10 Great Activities for the Kids

As a Glen Rock parent, I find our schedules are usually jam packed with activities.  Either that, or we’re looking for something quick to fill an afternoon. 

I wanted to share some great activities. Hopefully people will post their own gems in and around Glen Rock.

1. Studio Stars.  It happens for three weeks every summer. Kids are given roles in a theatrical performance and perform twice at the end of the three week program. This year, the children performed .  Each kid participates in at least two numbers, not including the all cast songs that are sprinkled throughout the program.  It’s a great show and the kids gain an appreciation for theater.
2. Glen Rock Pool.  You’ve probably seen about stool in the pool. Despite these instances, the pool is still the gem of the town. You won’t find many waterslides at municipal pools and the fountains are tremendous for the little ones.  Add in karaoke Wednesdays for the kids, and you’ve got one of the best kid features in the area.
3. Arboretum. A great escape year-round, is great for photography, fishing or enhancing your green thumb.
4. Jaycees Train Ride With Santa. Anything sponsored by the usually means a great event for the kids. However, their train ride with Santa is perfect for kids between the ages of 2 and 10.  They rent out a few cars on NJ Transit, ride up to Suffern and come back. During the trip, each kid receives a present and a personal visit from Santa (and sometimes a special guest). My kids love it and we get our best Santa photos there every year.
5. Medieval Times. A little further away, I took my 7-year-old son to Medieval Times after winning a free pass during the Coleman Derby Fundraiser.  We had a blast.  Cheering for a knight, seeing him joust on a real horse and getting photos with all of the knights following the festivities. If that’s not enough, we ate with chicken with no utensils. It will seem a bit pricey, but the food is quite good and the kids will have a blast.
6. Math and Science Camp. Another great program by the Community School.  This enrichment program focuses on problem solving skills.  It concludes with the 3-6th graders going on a trip – this year it was to the Lakota Wolf Preserve.  Although it was kind of far (the Delaware Water Gap), it was interesting and fun for the children.  I was extremely impressed with the professionalism at Lakota and the attention to safety displayed by the camp staff.
7. Saturday Kid Workshops at Home Depot. A great FREE program by the Home Depot.  Whether it’s the one in Paramus or Paterson, the first Saturday of the month means a building workshop for the kids. A Home Depot worker walks kids through a wood making project that kids get to take home and paint.  They receive a free smock and a pin upon completion of their project.  Your garage will fill up with the projects, but your kids will have a great time. I’ve heard Lowes has similar workshops, but haven’t visited the Lowes one yet.
8. Mini-Golf.  What kid doesn’t love it? There are three places that really resonate with my kids. You can’t beat the value of the Paramus mini-golf course.  It’s the closest one, located right on Paramus road.  Monster mini-golf is a blast too, but might be a bit scary for the younger kids and it’s quite crowded on the weekends.  Finally, although the drive is a bit further, you should check out the Bogota Golf Center. It is entirely indoors (like Monster Mini Golf) and also has indoor basketball with adjustable rims, batting cages and a driving range.
9. Color Me Mine. Your kid has probably gone to a birthday party here, but it’s a great stop on a rainy afternoon. Give your kid a chance to choose one of ceramic pieces and paint their own design.
10. Fair Lawn Lanes. Face it, kids love bowling. The Fair Lawn Lanes do a good job of catering to the kids with the animated screens, music and a little arcade (my kids love the stuffed animal machine where you can play until you win).  You can also register on their site for special offers. For the parents, the Fair Lawn Lanes also hosts a league for the Glen Rock newcomer’s club (and not so newcomers).  It’s a fun league and great way for people to connect with each other and have a night out without the kids.

Of course, these are just a few ideas, and selfishly, I’d love to know your top places in the area.