Are you looking for a special Valentine’s Day gift for your grandchild? Instead of candy, toys, books, clothes…why not treat them to something different this year? I’ve searched the internet and found the following fantastic events taking place in New Jersey for both grandchildren and grandparents to enjoy. Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 1 – 29, 2008
Essex County

Solar Space Storms
Newark Museum’s Dreyfuss Planetarium
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973-596-6529
For ages 10 and up, see and learn how glowing solar storms create the Northern Lights
Wed – Fri at 2 pm, Sat & Sun at 2 & 4 pm
Tickets: $3.00 (kids & seniors $2.00);
Museum $9.00 (kids & seniors $6.00)

February 8, 2008
Monmouth County

The Search for the Glowing Orb 
Kateri Environmental Center
160 Conover Road
Wickatunk (Marlboro Twp), NJ 07765
Phone: 732-946-9694
6-9 pm, ages 7 and older, shows begin every 15 minutes
Tickets: advance sales only $10, $8 members of Kateri

February 9, 2008
Essex County

Reptile World with Michael Shwedick
Millburn Middle School Auditorium
25 Old Short Hills Road
Millburn, NJ 07041
Contact: millburncoop@gmail.com
Sponsored by Millburn Cooperative Nursery School
An expert reptile educator and entertainer, Michael Shwedick will amaze his audience with live alligators, crocodiles, turtles, beautiful snakes, tropical lizards and more!! With his spectacular reptile collection, Michael shows what makes reptiles so special, what makes them different from birds and mammals, and how important they are in our environment. Many monster myths and misconceptions will be dispelled and replaced with a greater appreciation and understanding of these fascinating creatures. Michael Shwedick has appeared on national TV and in magazines including National Geographic WORLD.
The show is especially entertaining for kids ages 3-12.
Tickets: $9 at the door, or $8 in advance.

February 9 & 10, 2008
Bergen County

Mardi Gras Celebration
NJ Children’s Museum
599 Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ
Phone: 201-262-5151
Email: infonjcm@aol.com
We’re having a Mardi Gras party New Orleans’s style down at the NJ Children’s Museum and you’re invited! Join us during our special parade held twice each day and toss out beads to your family and friends. Make a special Mardi Gras mask to take home during our craft times. No additional fees for activities!
Addmission: $10.00 adults and children over 1.

February 9 – March 2, 2008
Monmouth County

The Big Bad Musical
(click on Children’s Entertainment Series on left)
Eatontown Playhouse
37 – 13 Route 35 N
Eatontown, NJ 07724
Phone: 732-888-3346
12 noon, Saturdays and Sundays
Tickets: $16, $13 age 65 +, students

February 13, 2008
Morris County

Kids’ Club
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts
9 Main Street
Madison, NJ 07940
Phone: 973-377-2982
Kids’ Club is a special monthly after-school program for children ages 7-11. Each month children will learn about a different historic craft. Club members will have a hands-on experience, while using their creativity, to make a craft of their very own to bring home. Sign-up for one session or the entire season.
Pre-registration is required. Call x12 for more information. 3:30 pm.

February 16, 2008
Cape May County

Kids Can Rock
Nature Center of Cape May
1600 Delaware Avenue
Cape May, NJ 08204
Phone: 609-898-8848
Fossils, rocks, and bones hold the mysteries of the ages in their depths. Young explorers ages six to 12 are invited to unlock their secrets under the direction of NCCM Naturalist Kim Hannum. Participants will dig for fossils, investigate the secrets of rocks, and identify mysterious animal bones. Each child will take home their discoveries and fossil identification book. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
11 a.m. to 1 pm
Admission: $15.00, $10 NJ Audubon Society members

February 26, 2008
Sussex County

Mother Nature’s Myth vs. Fact
Kittatinny Valley State Park
157 Goodale Road
Newton, NJ 07860
Phone: 973-786-6445
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY FEB. 25. For adults and focused children ages 8-12. Can porcupines shoot their quills? Do toads give us warts? Are there wolves in NJ? A park naturalist will dispel those myths and others to discover the truth about our local wildlife.

February 28, 2008
Ocean County

Jr. Biologist Program
Jenkinson’s Aquarium
300 Ocean Boulevard
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Phone: 732 -899-1659
Ever wonder what it’s like to work at Jenkinson’s Aquarium? Go behind the scenes, help us feed some animals along the way, and learn what it takes to work here.
9:00am - 12:00pm Ages 11-16,
Tickets: $40.00 per person.

February 29, 2008
Somerset County

Moscow Circus
The Theater at Raritan Valley Community College
SR 28
North Branch, NJ 08876
Phone: 908-725-3420
Circus artistry and entertaining Russian clowns never cease to entertain, amuse, and enlighten.
Tickets: $30 and $35, 7 pm