Hippity, Hoppity! Easter is on its way!

Spring is in the air, and the Easter Bunny is gearing up to visit South Jersey. There are a couple of  fun (FREE!) events scheduled at local malls to celebrate his arrival, breakfasts scheduled to raise money for great causes, and most of our local farms open for the season with hayrides and egg hunts to add to the fun of a visit with our furry friend. I've listed some of the highlights, so the only hard part will be deciding which of these fun events you will share with the kids.

Welcome the Easter Bunny to your local mall with these fun, family events:

Voorhees Town Center Thursday, March 15 6:30pm to 8pm

Join us as we welcome the Easter Bunny to his seasonal home on Thursday, March 15 from 6:30pm to 8pm! Hop on over for a fun time! Thursday evening join us for stories, crafts, games and fun! Boscov's Court and Macy's Court 6:30 to 8pm Easter Bunny arrives to his newly designed "Butterfly Garden" this year! Kids will enjoy Story Time with Mrs. Lisa, an Easter Parade from Boscov's Court to Macy's Butterfly Wonderland, where kids may get their photos with the Easter Bunny, play games, make take home crafts, and much more from 6:30pm to 8:00pm! A Balloon Artist and Caricature Artist will perform from 6:30pm to 7:30pm!

Deptford Mall  Friday, March 16 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Welcome Easter Bunny Parade March 16, 2012, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Friday, March 16 at 9am Boscov’s Court Join us for a free stage show starring Peter Pan and Tink followed by our annual Easter Parade!! There'll be singing, dancing and all types of fun for you and your little ones! Children can join in and follow the fun parade! In Center Court, kids can meet the characters, enjoy free face-painting and balloon animals and then be among the first to have professional photos taken with the Bunny (photos available for a nominal fee) in his all new Easter set. All kids who visit the Easter Bunny will receive a very special gift - a spring chick sticker sheet!

Cumberland Mall Friday, March 16 from 6pm to 730pm.

Join us as we welcome the Easter BUnny to his seasonal home on Friday. March 16 from 6pm to 730pm.

Center Court and Marshalls Wing

Hop on over for a fun time and join us for festive arts and crafts compliments of Country Couples, games, and plenty of surprises!

Plus, a Balloon Artist and Caricature Artist will perform from 6:00pm to 7:15pm!

Shore Mall  Saturday, March 24th at 1:00pm

The Easter Bunny Arrives to Shore Mall 

Saturday, March 24th at 1:00pm

Featuring Magician Joe Holiday, America's hottest new literacy magic show "Reading Rocks"

Free Admission to the Show! All are welcome!!

Bunny Patch will open for the season following the show.

For some outside fun, visit with the Easter Bunny after you take a hayride around the farm, hunt for some eggs, or enjoy a few amusement rides:

Duffields Farm

Hop on over to the farm and take a Hayride to visit with the Cottontails! Gather up some brightly colored eggs in Bunny Egg-cres! Enjoy a snack in the Cottontail's backyard!

Hayrides are: Saturday, March 24th & 31st  10AM to 4PM; Monday thru Wednesday, April 2nd, 3rd, & 4^th 12:30PM to 4PM; Thursday, Friday & Saturday April 5th, 6th & 7^th 10AM to 4PM

$9 per child includes hayride, treat at the bunny house, visit with the bunny & snack!

$4 per adult includes Hayride only!

Don't forget your camera, there are lots of picture perfect opportunities!

Springdale Farms

Egg Hunt Hayrides are around the corner! Save the following dates and times . . .

Weekends: March 21st and April 1st, April 6th and 7th, 10:00am to 4:00pm continuously. 

Weekdays: April 2nd through 5th at 11:00am, 2:00pm and 4:00pm.

Egg Hunt Hayrides feature a hayride around the farm and a chance to find and collect eggs. Bring your own basket to collect your eggs!

