Out and About in Central New Jersey: Boredom Busters at Area Libraries -- “Build It!” with Leftover Boxes and Wrapping Paper TODAY at Bridgewater Library, Movies and Games at Other Branches, Toyland Festival TODAY and Lego Exhibit at the Morris Museum, plus a preview of January programs.

Note: Starting in January, this blog will no longer be affiliated with the Bridgewater Library branch, however Carol Simon Levin ("Miss Carol") will continue to blog about Bridgewater Library branch programs and area events as "Out & About in Bridgewater" on this site. The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey will also be launching a new Youth Services electronic newsletter in January 2017. Sign up here (http://eepurl.com/cfWDTT) to receive the new SCLSNJ Youth Services Newsletter hot off the virtual press.

Happy Holidays! All SCLS libraries will be closed Saturday and Sunday Dec. 31st and Jan. 1st. Libraries will be open regular hours on Monday Jan. 2nd.

@ THE BRIDGEWATER LIBRARY

Save your boxes, paper towel rolls, leftover ribbon & wrapping paper and bring them and your whole family to the library to create a fantastical creature!

Warm ideas for Cold Days and Nights – Looking for fun things to do with kids off of school? Check out the boredom-busting displays in the children’s room and lobby of the Bridgewater Library.

Join us as we celebrate the authors and illustrators who created a book during National Writing Month. Authors will receive their spiral-bound copies, then be celebrated at this author reading and reception. Books will then be displayed in our lobby display cases during the month of January and returned to the authors afterwards. Please let us know if you and your family are coming. Registration is now open -- Click HERE to register.

And you can attend programs at any of Somerset County Library System’s TEN member libraries – just click on the “Events/Programs” tab at the top of our home page (or on the right side of our children’s home page) for schedules and information.

Here are some possibilities – please click HERE for more info or to register:

All Week 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. – Family Drop in Games – Warren Township Library

Wednesday 12/28
10:00 a.m. – Drop In Mittens Craft – Hillsborough – no registration
1:00 p.m. – Inside Out (movie) – Manville – no registration
1:00 p.m. – Card Making – Bound Brook – no registration
2:00 p.m. – The B.F.G. (movie) – Warren Township – no registraton
2:00 p.m. – Minecraft – Mary Jacobs – please register
3:30 p.m. – Dungeons & Dragons – North Plainfield – please register
7:00 p.m. – Author Reception – Bridgewater – please register

Thursday 12/29
11:30 a.m. – Fandom Cubes – Manville – no registration
1:00 p.m. – UP! (movie) – Manville – no registration
2:00 p.m. – Kubo & Two Strings (movie) –Warren Township – no registration
2:00 p.m. – Legos & Games – Mary Jacobs – no registration
3:00 p.m. – Magic: The Gathering – Manville – no registraton

Friday 12/30
Various – New Year’s at Noon – all full
11:30 a.m. – Perler Bead Pets – Manville – no registration
1:00 p.m. – The Good Dinosaur (movie) – Manville – no registration

Happenings Around Our Community:

Looking for more things to do? Scroll down to the EVENTS LISTINGS in the USEFUL LINKS FOR FAMILIES SECTION of this blog.

Legos Are Back plus Children's Theatre, Workshops, and Crafts

Toyland Family Festival Tuesday, December 27, 11:00AM - 5:00PM

Join us at the Morris Museum for a day of indoor family fun! Make winter-themed crafts, participate in a Touch the Music workshop, and watch a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk. During your visit, be sure to check out the Museum's newest exhibition:

Engineering Brick Art.

Children's Theatre

Enjoy a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk brought to life by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre (11:00AM and 1:30PM).

Touch the Music Workshops

Participate in a hands-on workshop with orchestral instruments (12:00PM, 1:00PM and 2:30PM).

Crafts in the Galleries

Make a three-dimensional snowman out of paper, pipe cleaners, and more.
Create a snowflake greeting card with glitter glue, bling, and paper.

learn more

Engineering Brick Art Through February 26, 2017

This exhibition features dozens of brick constructions, including pop art, architectural models, and famous works of art. There are also interactive building stations and fun facts about LEGO history. learn more

Mega Model Trains

Through February 26, 2017

The Museum's amazing Mega Model Train display is back on view. The exhibition includes three separate tracks and dozens of interactive working accessories. learn more

Icons of American Culture: History of New Jersey Diners

Through December 31, 2016

Final week! Don't miss your chance to check out this exhibition on the rich history of diners in the Garden State. learn more

Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Road
Morristown, New Jersey
973.971.3700
info@morrismuseum.org

Hours and Admissions Directions

Image: Jonathan Lopes, Summit Diner, LEGO bricks

Engineering Brick Art Through February 26, 2017

The LEGO building block has sparked the imagination of artists from across the country. Engineering Brick Art features dozens of brick constructions, including pop art, architectural models, famous works of art, and much more. The show also includes interactive stations and fun facts about LEGO history. Now on view learn more

On the Main Stage at the Shakespeare Theater of NJ

A Child's Christmas in Wales comes to the Main Stage at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre!

Pregnancy changes the brain for as long as two years

By Amy Ellis Nutt December 19

(iStock)

For the first time, scientists have found evidence of specific and long-lasting changes in the brains of pregnant women. The changes were measured in brain areas that are responsible for social cognition and the ability to understand the thoughts and intentions of others, suggesting that they may intensify maternal bonding with a newborn. Read More.

Sneak preview of January programs:

STEM Saturday (Ages 4 and up)
at WARREN Township Library

January 7th - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Recommended for children ages 4 and up
No registration required! Just stop in between the times listed.
With your caregiver, drop in to this informal program. Stay a few minutes or several hours: defy gravity with your balancing skills; engineer a roller coaster; build simple machines with Legos; construct with Picasso Tiles or Straw Builders; create circuits with Snap Circuits; explore magnets; solve a math or science puzzler of the month.

@ the Bridgewater Library: