Who: Kids who love puppets

What: Local artist Jennifer Levine puts on a show, live music and does a
hands-on activity for the special day. Read a review of her puppet show in Time Out New York.

Where: Your location

Cost: Email Jennifer for rates and availability

Contact: Email or call (973) 634-3378

Website: Princess Moxie

We love zoos. When my teenage son heard I was writing about the Turtle Back Zoo’s annual Holiday Lights Spectacular, he asked, “Are you going to take me?” I said, “Of course!” I’m so glad he isn’t too cool to hang out with Mom–and at the zoo no less.

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We hear that if you head to Hoboken tonight (before or after you start the chopping, whipping, baking frenzy that is the day before Thanksgiving, you might catch the floats in tomorrow’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The floats head to NYC–through the Lincoln Tunnel–around 10 p.m. tonight and should be out until then.

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Who: Parents thinking about preschools for next fall.
What: Watchung Co-op Open House. School will be in session so you can meet the teachers and see the classrooms in action.
Where: Watchung Co-op Preschool
corner of Valley and Mt. Hebron in Upper Montclair
When: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 9:30-11 a.m.
Cost: Free, no need to RSVP
Website: Watchung Co-op Preschool

Montclair women can do it all. We are busy moms who are also entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, writers and professional stay-at-homers. But there’s one surprising skill some of us haven’t mastered: The art of cooking.

With this in mind, Alma Schneider created Take Back the Kitchen. In addition to being a mom of four and creator of Parents Who Rock, she’s also teaching us to cook. But it’s more than that. Alma demystifies everything from knife sets to leek soup to our confusing cupboards.

You can catch her this Monday night, November 24, when she speaks at the Adult School, from 6-9 p.m. Call (973) 746-6636 to register.

Alma talked to MontclairKids explaining why we need to take back our kitchens…

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Who: All ages

What: Party complete with pizza, singing mechanical characters, Chuck E. Cheese himself and tokens sure to make your children run wild. Bring Tylenol for yourself.

Where: 1639 State Route 23
Wayne, NJ 07470

Cost: Packages start at $13.99 per child

Contact: call (973) 305-9694 or reserve the birthday party online and get extra tokens

Website: Chuck E. Cheese’s

Who: ages 2 and up

What: 30 minutes of play time, 30 minutes in private party room and 1 hour to eat and play more. (I hear they have free WiFi for parents.)

Where: 400 Fairfield Rd.
Fairfield, NJ 07004

Cost: Packages start at $189.99 for up to 10 kids

Contact: Call 973-882-9777 or email Funtime Junction

Website: Funtime Junction

Who: Age 1 and up

What: 90 minutes of songs, games, gym and puppets. They do all the set up and clean up. Pizza parties available.

Where: 235 Prospect Ave
West Orange
, NJ
 07052

Located in the Whole Foods Shopping Center

When: Fridays 3-4:30 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m.; Saturdays 1-2:30 p.m., 3-4:30 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon-1:30 p.m., 2-3:30 p.m.

Cost: $300-350 for up to 20 kids

Contact: Call 973-731-2022 or fill out their online birthday party form
Website: My Gym Birthday Parties

Who: ages 1 to 12

What: A 90-minute gym party where all you need to do is show up. They lead fun and games, set-up and clean-up, provide plates, even give you invitations.

Where: 1 Greenwood Avenue, Suite 3
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 744-1002

Cost: around $350

Tips: Book at least 1 month in advance

Website: Little Gym Montclair

Who: ages 1 through kindergarten

What: Gym parties are 45 minutes of free play and games plus 45 minutes in their kitchen for food and cake. Gym & Swim parties are on Sundays with 45 minutes in pool and 45 minutes for food and cake.

Where: Little YMCA
159 Glenridge Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042

When: Saturdays and Sundays, noon-1:30 p.m., 2-3:30 p.m. or 4-5:30 p.m.

Cost: $250 for up to 20 children, you bring food and help with clean up.

Contact: Call 973-783-7640 Ext. 245

Tips: Book way way way in advance–they fill up fast

Website: Helen and Bill Geyer YMCA Family Center