Table of Contents

5 Great Spring Break Day Trips in New Jersey 2NJ Minor League Baeeball Team Events 4Animal Adventures 5The best as selected by our readers 6Rutgers Day 7Nature Centers 9Gardens & Arboretums 10Kids Bowl Free 11Lighthouses 12Celebrating Easter in New Jersey 13Finding More Family Fun 15

The Jersey Family Fun Team

Editor Jennifer AuerEvents & Ast. Editor Crystal Rodgers

WritersMelanie Cortese

Joanna Gnudi CortinaJillian FletcherMelissa Garner

Lauran Randazzo JonesTraci Weston-Murn

Nancy Moore Palutis

Hello Spring,

After a winter like this, aren’t we ready for spring?

Even as I type this and put the pages of this guide together it is snowing heavily outside. Haven’t we had enough?! I want to get out outside. My boys want to run in the park! Hike a trail! Get out and explore! Aren’t you ready? Check out this guide. From spring break trips to animal adventures, from opening days at New Jersey’s minor league baseball teams to gardens, lighthouses and more, we’ve got LOTS of ways for you to have fun with your kids this spring. Trust me when we say there’s no reason NOT to have a fun spring.

Happy Spring,Jennifer Auer

Click the image for our complete calendar of events.

5 Great Spring Break Day Trips in New Jersey

Diggerland USA

Diggerland USA, in Berlin, is a construction-themed amusement park. It’s 14 acres of over 23 attractions. Children and adults can ride and even operate construction vehicles that have been turned into amusement park rides. Some of the attractions at Diggerland include the “Dig a Round.” which is a merry go round made up of the scoops from construction vehicles. Children and adults can ride and operate a real backhoe. There is a gigantic ropes course and playground to navigate. It is a dream come true for any construction truck lover in your family and definitely worth the trip. Diggerland USA opens for their second season on March 14th. Click over to read our Diggerland USA blog post series.

Liberty Science Center

The Liberty Science Center, in Jersey City, is full of exhibits and attractions to interest every member of your family. Younger visitors can visit the Sesame Street Body exhibit to learn all about the human body, while older children might want to try out the infinity climber, a play structure that reaches over 30 feet high. Kids can use their sense of touch to get through the touch tunnel or also learn how animals communicate or learn about sky scrapers. Between the exhibits and the Imax theater, this is a great place to visit over spring break! Our own editor, Jennifer Auer will be visiting soon and reporting back on Jersey Family Fun about her family’s experience.

Insectropolis

If you have a bug lover in the family you need

to check out Insectropolis- The Bugseum of New Jersey in Toms River. You can spend your day exploring many types of bugs and the habitats they live in. Investigate how bugs eat, how they move, and why they do the things they do. There are even examples of bugs from around the world.

World of Wings

World of Wings, in Teaneck, is a fun and educational way to spend a spring break day. Start your visit by seeing the reptile and amphibian exhibits. Spend some time checking out the butterfly atrium where you can explore a tropical oasis of plants and flowers while watching butterflies in their natural habitat. Next, you can visit the illusion room and see if you can trick your mind. Finally, you can end your visit by stopping at the “Just Bounce” floor. Children can spend 30 minutes bouncing, sliding, and jumping!

Camden Children’s Garden

The Camden Children’s Garden is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm and would be a great place to visit during spring break. Spend some time exploring the different gardens on the property including the dinosaur, butterfly, and fitness gardens. Take a ride on the carousel or train. There’s even a ride that simulates what it’s like to be a butterfly.

Despite the snow on the ground, spring is on its way! Before you know it spring break

will be starting. A week off from school is a great time for a family day trip, but where

should you go? Here are 5 places worth checking out in New Jersey over spring break.

Where do you want to go?

http://bit.ly/1C0N1E7

Lakewood BlueClaws

Fan Fest: March 14th, 10am-3pm - face painting,

free hot dogs, chips and soda, inflatable rides, Buster the

mascot, live Irish music and corned beef and cabbage

to help celebrate St. Patrick’s day.

Opening Day: April 9th - first 1,000 people in receive 15th season commemorative tickets. Fireworks show to follow the game.

Bark in the Park: May 9th - bring your dog to the park and enjoy the game together!

BlueClaw Kids Club: Free to enroll. Open to children 14 and under. Provides various specials throughout the season such as FREE general admission to every Sunday game, chances to run the bases, 10 % off merchandise, kids eat FREE Sunday and Monday vouchers and much more. Enroll at their

website.

