What to Do with the Kids When There's No School?

With schools closed today and tomorrow for the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah, and the Columbus Day break just around the corner October 10, Bloomfield parents may be looking for some activities to keep their children amused on long weekends.  Here are a few ideas:

TREETOP ADVENTURE COURSE:

The opens TODAY -- and it's good for all ages.  Kids, teens and even adults will have a blast navigating the ropes, pulleys, bridges and zipline.  For a unique and sporty way to spend an afternoon, head over to The Turtleback Zoo.

(In the event of possible rain, call ahead before coming to the exhibit, (973) 731-5800.)

560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey, 07052

Hours

10:00-4:30 Monday - Saturday

11:00-5:30 Sundays

Adults $10; Children $7( Under age 2 Free)

MOVIES:

AMC Clifton Commons 405 Route 3 East, Clifton, NJ 07014

• The Lion King 3D
• Spy Kids: All the Time in the World
• Dolphin Tale 3D

Plus there are many other PG-13 movies for older kids; see website for details.

-- A Dolphin Tale is showing at other theaters as well:

Clearview Bellevue 4, 260 Bellevue Ave, Upper Montclair: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Clearview Allwood Cinema 6, 96 Market St. in Clifton: 12:00pm; 2:30; 5:00; 7:00 and 10 pm.

Note: showtimes may change Friday.

MUSEUMS:

Montclair Art Museum—A new exhibit—the work of digital media artist and 2011 Guggenheim Fellow Marina Zurkow -- is a visually engaging, unique expereince.  here.

Liberty Science Center

222 Jersey City Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(Open Tue-Fri 9am-4pm; Weekends 9am-5pm

Some of the exhibits currently at the Libery Science Museum include:

Touch Tunnel: Navigate a pitch-black maze using only your sense of touch

Skyscraper!  A cityscape of towers; discover what it takes to design and build the world's tallest skyscrapers.

Eat and Be Eaten Visit live animals and discover their tricks for catching food without becoming dinner themselves. 3rd Floor.

Halloween Spooktacular

For older kids, a Haunted High School interactive exhibit; for younger kids:  I Explore,trick or treating, special crafts, film comedies, dancing at the Bug Ball, and costume contests.

IMAX movies: Tornado Alley and The Ultimate Wave - Tahiti 3D.

Fall/Winter Hours 2011-2012  (Through April 1):

Monday Closed
Tue – Fri 9:00 am – 4:00 pm ; Sat – Sun 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Open Columbus Day, October 10 and October 17 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 

The Newark Museum

Dynamic Earth: Revealing Nature's Secrets
The Newark Museum is home to a state-of-the-art Planetarium and an 83,000 specimen Natural Science Collection, which is the basis of the Dynamic Earth: Revealing Nature's Secrets Gallery.

Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium
The Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium features a state-of-the-art Zeiss ZKP3 star projector, providing an out-of-this-world experience through which adults and kids can learn about astronomy and space travel.

49 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102

Open Wednesday through Sunday, 12 noon–5 pm
 
General Information: (973) 596-6550

OTHER IDEAS FOR NEARBY FUN:

—Montclair Beadworks. No appointment necessary. You can just stop in and make your own jewelry. Located at 43 Church Street, check it out here.

—Try out Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats Mini-Camp for 6 to 11 year olds. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the store at 12 North Willow Street. The cost is $75 and call the shop at (973) 783-6100 for more information.

—Check out the camps available at the Montclair YMCA. There's a Little Live Y'ers Vacation Camp for kids ages 3 to 6.  Call (973) 783-7640 for more information. There's also a camp for kids in grades 1 to 8 at the Montclair YMCA. Call (973) 744-3400 for more information.