Family Planner: Grab and Go

Glad you clicked on our new Grab & Go Kids Planner!

We've assembled a weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children.

Each week, we'll give you the info on the five best family activities or events for the week.

You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.

Look for the kids’ planner each Monday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips — just add them to the comment box. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you!

OCEAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM 

• Where/When: 26 Hadley Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753, (732) 341-1800. Exhibits, weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum tours, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Why Go: See a Victorian house, built in 1870 and furnished in the style of the era. Children will especially love the schoolroom of yesteryear and the child's room full of toys of the era. The home also features a kitchen with old-time utensils, a Victorian dining room, parlor, music room and garden. Exhibits include “A Reverence for Woodworking in Ocean County,” featuring tools and examples of decoy carving, wooden boat building and other wood works traditional to the county, and “Bridal Attire 1872-1957.”
• Pricing: Exhibits, free. Museum tours, $3.

BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE STATE PARK 

• Where/When: 208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006. (609) 494-2016) The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The lighthouse is open weekends only from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Call ahead or check njparksandforests.org as times will change with the seasons.
• Why Go:
• Pricing: No charge in the off-season. $1 fee per person to enter the lighthouse. Children under 12 are free but must be accompanied by an adult.

INSECTROPOLIS - THE BUGSEUM OF NJ 

• Where/When:  1761 Route 9, Toms River, NJ 08755, 732-349-7090.  Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Open same hours on Mondays in July and August
• Why Go:  Whether you are a bug enthusiast or just a curious visitor, Insectropolis has over a dozen exhibit areas that are sure to educate and entertain.
• Pricing:  • Admission is $7 per visitor.  Children 2 and under are free.  Groups of 15 or more pay $5 per visitor.

JENKINSON'S AQUARIUM 

• Where/When:  300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742.  Monday - Friday:  9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Saturday - Sunday:  10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Why Go:  There are many exhibits to get you close to animals from around the world.  There's even a touch tank that allows visitors to touch live sea creatures!
• Pricing:  Adult - $10;  Senior - $6;  Child (3-12) - $6;  Child (0-2) - FREE.

BERKELEY BRANCH,  OCEAN COUNTY LIBRARY 

• Where/When: 30 Station Road, Bayville, NJ 08721. (732) 269-2144. March 28, 4 p.m.. LEGO club for kids.
• Why Go: A chance for children ages 6-10 to display their creativity. You bring your imagination, the library staff will provide the LEGOs.
• Pricing: Free, but registration is required by phone or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org.