Trenton Thunder

Opening Day: April 9th, 6:30 pm - first 2,500 fans will receive Arm and Hammer welcome mats.

Free Hot Dog Day: April 18th & 19th

Family Fun Sunday: May 3rd - first 1,000 children under 12 will receive Boomer mini bats.

Boomer Kids Club: Free to enroll. Open to children 12 and under. Provides various specials throughout the season such as free food, player autographs, giveaways, field passes, and

much more. Enroll at their website.

Somerset Patriots

Kids Opening Day: May 3rd - first 1,500 kids receive youth jerseys.

Mother’s Day Celebration: May 9th - Pre-game autograph session on the field.

Somerset Sluggers Club: Membership is $15. Includes 6 game tickets,VIP passes to special events, logo baseball, inflatable slider doll, membership badge and lanyard and 20%

off of store merchandise. Enroll at their website.

NJ’s Minor League Baseball Teams 2015 Opening Days & Upcoming Events

Camden Riversharks

Opening Day: May 1st - First 1,000 fans get salt & pepper shakers, kids run the bases, firework show after the game.

Family Fun Sunday: May 3rd - Iron Man character appearance.

Mother’s Day Sunday: Captain America character appearance, $5 promotion code for tickets.

Riversharks Kids Club: Membership is $20 and includes: pre-game batting practice, admittance to the Fitzone & Carousel areas, free Pizza Hut personal pizza, limited edition kids club bracelet, chance to sing during the 7th inning stretch

and a 10% discount in the stadium store.

Montclair Jackals

Opening Day: May 29th, We were not able to find any additional information at this time.

Jr Jackals Kids Club: Membership is $25. Includes: 8 ticket vouchers, autograph sessions with the team, birthday card, 10% coupon to the stadium store and a special gift

pack when you sign up!

New Jersey Zoos

Turtle Back Zoo (Essex County) - 560 Northfield Ave, West Orange. 973-731-5800. Our review

Space Farms Zoo & Museum (Sussex County) - 218 County Road 519, Sussex. 973-875-5800.

Bergen County Zoo (Bergen County) - 216 Forest Ave, Paramus. 201-262-3771. Our review

Popcorn Park Zoo (Ocean County) - 1 Humane Way, Forked River. 609-693-1900. Our review

Cape May County Zoo (Cape May County) - 707 Route 9 North, Cape May. 609-465-5271. Our review

Cohanzick Zoo (Cumberland County) - 45 Mayor Aitken Drive, Bridgeton. 856-453-1658. Our review

Other NJ Places to View Animals

Lakota Wolf Preserve (Warren County) - 89 Mt Pleasant Road, Columbia,. 908-496-9244.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Morris County) - 568 Tempe Wick Road, New Vernon. 973-538-3500.

Pequest Trout Hatchery (Warren County) - 605 Pequest Road, Oxford. 908-637-4125. Six Flags Great Adventure (Ocean County) - 1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson. (732) 928-2000

Pennsylvania Zoos Local to NJ

Elmwood Park Zoo - 1661 Harding Blvd, Norristown, PA. 610-277-3825.

Lehigh Valley Zoo - 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA. 610-799-4171.

Philadelphia Zoo - 3400 W. Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA. 215-243-1100. Our review

New York Zoos Local to NJ

Bronx Zoo - 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY. 718-367-1010.

Central Park Zoo - 64th Street and 5th Avenue, New York, NY. 212-439-6500.

Prospect Park Zoo - 450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. 718-399-7339.

Staten Island Zoo - 614 Broadway, Staten Island, NY. 718-442-3100. Our review

Place To Spend a Spring Day

Johnson Corner Farm ~ Burlington CountySix Flags Great Adventure ~ Ocean County

Longstreet Farms ~ Monmouth CountyBrookhollow Barnyard ~ Morris County

Children’s Garden ~ Camden County Seaside Boardwalk ~ Ocean County

Ocean City Boardwalk ~ Cape May CountyColonial Park ~ Somerset County

Wildwood Boardwalk ~ Cape May County

Restaurant For Mother’s Day

Ponzios ~ Camden CountyThe Melting Pot ~ Atlantic &

Monmouth CountiesRon’s Landmark ~ Morris County

Franklinville Inn ~ Gloucester CountyTropicana’s The Palm ~ Atlantic County

Publick House ~ Somerset CountyRed Stone ~ Burlington County

Museum

Garden State Discovery Museum - NJ Liberty Science Center - NJMonmouth Museum - NJ

