Holiday Break a Time for Fun

The kids are out of school and it's time for a fun-filled break over the holidays. There are lots of exciting and intriguing things to do to help make your staycation a memorable one!

first performed the East Coast premiere of Neil Bartlett’s unique and inventive adaptation of A Christmas Carol in 2007. Now, director Bonnie Monte and a cast of just nine actors with a redesigned visual presentation designed to delight and haunt in the always-touching morality tale. The show runs Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday and Friday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave. Tickets are $32-55. Call (973) 408-5600 for tickets and more information.

Imagine That!, the children's museum at 4 Vreeland Ave. in Florham Park, has a fun-filled week of activities during the holiday break. On Monday learn about the history and traditions of Hanukkah with an olive press demonstration from 1-4 p.m. Kids will also decorate a donut and complete a craft project. Tickets at the door are $11.99 for children and $3.99 for adults. On Tuesday kids can build a sock snowman with black top hat and button nose, then stay to play. Times are
10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., or 2:30 p.m., and the cost is $12.99 per child and $7.95 per adult, reservations required. The museum goes "green" on Wednesday with craft, solar energy and recycling presentations that teach kids how to help save the Earth. Visitors are asked to bring either a gently used toy, clothing, or shoe donation for a local charity, and representatives from JCP&L and an industrial hygienist from Breathe will be on hand to answer kids' questions. Admission for children is $11.99, no charge for adults for advanced purchase; the price at the door is $11.99 for kids and $7.95 for adults. On Thursday kids can make a cuddly fleece pillow and stay to play at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Cost is $13.99 per child and $7.95 per adult. "Let's Make a New Year's Eve Ball Party" is slated for Friday at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Kids are invited to ring in the New Year by designing and making a dazzling sequin-and-glitter ball. Each child will receive a party hat/tiara and horn for the celebration. Times are 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., admission is $11.99 for children and $7.95 for adults. Call (973) 966-8000 for more information.

At Diamond Gymnastics, 182 Rt. 10 in East Hanover, kids ages four-12 can make the most of the break at the Winter Half-Day Camp through Dec. 30 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Activities include gymnastics, rock climbing, open gym and a variety of indoor games. The camp provides a morning snack and drink; campers should bring a brown bag lunch. The camp is $50 per day for one to three days or $45 per day for kids signing up for four or five days. For more information or to register, call (973) 560-0414.

The Morris Museum is hosting the Toyland Family Festival featuring Lego, Tuesday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring your best Lego creation for the People’s Choice Lego competition, and kids can enjoy a 40-foot model train, make a wooden conductor doll, create a yarn octopus, design puppet animals, and create snowpeople. There will also be a reading of the holiday book The Polar Express, and Choo Choo Charlie’s Magic Show in the Bickford Theatre at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. with a Combo Ticket. The Festival is free for Museum members, and $7 per child and $10 per adult for non-members. A Combo Ticket includes the Festival and magic show, $5 for members and $15 for non-members. Call (973) 971-3700 for more information.