Places to take the kids during NJEA Convention 2011

by | Nov 6, 2011 | Uncategorized | 1 comment

November, the month with frequent school breaks is here!  Well at least for NJ, NJEA convention 2011 is taking place this week, on Thursday Nov 10, and Friday Nov11.  What to do?  With a chance of showers according to the forecast, we’ll be focusing on some indoor play spaces.

Check out the list below (organized by County) for some ideas on where to go and what to do… and feel free to add your own suggestions too!

Bergen County

Park n’ Play in Ramsey A brand new indoor play place has opened up in Ramsey!  This week is their open house.  It’s a 2,200 square foot center featuring a kitchen area, play houses, slides, basketball, dress up/costumes, train table, dolls and doll houses, tumbling mats, infant area and more!Open for families with children 0-6 years old and run by a group of volunteer moms. You can check it out all week from 9am to 5:30 pm.

Acorns Bookshop  in Tenafly  A beautiful children’s bookstore with the latest reads and an enchanting selection of toys and gifts.  This week they have story hour on Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 and Bingo on Friday at 4:30! Unfortunately we just learned Acorns has closed! 🙁

Essex County

Jumpnasium in Fairfield * Open Jumps are 55 minutes in Stadium B followed by 55 minutes in stadium B; 204 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004. Tel 973-808-1700. Thursday 11/10, 10:30am – 12:20pm, and – 5:15pm – 7:05pm*  Friday  11/11, – 10:30am-12:20pm* *RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!*

Monster MiniGolf in Fairfield This fun-filled indoor mini-golf attraction features lots of neon and glow in the dark, loud music and an arcade.  The Fairfield location is opening early for NJEA convention days Thursday-11/10 Open: 12pm-9pm, Friday-11/11 Open: 12pm-10pm. They also have  locations in Marlboro, Paramus or Union.

The Messy Artist in South Orange Pre-registration Required November 10th & 11th Mini- camps – Drop-Off  at Kindergarten – 3rd graders from 9:00-12:00, $45 for 1st day, $40 for 2nd day or 2nd child. Pizza lunch included. 3-5 years from 1:00-3:00, $40 for 1st day, $30 for 2nd day or second child.

Hudson County

Pump It Up in Secaucus.  Check out our review for Pump It Up.  On 11/10-  10:30AM – 12:00PM and 2:30PM – 4PM Pop In Playtime – Open Jump 11/11- 12:30PM – 2:00PM and  4:30PM – 6:00PM Pop In Playtime – Open Jump

Morris County

Power Play Gaming in Denville This indoor video gaming destination is perfect for those who jones for a little more screen time or would appreciate the surround sound speakers and big screens.  Open all day Thursday from 12 to 8pm, has some private parties – call ahead for availability.  NJEA Special on Friday November 11th — open from 11am to 4pm.  $35 per child includes lunch!
Brushes & Bisque in Denville Paint your own bisque at this family owned pottery studio. $5 Studio fee for kids when they have a day off.  Open from 11am to 9pm on both Thursday and Friday!
Camp Iliff in Rockaway Now open at the Rockaway Mall!  Check out their schedule and website for lots of info and options for Open Play or for “Drop N Shop” programs!  Indoor playground, video arcade and much, much more!
Clown Around in Flanders  Indoor playground for children up to 6 years old!  Teachers convention hours are posted here http://www.clownaroundinc.com/Special%20Events.htm
Community Children’s Museum in Dover Special NJEA events!  Thurs Nov 10th — Rock Paper Scissors Tournament from 10am to 5pm with the tournament taking place at 10L30 am and 1 pm. Lunch available in between! Fri Nov 11th Tunables Music Day with special programs again at 10:30 and 1:00 pm.  Click here  for full details.

Imagine That!!! in Florham Park This favorite children’s museum (our review is linked here) is open both days from 10-5:30PM, check out their calendar and website for more details. Thursday 11/10 is PJ Day!

Jump on In Fun in Boonton All age open jump both Thursday and Friday from 12:30 to 2:00pm.  $10 per child, adults are free!
Play Your Way in Riverdale Check out our review on Play Your Way! 11/10- Thursday Open Play for -10-8PM
-11/11- Friday Open Play 10-6PM.

Kidnetic in Montville Click here for our review on the indoor playground at Kidnetic. For more info email: reservations@kidneticnj.com- -11/10, Thursday- Kid-netic Camp (1-4PM); Myachi Mania (4:30-7:30PM) Reg. Open Play (9:30-7pm) 11/11, Friday- Drop&Shop (9:30-12:30); Kidnetic Camp (1-4pm); Open Play (9:30-5:30)

Union County

Kidz Village, for both Kenilworth location and Woodbridge. 11/10- Thursday Open Play for 9-7PM, 11/11- Friday Open Play is 9AM-9PM

Across New Jersey!

Looking for more indoor places to play? Check out our map of indoor play places.

Are you in South Jersey? Check out some of these recommendations from Jerseykids.net 

Ice Skating:  What about getting ready for Winter and checking out an Open Skate?  Aspen Ice located in both Randolph and Flemington offers public skating hours.
For more places to skate we’ve included them in our Skating section in our Indoor Places to Play Map, just scroll to the Skating Section.
Bowling:  Don’t forget about bowling too!  Most bowling lanes will have open lanes during the day and you are sure to find coupons in your Kid Stuff Coupon book or on the websites like www.nationwidebowling.com
Movies:  Puss in Boots is totally worth seeing!  Very cute… or for older kids you can check out Dolphin Tale or Footloose! Special note for those in and near Middlesex County with young kids, the Dunellen Theater, a family cinema, is definitely worth the visit. Every other row is removed to make way for coffee tables, very stroller friendly.  Attached to a bar/restaurant, you can order a variety of entrees, pizza that will be brought to your table during the movie.  If you purchase alcoholic beverages, you just have to pay for them at the bar, and you can bring into the theater.

Want to share with the community another great place to go Nov. 10 or 11th this year?  Comment below!!

1 Comment

  1. linda
    linda on November 9, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    acorns in tenafly has closed.

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