Fun-Filled Family Events In Hoboken, NJ for The Holidays

December 11, 2017/in Enrichment, Hoboken /by ruben

With snow in the air and the smell of fresh baked sweets and pumpkin spice lattes on our minds, it’s time to celebrate the holidays in Hoboken again! From the traditional Christmas tree lighting and breakfast dates with Santa, to concerts and craft fairs, there are tons of great family activities right around the corner to help you celebrate the holidays. Here’s a quick list of some of our favorite holiday happenings in and around Hoboken this year.

Romparoo Reads – December 13th – FREE

Join our friends from Romparoo at the Hoboken Pop-Up Library for a fun filled day of music, creativity, stories, and laughter. Kids will have the opportunity to let loose and express themselves through singing, or by using one of the many instruments they provide during their musical jam. Then, they can fully explore and enjoy the rhythm during an energetic dance session! Afterwards, they will finish up with a fun winter themed craft, and settle down for story time and a puppet show!

Breakfast With Santa – December 16th – $15

Come down to Wicked Wolf Tavern this year and have breakfast with Santa! Enjoy a great arts and crafts session and create some great holiday keepsakes. Then, reserve a table and sit down to enjoy the delicious breakfast buffet until the man in red himself stops by for a bite. While he’s there, don’t miss your opportunity to tell him what’s on top of your Christmas wish list and get your picture taken!

Holiday Marketplace at Hudson Community College – December 17th – FREE

Hudson Community College’s annual Holiday Market features beautiful handcrafted gifts from local artisans. This craft fair is not only a great place to pick up any last minute gifts on your holiday shopping list, it is also a great place to bring your family and enjoy wonderful holiday festivities. Holiday book re-enactments will be sure to bring the story to life for any audience, while the magic show will mesmerize, and the puppet show will entertain with laughs galore. Children can even get their faces painted, pick up a balloon animal, and take a selfie with Santa!

HOPES Community Game Night – Dec 21st – FREE

HOPES aims to bring families in the community together with family friendly activities that encourage community outreach. Their bi-monthly community game night brings families from all over Hoboken together to enjoy a variety of fun filled games that strengthen familial and communal bonds. Join the other families in your neighborhood and enjoy a classic game. They encourage whole family participation, so this is a great place to gather young and old this holiday season for a celebration of family and community involvement.

New Year’s Eve Family Fireworks Cruise – Dec 31st – $200+

See the fireworks around New York as you’ve never seen them before on one of these luxury cruises. There are several family friendly cruise ships with many amenities that will be sure to delight children and adults alike. The price tag on this event might be a little higher than the rest, but if you’re looking to do something extravagant this holiday season, a fireworks cruise is an unforgettable way to ring in the new year!

No matter how your family likes to celebrate, there is sure to be an event in Hoboken that will help you and your little ones get in the holiday spirit and learn all about the magic of the holidays.

10 Great Family Activities in Hoboken

October 2, 2017/in Enrichment, Hoboken, Teaching and Learning /by ruben

Hoboken, New Jersey, probably isn’t the first city that comes to mind when brainstorming family vacations and outings, but after enjoying the numerous activities Hoboken has to offer, it won’t be forgotten! Are you looking for new adventures for your family to experience together in Hoboken? Here are ten great ones to get you started!

Hoboken Historical Museum

Known for its kid-friendly fire museum, the Hoboken Historical Museum educates and intrigues! Reserve your spot for story time on the website, and note the summer camp listings for your tiny historians!

Puppetonia (Symposia Bookstore)

It doesn’t get much more creative than this. With their fun, interactive, and musical shows, the whole family will be laughing and learning in a memorable way. The puppets and puppeteers incorporate education and social skills in story-filled, imaginative ways. This is a surefire gem in Hoboken! Be sure to review Puppetonia’s schedule today.

My Gym

Developed specifically for children aged 6 weeks -10 years, My Gym helps kids grow emotionally, physically, and socially. The state-of-the-art facility is known for its one-of-a-kind atmosphere promoting fitness, fun, and adventure. Parties, classes, and camps are further ways to take advantage of this awesome Hoboken resource.

Urban Jungle

Urban Jungle is a gold mine when it comes to promoting learning and development, uniquely. Peruse the website for details on parties, open play, and drop-off toddler classes, too. You won’t regret this one stop shop for family fun, exploration, and important social stimulus for children.

