16, 11 am, kids under 12/$12, students/$18, adults/$20
Where: Black Box Performing Arts Center, 200 Walraven Dr., Teaneck
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
Why: Show some love to the original Disney icon with over 16,000 square feet of Mickey paraphernalia, art and history.
When: Opens Thursday November 8-Sunday February 10, 10 am-8 pm, $38
Where: 60 10th Ave., NYC
What: Clever Foodies
Why: A culinary course that explores fruits and veggies, inside and out.
When: Friday November 9, 12:15 pm and 2:15 pm
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: Fun and entertainment for kids and tons of shopping for you.
When: Friday November 9-Sunday November 11, 10 am-6 pm, $10
Where: NJ Convention & Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison
Why: Explore the world of strange animal behaviors.
When: Friday November 9, 9 am-4 pm, $85
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Why: Thousands of hand-carved jack o’lanterns on display, plus plenty of pumpkin-themed activities.
When: November 7-11, 15-17, 23-24, kids/$16 (Friday-Saturday, $20) adults/$22 (Friday-Saturday $27), check schedule to reserve time
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson
Why: Thousands of hand-carved jack o’lanterns on display, plus plenty of pumpkin-themed activities.
When: November 7-11, 15-17, 23-24, kids/$16 (Friday-Saturday, $20) adults/$22 (Friday-Saturday $27), check schedule to reserve time
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson
What: Pie Tasting Experience
Why: Get Thanksgiving-ready by sampling over 30 sweet and savory pies at the farm store.
When: Saturday November 10, 12-4 pm
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
Why: Spend the morning apple tasting, making cider and enjoying more farm fun.
When: Saturday November 10, 10 am-11:30, $8
Where: City Green Farm Eco-Center, 171 Grove St., Clifton
Why: Watch student performances, meet the faculty and learn about the school.
When: Tuesday November 13, 9-11 am
Where: Montclair Kimberley Academy, 224 Orange Road, Montclair
What: Double Dare Live
Why: Marc Summers brings the slimetastic physical challenges and trivia to NJ.
When: Wednesday November 14-Thursday November 15, 7:30 pm, $39.50-$79.50
Where: NJ PAC, 1 Center St., Newark
What: Corn Maze & Fun Park
Why: Huges mazes, hayrides and gemstone mining make the perfect fall day.
When: Open through Sunday November 11, 10 am-5 pm, $6.99-$16.99
Where: Stony Hill Farms, 15 North Road, Chester
Why: Explore the giant corn maze, take a wagon ride to the orchard and get down to live music.
When: Open through November 11, 9 am-5 pm, $12.99
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: Diggerfest at Diggerland
Why: Jugglers and stilt-walkers, hay rides, music, fire pits and trucks.
When: Weekends through Sunday November 11, 11 am-5 pm, under 42 inches/$29.95 online, over 42 inches/$34.95 online
Where: Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin
What: Candytopia
Why: Visit this sweeeeeet wonderland of tasty delights, brought to life through art installations.
When: Open through Sunday January 6, 10 am-8:30 pm, kids/$26, adults/$34
Where: Candytopia @ Penn Plaza, 145 W 32nd Street, NYC
Why: The Doc is in! Kids step into the doctor’s role as they perform check-ups and groom toy pets.
When: Open through Sunday January 27, free with admission
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: Bear Mountain Ice Rink Opening
Why: Lace up the skates for a cool family day on the rink.
When: Open 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: Open now through March 3, check website for session times, $5
Where: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Route 9W N, Bear Mountain
Why: Play detective for the day and solve a murder mystery.
When: Opens 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: Open through Sunday May 12, 10 am-9 pm weekdays, 9 am-8 pm weekends, $25
Where: 218 West 57th Street, NYC
Upcoming:
Why: Santa Claus is coming to Bergen Town Center, bringing smiles and a live performance.
When: Friday November 16, 6-7:30 pm
Where: The Outlets at Bergen Town Center, Route 4 East & Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Eric Carl’s classic book comes to life
When: Sunday November 18, 1 pm, $15-$29
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
