Read to a Therapy Dog, Meet a Comic Books Star, Hike the Reservoir and More

Last week, we told you it was finally getting a little warmer, so it seemed like a good time to venture outside of the house with the family and find something fun to do. With temperatures hitting the 60s this week (hey, remember winter?) that seems doubly true.

So once again, we bring you the Grab & Go Kids Planner. It's our weekly list of kid-friendly activities and places to try out. You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the five (or more) best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.

As always, help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips—if we missed anything, just leave us a comment letting us know!

Where/When: At the  on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Why Go: Because children of all ages can make snow globe scenes with the help of museum educators. The workshop is very flexible—families can drop-in any time during the event to participate.
Pricing: $4 per child for museum members, $5 per child for non-members

Where/When: Beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, at the .
Why Go: Because it’s educational for children ages 2 through 5. This month’s tot tours will include a teapot scavenger hunt and a Victorian age children’s game.
Pricing: Free with museum admission. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for children, $7 for seniors, and free for children three or younger.

Cabin Fever Movie Series: Three Environment-Themed Films
Where/When: in Morris Township on Sunday, Feb. 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Why Go: Because you want to see "The Shaman’s Apprentice," "The Close to Nature Garden," or "Circle of Plenty," three films about nature and gardening for teens and adults ages 13 or older.
Pricing: $5. Pre-registration is required at 973-326-7601.

Where/When:  in Morristown from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Why Go: A chance to see how people lived from 1810 to 1910, the Macculloch Hall website describes the exhibit, “An exciting feature of this exhibit is an interactive area which provides opportunities for hands-on learning and experiential play; it is sure to be fun for adults and children alike.”
Pricing: Admission to the museum is $6 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free for children younger than 12.

Preschool Story Time
Where/When: In the Children’s Room of the Morris County Library in Whippany from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17.
Why Go: Because story time is fun and educational.
Pricing: Free

Story Time and Craft
Where/When: In the Children’s Room of the Morris County Library from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19.
Why Go: Because both story time and crafts are engaging, fun, educational activities—this event is meant for children 3 years or older.
Pricing: Free

Where/When: in Madison from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19.
Why Go: Because Griffin started writing comic books in the 1980s, but still writes them today, so parents and children who share a passion for comic books can appreciate this event. Griffin has worked for Marvel Comics and DC Comics. He has worked on the Silver Surfer and Legion of Super-Heroes, among many other comics.
Pricing: Free


Where/When: At the  in Chatham from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20.
Why Go: All ages can taste different syrups, learn how to collect sap, identify and tap maple trees, and make syrup.
Pricing: $3

Future Naturalists: Study Skulls
Where/When: The  in Chatham from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17. 
Why Go: Because children between ages 7 and 11 who are interested in the natural sciences can try to identify skulls by examining teeth.
Pricing: $3

Performance of “Oliver!” 
Where/When: At the Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph on Friday, Feb. 18 and Saturday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.
Why Go: Because this play, based on the Dickens novel Oliver Twist, is in its last weekend at Brundage Park Playhouse. This is the last chance to see the musical that premiered in 1960 and that was performed on Broadway at Brundage.
Pricing: Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children. Reservations can be made at 973-989-7092.

Where/When:  Saturday, Feb. 19 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Why Go: Share the love of reading with a very special "Man's Best Friend."  Ages 6 and up can read 10 minutes of their favorite story to a therapy dog from St. Hubert's. 
Pricing:  Free

Winter Session of Nature’s Classroom
Where/When:, which runs through Montville, Kinnelon, and Boonton, on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Why Go: If your children are home-schooled and between the ages of 9 and 12, this is the educational event for your family. For $45, students can participate in a four-week series of fun science classes. Pre-registration is required at 973-334-3130.
Pricing: $45 per student

Reservoir Walk
Where/When: in Montville, Kinnelon, and Boonton on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Why Go: Because this 3.5-mile hike for children ages seven or older and adults will have a beautiful view of Taylortown Reservoir and will be moderately-paced.
Pricing: Free, but pre-registration required at 973-334-3130.

Where/When: Feb. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Why Go:  Rosie the red rump tarantula and others will teach children ages 3 to 5 what helps cool critters survive in nature.
Pricing:  Advanced payment is required. $10 per pair or $5 per additional child