Children trade their eggs in for a goodie bag, and adults receive a pack of spring flowers. Children also each receive a spring plant.

Price: $7.95 per person.

We will also have a giant straw easter basket to play in, as well as photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny! Please call ahead for times for the bunny.

In case of rain, events will be held in our conservatory.

Johnson's Farm

Hop into our Spring Season with an EGGHUNT Hayride! Our Egghunt Hayrides are a non-competitive fun experience for all. The hayride drops everyone off at a field for the thrill of playing hopping games and hunting for five colorful eggs each. Upon return from the field, your little ones will be greeted by the Easter bunny and be given the opportunity to meet with the bunny, take pictures, and receive a candy bag after all of the hard work they have done.

Cost: $7.95 per egg hunter, $3.50 per non-egg hunting rider.As an added value for our egg hunt customers; The Discovery Barnyard/Animal Farm we will be offered to all egg hunters at 1/2 price. (children $3.50, adults $1.75)*** NOTE*** Children under 12 months are not charged for the hayride. However they will charged full price if they participate in the egghunt.

Coomb's Barnyard

SPRINGTIME SURPRISE 2012: Everything's DUCKY!

DATES: Saturday 3/31/12 10am-noon & 2pm-4pm; Sunday 4/1/12 10am-noon & 2pm-4pm

Activities: Hayride, Petting Farm, Egg Hunt, Egg Decorating, Games & More!

Price: $14 per Child (includes all activities)$3 per adult/additional riders

Reservation IS required as space is limited. Please call 856-358-5169 or email coombsbarnyard@hotmail.com

Creamy Acres

                   

2012 Lil’ Peeps Hayride & Easter Egg Hunt

 Hop on over to Creamy Acres for a fun filled day and see what spring has to offer! Kids can take a hayride down the bunny trail to the Egg Hunt, hop back onto the wagon and go to bunny land. In bunny land, you’re Lil’ Peeps will meet the Easter Bunny and exchange the eggs (empty eggs) for a special prize!

Take pictures, play a game, visit the barnyard petting area or browse around our Garden Center and see what's HOT this year for your garden and flower bed needs.

 Be sure to bring your Easter Basket for Gathering of Eggs!

Cost $6.00– per egg hunter (10 and under)

 Non egg hunter $2.00 includes hayride(Adults)

Hayrides and Easter Bunny  will be available from

12:30 - 4pm on Sat. March 24th

 10 - 12 and 1 - 4 on Sat. March 31st

10 - 12 and 1 - 4 on Fri. April 6th & Sat. April 7th

 CLOSED EASTER

Adventure Aquarium

MEET THE EASTER BUNNY
March 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25

Come out to America's Most Touchable Aquarium for a day of fun and festivities, PLUS meet the Easter Bunny himself, appearing at Adventure Aquarium weekends now through March 25. As a special treat - receive a FREE 4x6 Easter Family Photo (limit one per family or group). Daily appearances from 10:15 AM - 3:30 PM. Times subject to change, please check the show schedule upon arrival for details.

Storybook Land

March 31, April 1, 6, 7, and 8 The Easter Bunny hops in for his annual visit!April 7 & 8 Easter Egg Hunt! From Noon to 4:00PM. Great for small children!

