NJ KIDS ON THE GO! DECEMBER 2023

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INSIDE: WINTER FUN THINGS TO DO . Enrichment Programs

December 2023 njkidsonline.com Oct/Nov 2023

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HEARTBREAKING INJURY TO HEARTWARMING RECOVERY

To view Colette’s Journey

At Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health, we know that parents are never ready for a child to be injured, and that it’s even worse when that injury takes something away. When Colette suffered a serious concussion, it sidelined her from the sports she loves.

But, she had a physician that cared for her like family.

Dr. Marcantuono, pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, was committed to creating a treatment plan that made Colette healthy and put her parents at ease. Colette is now back in the game and is proof that here, we’re always ready to care for every child, like a parent.

For pediatric care from the #1 children’s hospitals in New Jersey, ranked by U.S. News & World Report, visit HacksackMeridianHealth.org/kids.

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TELECHARGE.COM OR 212-239-6200 SCAN FOR TICKETS

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iLuminate.com

340 W. 50th St.

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NJ Kids On The Go! published by NJ Kids Media Group, Inc. | PO Box 542, Roseland, NJ 07068.

We assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions, nor do we recommend programs, nor do we warrant the accuracy or reliatbility of any of the information contained in this book. Nothing herein contained may be reproduced in any manner without written permission of NJ Kids Media Group, Inc. Graphics Design & Production: Elizabeth Senn, 3 Strands Graphics Web: I-finity & Agility Copyright 2023

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the nutcracker The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine Sun, Dec 17 @ 3PM A magical classic for all ages!

Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, The Nutcracker will fill you with holiday spirit.

the hip hop nutcracker with special guest MC Kurtis Blow Sat, Dec 23 @ 2 & 7:30PM NJPAC’s original holiday mashup remixes Tchaikovsky’s ballet with supercharged hip hop dance (and some surprises)!

dec 29 & 30

cirque dreams holidaze Dec 26 @ 7PM Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the 2023 holiday season with its popular and electrifying stage spectacular!

grimmz fairy tales

the illusionists

Nov 30 @ 7PM Infused with hip hop and humor, Grimmz Fairy Tales puts a modern spin on classic stories for young audiences.

Magic of the Holidays Dec 7 @ 8PM Celebrate the holidays with The Illusionists’ Magic of the Holidays, a mind-blowing spectacle for the whole family.

Generous support for The Hip Hop Nutcracker is provided by the Smart Family Foundation/David S. Stone, Esq., Stone & Magnanini.

blippi The Wonderful World Tour Sat, Mar 16 @ 3PM Blippi returns to NJPAC for The Wonderful World Tour!

Kids will have a blast dancing and singing along.

@NJPAC • 1.888.MY.NJPAC • njpac.org Groups of 9 or more call 973.353.7561 • One Center Street, Newark, NJ To advertise call 973-303-3027 or email advertise@njkidsonline.com

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XIAN ZHANG MUSIC DIRECTOR

Handel’s Messiah Dec 15–17

Princeton | Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark Join us as the Symphony performs this great holiday tradition!

Family Concert: A Gospel Holiday Dec 9 at 4 pm Newark Symphony Hall | Tickets only $10 & $20.

A collaboration with Newark Symphony Hall.

The TD Charitable Foundation generously sponsors the New Jersey Symphony’s collaboration on this performance.

Respect: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin Feb 15–18

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert Apr 4–7

February 18 concert presented in collaboration with State Theatre New Jersey

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts in association with 20th Century Fox, Lucas film Ltd. and Warner/Chappell Music. © 1983 & TM LUCASFILM LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © DISNEY April 6 concert presented in collaboration with State Theatre New Jersey

Morristown | Red Bank | Newark | New Brunswick

YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Morristown | Red Bank | New Brunswick | Newark

To find out more, visit njsymphony.org/yo.

Get Tickets Today! njsymphony.org | 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) Go to njsymphony.org for the latest concert information. Programs and artists are subject to change.

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Who wants FREE gifts?

The entire staff at NJ Kids would love to thank you all for your support and input this year by offering 12 Days of Giveaways during this Holiday Season! Everyone wants gifts and we would like to offer you all the chance to win and receive a gift from one of our valued sponsors.

Starting Friday, December 1st to December 12th ENTER2WIN each day.