Morris Museum - NJBen Franklin’s House ~ PA

Academy of Natural Sciences ~ PA

Outdoor Activity for Kids

Ocean City Boardwalk ~ Cape May CountyGrounds for Sculpture ~ Mercer County

Popcorn Park Zoo ~ Ocean CountyThe Fairy & Pirate Festival at Turkey Brook

Park in Mount Olive ~ Morris County.Wildwood Boardwalk ~ Cape May CountySomerset Patriots Game - Somerset County

Parvins State Park ~ Salem County

travel to for Spring Break

Lancaster PA to visit the Amish attractions

Ocean County’s fun aquarium & indoor arcades

Boston, MA - There is so much to do for kids and so much history to learn

about.Please Touch Museum Adventure Aquarium

Center City Philadelphia to see all the great historic sites.

Ocean City NJ ~ Cape May County

Park & Playground

Lindenwold Park ~ Camden CountyImagination Playground ~ PembertonDorbrook Park ~ Monmouth County

Mt. Playmore ~ Mt. Olive ~ Morris CountyJake’s Place ~ Camden County Castle Park ~ Ocean County Kid Street - Somerset County

Malaga Lake Park ~ Gloucester CountyOcean City 34th street ~ Cape May County

The Best as Selected by Jersey Family Fun Readers

Rutgers DayMaybe you’re like many of our NJ residents who attended Rutgers. Maybe you’re a Rutgers sports fan; or maybe you’ve never given the school much thought. Whether you are, were, or never were a student, there’s no better day to visit Rutgers than Rutgers Day - this year on Saturday, April 25.

Encompassing the much loved Ag Field Day and the New Jersey Folk Festival, Rutgers Day now includes the Rutgers football team’s spring game, as well as countless other activities, demonstrations, and performances.

Reasons to go• Animals! On the Cook Campus farms you’ll find a petting zoo, farm tours, and you can even watch a 4-H dog show. Pet the seeing eye puppies and fall in love with the dogs as everyone else does.

• Bugs more your thing? There’s plenty of those too as well as demonstrations from the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences (think touch tanks)!

• Science is everywhere! Tour the Keck Center where spinal cord injury research takes place, view a fun Physics lecture/demonstration and much more. All academic departments are encouraged to participate in Rutgers Day. Departments such as the medical school, dental school and more, there’s no end to what your children will learn.

• Food for all palates. While this year’s participants may vary, in the past we’ve enjoyed some great fair food at the NJ Folk Festival, as well as food homemade by student groups. Look for homemade dog treats, ice cream and barbecue. You might even catch some Dining Services chefs giving demonstrations or find a Food Scientist explaining why food tastes the way it does.

• Music and talent all around too! Delight in the sounds of the Rutgers Marching Band as they travel down College Avenue during the parade, or visit the Singer Songwriter stage at the NJ Folk Festival. Don’t miss the “acrobatic danger show”at the NJ Folk Festival it will have you amazed and impressed (and a little scared, in a good way!).

• Crafts and swag! Most demonstrators have something hands on to do or give out. We’ve tried out face painting, sand art, coloring pages, bookmarks with our names in Japanese and more! You’ll definitely not go home empty handed.

• Sports! This year’s Spring football game will be on Friday April 24th, but Rutgers Day is a great day to learn more about Rutgers Athletics and the Big Ten. There will be a 1:00 Baseball game and a noon Men’s Lacrosse game.

The majority of the Rutgers Day activities are free. Free parking is available on Busch and College Avenues and Cook/Douglass campuses. The New Brunswick campus is on the NJ Transit Northeast Corridor train line, and the university has an extensive campus bus system.

There’s no way to do it all, so it’s advised to try to keep it to one campus. The Rutgers Day schedule will be available soon, and viewing it in advance will give you plenty of time to plan a memorable, educational and FUN free family day out!

http://bit.ly/1Gwe0rX

Nature CentersIn Atlantic CountyEdwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge 609-652-1665Warren E. Fox Nature Center 609-625-1897

In Bergen CountyCloster Nature Center 201-750-2778Demarest Nature Center 201-403-3183Flat Rock Brook Nature Center 201-567-1265Lorrimer Sanctuary 201-891-2185Meadowlands Environmental Center 201-460-8300Ridgefield Nature Center 201-943-5215Tenafly Nature Center 201-568-6093James A McFaul Environmental Center 201-891-5571

