New to SOMA - Childrens' Weekend Activities

Hi Neighbors,

My family and I are brand new to Maplewood and are looking for fun, social weekend activities or classes for the 2 little ones (ages 3 years and 18 months).  Any recommendations would be welcome... Thanks!

bruin said:

Hi Neighbors,

My family and I are brand new to Maplewood and are looking for fun, social weekend activities or classes for the 2 little ones (ages 3 years and 18 months).  Any recommendations would be welcome... Thanks!

Welcome!

In a little over a month, the place to be will be the Maplewood Pool. You may want to consider getting a membership or perhaps asking a neighbor to bring you along via guest passes. Little ones love the kiddie pool. Also check out the new SOMA Family Meet Up at meetup.com. Activities and events organized by people in town are posted there, such as play dates etc. There are also some sports taking place on weekends such as Soccer. Probably more appropriate for the 3yr old. The 18th month may be too young. 

If you are around on Memorial Day (Monday May 30th) consider coming to the Maplewood Memorial Day Parade. Parade kicks off at 9:00 am.  Route is West Parker Avenue to Maplewood Avenue to Baker Street to Valley Street to Maplewood Town Hall.  Memorial Day Ceremony is held on the steps of Town Hall immediately following the parade.  This is followed by duck races in Memorial Park.  A great event for the little ones and a great way to meet your new neighbors.

Welcome to town! The Memorial Day Parade is so fun. That and July 4th are two of my favorite SOMA days. There's also Maplewoodstock coming up July 9 - 10!

Turtle Back Zoo is such a treasure, and it's just a few minutes away. The cost of an annual family membership is $95 and it's well worth it!

I second the SOMA Family Meetup group suggestion, and you might also check out Maplewood Moms on Facebook.

+1 for Turtleback Zoo. 

Liberty Science Center is great too.

When they are a little older and on crappy weather days, you can go to Funtime Junction up in Fairfield.  

Also easy and cheap - the various parks around town (Maplecrest, DeHart, etc) - on nice days, there is usually a good age mix of children at these parks.

The "Pirate Ship Park" is great too. . .

http://www.njplaygrounds.com/9791/regatta-playground-south-mountain-reservation-west-orange-nj-clipper-pavilion-playground/

And it's just around the corner from Turtle Back Zoo...

skadave said:

The "Pirate Ship Park" is great too. . .

http://www.njplaygrounds.com/9791/regatta-playground-south-mountain-reservation-west-orange-nj-clipper-pavilion-playground/

My son is in college now, but as a toddler he used to take fun classes at the YMCA on the weekend.   They probably still offer them.

Your kids might enjoy Music and More classes. Kelly Heinze is a Maplewood resident and mom of a very musical family. She does great work introducing little ones to music.

http://www.musicandmorewithkelly.com/

It was also a great way to meet other families. 

Nice.

Welcome!  We like the area libraries, play grounds and exploring the reservation, as well as the following: 

http://www.southmountainnatureschool.com 

https://tinkergarten.com - classes in Mountainside, South Orange, West Orange, Summit

http://www.theconnectiononline.org in Summit

http://theraptortrust.org/ - a small but cool bird sanctuary in the Great Swamp near Gillette

We have a 3yo and a 3 month old.  If you want to meet up for some play time, fell free to private message me. ~ Stephanie

A general comment.............40 years after moving here I can say without reservations that this is a community that will reach out to offer help should you ask  or allow you your privacy if that be your wont.

It takes time to find all that is available.........but available it is

We have the most colorful and sometimes internal squabbles but know that this is an intelligent and most of all caring community.

Welcome home

Also, discovery Saturdays at the Reeves Reed Arboretum and Millburn Co-op Nursery.  See:

https://www.reeves-reedarboret...

https://www.millburncoop.org