Celebrate the Seals in your Grab & Go Kids Planner

It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means - the Grab & Go Kids Planner is back for another weekend of exciting activities for kids, and maybe even the grown-ups too.  This week we’ve got a birthday party for some very special seals, basketball-themed activities to celebrate March Madness coming to New Jersey, and yes, finally – a way to keep the kiddies entertained while you get a nice night out of your own!

As always, be sure to tell us if you think we forgot something.  And if you know of an event that deserves a mention in this planner in the future, be sure to add it to the calendar!

• GoNewark HoopFest at Championship Plaza at the Prudential Center; 165 Mulberry St., Newark;  973-757-6600; Price: FREE; Friday 3-10, Saturday 12-6, Sunday 12-7.

March Madness comes to the Prudential Center in Newark, and to celebrate, there’s HoopFest, a three-day long celebration of all things basketball, New Jersey, and family entertainment.  Look for face-painting, interactive basketball games, skills competitions, temporary tattoos, live music, and more.  And if you’re off of work or school on Thursday, there’s also a free, open-to-the-public practice featuring all four teams set to square off at the Rock this weekend in the NCAA Tournement.

• A Tangled Adventure at the Disney Store; Woodbridge Center Mall; 732-855-0086; Price: FREE; Saturday, 12-2 PM

Let your hair down with the Disney Store and get tangled up in adventure!  Kids three years old and up are welcome to participate in this fun, Disney-themed event at Woodbridge Center.  Expect all kinds of fun, games, and a free activity sheet for all Mickey Mouse-heads out there.

• Seal-abration! at Jenkinson’s Aquarium; 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach; 732-892-0600; Price: Call/visit website for details;  Saturday 2-3:30 PM

Jenkinson’s Aquarium’s three harbor seals – Luseal, Coral, and Seaquin – are celebrating their birthdays this Saturday, and you’re invited!  Pre-registration is required for this special event.  Celebrate the birthdays of the three seals with cake and crafts, and a special feeding, where the three seals will get a special birthday snack!  (The aquarium’s website was down at the time of this compilation, please check there for more information, including pricing).

• Co-ed Recreation Fun & Games at ; 275 Mawbey St., Woodbridge; 732-596-4048; Friday, 7-8 PM

A staple of our Get Out! Weekend Planner, the Co-ed Recreation Fun & Games event is held every Friday night at the Mawbey Street Elementary School #1.  A chance for your first, second, and third grades to play fun games and expend some of that excess energy!  Pre-registration is recommended, and on a first-come-first-serve basis.

• Ricky’s Parents Night Out at Ricky’s of Red Bank, 86 Broad St., Red Bank; 732-842-4637; Price: $18 per child (sibling discount available); Friday 6:30-9 PM

Ricky’s, a candy & ice cream shop in Red Bank, offers you the chance to get a night out on the town while they care for the little girls and guys.  Ricky’s will keep your 3-through-10-year-olds entertained with pizza, ice cream, arts & crafts, movies, games, and snacks while you enjoy an evening out in Red Bank.  Restaurants such as The Bistro and Danny’s Steakhouse are even offering specials just for participating parents!  You get some much-needed time alone together, and the kids get to spend an evening in a candy store – sounds pretty win-win to me.