Macaroni Kid
Westfield-Springfield-Cranford-Scotch Plains
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Proudly serving Westfield, Springfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains & the surrounding area

Happy Father's Day to all the Macaroni Dads! This week's newsletter is jammed packed with Father's Day gift ideas and crafts so enjoy and celebrate Dad!

Don't forget, if you are not a subscriber you have until June 15 to subscribe and be entered to win an iPad Mini. And make sure you tell all your friends! More details below.

And as always, check out our calendar for some great events and if you would like to share an event or activity, please email me.

Wishing you a fabulous week!

Donna
[email protected]




For lots of great upcoming events, visit our CALENDAR.


Kidville is Coming to Westfield!


Grand Opening on June 23 & 29

Sponsored article

Everyone is already so excited for the Grand Opening of Kidville in Westfield on June 23rd and June 29th. To get you excited for the Grand Opening events and start of their inaugural summer semester, Kidville will be hosting a number of free trial classes throughout the week starting from June 24th to June 27th. Spaces are limited (and go fast!) so call today, 908-913-0856, to make a reservation.


The new location will offer a state-of-the-art indoor play space, three classrooms and a retail boutique. Kidville will also ...

"The Tenors" at NJPAC


Giveaway Winner Announced

Congratulations to Joy W. who is our special Date Night giveaway winner! Joy won 2 tickets to see The Tenors in concert on Sunday, June 23 at 7 PM at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

To get your tickets, click here.

The Tenors
The Tenors have been performing to packed audiences and standing ovations on this tour. Formerly known as The Canadian Tenors, they have exploded into a worldwide phenomenon and now bring their acclaimed live show throughout the US.

The Tenors performed at prestigious venues including ...

Because I'm Your Dad - A New Book by Ahmet Zappa


“Because I’m Your Dad” sounds a bit like “because I said so”. But in this case it’s a great new children’s book by Ahmet Zappa (name sound familiar? More on that in a moment).

In this book, “Because I’m Your Dad” is followed up with “You can have spaghetti for dinner.” And other neat things. The dad shares his love, and his wish for a special relationship with his child in a series of rolicing activities. The book is festooned with monsters, robots, mud-forts and more ...

You Can Still Win an iPad Mini!


Contest Ends June 15!

Last chance to enter to win!

Macaroni Kid delivers great information right to your inbox each week - local event listings, activities and crafts for your kids, book reviews, local business information, and more!  So why isn't everyone subscribed?  Macaroni Kid National thought that maybe a contest would help, and not just any contest - a contest where you could win an iPad Mini!

You heard right! Until June 15, every NEW subscriber to any of the 500+ Macaroni Kid editions will have a chance to win an iPad Mini!  Help ...

Shadow Picture for Dad


Macaroni Celebrates

This portrait gift is simply put -- easy peasy!

You will need:
poster board, cardstock or foam board
camera
kiddos
scissors

Directions:
Using posterboard, cardstock or a sturdier prop, cut or carve out the letters to the message you want to send. You can write out the letters as normal. No need to turn them inside out or backwards! 

Notes To Selves: 
Don't use paper.
I tried paper first and found it entirely too flimsy in the wind outside. 



 So we moved on to what I had in my garage ...

Daddy's Footsteps Gift


Macaroni Celebrates

My husband is an amazing Father and I wrack my brain to try to come up with something that will show him how much we appreciate all he does for his family! I am so excited this year to have come up with a gift that I believe does just that!! I enlisted the help of a wonderfully talented photographer. 

My mission was to capture my kids wearing their Dad’s shoes! These aren’t just any shoes though… my husband was in the Army and served in Iraq and ...

Father's Day Gift Ideas


Macaroni Celebrates

Father's Day gifts are always a struggle. Dads have it easy on Mother's Day -- flowers, jewelry, a beautiful trinket, a few hours of quiet time -- we're easy to please. But Father's Day gifts are hard. Do we go sentimental? Do we go manly? Do we encourage a new hobby? (That hardly ever works out for me... the beer making kit is STILL sitting in the basement two years later and don't even get me started on the Dremel tool.)  

Just like Moms, Dads just want ...


Why, Dad?


Macaroni Reviews

Why, Dad? by Carlos Lucas is a sweet book about a typical day with a father and his preschool daughter, Erin. Instead of the typical father/child book which tends to feature the pair doing ‘Norman Rockwell’ type activities like fishing and skipping stones, this story features a typical day where the loving Dad steers his constantly-questioning daughter through her day while providing her with real, age-appropriate answers. It’s a nice read which models positive behavior for our little tykes.    

This Week's Calendar:


May 29th through June 19th

Wednesday, May 29 through Sunday, June 30 - Disney's The Little Mermaid

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of Hans Christian Anderson's most beloved stories, with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, it's a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. Come fall in love with the magic for the first time—or all over again!
Where: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn
When: n/a
Who: Ages 4 and up
How: For tickets, click here or call 973-376-4343.
Cost: Ticket prices range depending on date and time. Please contact the Box Office.
For more info: Click here.

Friday, June 14 - 9th Annual BioBlitz

Naturalists, scientists and nature enthusiasts are invited to take part in this 24-hour search for plants and animals living in Nomahegan, Lenape and Echo Lake Parks within Cranford, Kenilworth, Union, Springfield, Westfield and Mountainside. Enjoy interactive, educational and live animal and plant displays and free nature-related programs and/or join a team and help sample and identify animals or plants. Programs will include "Frog Sloggin' and Night Crawlin'", "Nightime Insect Trapping", Owl Prowl", "Bird Walk", "What's the Buzz", "Hawks & Owls" and much more.
Where: All programs leave from the Bio-Blitz Central tent in Lenape Park and run 45-60 minutes unless otherwise noted.
When: 5:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Who: Familes
How: Please Register In-Person on June 14 and 15 at Lenape Park in Cranford.
Cost: Free
For more info: For a complete schedule, click here.

Saturday, June 15 - 9th Annual BioBlitz

Naturalists, scientists and nature enthusiasts are invited to take part in this 24-hour search for plants and animals living in Nomahegan, Lenape and Echo Lake Parks within Cranford, Kenilworth, Union, Springfield, Westfield and Mountainside. Enjoy interactive, educational and live animal and plant displays and free nature-related programs and/or join a team and help sample and identify animals or plants. Programs will include "Frog Sloggin' and Night Crawlin'", "Nightime Insect Trapping", Owl Prowl", "Bird Walk", "What's the Buzz", "Hawks & Owls" and much more.
Where: All programs leave from the Bio-Blitz Central tent in Lenape Park and run 45-60 minutes unless otherwise noted.
When: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Who: Familes
How: Please Register In-Person on June 14 and 15 at Lenape Park in Cranford.
Cost: Free
For more info: For a complete schedule, click here.

Saturday, June 15 - Children's Event at Farmers Market

Bring your children to Liberty Hall and they will be able to sew their own market bag to use for shopping at the Farmer's Market all season!
Where: Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union
When: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Who: Best for ages 7 and up
How: Reservations required as seating is limited! For info/Reservations: (201) 618-8771 or [email protected]
Cost: $10 per bag
For more info: Click here

Saturday, June 15 - Field Station: Dinosaurs at Scotch Plains Library

The Dinosaur Troubadour from Field Station: Dinosaurs loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge of dinosaurs through song with children who are as interested in dinosaurs as she is. The Dinosaur Troubadour will be stopping by SPPL for dinosaur story time, sing-a-long and dance party. Then, you’ll meet an unbelievably life-like roaring, breathing 15-foot juvenile T-Rex. An interactive, entertaining and surprising Paleozoic adventure!