WINNERS will be announced daily online and on our Facebook Page. www.njkidsonline.com/win

NJ KIDS Holiday Sponsors

DEC HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW

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Advertise in our BACK TO SCHOOL Campaign!

Deadline: July 15, 2023 ... advertise@njkidsonline.com (digital deadlines by 20th each month.

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Physical Therapy

• Gross Motor Development Physical Therapy • NDT Certified Therapy Physical Therapy Physical Therapy • Gross Motor Development • • Gross Gross Motor Motor Development Development • NDT Certified Therapy Speech Therapy • Therapy • NDT NDT Certified Certified Therapy • Prompt Certified Speech Therapy • Specializing in Oral Motor Speech Therapy Speech Therapy •Social PromptSkills Certified G • Group • • Prompt Prompt Certified Certified • Specializing in Oral Motor • • Specializing Specializing in in Oral Oral Motor Motor G • Social Skills Group Occupational G • G Therapy • Social Social Skills Skills Group Group • Sensory Integration Occupational Therapy • Fine Motor Skills Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy •Handwriting Sensory Integration • • • Sensory Sensory Integration Integration • FineCertified Motor Skills • Therapist • Fine • SIPT Fine Motor Motor Skills Skills ® •Interactive Handwriting • Metronome • Handwriting • Handwriting • SIPT Certified Therapist • • SIPT SIPT Certified Certified Therapist Therapist • Interactive Metronome®®® Outreach Out • • Interactive Interactive Metronome Metronome • Home Based Program Outreach Out • Social Skills Group - onsite Outreach Out Outreach Out • Home Based Program • PlayProgram Date • Home • In-Home Home Based Based Program •Parent SocialTraining Skills Group - onsite • • • Social Social Skills Skills Group Group -- onsite onsite • In-Home Play Date • • In-Home In-Home Play Play Date Date • Parent Training Aqua Therapy • Training • Parent Parent Training Aqua Therapy In our AquaTherapy Therapy The Therapeutic Heated Pool Aqua Aqua Therapy Aqua Therapy In our Aqua Aqua Therapy Therapy In In our our Tomatis Listening The Therapeutic Heated Therapy Pool Therapeutic Heated Pool The The Therapeutic Heated Pool Level IVIIIConsultant Level Consultant

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Over 7,000 Square Foot Facility

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HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT THE BRONX ZOO Thru Jan 7, 2024. Animal themed lantern displays, animated lights shows, holiday treats, costumed characters, Holiday Tree Show.Join in a new interactive experience celebrating bioluminescent creatures.Advance tickets. Sensory Friendly Nights Dec 7th & Jan 5th. 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY. bronxzoo.com CHRISTMAS FANTASY WITH LIGHTS AT STORYBOOK LAND Experience the holiday magic at Storybook Land with over one million bright lights. Classic childhood tales come to life. Buy advance tickets online. 6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, storybookland.com MAGIC OF LIGHTS AT THE PNC BANK ARTS CENTER Dec 30, 2023. Drive your vehicle through 1-2 miles of themed holiday lights and digital animations. You’ll be treated to favorite holiday scenes and characters using the latest LED technology. This winter wonderland comes alive with Christmas trees, The North Pole, elves, Santa and more! Purchase your tickets in advance. 116 Garden State Pkwy, Holmdel, NJ.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS TROLLY RIDE IN CAPE MAY Cape May is turned into a village of twinkling lights. Take a trolley ride through the Historic District to see beautifully decorated inns and homes as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions. Tickets online. Cape May, NJ, capemaymac.org ORCHARD OF LIGHTS AT DEMAREST FARMS Thru Dec 29, 2023. Drive your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of amazing holiday light displays. Enjoy hot cocoa and market treats.

Tickets online. 244 Wierimus Rd, Hillsdale, NJ, orchardoflights.com SIX FLAGS HOLIDAY IN THE PARK The park transforms into a winter wonderland. Explore different areas of the park filled with holiday characters, Christmas decorations, Santa & Mrs. Claus, holiday characters, North Pole theme, and more! Buy your tickets in advance. sixflags.com/ greatadventure HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW ON THE LAKE IN HISTORIC SMITHVILLE Thru Jan 5, 2024. FREE holiday light show, featuring over 120 Christmas Trees and 50,000 decorated lights floating magically on Lake Meone. 615 E. Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ historicsmithvillenj.com

SKYLANDS STADIUM CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW & VILLAGE Thru Dec, 2023. This one mile Drive-Thru light show experience is great fun for kids and adults of all ages. The stadium is transformed into a dazzling array of 2 million lights this Christmas with an Outdoor Village and Winter Carnival. 94 Champion Place, Augusta, skylandsstadium.com DIGGERLAND DRIVE-THRU HOLIDAY LIGHT Drive through Diggerland’s construction theme & water park to see lights, holiday displays, and tunnels. Listen to holiday music in your car. Tickets

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online. 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ, diggerlandusa.com

WINTER WONDER LIGHTS SPECTACULAR Thru Dec 31, 2023. A 1/2 mile Drive-Thru journey to experience a winter wonder of lights at the Middlesex County Fair Grounds. Listen to your favorite holiday music. Tickets available online or at the gate. 655 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ, winterwonderlightshows.com

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NYC ATTRACTIONS Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo Now through Jan 7, 2024. Discover holiday lights at the Bronx Zoo. Animal themed lantern displays, animated lights shows, holiday treats, costumed characters, Holiday Tree Show, and more!

Enjoy a magical night with the wonder of LED technology. Join in a new interactive experience celebrating bioluminescent creatures.Hundreds of colorful designs and displays will light your way throughout the park. Must reserve tickets in advance. Note: Sensory Friendly Nights Dec 7th & Jan 5th. 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, New York, 718.220.5100 NYBG Glow (New York Botanical Gardens) Select dates Dec - Jan 2024. Enjoy an all NEW outdoor light experience at NYBG Glow. The outdoor gardens are filled with color and illuminating lights. Not to be missed! Buy tickets online. 2900 Southern Blvd Bronx, NY Astra Lumina at Queens Botanical Garden Through Dec 31, 2023. Astra Lumina is a one mile night walk through the garden for visitors at the Queens Botanical Garden. The garden turns into a celestial pathway and lights illuminating the night. 42-80 Crommelin Street, Flushing NY. Macy’s Holiday Window Displays Through Jan 1, 2024. Macy’s Herald Square holiday windows 2023 will feature holiday activities and the magic of friendship. 34th Street and Broadway, New York City.

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window Displays Through Jan 4, 2024, the Saks Fifth Avenue holiday window displays and light show will showcase “Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams”. FREE light show running every 10 minutes, 5pm-10pm. 611 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. Bryant Park Winter Village Bryant Park is transformed into a Winter Village with outdoor ice-skating. Explore holiday shops and eateries. View the Christmas Tree decorated with over 12,000 lights. 40th @Fifth Ave, NYC.

Largest Menorah Lighting in Central Park Dec 7–14, 2023. Celebrate the lighting of each day of Chanukah at the largest menorah in Central Park, located at the Pulitzer Fountain across from the Plaza Hotel. 764 Central Park South, Grand Army Plaza in NYC. Luminaries at Winter Garden at Brookfield Place Nov 24, 2023 - Jan 6, 2024. FREE. Visit Luminaries at Brookfield Place, see a canopy of colorful lights hung from 640 lanterns on top of the palm trees at the Winter Garden. 230 Vesey Street, New York City.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lights Daily 5AM-Midnight until Jan 13, 2024. On Christmas Day, the Tree is lit for 24 hours. The tree lighting ceremony held on Nov 29, 2023. See the beautiful Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lit up with lights and a Swarovski star adorning the top.

The tree is on display on the plaza between West 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues in NYC, rockefellercenter.com The Rink at Rockefeller Center Open now. Take the kids ice skating under the Tree at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. It’s truly a unique New York experience for all ages! Located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY. LuminoCity at Eisenhower Park Now - Jan 7, 2024. An outdoors experience where you become immersed in a wonderland of lights.

Get ready to Light the Night at Eisenhower Park.

This year’s theme at LuminoCity is “Wonder Journey” brings art and color to life through remarkable light displays. Buy tickets in advance. Free parking. Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, NY. Magic of Lights at Jones Beach State Park Now through Dec 30, 2023. Family friendly drivethru Holiday Light experience at Jones Beach.

Start off on a 2 mile course and see over 40 holiday scenes of LED light displays. Don’t miss The Snow Dogs, The North Pole, candy canes, Santa, the Grinch, and more! Buy tickets in advance. 895 Bay Parkway Jones Beach, NY.

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GOT KIDS? WHAT TO DO! Your Digital Source!

EDUCATION | PROGRAMS | ENRICHMENT | FUN | TUTORS | CAMPS

SPECIAL NEEDS Guide

SPRING 2023

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INSIDE: WINTER FUN THINGS TO DO . Enrichment Programs

New Jersey and Surrounding Areas

FREE

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Winter ‘23-’24 njkidsonline.com

Everyone needs a break.

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DEC 29 & 30 at

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RESOURCES!

FA L L 2 023

A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS, CAMPS, SCOUTS & OTHER STUDENT GROUPS {Grades Pre K - 12}

Field Trips Assemblies Guide www.fieldtripguidenj.com

a special edition of

New Jersey and Surrounding Areas

art | history | entertainment | science | assemblies | nature | museums | sports

Ebooks @ www.njkidsonline.com/ebooks To advertise in this printed edition:

It’s DECEMBER! Time for Good Holiday Cheer!

We’re already counting down the rest of 2023. Now that you’ve established your child’s routines, it’s time to relax and think about the upcoming holidays. Inside this issue, we list our best picks for things to do throughout the holiday season. We’ll list our favorite Christmas celebrations along with holiday festivities to give you so many ideas to help bring good cheer.

We will be listing more events and activities as we head into the holidays, so keep connected with NJ KIDS. Hint! Sign up for our enewsletter to stay in the loop.

Link is at the bottom.

More importantly, we are here to bring you valuable resources. Look through our ebook guides (covers on left) for field trip destinations that are also perfect for family trips, much needed special needs resources, summer camps 2024 and more.

Most are already updated this fall.

And guess what? Registration has begun for our Camp Fairs in January. RSVP now (see back cover for dates).

Next Deadline: Dec 10 (Jan/Feb 2024 and Camp Issues) advertise@njkidsonline.com 973.303.3027

Lastly, win tickets every day during the holiday giveaways during our 12 days of holiday cheer. We have so many holiday tickets to giveaway. Go to our WIN tab >> njkidsonline.com/win.

Be part of our digital campaigns The most niche and targeted marketing around with online, email, social and print campaigns

The NJ Kids Team

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Advertise in our Summer Camp Guide!

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BIG KAHUNA’S WATER PARK

your ULTIMATE destination for thrilling group outings.

Attention educators, youth group leaders, and camp organizers!

Year-Round, Weatherproof Island Time!

Big Kahuna’s Water Park is open year-round and boasts an impressive 70,000 square feet of indoor water park fun under a retractable roof. There is an attached outdoor water park included with admission Memorial Day – Labor Day. The waterpark features various fun pool activities for all ages, including exciting raft and tube slides, mat racers, and body slides. There is also a fullservice café, arcade, and free parking.

Safety is our priority! Big Kahuna’s has certified lifeguards to ensure a safe and supervised day of boundless fun. Big Kahuna’s is a designated Certified Autism Center and offers a sensory guide available online.

Big Kahuna’s welcomes groups of all sizes and ages, perfect for school trips,

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camps, and youth adventures. Make Big Kahuna’s your go-to destination for an unforgettable, budget-friendly experience. Groups enjoy exclusive discounted group rates when they book in advance and will receive one free adult chaperone admission for every ten paid admissions.

Book your group outing today and make a splash! To learn more about discount admission, early openings, and private rental options: Visit www.BigKahunas.com/NJ 535 North Route 73 West Berlin, NJ 08091 (on GPS, use 160 Cooper Rd, West Berlin, NJ) Take Exit 4 of the NJ Turnpike or 36A off I295

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Winter Camp Fun Days andNoon Years Eve Party My Gym Camp has energizing games, exciting gymnastics, cool arts and crafts, and music that guarantees to keep kids moving and engaged! Our themes and programs are always changing, so no two days of camp are ever the same.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! t

Moments Tha Matter

Westfield • (908) 317-0888 mygym.com/westfield Glen Rock • (201) 444-4644 mygym.com/glenrock New Providence • (908) 665-2122 mygym.com/newprovidence

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NEXT ISSUE: SUMMER 2024

ADVERTISE IN OUR SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Deadline: Dec 10, 2023 Starts January 2024 in conjunction with NJ Camp Fairs advertise@njkidsonline.com

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