Father's Day is almost here. It is time to celebrate dad!
TheKidPost is excited to announce a fun way to get the kids involved in making dad a gift that he'll actually use. Let your kids get their hands in the fun of making body wash, shave gel, and aftershave. The kids actually make each item and can bring it home to dad. He won't have the "what am I going to do with this" look on his face, promise!
On June 13 let dad head out to the golf course for a while while the kids are creating dad's gift. This event is not only a fun activity but it is a good way to do some shopping for yourself. While you are there we reccommend trying the hand scrub and checking out some of the fun scents for yourself. It will be a mini spa hour for you with refreshments served for the adults while the kids create.
Hey, it beats buying him a tie!!
Alright, Mother Nature has given us some WONDERFUL days in 2010. Let's hope for a few more. We want you to get outside with your kids this Spring. NJ kids need to enjoy what this state has to offer. Some of the best things are close to home. Read below for top low budget things to do in NJ with kids...outside.
Why?
Geocaching - What? geo-cash-ing = using a GPS to navigate around the world (or just NJ) to pinpoint a location, find a hidden container, and report your experience online back to a geocash community. Basically, it is a neat way to upgrade a scavenger hunt. NJ is packed full of places to going this community. Give it a go. http://www.geocaching.com
Go feed some ducks - It only costs you a loaf of bread. Get rid of the "it is almost moldy" bread and give it to the birds. Echo Lake Park in Mountainside and the Navisink River edge in Red Bank are good places to do so. For a farm experience the barnyard at Brookhollow Farm has ducks, alpacas, and chickens.
Take a hike - Yes, put on the hiking boots or trekking shoes and get out there. Little kids can go in a frame pack (2 year olds totally fit) and bigger kids can lead the way. Pick up a walking stick to include them in on the whole experience. Some of our favorite spots...
-Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trails, Princeton
-South Mountain Reservation: Hemlock Falls Trail, Millburn
-Mount Hope Historical Park Trails, Wharton
Sign up for a class/join a group - Get moving with stroller groups, walk with neighbors, grab the stroller and sneakers as opposed to driving to where you need to go. Not sure where to go? Start with the parks and senic trails. All of these are good things.
Picnic time - Fill a basket or backpack with some goodies then hit the park. Our favorites include salmon burgers w/tomato and lettuce, bean salad, and apricot tart or, BBQ chicken sandwiches with chips and brownies.
Also hit up your local deli for some good eats that you don't have to make your self...excellent for those not wanting to open the fridge for dinner.
Check back for information on where to take this picnic on the road with an events listing on concerts in the park.
Play Ball! - Yep, that simple. Toss a ball around, bring out grandpa's bocce set, set up the badminton set, roll around on scooters, head to a tennis court.
Summer is almost here and we're starting to look for things to do with kids here in New Jersey! In a HUGE effort to keep kids active and outside (combined with the excitement of the new soccer stadium in Harrison), soccer is a sport that is growing in popularity. Kids soccer is a part of NJ life!
Tom McLoughlin from McLoughlin Sports offers the advise to parents to look for a program that groups children with the appropriate ages. It is equally important to select a fun program with age appropriate games. Tom has several years of experience teaching tots the game.
Thank you to Max, who unknowingly posed for this picture as he was busy training for the Syracuse University Soccer Team. Max's love for soccer has taken him to a few games to see the New York Red Bull and even over the pond to watch Fulham vs. Chelsea.
And with that, here are some places in NJ to find a soccer camp, class, or team for your active kid.
- New York Red Bull Training Programs offers a chance to get your child right into the action of this big time team. The Curriculum offers programs for kids ages 3-18. The program offers a fun learning environment where the kids can play and strengthen their technical and team skills. The program is structured around fun activities for small kids that will enhance their love for the game.
- McLoughlin Sports offers NJ parents options for kids all around the state. Basking Ridge, Summit, Mendham, Bedminster, Chatham, Long Hill, and Madison just to name a few. Owner, Tom, shows much excitement for the game and what it can offer to young kids.
- Ashley Soccer can be found sprinkled throughout NJ including Berkeley Heights, Ceder Grove, and South Orange-Maplewood. Programs for kids ages 3-4 are available.
