Star-Gazing for Kids This Weekend in the Grab & Go Kids Planner

The weekend is coming, and it promises to be at least a little less soggy than the last one.  If you and the kids are getting a little stir crazy from all the time indoors lately, worry not!  We've got five great family-friendly things to do this weekend lined up for you.

After the kind of weather we've had lately, it might be worth it to get back to nature and spend some time away from the television and air conditioning - Trailside Nature and Science Center has you covered there with their Stream Stroll, a walk along the water at the Center, where you can check out various insects and animals indigenous to the Watchung Preservation.  Or, if your child's  interests lie in the clouds rather than on the ground, check out Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium's Summer Skies show, where you can learn all about the stars, constellations, and planets that make up the summer sky.

There's crafts at the Imagine That!!! Children's Museum, and a fashion show and back-to-school shopping at Lord & Taylor right here in Woodbridge.  And last but not least, there's only a few weekends left to get into the city and check out the very neat Harry Potter: The Exhibition at Discovery Times Square - believe me, if you've got a Harry Potter fan in the household, it's worth the trip!

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. 

How High Can Your Ice Cream Cone Go? at Imagine That!!! Children's Museum; 4 Vreeland Rd., Florham Park; 732-706-9000; Price: $9.95/child, $7.95/adult; Saturday-Sunday, 10 AM-5:30 PM

Things get a bit precarious when you try to stack more than two or three scoops on top of an ice cream cone.  Imagine That!!! Children's Museum of Florham Park are more interested in making an ice cream craft than an ice cream cone here (less messy, but less tasty), so bring the kids down for a fun craft and a day of fun science, train, music, and other learning-related play stations!

Stream Stroll at Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside; 908-789-3670; Price: Call to Pre-register; Friday, 1:30-3 PM

Check out the Trailside Nature and Science Center and go on a stream stroll Friday afternoon.  Wear shoes that are okay to get wet, as you search the brook for aquatic insects, salamanders, and more.  You'll get to collect and identify the various creatures of the stream, and learn how these little guys help us predict the health of the stream in the Watchung Reservation.  Great for budding ecologists!

Summer Skies at Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium; 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg; 908-231-8805; Price: $6; Friday, 7:30 PM

Turn your attention to the skies beyond the rain clouds with the RVCC Planetarium's Summer Skies show, a look at the stars, constellations, planets, and more than dominate the summer sky.  Learn about the Summer Triangle and the names of stars and constellations that can be seen in the night sky right now (well, when it's not raining, of course).  Also catch up on all the latest news and notes from the world of astronomy with a current events update!

School La La Fasion Show at Lord & Taylor Woodbridge Center Mall; 250 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge; 732-750-3232; Price: Free; Saturday, 12-4 PM (Fashion Show at 1:30)

It's Back to School time, and Lord & Taylor at Woodbridge Center is getting into the spirit of the fall season with their School La La event and Fashion Show.  The Fashion Show kicks off at 1:30, featuring local kids modeling the best and trendiest in back-to-school wear.  Support other local kids by participating in the school supplies drive, and get started on another year of back to school shopping!

Harry Potter: The Exhibition at Discovery Times Square; 226 West 44th Street (Between Broadway and 8th Ave), New York; 866-987-9692; Price: $26/adults, $19.50/children (packages available, check website for more information); Friday-Saturday 9 AM-9 PM, Sunday 9 AM-8 PM

I mentioned this event way back in May; I bring it up again now because it's one of your last chances to check out the exhibition before it packs up and moves on from Discovery Times Square following Labor Day weekend.  Take the kids on a journey through the props, costumes, and other artifacts from the Harry Potter movies - highlights include a full-scale recreation of Hagrid's Hut and the Great Hall, a chance to check out the wands from every major character in the film series, and a neat film to kick everything off detailing the work that went into creating the world of Hogwarts.  Some lucky kids will even get a chance to be sorted into their favorite house by the Sorting Hat!  For a few dollars extra you can take the audio tour, which goes further in depth.