Kids Can…
… munch-n-learn with educational cookies from the Dick & Jane Baking Company. Options include States & Capitals, Spanish & English, and Presidents. Everything is all-natural, nut-free, and made with whole grains. Available by the bag or box at dickandjanebakingco.com and in Whole Foods Markets throughout New Jersey.
… make bracelets and much more with the Rainbow Loom, currently one of the hottest toys for kids ages 7 and up. Using the plastic loom and rubber bands that come in a huge variety of colors, kids are using these kits to design and create all kinds of accessories and fun items. 
Available at Learning Express Toys; many locations offer free demos, classes for both beginners and intermediates, as well as design contests for the most advanced loomers.
Countdown to Halloween
Make a Halloween calendar filled with fun ways to celebrate all things spooky and fall. Ideas can be simple, like 31 envelopes each filled with a note about that day’s family activity—from baking pumpkin bread to looking for orange leaves to reading Halloween books together. Or, make a 12-day calendar using a muffin tin and hide small pieces of candy or tiny toys behind each day. Crafty not your thing? Purchase this 31-day countdown calendar ($59 at potterybarnkids.com) which has pockets big enough to hold a treat or a note.
Go Crabbing!
Take the kids crabbing for a memorable family outing! All you need is bait, a net, and a little luck—try going early as crabs are most active from around 4:30–8:30 am. Favorite free crabbing spots include Berkeley Island County Park and Keyport Fishing Pier in Raritan Bay. In Wildwood, pay an admission fee and crab at Grassy Sound Marina (609-846-1400), which provides gear and access to a lighted pier. To crab by boat, check out Beaver Dam Boat Rentals (856-447-3633) in Newport and Dividing Creek Boat Rentals (856-785-2828) in Dividing Creek, both which recommend reservations.
Lunch Love
Add a fun and encouraging message from home with these fun “Lunchbox Love” notes. Available in sets of 12, these double-sided cards say things like “You’re so creative!” on one side, and trivia and fun facts on the other. Each set comes with 10 prewritten notes and two blank cards so you can create your own personalized messages. There’s a Halloween set with sayings like “Best Witches!” Order at sayplease.com.
The Hole Story
Lucy Cousins, known to many for her books about Maisy the mouse, will delight readers with Peck, Peck, Peck (Candlewick Press, 2013), the story of a young woodpecker learning from his father how to peck-peck-peck, and then peck some more. As he improves, more and more real holes appear in the pages. Bright colors, whimsical illustrations, and funny rhyming text make this just right for ages 3–7.
