The Museum Pass Program

Burlington County Library
Location: 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ 08060 

Website: http://www.bcls.lib.nj.us/

Bathrooms: Yes

Parking: Yes 

Eating: Bookseller's Cafe with tables

Program Cost: FREE with Library Card

Around the area: Burlington County Library Amphitheater 

UPDATED 6/14/2015
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Summer is back! Time to take advantage of   your local library's Museum Pass program which will give library card holders admission to area museums for FREE!

This past winter break my family and I had the chance to try out this program at our county library and we. are. hooked!! We received a museum pass to the Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill. This pass allowed FREE admission for up to six people over 4 DAYS!! This particular pass also allowed a 15% discount at their Discovermore Toy Store.  Admission to the museum is $10.95 for adults and children over 12 months. For a family of six to visit the museum for one day, it would cost $65.70. For that family to visit the same museum over a span of 4 days, it would cost $262.80!! What a great savings!

 

I had been calling the library every morning and an hour prior to closing  for three days, so when the library finally said the pass was available you should have heard the loud cheers coming from my mouth the kids' mouths! I swear I heard the ringing of bells and a choir of angels singing "Hallelujah!" The Discovery Museum pass is quite popular and hard to come by so we felt quite fortunate to be able to use it to its fullest over our break from school. Our next big break is in April (and of course the summer) and you can bet that I will be checking out the other museum passes available from our library:

Updated list of the museum passes available with your Burlington County Library Card. Check the library website for the branches that carry the passes:  (6/14/2015)

• Garden State Discovery Museum 
• Brandywine River Museum 
• National Liberty Museum,  
• Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
• Morris Arboretum  Click here for a Review!
• Grounds for Sculpture 
• Battleship NJ 
• Roebling Museum   
• Academy of Natural Sciences 
• PA Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology 
• Air Victory Museum
• Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge 
•  Alice Paul Institute at Paulsdale 
• NEW! Paws Farm Nature Center 
• NEW! Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center 

Passes for Museums in New York City:

• Museum of Modern Art 
• Guggenheim Museum 
• NEW!! Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum

 So how do you get your hands on the passes? Here are all the details and tips for the Burlington County Library System. 

1. You must be a card holder of the Burlington County Library System and be in good standing. So pay your overdue fees!
2. Passes are picked up and returned at the library in which you borrowed them. It must be handed to a staff member directly and not put into the book drop.
3. You can call the library to see if they have the passes available and reserve it for up to ONE hour.
4. You can check out a pass for each museum only ONCE in 6 months. For example, I checked out  the Discovery Museum pass in December. I will not be able to check out that pass again until June. In the meantime I can check out any of the other remaining museums.
5. You can check out the pass for 4 days. (Tip: Check the museums for their special events and try to check out the pass for that event)
6. They will charge you $5 if you are late returning the pass or damage and/or lose the case. If you lose the pass you pay for the cost of pass (essentially they are memberships and they are costly, so don't lose the pass!!). 

Here are other area libraries with similar programs. Click on the links for more information.  

• Mercer County Library
• Princeton Library
• Philadelphia Free Library
• Wilmington Public Library and North Wilmington Branch carry Delaware Children's Museum passes.
• Somerset County Library
• Mt. Laurel Library

"Check out" your museum passes today!

The Living Nativity

Location: Fellowship Baptist Church

1520 Hainesport Rd., Mt. Laurel, NJ

Website: http://www.livingnativity.org/

Bathrooms: Yes

Parking: Yes and FREE

Eating: Cookies, Hot Chocolate and Water...FREE

Attraction: 13 walk through scenes depicting the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus with cast members and live animals

Around the area: Johnson's Farm: Visit with Santa and Reindeer and Christmas Light Show Hayride

Cost: FREE

Dates: December  6,7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21

Hours: 5pm to 8pm

For the last couple of years, I had seen the signs go up around Thanksgiving advertising "The Living Nativity" and started to hear buzz from several people that the elaborate production put on by volunteers of a church was worth a visit.  It wasn't until last year that my family and I finally ventured to see what all the fuss was about......and were amazed by what we found.

I wasn't really sure what to expect.  I thought it was going to be a walk through of scenes just showing the birth of Jesus. I thought we could go through at our own pace and be finished in about a half hour or so.  Boy, was I totally unprepared for what we found!