Enjoy Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and support these great organizations! Camp Sun'N Fun Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Saturday, March 31st Two seatings: 9:00 am, 11:00 am $12 in advance, $15 at the door Sunshine Inn at Camp Sun 'N Fun 1036 N. Tuckahoe Road Williamstown, NJ 08094 Ticket includes: pancake breakfast, children's crafts, Easter egg hunt and a visit with the Easter Bunny (you may take your own photos!) For more information or to purchase tickets please call 856-848-8648 All proceeds benefit Camp Sun 'N Fun Angels of God BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY SAT. MARCH 31st Mark your calendars and join us for a fun filled event hosted by The Angels Clothing Closet. This event will be open to the public to purchase tickets and free to our clients by invitation only. Bring the kids to have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and support Angels Clothing Closet. Hot Country Breakfast Buffet, Picture with the Easter Bunny, Kids Crafts, Balloon Artist and more...all included in the price!!! ** $10 Adult $12 Child** Skip the mall and bring your kids, grand kids, nieces and nephews to an awesome, fun event for a truly worthy cause! Can't make it? Consider sponsoring a child in need for $12 so they can enjoy this very special day. WHAT: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny - Free picture with the Easter Bunny - Fun Craft WHEN: Sat. March 31st TIME: 8AM-11:00 WHERE: Bogey's Club & Café 501 Pitman Road Sewell, NJ 08080 COST: Adults $10.00 / Children $12.00 Freedom Center for Wildlife Brunch with the Bunny

Join us from 12pm to 3pm on Saturday, March 31st (rain date April 1) at the historic Burrough Dover House in Pennsauken, NJ for our 2012 Spring Fundraiser - Brunch with the Bunny - brought to you by Freedom Center and our friends at the Garden State Discovery Museum. Stop by for an afternoon of gourmet food, a silent auction, live animals, an egg treasure hunt, Moon Bounce, Bubble Machine, face painting, music, storytime with the animals, and much more! Get your picture taken with one of our Animal Ambassadors or the Bunny! Tickets are $15.00 per person (children under 2 are free). Save by purchasing a Family Four Pack-- four admissions for $50.00 Additional family members are only $10 each. To purchase tickets, call our special ticket order hotline at (856) 834-3387 daily from noon to 9pm, or visit our online store by clicking here! Please note that the ticket order number is for fundraiser ticket purchases ONLY - all other calls should be directed to our main number below. We'll see you there!

Feeding Curious Minds for 200 Years

       The oldest natural history museum in America, the Academy of Natural Sciences, is a great place to bring the youngest dinosaur, bug, and butterfly enthusiasts.  Located just steps away from the Franklin Institute, this museum is a great place to bring the kids to let them explore without the crowds. I was initially skeptical about what they had to offer a toddler, but there are a variety exhibits that keep my daughter engaged during our visits.  Like all natural history museums, there are giant dinosaur skeletons in the main room that are impressive to just about any age, but they also have an area where the kids can borrow tools and goggles to dig for fossils.  The large replicas of triceratops and T-Rex heads and a giant footprint that the little ones can climb into are also highlights of Dinosaur Hall.

      Dioramas featuring a variety of animals from around the world line the halls of the museum. While I have to admit that they are a bit creepy to me, my 2 year old does not seem to mind. She actually enjoys pointing out all of the animals and the sounds they would have made. It makes for an educational journey as we make our way to the elevator up to the Outside In room. (Tip: If you can, avoid bringing a stroller, it is much easier to navigate the mueum using the stairs.There are elevators, but since it is such an old building they are slow and out of the way.)

R. petting a hissing cockroach

     The Outside In room is a dream come true for my curious, nature loving daughter. This room is designed with kids aged 3-8 in mind, but has been a favorite of R since she could walk. There are tanks of fish, turtles, and insects along with other birds, reptiles and typically a rabbit and guinea pig on display at her level. Most days a museum worker has one of the inhabitants available for the kids to meet and greet which is always an exciting treat. The kids can also pan for shark teeth, sit in a wooden canoe, crawl though a hollow log, and examine shells, pelts and horns for more hands-on interaction. R also loves watching bees fly in and out of the live beehive and exploring the mini library of books and puzzles they have on display.

      We typically end our visit to the museum with a trip through the Butterflies! exhibit. It is so nice on a cold winter day to step into a tropical garden and watch the beautiful butterflies as they fly and eat all around you. They also have tropical frogs and cocoons in various stages of development on display that bring to life one of our favorite books, The Very Hungry Catepillar.

