Make Learning Fun This Weekend With These Ideas

We're about to enter our first March weekend, which means we're just about out of the cold. Spring's (almost) here. Why wait to take out the family?

Heck, that's why we've got "Grab & Go Kids Planner," anyway. Our weekly list of weekend events should keep you and your family better entertained than your old winter routine of turning on the tube, tossing on a Snuggie and vegging out.

This week, we've lots of options around Hopatcong, including family reading and hands-on projects. Check 'em out, and don't forget to come back next week for more.

Dr. Suess Storytime
Where/When: 10 a.m. at Barnes & Noble in Morris Plains on Thursday, March 3
Why Go: Because parents can reminisce while introducing their children to a classic children’s author.
Pricing: Free

Where/When: From 6 to 6:45 p.m. at the  on Thursday, March 3
Why Go: Because pajamas are comfortable, and crafts and stories and fun. To register, head to the Jefferson Township Public Library website.
Pricing: Free

, Open To All Ages
Where/When: The Music Den in Butler on Friday, March 4 from 8 to 10 p.m.
Why Go: If your family is musically inclined, why not get together for a family performance? Or just go and enjoy some music?
Pricing: Free

 For Kids Ages 1 to 5
Where/When: From 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 5 at  in Oak Ridge
Why Go: Because kids can enjoy music, stories and games and parent/guardian participation is required, so the whole family can enjoy themselves together. 
Pricing: Free

“Rapunzel - A Brush with Fate!”
Where/When: At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake on Saturday, March 5
Why Go: Because the whole family can enjoy this classic with a modern twist. For more information, see the Pax Amicus website.
Pricing: $12

Classic Cartoons
Where/When: At the  at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 5
Why Go: Because families can enjoy cartoons on the big screen. This is the only scheduled showing of classic cartoons at the Morris Museum in March.
Pricing: Free with museum admission

Where/When: At 1:00 p.m. at the  on Saturday, March 5
Why Go: Because the entire family can enjoy a movie and snacks.
Pricing: Free

Where/When: From 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 at the 
Why Go: This event was founded 21 years ago and will feature games, crafts, raffle prizes, juggling, magic, and singers, as well as dancers performing styles from around the world. The pot luck could also prove to be interesting, as every family is asked to bring either a dish or dessert from their native or ancestral county.
Pricing: Free

Where/When: At the  in Morristown on Sunday, March 6 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Why Go: Because many children love Pippi Longstocking, and many also love musicals. This has both! For ages 5 or older.
Pricing: $12. For tickets or more information, see the Community Theatre’swebsite.

Where/When:  Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 
Why Go: You can race to this event to spend quality time with your kids.  Children ages 5 to 12 can participate in a hands-on craft to create a  Home Depot Race Car.
Pricing:  Free

Where/When:  Saturday, March 5 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Long Hill Community Center in Stirling
Why Go: The family will enjoy a great dinner of spaghetti and meatballs while supporting a great cause.
Pricing:  $35 event donation / $12 for children under 12 years of age

Where/When:  on Sunday, March 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Why Go: A home-cooked breakfast will be served by the members of the Basking Ridge Fire Company.
Pricing:  $7 for adults, $5 for children and senior citizens. Children under three are admitted free.

Where/When:  on Sunday, March 6 at 2 p.m.
Why Go: A naturalist will teach bear etiquette and how to act if one is sighted.
Pricing: Free

When/Where: Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at the 
Why Go: You can celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday by making a party hat and having fun with friends.
Pricing:  Free

Every weekday, 8:30 a.m. is "Mom's Time" on Patch, when we aim to bring you a feature useful to mothers and families overall. Monday is Moms Talk, when we pose questions about the issues facing moms in our community. Tuesday is the Grab & Go Kids planner, to help you find the best avenues for family fun nearby. Wednesday is Frugal Family, in which we hunt down deals to help you make the most of your family budget. On Thursdays, Great Escape offers local suggestions for how to get away from the day-to-day stresses of managing a family, even if just for a little bit. On Friday, we feature our Whiz Kids, showing off the great accomplishments of kids in our community (got a suggestion for Whiz Kids? See .)