Hoboken Metro Mom

Next time you are in Westfield replenishing your supplies of Three-Buck Chuck at Trader Joe’s, make a day of it and take the kids to Watchung Reservation. Rain or shine, you can spend hours here between the nature center, the playgrounds, the trails, and the stables.

The Trailside Nature Center is a three story nature center and museum, newly renovated with a huge tree as decoration spanning the three floors. The ground floor and basement have a collection of stuffed dead animals including a skunk in a hollow log interspersed with exhibits with live turtles, fish and snakes as well as a little wigwam. The children’s discovery center in the basement had interactive exhibits, games (like match the animal with its tracks) and books that kept my kids entertained for a good hour. Finally there is a fabulous observation window overlooking the bird feeders and for kids mini binoculars to facilitate viewing - we spent a good half hour doing this! The top floor has yet another children’s library.

Trailside has a variety of kids programs including weekly family programs, summer camp, and family campfires and campouts for beginning campers. Call (908)789-3670 for details. Below find the Summer 2009 schedule:

Tuesday Evening Programs (ages 6 and up with adult except Aug 4 which is geared towards 3-5 year olds)

• July 7, 7:30-9pm, Evening Pond Search, $8 non-residents
• July 14, 8pm-9pm, Night Time Munchies, $7 non-residents
• July 21, 8pm-9pm, The Benefit of Bats, $7 non-residents
• July 28, 8pm-9pm, Flashing Fireflies, $7 non-residents
• August 4, 7:30-8:30pm, When I’m Sleepy (3-5 year olds), $7 non-residents

Wednesday Matinees (1:30pm, ages 4 and up, $4 per person)

• July 8, Turtle Singer (live turtles and live music!)
• July 15, This Land is your Land (interactive program with songs and storytelling about American history and geography)
• July 22, Dinoman (all about dinosaurs)
• July 29, Super Circus Stuff (juggling, balancing, plate spinning, etc)
• August 5, Steve Johnson’s Magic Variety Show
• August 12, Penguin Pointers (staff from Jenkinson’s Aquarium teach you everything about penguins)

Friday Family Programs

• July 10, 10am-11:30am & 1:30pm-2:30pm, Meadow Magic (use nets and bug jars to collect, identify and relase insects living in the meadow) $6 non-residents
• July 10, 10am-11:30am & 1:30pm-2:30pm, Deserted Village Walking Tour, $7 non-residents
• July 17, 1:30-2:30, Summer Nature Scavenger Hunt, $6 non-residents
• July 24, 10am-11:30am, 1:30pm-3pm, Headwaters Hike (discover the animals and plants of the wetlands around Lake Surprise, $7 non-residents
• July 24, 1:30pm-2:30pm, Live Snakes and Turtles, $6 non-residents
• July 31, 10am-11am, 1:30pm-2:30pm, All About Birds, $6 non-residents
• August 7, 1:30pm-2:30pm, Summer Scavenger Hunt, $6 non-residents
• August 7, 10am-11:30am, 1:30-2:30pm, Deserted Village Walking Tour, $7 non-residents
• August 14, 10am-11am, 1:30pm-2:30pm, Meadow Magic, $6 non-residents

Just behind the Nature Center is one of the area’s largest playgrounds, the Loop. Swings, tire swings, two huge playground structures with slides and rings, bars and tunnels. The kids can easily spend another hour here.

There are plenty of trails to explore inside the park as well as picnic areas, lakes, and more. A copy of the entire map of the reservation is at the main website.

If you still have time, there are also the Watchung Stables (which waranted a separate Real Mom Review!) where you can see horses, take a tour of the stables, or even rent a pony for a ride.

A special thank you to Shiela from www.njplaygrounds.com who tipped me off about Trailside Nature Center! Her website has more pictures and reviews of the Loop and Trailside Nature Center.

Bang for your Buck:Free! Special programs range from $4 to $8 for non-residents.
Best transit route: 30 minutes away by car.
Stroller friendly: yes, the area around Trailside and the Loop Playground has stroller friendly paths
Rainy day recommended: yes
Potty situation: Bathrooms at the nature center and near the playground
Snack friendly: yes, bring a picnic!
Hyper-child friendly: Yes
Estimate of time killed: 2-3 hours
Nap factor: excellent