     The museum also has a live animal center, an auditorium for presentations and a changing exhibit room that has featured miniature golf, photography, and oversized bugs during some of our recent trips. After only one visit, we decided to buy a yearly membership and now spend 4 or 5 mornings a year at the Academy. We typically find street parking on 20th street or one of the side streets off of the Ben Franklin Parkway. The stroller entrance to the building is on the side of the building off of 19th street, and while the cafe has delicious food another option is walking a few blocks to the awesome (though crowded) food court at the Comcast building.

      The Academy of Natural Sciences is hosting some great special events during the month of February:

• Safari Overnights

Saturday, February 4

Experience the Academy After Dark

Enjoy interactive activities and meet some of our live animals—all with the guidance of the Academy's experienced naturalists! Break to socialize and enjoy refreshments and snacks. Sleep next to lions, tigers, or Tyrannosaurus rex. Awake to a light breakfast and more exploration

6:30 pm to 9 am; Check-in is 6:30-7 pm.

Safari Overnights are appropriate for children ages 7-14. One adult is required per 3 children. No outside food or drink is permitted and extra large sleeping mattresses are discouraged.       
Call 215-299-1060.

•  Tiny Tot Explorers

Young children and their favorite adults can join us in exploring nature through games, crafts, songs, and museum explorations. Tiny Tots Explorers (ages 3–4) meet from 11 am–noon on Wednesday mornings. An appropriate snack is provided.   

• Paleopalooza

Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19, 2012, 10 am – 5 pm

Free with general admission

A paleontological extravaganza is held at the Academy on every President's Day weekend.

The festivities vary each year, but popular and recurring attractions include:

• Fossil Hunt: Kids can search for—and keep—real fossils.
• Paleontology Lectures: Listen to famous paleontologists.
• Meet Real Paleontologist: Talk with scientists from the Academy's Paleontology Department and learn about their work.
• Academy Fossils: Check out some fossils from our scientific collection

  For more information visit The Academy of Natural Sciences webpage.

Get out of the cold and catch a show this February

With winter in full swing, some of you may be looking for other options for entertaining the kids. Why not head to one of the local theaters and enjoy a live show? There are four great options you can check out during the month of February.

The Ritz Theater Company will be performing Beauty and the Beast at the Ritz Theater in Haddon Township on the following days:
Feb 9 @ 10am
Feb 10 @ 10am
Feb 11 @ 10am & 1pm

Experience the enchanting tale of love and sacrifice. Can a Beast and a beautiful girl overcome the impossible with a little help from some magical friends? Join Ritzy and friends on a journey of looking beyond the outside of a person to the heart.

Click here for more information.

You can head to the Broadway Theater in Pitman for a performance of Wizard of Oz.

Feb. 16 • 10 am
Feb. 17 • 10 am & 7:30 pm
Feb. 18 • 10 am & 1 pm & 7:30 pm

Join us for one of the most famous stories ever told. Follow Dorothy on her adventure from Kansas through the World of Oz. During her trip down the Yellow Brick Road, she meets wonderful friends a Scarecrow, a Tinman and a Cowardly Lion who join her on her journey. Watch as this famous foursome battles the Wicked Witch of the West and visits the Wizard in this all-time family favorite.

Click here for more information


The Arden Theater in Old City has also extended their showing of Charlotte's Web until February 12th. Click here for tickets and showtimes.


And, if you are looking for something musical, why not check out PB&J with Bari Koral at World Cafe Live.

Dubbed the “‘IT girl’ in kids/family music” by NY Magazine and the “Sheryl Crow for kids” by the NY Post, Bari’s songs are a huge hit with children and adults. Her catchy, pop friendly tunes, interactive live shows & top 10 songs on Sirius XM Kids Place Live have gained the band literally thousands of young (and not so young!) fans. Their latest album Rock and Roll Garden won the Nappa Gold and Parents’ Choice Award and was picked as top 10 kids album of the year by Time Out Kids. Bari & her career were also featured in the New York Times.