Community Corner
Grab-and-Go Kids' Planner: Ringing in 2012
Looking for the hottest spots to take the kids this weekend? Look no further—we've compiled them all for you.
Planning to ring in the new year family-style this weekend? These family-friendly New Year's events will have everyone entering 2012 with a smile.
Event: First Night Haddonfield
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Where: , 2 Kings Ct., Haddonfield
When: Saturday, Dec. 31, at 6 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Collingswoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Why Go: Join Haddonfield for a family-oriented New Year's Eve bash. Multiple events will be hosted throughout the borough, beginning at 6 p.m. And with a variety of options to choose from, there will be something for everyone. This is Haddonfield's fourteenth year hosting First Night. Live entertainment will ensue, with this year's performer lineup including Tommy Cash (Johnny Cash's brother), The Amazing Kreskin, and Searson and Galumpha. To please your wee ones, head into the KidZone and party like it's 2012 with Doc Swan, Tucker's Tales Puppet Theater, Storyteller Steve Knoble, and many others.
Cost: Admission is $10 per person; tickets may be purchased at the Haddonfield Visitor Center
Event: Kid's Kazoo Mummer's Parade
Where: , 729 Haddon Ave., Collingswood
When: Saturday, Dec. 31, at 4:15 p.m.
Why Go: Bring your family to and be a part of their fifth-annual celebration. The festivities will begin out front of the restaurant, with the parade continuing down Haddon Ave.—while everyone does the mummer's strut. Children will be given confetti to throw, as well as complimentary cookies, during the bash. To read Patch's coverage of last year's Kid's Kazoo Mummer's Parade—which drew around 500 people—and to view a photo gallery, click .
Cost: Admission is free
Event: Story Time
Where: , 602 Haddon Ave., Collingswood
When: Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 10 a.m.; Thursday, Dec. 29, at 1 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 31, at 10 a.m.
Why Go: Children of all ages are invited to join staff members at in reading the exciting tale of a boy—and his larger-than-life imagination—who befriends his snowman. Titled Snowmen At Night, the tale will be read aloud to children, who will end the night painting their very own snowman. And once the paint dries, children will be able to take home their new friend.
Cost: Pre-registration is strongly suggested; reserve your child's seat for $11 (no sitting fee required) by calling 856-833-1330
Event: New Year's At Noon
Where: Garden State Discovery Museum, 2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill
When: Saturday, Dec. 31, with events held at noon, and again at 2 p.m.
Why Go: Children of all ages are invited to ring in the New Year in style at Garden State Discovery Museum. This fun-filled, local museum will have its entire staff—as well as guests—singing, dancing, and ushering in 2012 with a serious dose of fun.
Cost: Admission is $10.95 per person; and $9.95 per senior citizen
Event: Swinging New Year's Eve Party
Where: Jelly Bean Jungle, 230 N. Maple Ave., Marlton
When: Saturday, Dec. 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Why Go: Midnight is highly overrated—at Jelly Bean Jungle, the ball will drop at noon. This kid-friendly New Year's Eve bash will have youngsters enjoying an afternoon of free-play fun. And New Year's hats, streamers, and noisemakers will push this party from 'cool' to 'super-cool.' After all, 'cool' was so 2011.
Cost: A fee of $9 admits one child and two adults
About this column: The Mammalogues—it's that much-needed breath of fresh air every Collingswood mommy needs. Running out of things to do with your little ones? Not to fear, because in Collingswood, there's no shortage of 'mommy-and-me' news.