When you first arrive, you wait in a line to receive a letter of the alphabet. After receiving your letter, you are taken to a holding area for a short time.  Your next stop is to wait in the Church to listen to songs, and watch a short movie of the Creation story and a dramatic rendition of the story of Adam and Eve.  When that short show is over, everyone waits patiently for their letters to be flashed up on the wall of the Church.   

When your letter is displayed, you exit the Church area into the lobby where you are again wait in a  holding area until your guide for your group comes to lead you outside. That entire series of waiting took us nearly an hour! It didn't feel like an hour because you are constantly moving from one place to another, but still the wait can be long for little ones. Tip: Bring snacks for the kids while they are waiting.

Finally,you are lead by your guide outside with your group to 13 live action scenes. The scenes are kept in the dark until your group is settled and like magic the lights and recordings turn on and the actors and animals come alive!

I think one of our family's favorite scene is when the angels appear to the shepherds.  It is quite dramatic! And yes, all the animals are real!  This year, one of the sheep was quite hungry and stole the show by reaching up and over to eat the foliage from the trees!  Another favorite is entering the detailed scene of the bustling town of Bethlehem, complete with vendors, Roman soldiers, and cast members moving among your group, completely in character.  It really is something to see.  Below are some additional photos of our favorites. Walking through all the scenes took about 45 minutes and it is completely outdoors, so dress appropriately!

 
Following the  "The Living Nativity" your group is lead back indoors to enjoy hot chocolate, water, and cookies.  Information and fellow members of the Church are there to assist you and answer any questions you may have.  We always find the members to be very friendly, informative, and happy to assist! The entire show, including stopping for cookies, took my family nearly two hours, so set aside enough time.

It is amazing how many volunteers are involved in this production. The crowd control organization is amazing and very reminiscent of Disney! The costumes and set design are beautifully arranged and the technology of some of the scenes will leave you asking, "How did they do that?" In addition, the folks at the Fellowship Baptist Church are prepared, organized, and just darn happy to provide this show for the enormous number of people who come to see....for the amazing price of FREE! Their smiles become quite infectious.

The "Living Nativity" has become a family tradition in our house  It is a great way to keep things in perspective among all the craziness of the holiday and to remember the reason for the season!

Tips:

• Arrive early! Even arriving at 4:30 be prepared to wait in a line to get into the Church. 
• Expect to be there at least two hours
• It is wheelchair and stroller accessible
• You may want to eat an early dinner, especially for those with little ones or bring snacks
• DRESS appropriately for the cold weather!
• Bring a flashlight. It was dark with light coming from lanterns and dimly lit path, my little guy was a little afraid because he could see me.  The flashlight app on my phone came in handy!
  

Happy Holidays!

Fore the Planet! Indoor Minature Golf

Location: Linvilla Orchards

Website: http://www.linvilla.com/

Bathrooms: Yes

Eating area: Yes (indoor and out) and food for purchase at Linvilla Grill

Parking: Yes and free

Attractions: 300-acre farm, Christmas tree maze ($5), playground ($1), animals for feeding, hayrides in fall, pick your own fruit

Hours: Open Everyday until March 17

Sunday through Thursday 9am to 5pm

Friday and Saturday 9am to 8pm

 Price: $6.95 (ages 11 & over)
$4.95 (ages 10 & under)

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A recent birthday party brought us to Linvilla Orchards and its latest special event, "Fore the Planet" indoor miniature golf. I was really excited to get the opportunity to visit the 300 acre farm after hearing great things about it. We made the trip on a Saturday morning leaving our home at around 10am and arriving at 10:30.  I understand that it is usually a 45 minute to an hour drive, so I guess that is not typical.  There was no traffic on 95....I swear it was not my heavy foot!!

Early February is probably not the best time to take advantage of the farm, due to the dark, damp, chilly, and unpredictable weather, but on this particular day it was not too cold, so we were able to enjoy all the farm's attractions. Our first stop was to head indoors to the indoor market and play some miniature golf. It was bright, colorful and inviting. This my kids first time playing, so I didn't know what to expect. My oldest had no problems getting right in there and was speeding right along.  My youngest got a little frustrated on some of the harder holes, but overall they both proclaimed that they wanted to play golf again.  We even went home and set up a golf course in the house. So this definitely left a mark on the kiddos.  