- UK Elite has a tot program for your child starting at age 3. The UK Petite program can be found in many NJ towns including, Oradell, Westfield, West Windsor, Mendham, Readington, Manalapan, Glen Rock, Somerville, and New Providence.
- Kiddie Soccer is a program designed for preschool kids but unfortunately you'll have to wait for the Fall to register in NJ. Kiddie soccer is offered in several towns including Livingston, Millburn, South Orange, and Essex Fells.
- Westfield Soccer Fun Program is arranged for kids ages 4-6. This program focuses on the skills of the game for this age group. There is also some interactive features with the parents. Of course the focus is also FUN!
- The YMCA offers a KidFit & Splash program for kids ages 3-5. It features aerobics, stretching, sports, and a group swim lesson. It might have soccer but is not a main focus. The YMCA also has a soccer program but is for kids K - 2nd grade.
- Simply Soccer has a program for kids ages 5-6. It is run as a clinic.
Goal!
GIVEAWAY-Celebrate this year by showing your kids that it is important to use all three Rs in the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle". Let's focus on the Reduce...
Write on our Facebook page your own way to reduce your global footprint on the Garden State this year and enter to win some of the snazzy lunchskins. We want to hear your suggestions on ways to teach your kids on being eco-friendly. Do you bring your own bags to the grocery store, opt out of magazines that you don't read, have a compost pile, or eat only seasonal foods? Entries must be received by 9pm on 4/25/10. Winners will be announced on thekidpost.com and on our Facebook page. Good luck!
**Congratulations to our 3 winners of the lunchskins reusable bag. Woo hoo!
Earth Day 2010! Earth Day is a big deal in NJ. Many towns are celebrating the earth and educating us on how to take care of it. Yes, Mother Nature dished out a wild winter for us but she has also been giving enough to send us some great sunrises in Long Branch and warm summer days in Cape May. And for that, we thank you.
Earth Day is a primo opportunity to have fun with the family and sneak in a few educational points as well. Don't worry, we won't tell.
AWESOME recycling link resource - Click HERE to find a computer parts recycling center near you.
3GreenMoms in this wonderful world of GREEN have gotten it totally right. No more clipping coupons for the Ziplock sandwich bags or buying the 12 month suppy at Costco of the plastic land filling bags. Fact, more than 20 million sandwich bags from school lunches go into U.S. landfills everyday. Wow, that is a lot of PBJs.
TKP finds these bags really cool. Mix and match the designs for a totally fun lunch experience. They can go in the dishwasher, are designed, printed, and hand sewn in the USA. Nifty! Go to lunchskins.com to get your hands on these. (psst, a portion of sales also goes towards giving back to the community).
Woah, recycle shoes, sweaters, and strollers? Well, Milk Money does just that. To save the efforts of the landfills a bit consider donating your unwanted children's clothing to a charity or at a consignment shop like Milk Money. Milk Money has a few locations including Cranford, Montclair, Maplewood, and Princeton. Prices are already at a great discount (many items have retailer tags still on them) and you can catch a sale to get even further discounts.
We're excited to bring awareness of consignment shops to you. Hey, your neighbors are getting rid of some great stuff!
Ok, so summer is almost here! If you want to actually enjoy the summer then get going now on some prep so that you can be ready to grab your bag and head out to the beach once Mother Nature allows.
New Jersey is a great place to enjoy the summer with kids. Pool activities, the shore, watering holes at the NJ State Parks are all great. NJ kid summer activities are almost here!
Freebie Time:
The Kid Post is giving away sets of 4 tickets to the 3/4 show of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Barnum's Funundrum! at the Prudential Center in Newark. To win email TKP your fav part of going to the circus at info@thekidpost.com. Please be creative! Winners will be selected at random. Entries must be received by 11:59 on 3/3.
See our events page for further information on the show.
The Zoological Society of New Jersey is celebrating its 35th anniversary – “the coral anniversary” – by donating an aquarium exhibit to the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. Expected to open in May of this year, the aquarium will feature several tanks filled with exotic sea-living species from tropical locations around the world as well as a Scarlet Ibis bird exhibit.