In Burlington County Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Preserve 856-983-3329Rancocas Nature Center 609-261-2495Paws Nature Center 856-778-8795Palmyra Cove Nature Center 856-829-1900

In Camden County Camden County Environmental Center 856-216-7130

In Cape May CountyCape May Bird Observatory 609-884-2736Nature Center of Cape May 609-884-2736Cape May Point State Park 609-884-2159The Wetlands Institute 609-368-1211

In Cumberland CountyAlbert J. Kolonich Jr. Nature TrailMeadow Wood Environmental FacilityMaurice River Bluffs Nature Preserve

In Essex CountyEssex County Environmental Center 973-228-8776Cora Hartshorn Bird Sanctuary 973-376-3587

In Gloucester CountyScotland Run Park Nature Center 856-881-0845Greenwich Lake Park

In Hudson County Liberty State Park Interpretive Center 201-915-3403

In Hunterdon County Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary 908-439-1201

In Mercer County Lawrence Nature Center 609-844-7067Stonybrook Millstone Watershed 609-737-3735Washington Crossing State Park Nature Center 609-737-0609

In Middlesex CountyPlainsboro Preserve 609-897-9400

In Monmouth County Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center 732-751-9453Huber Woods Environmental Center 732-872-2670Poricy Park 732-842-5966

Allaire State Park Nature Center 732-919-3500

In Morris CountyPyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area 973-334-3130Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center 973-635-6629Kay Environmental CenterBamboo Brook Outdoor Education CenterSchiff Nature Preserve 973-534-6004The Raptor Trust 908-647-2353

In Ocean County Jakes Branch County Park 732-281-2750Lighthouse Center for Natural Research 609-698-8003Island Beach State Park Nature Center 732-793-0506Cooper Environmental Center 732-270-6960Wells Mills Nature Center 609-971-3085

In Passaic County Garret Mountain Reservation 973-881-4833

In Salem County Alloway Creek Watershed 888-627-7437In Somerset County Somerset County Environmental Center 908-766-2489Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary Bernardsville, 908-766-5787Duke Farms 908-722-3700

In Sussex County Kittatinny Valley State Park 973-786-6445

In Union County Trailside Nature and Science Center 908-789-3670

In Warren CountyPequest Trout HatcheryMerrill Creek Reservoir 908-454-1213

Gardens & ArboretumsIn Atlantic County Egg Harbor Twp Arboretum 609-926-4093

In Bergen County Theilke Arboretum 201-447-0452James McFaul Environmental Center Garden 201-891-5571

In Burlington County Butterfly Garden 609-265-5858Smithville Mansion Garden 609-265-5858Barton Arboretum 609-654-3000Sculpture Garden 609-894-9311

In Camden County Camden Children’s Garden 856-365-8733Barclay Farmstead 856-795-6225

In Cape May CountyEmlen Physic Estate 609-884-5404Butterfly Garden 609-861-0700Leaming’s Run 609-465-5871Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Garden 609-898-2300

In Essex County Presby Iris Gardens 973-783-5974Avis Campbell Gardens 201-746-9614

In Essex County (cont.)Cora Hartshorn Arboretum 973-376-3587Greenwood Gardens 973-258-4026

In Hunterdon County Hunterdon County Arboretum 908-788-1202

In Mercer County Grounds for Sculpture 609-586-0616Sayen Park Botanical Garden 609-890-3630Drumthwacket Garden 609-609-683-0057

Herrontown Woods Arboretum 609-303-0700Morven Museum & Garden 609-924-8144

In Middlesex CountyBucceluch Mansion Gardens 732-745-5112Rutger’s Gardens 732-932-8451

In Monmouth County David Shaw ArboretumDeep Cut Gardens 732-671-6050

In Morris County Willowwood Arboretum 973-326-7600Frelinghuysen Arboretum 973-326-7603

In Ocean County Edith Duff Gwin Gardens

In Passaic County New Jersey Botanical Garden 973-962-9534Laurelwood Arboretum 973-202-9579

In Somerset County Cross Estate Gardens 973-539-2016Leonard J. Buck Garden 908-234-2677Duke Gardens 908-722-3700

Colonial Park Arboretum & Rose Garden 732-873-2459Wagner Farm Arboretum 908-350-7383

In Union County Cedar Brook Park Shakespeare Garden 908-527-4900Reeves Arboretum 908-273-8787

In Warren County Merrill Creek Reservoir Butterfly Garden 908-454-1213Pohatcong Native Arboretum 908-343-5274

Kids Bowl Free with the Kids Bowl Free Program

Kids Bowl Free provides bowling games to children nationwide age 15 and under at participating centers. It’s a great way to start a busy day of fun or to wind down after a long day of running. The free

bowling is also a great perk on a rainy day. It gave the kids a reason to get some exercise and get out of the house for a bit. Many programs start this May.