However, I think the educational message of "Save the Planet" was lost on just one round of the golf. The kids were so excited and overwhelmed that the meaning went right over their head. It would have been nice to go a second round, slow down and read the information that went with each hole. 

After golfing, we explored the Christmas tree maze.  That was quite an experience! A little frighting for me as my daughter kept running ahead. But we all made it out alive.

Next, we went to the playground area to feed the turkeys, chickens, and peacocks and play on the large playground.  This area also has a maze.  Donation to the playground is $1 and you place it in a bucket as part of the honor system.

We finally left the farm at around 2pm, so weather permitting, you could spend quite a while exploring the farm and you will get a lot for the money. My kids also fell asleep in the car on the way home, so I would say this day was hole in one!

Click for a larger image

Tips:

• I would not suggest getting off Exit 6 from 95.  It dropped us off in a seedy area that had me locking my doors. Okay, I admit, I am a suburban mom, but I am not used to seeing drug transactions occur right before my eyes.  Next time,  I will go a little further on 95 and get off at the 452 exit. Hopefully that exit will not have me gripping my wheel and locking my doors.
• Bring your own food and drinks to save money! Have a picnic at the farm.
• Save more money by skipping the Christmas tree maze and have fun with the maze at the playground that comes with your dollar donation
• Play golf on a nice day, even though it is indoors, so that you can take advantage of the playground, maze and animal feedings, especially if you are driving an hour to get  to the farm. You will get more for your money and could make a day of it.

Have a "ball" a Linvilla Orchards!

Morris Arboretum

Click on the pictures for a larger view

Location: 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Phialdelphia PA

Website: http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/index.shtml

Bathrooms: Yes, some with changing tables

Eating area: Yes, Compton Cafe on site, and vending machines, 

Attractions: 92 acres of lush gardens and sculptures, Out on a limb tree canopy walk, miniature village and Garden Railway, various historical buildings, and refreshing fountains

Around the Area: Quaint town of Chesnut Hill and Wissahickon Valley Park (Forbidden Drive)

Fee: Kids under 3: Free, Kids 3-17: $7.00, Adults: $16.00

 Or get FREE passes for the whole family with your Library Card with their Museum Pass Program

The kids and I took advantage of this gorgeous summer day to check out the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.  We scored FREE passes for 2 adults and 4 children for FOUR days by checking out the passes through our local library's Museum Pass program.  That is a savings of $184 for our family!! I LOVE the Museum Pass!  

                

We were most excited to explore the "Out on a Limb" exhibit and to climb 50 feet above the ground into the trees! The kids had a great time pretending to be birds sitting on the eggs, and  jumping on the rope netting and seeing how far they were from the forest floor! The kids also had a great time putting the huge megaphones on their ears to listen to the sounds of the forest! 

Our next stop was to see the miniature Garden railway exhibit. This seasonal exhibit features renditions of storybook and historic buildings made of natural materials set in the garden complete with naturally made tunnels and overhead trestles.  The kids had a blast following all the trains and watching them appear over their heads,  moving under trees, and crossing over small waterways.  Of course...there is a Thomas train for fans! 

Our next favorite stop was the Log Cabin.  This exhibit provides some much needed cool shade, a refreshing dip in the stream and a splash of water from a old fashioned water pump! Parents will find some much needed R&R on the chairs while the kids tidy up the cabin, play school, build with Lincoln logs, or splash around and explore the stream! The kids LOVED this historic building.

Throughout the arboretum you will discover various species of trees and flowers, interesting works of art and sculpture, cool insects, and refreshing fountains and streams! 