Where: Scotch Plains Public Library, 1927 Bartle Avenue, Scotch Plains
When: 11:00 AM
Who: Children of all ages.
How: No registration is required for this special event.
Cost: Free
For more info: Click here.

Sunday, June 16 - 4th Annual Bring Your Ride To Mountainside - Father's Day Car & Motorcycle Show

Proceeds will be donated to Overlook Foundation and NJ Hospice to benefit lung and breast cancer research and care. Awards, DJ, great food, Beer and wine tent, family fun and games, dunk tank.
Featuring The Nerds live!
Where: New Providence Road and Mountain Avenue, Mountainside
When: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Who: Families
How: Email [email protected] for advance tickets registration and details.
Cost: $5 per person or $20 for family of 5. Kids 5 and under are free.
For more info: Click here.

Monday, June 17 through Saturday, June 22 - Children's Used Book Sale at Cranford Public Library

All types of children's used books, as well as other materials, will be available for purchase with the proceeds going toward the annual Summer Reading Carnival, as well as the purchase of new materials for the Children's Department. 
 
Where: Cranford Public Library, Raddin Room, 224 Walnut Ave., Cranford.
When: 10:00 AM
Who: Everyone
How: Stop by
Cost: Free
For more info: Please call the Children's Department, (908) 709-7272 X 2103.

Tuesday, June 18 - Teen Scene at Scotch Plains Library

Teens are welcome to play Wii, Nok-Hockey, and other games. Bring your friends and enjoy some snacks!
Where: Scotch Plains Public Library, 1927 Bartle Avenue, Scotch Plains
When: 3:30 PM
Who: Teens in grades 6-12.
How: drop in
Cost: Free
For more info: Click here.

Wednesday, June 19 - Storytime at Creative Kids

Join Creative Kids for a free storytime.
Where: Creative Kids, 300 South Ave, Garwood
When: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Who: Kids of all ages.
How: RSVP to [email protected]
Cost: Free
For more info: Call 908-232-4949 or email [email protected]

Plan Ahead:


June 21st through June 23rd

Friday, June 21 - The Birthday Box Fundraiser

Come Support The Birthday Box!! The Birthday Box (a 501c3) is an anonynmous program that give families/children in need a birthday celebration in a recycled box. California Pizza Kitchen will give The Birthday Box 20% of each check, all day on June 21st, if the patron gives his server, the flyer on our website - www.thebirthdaybox.org. It's an easy way to support a wonderful charity.
Where: California Pizza Kitchen, The Mall at Short Hills
When: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Who: Everyone
How: Stop by
Cost: Cost of food. 20% of your check will be donated to The Birthday Box.
For more info: [email protected]

Saturday, June 22 - Monsters University Chest - Lowe's Build & Grow Workshop

The monster fun continues at Lowe’s this weekend! Your child will love building this chest inspired by Disney•Pixar's Monsters University.
Where: Lowe's Home Improvement, 1721 Morris Avenue, Union
When: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Who: Kids accompanied by an adult.
How: Build and Grow Clinics are free to the public and occur every other Saturday.
Cost: Free
For more info: Click here.

Saturday, June 22 - Eric Carle Celebration at Scotch Plains Library

Join us to celebrate Eric Carle, one of the most recognizable author/illustrators in children’s picture books.

Where: Scotch Plains Public Library, 1927 Bartle Avenue, Scotch Plains
When: 11:00 AM
Who: Children of all ages.
How: The program does not require registration.
Cost: Free
For more info: Click here.

Sunday, June 23 - Kidville Westfield Grand Opening & Open House

Kidville Westfield invites you to their Grand Opening Party and Open House featuring arts and crafts, refreshments for the kids, open play in their state-of-the-art indoor playground, and musical performances by Kidville’s own Rockin’ Railroad band.
Where: Kidville, 109 East Broad Street, Westfield
When: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Who: Everyone!
How: RSVP to [email protected] with name, address, phone number and the number of adults/children attending.
Cost: Free

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