Hoboken Public Library

Free is key… especially when books are nearby! Tiny Tots Story Times and Lego Block Parties are just the beginning of what the library offers. Grab a pass to the museum for a fun, free day out, and explore the opportunities offered on Family Saturday FUNdays. There’s a reason families enjoy libraries… it’s an endless amount of resources, spaces, and times together for creative play.

Hoboken Cove Boathouse

Free and open to the public, the Hoboken Cove Boathouse is an amazing space to get on the water and go for a row with your family. Pack a picnic, walk the nearby nature paths and touch the Hudson River, thanks to this non-profit location run by volunteers. River trips are 1-2 hours long, weather permitting. Before you leave, be sure to say “Thank You!” to those who make the Boathouse happen.

Farmer’s Market

Local fresh fruit, veggies, and vendors, welcome you to the Garden Street Farmer’s Market. Feel extra healthy and ‘happy to be home’ as you wind the market aisles with your family. Colors, smells, tastes and sounds are so vibrant in this environment, your children will request to return week after week! Mark your calendar for the dates and hours listed on the website.

Picnic in a Park

Grab your water bottles, juices, snacks and a blanket, because nothing is more restful and replenishing than hanging out at a park. Hoboken has so many options, it’s likely you will not have to go far to enjoy a family outing at one of these free locations.

FROYO with a View

When the weather starts to warm up, take a visit to 16 Handles. This fun frozen yogurt place offers all the topping and flavors you can imagine, and is located next to an incredible view of the Manhattan skyline. Kids will love identifying the different buildings across the water while chowing down on their favorite flavor.

Kids-In-Charge Day Out

Just say the name of this idea and your children will leap into the air! Invite your children to brainstorm 2-3 things they’d like to do together, today. What will you need to wear? What will you need to bring? What are the sights and sounds they expect? Should you pack a camera or invite a friend along? Follow their directions and play along. No doubt, you’ll all be laughing in no time.

In summary here are 10 great family activities in Hoboken:

1. Hoboken Historical Museum
2. Puppetonia (Symposia Bookstore)
3. My Gym
4. Urban Jungle
5. Hoboken Public Library
6. Hoboken Cove Boathouse
7. Farmer’s Market
8. Picnic in a Park
9. FROYO with a View
10. Kids-In-Charge Day Out

Tessa International School is proud to call Hoboken, NJ its home location. For more information about our school, mission, and admissions, please contact us. We would love to widen our family for yours.

10 Awesome Activities in Hoboken to Keep the Kids Busy After-School

September 18, 2017/in Enrichment, Hoboken, Teaching and Learning /by ruben

by Tori Galatro

Whether your son or daughter has just started first grade or they’re already filling out college applications, after school activities are a great way for kids to explore their individuality, make friends, continue their learning outside of school, and develop new skills. New York City offers amazing opportunities, but there’s no need to make the trek during the week when you have so many fantastic options right in Hoboken. With so many programs offered, we won’t list them all, but here are just a few to get you thinking:

Sports

There are endless advantages to getting your child involved with after school sports. The City of Hoboken Recreational division offers all of the classic options. For kids with a less competitive spirit, Mimi Yoga Hoboken offers great after-school classes for both kids and teens where they’ll cultivate flexibility and strength, as well as skills they can take outside of the studio, like focus, stress management, and mindfulness. (Image from MimiYoga)

Improv Groups

Brave Bright Theatre Kids is an improvisational theater group for kids in Hoboken. Stressing creativity and expression, the group has a great reputation for building confidence and self-esteem, especially among shyer kids. Parents rave about the difference they see in their children after just a few classes.

Dance and Theater Classes

Acting isn’t the only skill kids can learn in a quality after school theater program. From set design to chorus to dance, theatre gives kids the opportunity to find their individual strengths. Hoboken Children’s Theatre has after school classes for grades k-12 with increasing skill and experience levels. (Image from Hoboken Children’s Theatre)

Libraries and Bookstores

Public libraries are a staple after school location and local meeting place for any community and the Hoboken Public Library has a great reputation for being safe and kid-friendly, offering homework help and a full calendar of kids programs. Rainy and cold days are especially great for book browsing. Little City Books is a beloved local children’s bookstore and one of the few places where you’ll be proud when your child begs you to buy them something.

Learning New Skills

No matter how broad your education, everyone wants a unique skill that sets them apart. For low-key and crafty kids, M Avery Designs has sewing classes for kids and teens where they’ll start by making simple stuffed animals and work their way up to making their own clothing. (Image from M Avery Designs)

Parks and Playgrounds

With almost 20 different parks, Hoboken is a great place to live when the weather’s nice. Pier A, Pier C, and Frank Sinatra Park are unique spots to bring your kids to play after school, known for their gorgeous views of the NYC skyline. Columbus Park, located slightly more inland, is also a great option and has two fantastic playgrounds. Play frisbee, bring the dog, or just sit and people watch.

Music Classes

Learning an instrument takes a lot of practice and many kids tend to lose focus with classical instruments like piano and violin. Luckily, many teachers in Hoboken offer instruments that will be more familiar and exciting to most kids like drum lessons at The Drum Den. Another local shop that also offers rock n’ roll instrument lessons is Guitar Bar, but classical instrument options are also available, as well as banjo and voice lessons.

Visiting a Museum

Going to a museum may not be the first thing on your mind after picking up the kids from school but The Hoboken Historical Museum is actually a great after school option. It’s open until 7pm Tuesday to Thursday, it’s free for all children, and it has great educational programs for kids of all ages. The Hoboken Fire Department Museum is also a part of the historical museum. Especially exciting for little ones, kids have the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat and ring the bell of a 1930s fire truck.

Art Classes

Urban Arts offers an extremely diverse range of art classes for all ages, including mixed media and illustration, giving kids a chance to develop their creativity as well as hone technical skills. Classes include discussions of art theory and history as well as end-of-sess

ion exhibitions of student works. (Image from Urban Arts)

Tessa International School in Hoboken has a range language immersion classes as well as other enrichment skills and activities, all conveniently in the after school hours. Contact Us for more information.

Great Summer Activities for Kids in Hoboken

August 21, 2017/in Hoboken /by ruben

Summer is a lovely time in Hoboken. With temperatures ranging from the 60s to 90s, there are ways to explore the outdoors without sweating up a storm. In and around Hoboken, you will find classic summer activities such as water parks, outdoor movies and even the beach that will create memories to last a lifetime.

Here are a few ideas to entertain your kids, and yourself, during the summer in Hoboken.

Enjoy Some Ice Cream

There’s nothing like a nice cold ice cream cone on a hot summer day. Ice cream in the summertime is as much an American tradition as apple pie and baseball. Watch your kids’ faces light up once they see the wide assortment of ice cream flavors, and a jaw dropping selection of toppings. Taking the kids out for ice cream is a great way to lower body temperature and, for better or worse, get some sugar rush energy. Torico Ice Cream in neighboring Jersey City is a long-standing classic Jersey shop with an amazing array of flavors.

Go to the Beach

The Shore may get a bad wrap sometimes, but Jersey beaches are actually loads of fun and a memory every child growing up in New Jersey will treasure. During the summertime, hitting the beach at Newport Green is a fantastic way to get some vitamin D from the sun and enjoy the breathtaking city landscape. You can even Kayak against the beautiful cityscape at a beach right in town at Hoboken Cove Boathouse.

Visit the Hoboken Historical Museum

Going to the Hoboken Historical Museum is a great way to teach kids (and yourself) some of the rich history associated with Hoboken. A museum trip is a fun and educational way to dodge the hot summer sun.

Watch a Movie Outside

When the temperature starts to drop to a brisk 60, an outdoor movie could be the perfect activity for the whole family. Bring some blankets and snacks and enjoy a free outdoor movie screening on Pier A on Wednesdays in June, July, and August, starting at sundown. If the movie doesn’t catch your attention, the backdrop of the city illuminated at night surely will.

Go to a Farmer’s Market

What’s a better way to inspire some healthy eating habits than taking your kids to a fresh farmer’s market full of delicious and nutritious fruits and veggies? The Hoboken Farmer’s Market is open on Thursdays from 2 PM to 7 PM at Uptown, and Tuesdays from 2 PM to 7 PM Downtown. This is a great way to balance out your ice cream adventure!

