Courtesy of Somerset County 4-H
April showers bring plenty of opportunities for them to get hands-on experience with science, technology, engineering and math. There are lots of STEM activities around the state for your spring breakers, too, like the Environmental Education Center’s Science Program or Minecraft Spring Break Program. For more spring break options, check out these 14 spring break camps.
April 3
Spring Break Drop-In Craft: Whirligigs
Where: Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
Price: $5
Deets: He can learn some STEAM basics while creating his own wooden bird whirligig. If you can’t make this event, it’ll be back on April 12.
STEMulating Young Minds During Spring Break
Where: Monmouth Museum, Lincroft
Price: $20
Deets: Ages 6-9 can construct 3D models made from everyday objects, solve problems using the Engineering Design Process and collaborate with other students on real-life problems.
April 5
Minecraft Spring Break STEM Program
Where: Monmouth Museum, Lincroft
Price: $25
Deets: Minecraft lovers ages 7-14 can get their hands dirty at this techy workshop. He’ll combine Minecraft building skills, LEGO bricks and online gaming, plus conquer an interactive online challenge.
April 7
Where: Bonventura Hall, Summit
Price: Free
Deets: Kiddos from preschool to grade 6 can explore STEM through inquiry-based problem-solving and hands-on activities. Registration required.
April 14
Somerset County 4-H Science-sational Day
Where: Ted Blum 4-H Center, Bridgewater
Price: $25/kid, free/parents
Deets: This science-filled fest will host 12 workshops for kids grades 1-5, with returning favorites like Science You Can Eat (science with cooking) and Try It-Fly It (make your own glider, learn to fly and land it on a simulated runway). New workshops like pH Mysteries and The Science of Yoga will teach your mini scientist about chemistry and physiology, respectively. Registration required.
Where: Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
Price: Free with $8 admission
Deets: Does she want to be a doctor? Here’s her chance to learn about the musculoskeletal system and how it keeps our bodies moving. Then she’ll create a life-sized diagram of her own body. Ages 1-10.
Where: Warren County Library, Hackettstown
Price: Free
Deets: If you’ve got a high schooler interested in robots (adults welcome!), this club is the perfect place to start. Learn to use JAVA computer programming language, the relationships between sensors, motors and software and more. Discuss theory, problems and logic, plus learn about the first robots. Registration required, bring your own laptop.
April 16-18
EEC Spring Break Science Program
Where: Environmental Education Center, Basking Ridge
Price: $187
Deets: Kids ages 7-9 can sample the Center’s summer science and nature offerings at this hands-on spring break program. She can have lessons that encourage creative expression, nature exploration, imagination and skill development in the fresh air while hiking, canoeing and playing games. The program features live animals, science experiments and demos and more.
April 21
Where: New Jersey State Museum, Freehold
Price: Free
Deets: Start with storytime before heading to the “Pretty Big Things” exhibit for a look at the garden bell, then hit the STEM Center for a hands-on activity. Ages 6 months-5 years. Registration encouraged.
Where: Morris County Library, Whippany
Price: Free
Deets: Grades 1 and up can stop by the children’s department for a little eco-inspired crafting sesh.
April 28
Where: Elisabeth Morrow School, Englewood
Price: Free
Deets: Touted as part science fair, part county fair and full on exploration, this event includes hands-on demos, take-away projects and designing experiences to inspire kids to expand their imaginations in subjects like arts, crafts, engineering, science and DIY projects.
Kiddie Academy of Springfield Hosts STEM Adventures Event
Where: Kiddie Academy, Springfield
Price: Free
Deets: Kiddie Academy caters to kids ages 6 weeks to 12 years, and this weekend they're inviting local families to join them for an indoor STEM Adventures Event. This STEM-tastic day will use interactive projects to encourage education through hands-on play. Make moon sand or mini-constellations, construct a wheel and axle or cardboard tube derby and more.
Ongoing Tuesdays
Where: Echo Hill, Flemington
Price: $90
Deets: Join a professional park naturalist on a hike through field, forest and pond habitats. After, try a hands-on science experiment, participate in field games and create a take-home craft. Registration required. Runs April 3-May 22 and each session is limited to ten kids, so be sure to sign up soon! (Note: you cannot attend single classes.)
Ongoing Saturdays
Where: Morris County Library, Whippany
Price: Free
Deets: Grades 4-6 can pop by and get their STEAM on each Saturday from April 7-May 19. Registration required.
Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays
7th Annual Spring Model Railroad Show
Where: Garden State Model Railway Club, North Haledon
Price: $6/adults, free/under age 12 (with paying adult)
Deets: Stop by on the weekend from April 7-15 to see 1,200 square feet of steam and diesel locomotives like Thomas and Friends, plus freight and passenger trains, rural and urban scenes and working signals.