How The Kids Bowl Free Program Works:

•Complete the FREE registration form on KidsBowlFree.Com for the bowling alley you want to attend. (Please note you can go to more than one participating alley but you will need to register for each one separately using a different email address as per the KidsBowlFree.Com website).

•Kids get to bowl up to 2 free games per day, all summer long. Some of the alleys are actually starting their free game passes this month. You can find out start and end dates on each location’s registration page or the Jersey Family Fun website.

•The Kids Bowl Free playing times are available 7 days a week. Check the registration page for the times your alley allows.

•Kids must be 15 years old or younger.

•Shoe rentals are not included, but some of the bowling alleys do offer a shoe rental pass for purchase. You would have to check with your bowling alley for fees.

•Some alleys offer a discount on food, check with each individual alley.

•You’ll receive an email every Sunday containing a link to the coupons for that week. Just print them out and bring them with you.

•There’s also a Family Pass that allows up to 4 adults to bowl all summer. The pass costs $24.95 and can be added on to your account at any time. An adult is considered anyone 16 and up.

Find participating bowling alleys at these sites:

Jersey Family Fun Kids Bowl Free

New Jersey LighthousesIn Atlantic County Absecon Lighthouse31 S Rhode Island Ave, Atlantic City Admission adults $7 to climb, seniors $5, children 4-12 $4, Atlantic City residents with ID $3, Active military & kids under 4 free.

In Cape May CountyCape May Lighthouse215 Light House Ave, Cape May Point Admission adults $7, children 3-11 $3, free for under 3 (If you go the visitor’s center they give you free tickets to children 12 and under.) Our review

Hereford Inlet Lighthouse 111 N Central Ave, WildwoodOct. 20 - May 23 Open Wednesday - Sunday 10 AM - 2 PM. Please call to confirm hours during these months. May 24 - Oct 21 Open daily from 9 am – 5 pm. Admission adults 12 yrs. and up $4, 11 yrs. and under $1. Call 609 522-4520. Buy combination tickets for both Cape May County lighthouses at Hereford Lighthouse. Our review

In Cumberland CountyEast Point Lighthouse10 Lighthouse Rd, HeislervilleThere is no online available information about admission but you can call (856) 546-7810.

In Gloucester CountyTinicum Rear Range Lighthouse2nd St, Paulsboro No fee to climb but they ask for a donation. Our review

In Monmouth CountyTwin Lights Lighthouse2 Light House Rd, Highlands There is no fee to climb.

Sandy Hook LighthouseGateway National Recreation Area, Highlands There is no online available information about admission but there is a number to call.

Sea Girt Lighthouse9 Ocean Ave, Sea Girt

There is no online available information about admission but you can call (732) 974-0514.

In Ocean CountyTuckerton Seaport Tucker’s Island Lighthouse120 W Main St #1, TuckertonClimb is included in Tuckerton Seaport admission. Our review

Barnegat Lighthouse208 Broadway, Barnegat LightAdmission is free before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. Our review

In Salem CountyFinn’s Rear Range LighthouseOld Fort Mott Rd, PennsvilleNo fee to climb but they ask for a donation. Our review

Celebrating Easter

New Jersey’s Best Easter Egg Hunts

Submitted by our readers

Ocean City Beach, Cape May CountyCasino Pier, Seaside, Ocean County

Pier Village, Long Branch, Monmouth CountyMt. Olive Kiwanis Club, Morris County

Kingsway Church, Cherry Hill, Camden CountyWildwood Beach, Cape May County

Far Hills Fairgrounds, Somerset CountyMercer County Park, Mercer County

Click below for a complete listing from our Calendar of Events

Click the image for more information

Best place to have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Submitted by our readers

Imagine That ~ Morris CountyGloucester Township Rec Center ~ Camden County

Grain House Inn ~ Somerset CountyNew Jersey Motorsports Park ~ Cumberland County

F&M Deli ~ Burlington County

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in New Jersey

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