Things to Do with Kids from October 30 – November 5 – TAPinto.net

As we approach Halloween and Election Day, there are many events and activities happening that you can enjoy with your children. You and your families can attend World Wednesdays Presents: Dia de Los Muertos on Oct 30; watch Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (Abridged)! – Presented by West Orange High School, from Oct. 31 – Nov. 2; Meet MMA Champion Dustin Poirier At Robert Graham on Nov. 2; take Behind the Scenes Giraffe Tours, on Nov. 2 and 3; participate in a Williams Sonoma Jr. Chef: Thanksgiving Helper – Pumpkin Pie class, on Nov. 2 – and so much more! Teens may enjoy the Dungeons and Dragons: A Teen Club on Nov. 1 or the Comic Book Club on Nov. 4. Adults may want to participate in the Baby Sign Language at Monica + Andy on Oct 31 or the Monica + Andy Lactation Group Drop-In Clinic on Nov. 4. Those who want to teach their kids about the election process, should check out the activities and book links below.

If you are looking to participate in fun activities and more this week, please enjoy this list of “Things to Do with Kids” in and around town, brought to you by The Goddard School in West Orange. #ThingstodowithKids

Note: If you attend any of these events, partake in any of the ideas shared below, or just have a great picture of your kid(s) that you’d like featured, please send photos to jackie.eventscolumn@gmail.com. In addition, please send any events you’d like added to this column to the same address.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

World Wednesdays Presents: Dia de Los Muertos on Oct 30 at 4 pm at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican tradition honoring loved ones who have passed away. Decorate sugar skulls to take home and contribute to the community ofrenda (altar) by bringing in a copy of a photograph of a relative or loved one who has passed (optional).

Registration is required as space is limited. If you cannot attend the event, please consider dropping off a copy of a photograph to add to the ofrenda, which will remain on display in the library for the community to enjoy. Please no originals, copies will not be returned.

Chess Club on Oct. 31 at 4 pm at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Players of all ages and abilities welcome.

Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (Abridged)! – Presented by West Orange High School, from October 31 – November 2, at 7 pm

Discovered in a treasure-filled parking lot in Leicester, England (next to a pile of bones that didn’t look that important), an ancient manuscript proves to be the long-lost first play written by none other than 17-year-old William Shakespeare from Stratford. We are totally, not completely, making this up. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S LONG LOST FIRST PLAY (abridged) is the literary holy grail: an actual manuscript in Shakespeare’s own hand showing all his most famous characters and familiar speeches in a brand-new story. But because it’s 100 hours long and contains multiple unwieldy storylines, it was decided, as a public service, to abridge it down to a brief and palatable 90-minute performance for this lost masterpiece. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at-the-door. Advance tickets can be purchased at: WOBOE.ORG/WOHSDRAMATIX.

Meet MMA Champion Dustin Poirier At Robert Graham on Nov. 2, from 1-3 pm, at the Short Hills Mall (1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills)

Meet MMA Champion Dustin Poirier at Robert Graham, enjoy refreshments, shop the latest collections and enter for the chance to win a pair of gloves autographed by Dustin.

Behind the Scenes Giraffe Tours, on Nov. 2 and 3, at 2 pm, at The Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue West Orange NJ (Tours will take place on Saturdays and Sundays in November 2019)

The Behind the Scenes ticket provides guests with a 30 – 45 minute Behind the Scenes Tour in the Giraffe Barn; a meet and greet the Giraffe Keeper; and admission to the Zoo for the day (for non-Zoological Society members). The tours are for people ages 6 and above. Register here. The fee is $50 a person.

Indigokids Presents: Welcome to Jazz! On Nov. 2, at 2 pm at the Short Hills Mall (1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills)

Join author and musician Carolyn Sloan as she reads from her new children’s book, Welcome To Jazz: A Swing Along Celebration of America’s Music Featuring “When the Saints Go Marching In,” on. A live jazz band will accompany the reading to create an authentic New Orleans musical experience and a book signing will follow.

Lego Club, on Nov. 5, at 4 pm at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Children of all ages are invited to come and build with Legos and make new friends!

Celebrate the Big Draw with Free Art Sessions at the Apple Store from Oct. 1-31 at the Short Hills Mall (1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills)

From October 1–31, join free at Apple art sessions at Apple Short Hills and take part in the world’s biggest drawing festival – The Big Draw. Get hands-on with iPad and Apple Pencil to draw, paint, and more. Check times for upcoming sessions here: apple.com. Call (973) 467-4890 for details.

HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES

Farmer’s Market on Nov. 1, from 9 am – 2 pm, (80 Main St, West Orange, 07052)

The farmer’s market specializes in fresh, organic, quality products. Parking is available on-site. Credit cards are accepted.

Spooky Movie Evening on Oct. 31, from 6:30-8:30 pm at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Kids are invited to wear costumes and come and watch Coraline for a spooky movie evening at the library. Snacks will be provided.

FUN FOR LITTLE KIDS

Baby & Me Storytime Featuring Elmo (Sesame Street Friends) on Nov. 3, at 11 am at the Livingston Mall (112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston)

Caregivers and children 0-24 months old are enjoy hearing a book and participating in activities featuring sensory growth.

Terrific Toddlers Storytime on Nov. 5, at 10:30 am at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Children ages 2 – 3 ½ d caregivers will enjoy puppets, stories, songs and fingerplays.

Preschool Storytime on Nov. 5, at 11:30 am at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Children in preschool and their caregivers will enjoy interactive stories, songs and games.

Storytime at Barnes and Noble on Oct. 31 and Nov. 5 at 10 am at the Livingston Mall (112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston)

Children will embark on an exciting adventure as they are introduced to some of your childhood favorites, as well as some you may not have heard before.

Little Explorers Fall Nature Program on Oct. 31, Nov. 5 (see other dates below) from 10-11 am at the Essex County Environmental Center (621B Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland)

This child-caregiver class uses stories, walks, and crafts to develop an awareness and appreciation for science and nature for the child as well as the caregiver. Each week, a different nature or science topic is covered. Advance registration and payment are required; call 973.228.8776. Fee: $12 per child/session.

Schedule:

Toddlers (age 2) – Tuesdays— November 12, 19, at 10 – 11 am
Tots (age 3) – Thursdays— November 7, 14, 21, at 1 – 2 pm
Pre-K (ages 4-5) – Tuesdays — November 12, 19, at 1 – 2 pm OR Thursdays—November 7, 14, 21 10 – 11 am

Books n’ Babies Storytime on Oct. 31 at 10:30 am at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Children up to 24 months and their caregivers will enjoy a morning class that includes stories, songs, and rhymes to introduce babies to language skills.

Saturday Storytimes on Nov. 2 from 10-10:30 am at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Children ages 0 – 5 and caregivers will listen to stories and work on a craft.

FUN FOR KINDERGARTEN TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-AGED KIDS

Afterschool at the Turtle Back Zoo: Zoo Club, on Nov. 1, at 3 pm (Berson Education Center, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange)

Turtle Back Zoo is an amazing classroom! This Out of School at the Zoo: Zoo Club for kids in grades 1-5 offers students an opportunity to participate in animal and conservation themed programs and projects that facilitate scientific literacy and life-long environmental stewardship. The program includes a visit into the Zoo or South Mountain Reservation as weather permits and a live animal presentation. Session 2 is called Animal Adaptations. Adaptations are the physical, mental, and genetic attributes that help organisms survive within their environments. In this session students will look at some interesting adaptations that give our zoo animals a survival advantage. Drop-off is at the Berson Education Center as early as 3 pm, but no later than 3:45 pm (the class will be leaving the building after that). Pick-up time is between 6 and 6:30 pm; late pick-ups after 6:30 pm will incur a fee of $10 for every 15 minutes late. Children can come straight from school as there is a classroom where they can safely leave school gear while out in the Zoo or Reservation. A snack of fresh fruit and veggies will be provided, but kids can bring other snacks as needed, but they cannot include common allergenic foods such as tree nuts, etc. Children should have a refillable water bottle and be comfortably dressed to spend time outside. They will go outside, rain or shine or snow, unless there is thunder or lightening. Call 973-731-5800 ext, 103 to register or register here.

Creature Comfort: Practice Reading with a Therapy Dog on Nov. 4, at 4:30 pm at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Kids have a chance to practice their reading skills by reading to friendly therapy dogs.

Williams Sonoma Jr. Chef: Thanksgiving Helper – Pumpkin Pie, on Nov. 2, at 10 am, at the Short Hills Mall (1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills)

Kids ages 8-13 are invited to come bake awesome pumpkin pies! These sweet creations will be the talk of the family Thanksgiving feast. The cost of $30 per child includes Fall Pie Punches. Please call (973) 467-3641 to reserve your spot.