Tips:

• Check the weather before planning your trip.  It's all outdoors!
• Check the event calendar for lots of fun activities!
• Wear comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking!
• Strollers and wheelchairs are fine! Most of the walkways are paved.
• Visit the Visitors Center and get your "passport".  The kids get them stamped at various exhibits. The passport also has great educational information and activities related to the exhibits. Also, pick up some Family Fun cards for extension activities!
• If you kids are anything like mine, you might need to dress them in bathing suit trunks!  Or at the very least bring a change of clothes and maybe some towels...in case someone gets wet!
• Wear sunscreen!
• Two words....insect repellent!
• Pack snacks and lunches and eat at the dining behind behind the Visitors Center. There is a cafe on site and drinking and snack vending areas scattered throughout the arboretum if you are in a pinch.
• Before or after your trip, head down to the quaint town of Chestnut Hill! The kids can eat and play at the Little Treehouse Cafe, and enjoy ice Cream from Brendenbecks! Bruno's is another great spot for food (right on the corner of Germantown Ave.and Northwestern Ave.) with easy access to  Wissahickon Valley Trail (Forbidden Drive). 

Have fun exploring The Morris Arboretum!

Imagination Kingdom Playground

Location: 500 Pemberton-Browns Mills Road, Pemberton, NJ

Bathrooms: Yes

Eating area: YES (covered pavilion, and picnic tables)

Attractions: castle themed playground, baseball fields, 

Wheelchair Accessible Playground: Yes

Fee: FREE

Click on the pictures for a large image

The kids and I ventured out on one of the nicer, less humid summer days to Imagination Kingdom Playground and park located in Pemberton, NJ.  I can't believe this was our first time playing at this hidden gem! What an amazing playground for kids of all ages and abilities! The castle theme park is a favorite among my kids and from the expressions of oohs and ahhhs from the other youngsters, the theme had caught their attention too! 

So where do you begin? Every prince and princess should cross the bridge over the "blue waters" into the inner courtyard where their imaginations may lead them to climb a rock,scale the castle walls, or tackle the giant web thingy!! Whatever the kids decide to do, they will be busy for hours!

Whoever designed this playground understands kids and thought of everything. The large wheelchair accessible ramp and wide bridges allow for children of all abilities to be part of the fun and there is much to see at so many various heights!

There are sooo many places to climb and explore! But don't worry, the ground is covered by some sort of recycled material that is soft underfoot. It's gentle enough for little boys who don't like to wear shoes!

 You will  also find some really interesting equipment here that you may not have seen at other parks. We loved the musical section complete with bongo drums, and "Ring a bell" that you could actually ring with the musical notes provided instead of having to find a stick! The tire swing suspended from a giant catapult was cool, and the giant family sized see saw horse was great for young and older kids!

There is even a wonderful "tot" area that will challenge your little ones and keep them engaged! I loved the ABC and animal climb! 

This is a definite "destination playground"! This site is perfect for playdates, mom groups, birthday parties or for just a few hours of fun!  The whole playground was clean and well kept including the bathrooms that had a changing table! The  large covered pavilion is a great spot to seek shelter from the elements or  for lunch and snacks.  Bring a bat and ball or play some soccer in the fields just a few feet away. Most of the playground is in the sun...but there were some benches and tables in some cool shaded areas too. 

  My kiddos gave this playground two thumbs up and we think this "kingdom" is perfect for the little princes and princesses in your life! Check it out today!

 

Let your imaginations run wild!

Just My 2 Cents: The Best Events (Week of Sept. 5th)

So much to do this week! (Monday Sept. 5th to 9th ) ! Here are just a FEW of my favorites. Make sure to check the Family Penny Pincher calendar for event details and for additional events happening this week! 


Monday, Sept. 5th
Happy Labor Day!

Labor Day Celebration: Franklin Square (Philadelphia) 12pm to 3pm. FREE. All-American fun for kids and families with traditional lawn games.  Prizes include tickets to Philly Mini Golf, the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, and more! 

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Tuesday, Sept. 6th

• Kids eat Free: The Pop Shop (Collingswood, NJ) FREE. through Thurs. Sept. 8th. Back to school time is exhausting -- forms to fill out, new schedules, homework! Who has time to cook? Give yourself a break, bring the kids to The Pop Shop and their entree is free. For kids 12 and under ordering off the Squirt menu. Does not include beverage or dessert.
•  Espresso Yourself: The Treehouse Coffe Shop (Audubon, NJ) 10am to 11am. $5 sugggested donation. 10am to 11am. That's right, kids ages 5 & under are instructed in self expression through music. It is highly interactive and educational. Not to mention . . . parents get a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy a hot beverage for once. Teaching the wee ones is Sara O'Brien of Studio Luloo.
• Kids Klub: Voorhees Town Center (Voorhees, NJ) 10am. FREE. VOORHEES TOWN CENTER IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE A BRAND NEW KIDS' KLUB…A PLACE WHERE IMAGINATIONS RUN WILD! Join us the first Tuesday of every month in Macy's Court at 11am for awesome adventures and play-a-long fun! Plus, members of the Kids' Klub receive discounts at participating merchants every Tuesday!
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Wednesday, Sept. 7th

WOW! Wee Ones at Winterthur. Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library (Wilmington, DE) 10:30am to 11:15am. 5 per nonmember child with 1 free adult. This early childhood series intended for children ages 3-5 incorporates active learning through music, movement, and the exploration of objects in a warm and welcoming setting. This month's theme is Those Shoes, by Maribeth Boelts. Everybody in this story wants a special pair of shoes.  This story will help us think a little about both shoes and sharing.

• A First Look at Monarchs. Norristown Farm Park (Norristown, PA) 1pm to 2pm. $4 per child.  Get a close up look at the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly.  We'll search for eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult butterflies in our abundant field of milkweed.  Learn about the fantastic migration of Monarchs.  Hear a story and make a butterfly craft. Ages 3 and up.  $4 per child. Pre-Registration required. Meet at the picnic pavilions.
• 
  Target First Wednesday at Please Touch Museum (Philadelphia) 5pm to 7pm. $2 admission. $2 admission from 5-7 p.m. today! Come play the night away at Target First Wednesdays! Check out more info at a Family Penny Pincher Post.

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Thursday, Sept. 8th

• Dora Playdate by Children-More. Jellybean Jungle (Marlton, NJ) 5pm to 7pm. $ 7.00 per child, adults are free. We will offer games, Spanish music and free playtime! Activities for ages 7 and older at the sitting area and Gym playtime for younger ones! Come and enjoy prizes, fun and a great way to start the school year and end of the summer. Click here for a special coupon exclusive to Family Penny Pincher fans for $1.00 off this event!


• Music Training Center Playdate. Marlton Crossing Shopping Center. (Marlon, NJ) 10am. $10 per child/adults free. Discover the best play facilities in South Jersey.  The second stop on our tour is an exclusive event for SuburbanMomma & Mom2MomNJ fans & members on 9/8 at Music Training Center, a state of the art music facility at the Marlton Crossing Shopping Center. You and your child(ren) will have the opportunity to participate in a full Makin Music class, limited to just 20 participants. Your kids will learn fun, catchy songs and get to bang away on instruments as they sing and play along.


• Just Mom and Me Playdate. Macy's Court at Moorestown Mall. 11am. FREE. Come and welcome the Fall Season with songs, poems, and reading!  Kids and Parents will enjoy kicking off the season with creating apple stamps and leaf prints. Just Mom & Me Play date, entertainment and crafts provided by the Garden State Discovery Museum. Special giveaways and treats for everyone! This month Sahra Sam's joins us for the fun!
  

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 Friday, Sept. 9th

• • Secret Cinema Prison Movies. Eastern State Penitentary (Philadelphia). Doors open at 7pm. $10. ADULTS. Secret Cinema, a Philadelphia rare movie screening project that shows old films on 16mm film on a giant screen, is returning to Eastern State Penitentiary for the 12th time with two prison-related films. The films will be shown directly outside Al Capone’s cell. First up is Millionaires in Prison, a 1940 comedy/drama featuring Lee Tracy, Linda Hayes, Morgan Conway, Raymond Walburn and Truman Bradley. Next is Types of Inmates from the 1960s, a very rarely-screened grim training film whose opening titles declare its viewing is restricted to prison professionals.  Don’t miss this unique event! 
  
  Movie Night in the Park. Wood Park (Cinnaminson, NJ). 7:30pm. FREE. Come out to the park for a free showing of "Toy Story 3".


• Family Movie Night. Dominique Johnson Recreation Center. (Pemberton, NJ). 8:00pm. FREE. Showing "Rango"Free Admission, Free Popcorn and Free gift for children in attendance!

Have a great week!