Go to a Playground/Water Playground

Hoboken has some great parks with outdoor games and classic park activities. Church Square park and Elysian park are two great parks in Hoboken filled with different types of playgrounds for kids of varying ages. Meet up with some friends and enjoy the lovely New Jersey summertime weather while your kids burn off energy and make new friends, or simply enjoy the pleasant view of watching your children have fun.

These activities will help your kids form great childhood memories of their summers in Hoboken.

10 Great Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Hoboken

July 14, 2017/in Hoboken /by ruben

There is no shortage of great restaurants in Hoboken, and many have children’s menus, but it’s hard to find a restaurant that will welcome kids with open arms. Fortunately, there are some Hoboken establishments that make it their business to help families with small children feel welcome, and don’t compromise on flavor and atmosphere either.

1. Johnny Pepperoni

Sitting down with the whole family at a local pizzeria is a crucial part of growing up in New Jersey for any kid and you can look forward to a casual laid-back experience at Johnny Pepperoni, where adults and children alike need not concern themselves with using an “inside voice”. Their kids menu is simple and cheap: spaghetti & meatballs, pasta with butter, and chicken fingers & fries. Plus, it’s BYOB, so adult meals can be cheap too!

2. Elysian Cafe

It can be a challenge to find a classy and trendy restaurant in Hoboken that will accommodate and welcome little ones, so Elysian Cafe, with its famous kids-eat-free night every Tuesday, is a real find. A charming American/French bistro, patrons rave about the brunch Bloody Marys and cute decor. Equipped with an outdoor patio, it’s also a great nice weather option.

3. Bareburger

If only it were as easy to get kids to eat veggies as it is to get them to eat cheeseburgers! At least at Bareburger, all the meat is completely organic and free-range so you don’t need to worry about hormones and antibiotics. Tall booths and crayons help to keep kids contained and occupied in this casual milkshake, burger, and “mini-burger” spot.

4. Turning Point

A very popular spot for kids and families, this high-quality breakfast and brunch only diner has a pleasant atmosphere and an extensive kids menu, including a s’mores waffle, pita pizza, volcano french toast, and an egg roll-up. Its close proximity to the pier makes it an ideal stop to pair with a river-side stroll.

5. Malibu Diner

24/7 diners in New Jersey have always had a reputation for being family hang-outs and for hosting big groups, but Malibu Diner stands out for it’s cleanliness, quality food, and super friendly staff. True to diner form, it has a very extensive menu, and even has some unique options for the kids including a mini “Turkey Dinner”.

6. Leo’s Grandevous

With a casual family-friendly atmosphere, Leo’s offers a substantial Italian menu, so the kids can pig out on pizza while you have some more diverse options. Opened in 1939, the restaurant has a classic old-school vibe and pays homage to Frank Sinatra at every possible opportunity. The staff has an accommodating and calm attitude towards families with lots of energetic children. They will happily serve half-portions of any of the plates.

7. Zack’s Oak Bar & Restaurant

One of the best casual dining experiences you’ll have in Hoboken, Zack’s is one of those rare restaurants that’ll serve you a martini and a gourmet crab cake, but won’t shun your squirming children. It’s far more of an adult-centric restaurant than some of the others on this list and has no explicit kids menu, but parents praise its welcoming and accommodating attitude towards families with small children.

8. Schnackenberg’s Luncheonette

If you want a fun indulgent little excursion for you and your kids, look no further than this adorable old-timey soda fountain. Serving homemade donuts, chocolates, and egg-creams, as well as breakfast and lunch, it’s not only a great place for your kids, but it may bring out the kid in you. The menu includes such treats as a cherry coke float, eggs benedict, and the “Eggstzel”, which is “scrambled eggs baked inside a pretzel”.

9. Pilsner Haus & Biergarten

It may seem out of character for a biergarten, but adults with kids at this establishment far outnumber those without. Perhaps because of its already bustling noisy high-energy atmosphere, this Czechoslovakian beer and sausage establishment has become a haven for young social parents, so why not join the party? And if you don’t believe me, check the reviews online, where adults without children confess to feeling “left out”.

10. Hudson Tavern

No matter how understanding a restaurant’s staff is, when your kid acts up during a nice dinner, it can feel embarrassing. Luckily, at Hudson Tavern, there is a separate rowdy bar room for families with kids, and a quieter more formal room for date night. This American pub also offers a kids menu with an entire healthy section including sides of steamed vegetables. This restaurant is also great for family events and private parties.