Indigokids Presents: Dork Diaries 14, on Nov. 3, at 12 pm, at the Short Hills Mall (1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills)

Join #1 NYT bestselling author Rachel Renee Russell along with illustrator Nikki Russell, as they speak about their newest book, Dork Diaries 14: Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever. An audience Q&A and book signing will follow along with fun surprises.

FUN FOR TEENS

Williams Sonoma Jr. Chef: Thanksgiving Helper – Pumpkin Pie, on Nov. 2, at 10 am, at the Short Hills Mall (1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills)

Teen Advisory Group on Nov. 3, from 3-4 pm, at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Make a difference and help out at the library! You will help plan events for kids and teens and earn community service hours for coming to T.A.G. meetings.

Comic Book Club on Nov. 4, at 6:30 pm at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Do you like comic books? Graphic novels? Superhero movies? Come talk about your favorite books, movie adaptations, or styles of art, and work on a project of your own! Grades 4 – 12.

Dungeons and Dragons: A Teen Club on Nov. 1 from 3:15-5:15 pm at the West Orange Library (46 Mt Pleasant Ave, West Orange)

Teens ages 13+ are invited to join a Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) adventure! Epic quests await teens who join the DnD club at the library! DnD features role-playing, storytelling, on-the-spot strategic thinking, math skills, problem-solving, and teamwork all rolled into one!

FUN FOR ADULTS

Take the Pink Lips Challenge from Oct. 1-31 at the Short Hills Mall (1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills) and online

Here is a fun way to remind your loved ones to get their mammograms! Take the Pink Lips Challenge at home or stop by the Selfie booths in Grand Court or in the lobby of the Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center. Take a picture with your pink lips in the lipstick of your choice. Blow a kiss to someone you love by sharing your post on social media, tagging them, and remind them it’s #TimeToMammo. And most importantly, schedule your mammogram here.

Baby Sign Language at Monica + Andy on Oct 31, at 12 pm at the Short Hills Mall (1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills)

Join Monica + Andy for an intro class on baby sign language with Meghan Warshauer, on Thursdays from 12 – 1 p.m. Jump start communication with basic American Sign Language through a fun combination of music, books, and engaging activities for baby. Caregivers will learn to help babies express their needs before they are able to convey them verbally. This program will teach signs for both daily routine and fun things that motivate baby to communicate. Sign language accelerates verbal development, strengthens cognitive skills, reduces frustration and tantrums, increases self-esteem, and enhances child-caregiver bonding. Get ready to learn, have fun, and make new friends.

Monica + Andy Lactation Group Drop-In Clinic on Nov. 4, at 10:30 am at the Short Hills Mall (1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills)

Join Monica + Andy for a group drop-in breastfeeding clinic with Aliza Sternberg to provide you with assistance for your baby’s latch, a scale available for weight checks, a forum to ask questions, or just a chance to connect with other breast feeding moms. Cost is $20 per person and no appointment is required.

HAVE FUN CELEBRATING THESE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

Halloween is Celebrated on October 31

From school parades, trunk or treats, trick or treating, candy, costumes and more -– most kids love dressing up for Halloween. So, it’s no excuse the holiday is embraced every year. When we think of the holiday, we think of bats, the bizarre, Dracula, ghosts, witches, graveyards, ghouls, haunted houses, Halloween movies, paranormal, Halloween parties, pumpkins, skeletons, scarecrows, vampires –- many of which decorate our neighbors’ yards. The ways to celebrate the holiday are really quite endless. In fact, there is a list of ways to celebrate above.

Election Day is on Nov. 5

Election Day is always held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Once every four years, Americans elect a new president. Every six years, we elect our U.S. senators. U.S. congressman are elected every two years. This process allows us to keep good elected officials in office, and overturn those whose performance is poor, or whose beliefs do not match those of the majority. It is every American’s right and privilege to vote.

While voting is obviously the best way to celebrate this day for adults, Election Day also offers an opportunity to teach your children about voting too.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY…

The next time you sit down for a family dinner, toss out some of these facts to spark a lively and informative family conversation. After dinner, look up some of these dates and facts and explore the historical moments as a family.

On Oct. 31, 1926 – Magician Harry Houdini died from complications of a ruptured appendix.
On Oct. 31, 1984 – Indian Prime Minister Indira Ghandi was assassinated.
On Nov. 1, 1914 – The Bra was patented.
On Nov.2, 1721 – Peter the Great became Emperor of Russia.
On Nov. 3, 1839 – The first Opium War between China and Britain began.
On Nov. 3, 1952 – Clarence Birdseye marketed frozen peas.
On Nov. 4, 1842 – Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd.