Lazy Summer Days: What To Do With the Kids in August

The kids are coming home from camp. You've already been on vacation. But there's still weeks before school gets back into session. What do you do?

It might be August and quiet around Millburn-Short Hills, but there's still plenty to do around town with the kids.

The library has a number of activities for kids of all ages during August. For kids 7-10 years old, there are theater games Monday at 7-9 p.m. and origami on Wednesday at 7-9 p.m. Registration is required for both events.

For children ages 11 years old and up, there are two craft sessions. The first is found object sculpture, which is on Aug. 18 at 7-9 p.m. The second is henna tattoos on Aug. 19 at 2-4 p.m. Both are taught by Natalie Kent.

Also, there is a movie night showing "Tale of Despereaux" on Friday at 6:30 p.m. for ages 5 and up. The Seven Seas Treasure Hunt is on Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 6-12 years old.

Evening Adventure is for grades 2-5 on Aug. 17 and Aug. 30 at 7-8 p.m. Registration for the Aug. 17 event is through Aug. 13, and registration for the Aug. 30 event is through Aug. 27.

To register for the events, check out the Millburn Public Library's events calendar.

There are events that require no registration for kids at the library. Toddler Time is on Thursdays through Aug. 19 at 10:40 a.m. for ages 9-24 months with an adult. The session includes stories, finger rhymes and songs. Picture Book Picnic is on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m. for ages 2 and up for storytime. Sunday Stories and Crafts meets on Aug. 15 and 29 at 2 p.m. for ages 4-6 years old for stories and crafts. Meet at the children's reference desk and three age-appropriate children are required for each session. Sunday Stories and Crafts is limited to 15 children.

Plus the library's summer reading club continues through Aug. 27 for kids through seventh grade. Register at the library in the children's section.

The library is closed on Saturdays through August. The regular schedule resumes on Sept. 11.

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum has a new exhibit to visit on Thursdays and Fridays at 1-3 p.m. through Aug. 20. It's a self-directed exhibit with activities that include the observational bee hive and bird observation area. There is a suggested donation of $10.

The arboretum also is offering a drop-in (not drop-off) program Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Aug. 27. There will be a variety of crafts, a hike or scavenger hunt, and a light snack. Plus Thursdays and Fridays will focus on the Bees, Butterflies & Birds exhibit. The program is appropriate for kids ages 2-8 years old, and the activities last 20-40 minutes. It costs $10 for individuals or families.

The Millburn Recreation Department also has several offerings.

The Junior Scientists Summer Camp is Aug. 23-27 at 1-4 p.m. at the Gero Park Recreation Building for kids 5-10 years old for $175. The program is offered by Smartycat Kids, and registration is required. Call 732-762-5022 for more details.

The multi-sports camps for ages 5-14 years old are this week, if you're already registered, and again on Aug. 16-20 at Gero Park. Call 908-534-5305 for more details.

The annual Old Guard-Youth Golf Tournament is Aug. 26. at 1:30 p.m. at the par 3 course at Gero Park. The event is open to Old Guard members and youth ages 10-15 years old on a first-come-first-serve basis. Those interested can register online by going to the Millburn Recreation Department website at www.twp.millburn.nj.us/recreation. For further information, call the recreation department at 973-564-7097 or the Par 3 Golf Course at 973-379-4156.

The pool also is open every day at noon to 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The final summer concert of the season is on Sunday at 7-8:30 p.m. in Taylor Park. The concert features The Characters.

The South Mountain Conservancy also has two hikes planned for August. On Aug. 15, you can hike with your dog starting at the dog park on Crest Drive from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The dog must be on a leash at all times.

On Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the conservancy will host a southern circular hike. It's a 4-5 mile hike along the Elmdale Trail, West Ridge Road before crossing the Rahway River at Painter's Point to climb part way up the mountain and cross the river again on Glen Avenue and return to the cars via the southern segment of the Elmdale Trail. Meet at Elmdale Parking Area, which is 0.3 miles north of light on Brookside Drive and Glen Avenue or 1.4 miles south of light at Brookside and South Orange Avenue.