“We’re very excited to have an aquarium exhibit coming soon to Turtle Back Zoo, thanks to the continued support of the Zoological Society of New Jersey,” says Dr. Jeremy Goodman, Director at the Turtle Back Zoo.
Turtle Back Zoo is currently looking for sponsors for this new exhibit so please pass this information along if you know of anyone who may be interetested.
You can visit the Turtle Back Zoo online at www.turtlebackzoo.com. This Zoo has a TKP stamp of approval. Our kids love it!
Wow, Madison is heading to day care! How do I find a place??? Looking for child care is tough. There are a few things that a parent should keep in mind when looking for just the right place for your little one. Here's the rundown.
Call Ahead - You can get a lot of information on a place over the phone. We're all busy and don't need to spend time wasted driving to places that are not the right fit from the get go. A phone call to the child care will give a good indication on the availability of the caregivers and can provide answers to basic informational questions (ie. see below) We have heard of places not answering the phone or returning a call back when requested.
If this is how they treat potential customers then imagine what could happen once you hand over your money, and not to mention your little one, to them!?! Note however that some places do have a voicemail system in place and will return calls back in a short period of time.
What to Ask - What is the caregiver:child ratio? Does the day care close on "smaller" holidays? Are they open late? Do they charge for tardiness? Do they offer lunch? At what age to they accept children into their facility? Do they have a kindergarden program? Do they offer part time? Is there a security system in place? Are the children ever outside? What is the cost?...
Go Visit - Take a trip to the day care. Is it clean? Do the kids look happy? Does it smell? Where do they nap? A visit (someplaces ask that you not visit during nap time just because you can't see everything "in action"). You will get that gut feeling, good or bad, with a 15 minute visit.
Ask Around - Where do your neighbors send their children? Don't unersetimate the power of gab. If you don't know other parents in the area who use day care then ask your hair stylist, dentist, or sales associate at a children's boutique. If the person you are asking does not have kids then chances are they know of someone who does and can offer some suggestions.
Use the Internet - The power of the Internet is HUGE. Many places have websites that you can check out to start off your search. Pluse these searches can be done during off hours when businesses are closed.
One Dollar from Every New Jersey Smashburger Sold Jan. 16-Jan. 22, 2010 Benefits Local FoodBank
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(Montclair, NJ) – Smashburger, a fast-casual “better burger” restaurant located at 15 Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair, New Jersey will celebrate its January 14, 2010 grand opening by partnering with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Smashburger will donate $1 from every New Jersey Smashburger sold from January 16, 2010 to January 22, 2010 to help feed the hungry.
The “New Jersey Smashburger,” created especially for the Garden State, starts with 100-percent Angus beef topped with applewood smoked bacon, blue cheese crumbles, grilled and haystack onions, lettuce, tomato and mayo served on an onion roll. Smashburger serves delicious Smashdogs including the Jersey and Italian Dogs made with New Jersey's own Best's Beef Hotdogs.
Named for the cooking method used to create the perfect burger, Smashburgers start with a one-third or half-pound ball of 100-percent Angus beef—fresh, not frozen—smashed, seared and seasoned on a flat grill. Served on a butter-toasted artisan bun and topped with a selection of real cheeses, the freshest produce and top-quality condiments.
The restaurant also serves delicious Smashchicken, Smashdogs and Smashsalads, with sides like veggie frites and rosemary and garlic-seasoned Smashfries. Diners can also enjoy Haagen-Dazs shakes, root beer floats and Stewart's bottled drinks in frosty mugs with their meal.
“Smashburger is committed to contributing to the community in which it operates,” says Smashburger President Scott Crane. “Smashburger’s partnership with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey will help raise awareness and funds to ease some of the hunger that underprivileged New Jersey families are experiencing.”
For more information on Smashburger in Montclair, just follow the better burger restaurant on Twitter: @SmashburgerNNJ.
The Kid Post team is committed to providing a comprehensive directory of things to do in NJ with kids. The Kid Post is the destination site for everyone with children in their lives. Kids activities, kids events, and things to do, birthday parties and party places, children's museums, zoos, historical sites, parks, day care centers, gymnastics centers, dance centers, sporting events, arts, music, schools and enrichment facilities are all here for New Jersey kids! Stay on top of the latest happenings with the community calendar and articles.
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