Fall is here and so is the weekend! There are plenty of fun activities happening in our area as we usher in the new season, and we’ve rounded them up right here. Have a look!

Saturday Morning Author/Illustrator Storytime continues at Watchung Booksellers (54 Fairfield Street, Watchung Plaza, Montclair). This week, author and illustrator Mike Malbrough will present his book, Marigold Bakes a Cake. Fans of Mo Willems’ Don’t Let the Pigeon… series will enjoy this story about Marigold the cat who loves to bake cakes on Mondays, until one finch, two pigeons, and three loons get involved. Storytime begins at 10:30 AM.

Barnes & Noble at Clifton Commons (395 Route 3 East, Clifton) will host two evets this Saturday. First up is Big Words for Little Geniuses Storytime at 11:00 AM. In this clever picture book by James and Sue Patterson, each letter of the alphabet provides an impressive new word for children to learn. Activities to follow. Then, at 1:00 PM, stop in for B-Fest, the second annual teen book festival featuring writing workshops, trivia, games, prizes, and sneak peeks of upcoming books. Events include B-In the Know, B-Super, B-Part of the Fun, and B-Creative.

Glen Ridge Public Library (240 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge) will host Lego Day on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Stop in to build with the library’s huge Lego collection and create something cool.

Montclair Familyfest at Crane Park (corner of Glenridge and Greenwood Avenues, behind Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair) will be held on Saturday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Vendors and kid-centric activities for children and adults alike. Activities include face-painting and tattoos, scavenger hunt, Minecraft Mania open play, brain bending puzzles, cupcake decorating, sidewalk chalk drawing, healthy snacks and more! You can also celebrate the 10th birthday of the YMCA of Montclair’s Geyer Family Branch! This event is free.

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The weekend is here! Who’s excited? We’ve rounded up plenty of fun and family-friendly things to do around town and beyond to help you spend your time.

Saturday Morning Author/Illustrator Storytime continues at Watchung Booksellers (54 Fairfield Street, Watchung Plaza, Montclair). This week, author and illustrator Kristine Lombardi will present Mr. Biddles. An inventor cat and a lobster left on his doorstep – a great friendship in the making. Storytime begins at 10:30 AM. Continue Reading

Happy Labor Day Weekend! It’s the unofficial end of summer, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. We’ve rounded up plenty of fun and family-friendly things to do in and around the area. Check ‘em out!

Barnes & Noble at Clifton Commons (395 Route 3 East, Clifton) will host Uni the Unicorn and the Dream Come True Storytime on Saturday at 11:00 AM. In this sequel to Uni the Unicorn, Uni and the little girl who believes in unicorns finally meet and work together to save a magical land and its inhabitants. Activities to follow.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morris Township) will host Explore the Farm Wagon Ride on Saturday from 10:15 AM to 12:00 PM. Board the open-air wagon for a leisurely ride around the historic farm. Cost is $6 per adult, $5 per senior, $4 per child age 4-16, $2 per child age 2-3, and free for children under age 2.

The Creativity Caravan (28 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) will host The Magic of Paper Marbling on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Learn the ancient art of ebru, or paper marbling, in this drop-in event. All ages welcome. Cost is $10 per person and includes all materials.

Also on Saturday, Michaels of Clifton (348 Route 3 West, Riverfront Center, Clifton) will host a Kids Club Floogal Windsock workshop from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Children ages 3 and up can make a quick project. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. Parent or guardian must remain on premises. Cost is $2 and includes supplies.

On Sunday, Frelinghuysen Arboretum (353 Hanover Avenue, Morris Township) will host its First Sunday Tour from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Meet in the lobby of the Haggerty Education Center for a tour of the grounds. Learn the history and enjoy the beauty. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes. Cost is $3; exact change is requested.

Also on Sunday, the Drop-In Studio at Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair) returns between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The Helen & Bill Geyer Art Studio will be stocked with a range of art materials to explore with a seasoned MAM studio instructor. Open ended activities are designed to spark creativity in artists of all ages and abilities. This is free for members and included in Museum admission for non-members.

The annual Rutherford Labor Day Street Fair will be held on Monday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Park Avenue between Ames Avenue and W. Park Place. This event will feature a crafts and antiques fair, life entertainment on two stages, food stands, kids’ amusements including rides and a costume character musical revue, a beer garden, and more!

Also on Monday, Paddle on the Passaic. Hosted at the Essex County Environmental Center (621-B Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland), this event is geared for beginners and children 10 and up accompanied by a parent or guardian. Paddlers can enjoy the peaceful scenery as they paddle up river and then float downstream. Meet in the Garibaldi Hall parking lot. Cost is $30 per canoe. Advance registration is required by calling 973.228-8776.

For more upcoming events, check out the family friendly events, showcased in green, on Baristanet Calendar.

Who’s ready for the weekend? There’s plenty of family-friendly fun going on around town, so check out our list!

On Friday evening, Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun Park (216 Forest Avenue, Paramus) will host Zoo-Flix After Dark with an outdoor evening screening of Disney’s 2016 remake of The Jungle Book. This event is free. The movie will begin around 8:30 PM. Bring your chairs, blankets, and snacks. The Jungle Book is rated PG.

This weekend, Montclair Film at Cinema 505 (505 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair) will present Princess Mononoke, an animated film that has been universally acclaimed by critics. Presented in English (dubbed), this Japanese classic is directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is an epic story of conflict between humans, gods, and nature. The movie will play Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday at 6:00 PM, and Sunday at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $10 ($8 for members).

Also showing this weekend at Cinema 505 is My Neighbor Totoro, also directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Roger Ebert called My Neighbor Totoro “one of the five best movies” ever made for children. It follows two girls who move to the countryside with their father and discover a family of gentle but powerful creatures, Totoros, who live in a camphor tree. The movie is presented in English (dubbed). Show times are Saturday at 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM, and Sunday at 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM. Tickets are $10 ($8 for members). Continue Reading