Jersey Family Fun 2013 Gift Guide Gift them experiences!
Happy Shopping! Black Friday is coming! Stores are opening on Thanksgiving! And you’re wondering just how many toys does a kid really need. We all love toys, but this year we want you to think about gift giving in a new way. Instead of just giving toys, gift experiences this year! Take a look inside for ideas. As always thank you to our team for helping us put this together and our advertisers for their support as well. Our advertisers have some great gift ideas this year that are sure to put a smile on any child’s face! Happy Holidays, Jennifer Auer Jersey Family Fun (Chief Mom) Find us on the web at http://www.JerseyFamilyfun.com Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Google+
In this Guide Gift an Experience Reasons Memberships & Season Passes Make Great Gifts How Do You Wrap an Experience? Send them Around the World Why Magazines & Comics Are Great for Kids Our Favorite Magazines for Kids
Top 8 Reasons to Gift an Experience this Year 1.
No standing in lines out in the cold for these kinds of gifts. Memberships, subscriptions, and tickets can be bought online.
2.
Shipping is easy when you send tickets or subscriptions. Most vendors can ship them directly to the gift recipient or you can mail it in an envelope for the cost of a stamp.
3.
You don't have to worry that the one you what is going to sell out. Memberships and subscription programs don't tend to sell out.
4.
Gifts like these don’t require batteries.
5.
No assembly required. You won’t need screwdrivers or to read directions when you gift an experience.
6.
One size fits all. You don’t need to know the right size. Tickets, magazines, season passes are a good fit everyone.
7.
No difficult gift wrapping. In the pages ahead, we share unique ideas for wrapping tickets, gift cards, and memberships.
8.
It's the gift that keeps on giving. Each time you child uses it or gets another package they will be thrilled all over again.
Family & Friends Safari Overnights at the Academy! Ever wonder what goes on after dark at the Academy of Natural Sciences? Find out at one of our TWO Safari Overnights, designed just for you and your family!
Saturday, February 1, 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, 6:30 p.m. $40 members | $45 nonmembers Safari Overnights are appropriate for children ages 7–14. One adult is required to attend for every three children. A snack and breakfast are provided. Each child will receive his or her own Safari Overnight patch for participation.
Space is limited and Safari Overnights are popular, so book early! Call 215-299-1060 for reservations. A deposit of $10 per person is due upon registration.
ansp.org
SPECIAL FEROCIOUS OVERNIGHT: DINOSAURS! Join us for a Dino-rific overnight on Saturday, February 1.
This one-of-a-kind overnight will feature a complete evening of everything dinosaur, plus access to our special Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit at a special rate of $3 extra per person.
Get ready for a roaring fun overnight!
Top Twelve Reasons Memberships & Season Passes Make Great Gifts 1.
Memberships can be enjoyed all year long! Pay once and return as much as you want all year long.
2.
Memberships and season passes usually pay for themselves in 2 visits, making them a great value if you would like to visit often during the year.
3.
Members save more with discounts in dining areas, gift shops, and on special events.
4.
Get behind-the-scenes access to your favorite location with member only events and hours.
5.
No long lines to get in the door. Most locations have member-only entrances or gates.
6.
Be the first to know what’s going on with newsletters and emails.
7.
Reduce the stress of having to see it all. Knowing you can come back to visit again and again for no additional costs reduces the pressure to have to see it all in one visit.
8.
Changing exhibits and new events means there will always be something new to enjoy.
9.
Visiting museums, aquariums, and zoos is a great way to spend quality time with your children.
10.
Interactive exhibits and activities help children learn better by connecting what they learn in the classroom with realworld experiences.
11.
Experiences like this also help children develop an early appreciation for art, history, and culture.
12.
At some locations members can enjoy discounted admission to similar locations across the country. Thank you to Jessica Lopa for contributing to this article.
IT’S TIME TO DO MORE HOCKEY! The AHL Albany Devils skate back to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall for four thrilling games and we have a special Supergroup ticket discount for you!
Save $5 off tickets now. CLICK HERE and enter password HOCKEY to get your discount.
ALBANY DEVILS VS. HERSHEY BEARS - SUN, JAN. 12 AND FRI, FEB. 14 ALBANY DEVILS VS. WILKES BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS SAT, MAR. 1 AND SUN, MAR. 23
Don’t be left out in the cold. DO AC and do pro hockey! For more information about Atlantic City, click here!
Send Them Around the World Without Leaving Home Little Passports is a monthly subscription program that takes your child around the world or the United States with monthly activity kits sent directly to them. Your child never has to leave his/her home. With Sam and Sofia’s help each month your child gets a virtual adventure across the world or across the United States, you decide.
Your first Little Passport month kit and monthly kits include items like
Introductory letters from Sam & Sophia, young tour guides (world subscription comes with travel suitcase.) Letters from Sam & Sophia about the destination of the month Maps (United States or World) & Field Guides Disposable camera Stickers Post cards Activity sheets Souvenirs Access to online activities & games
What do we love about Little Passports?
My boys love getting mail that’s addressed to them. Every day they check the mailbox wondering if today’s the day their next Little Passports package will arrive. I love activities that make clean up easy. Each month, when Sam and Sofia send a new set of souvenirs from their travels my kids will store it in the suitcase Sam and Sofia sent them the first month. Little Passports is making learning fun and easy. Each month Sam and Sofia’s letter explains their current adventure and unique facts about that area. They always include a sticker so we can mark their travels on our map. The souvenirs are something all my boys get excited about. While my oldest reads to my youngest, they share the stickers and souvenirs. The boarding pass unlocks additional educational activities online.
With our Little Passports Egypt Set
What else do you need to know about Little Passports?
In the world edition, Sam and Sofia travel to a new country every month. (3-Month Plan $13.95/month (One-time payment of $41.85)) In the USA edition, Same and Sofia travel to 2 new states every month (3-Month Plan $13.95/month (One-time payment of $41.85)) To purchase a Little Passport subscription for your child or a loved one, click the ad on this page. Learn more about Little Passports from our reviews. o Blog Posts o Little Passports pictures in our Facebook Gallery. o Little Passport videos on our YouTube Channel
Links on this page are affiliate links. We appreciate your purchases using these links that allow Jersey Family Fun to earn a small commission.
How Do You Wrap an Experience? Have we convinced you to buy something different this year? If so, you’re next question might be how do you wrap such a gift. We’ve got a couple unique ideas.
Wrap a zoo membership in the arms of a stuffed animal or include it with kid binoculars.
Include a membership to a museum with a journal to record their experiences.
Attach tickets to the big game to a game ball or tuck them into a game hat.
Place tickets to the theatre in an autograph book so you're ready for autographs.
Put season passes to the water park in a new beach bag.
Tuck a restaurant gift card in between the pages of the restaurant's menu.
Tie news of a new magazine subscription to a new set of book ends or magazine racks.
Share the news of a Little Passport subscription with a personalized scrapbook with photo pockets to keep Sam & Sofia's souvenirs safe.
Taking them on an overnight or vacation? Pack the tickets into their suitcase or backpack and place that under the tree. With any of these gifts you can wrap the tickets or membership card in one of these exciting ways. o
Box in a box in a box ~ Place your tickets or membership in a small box. Place the small box in a medium box. Put that in a larger box. Use as many boxes as you like. Wrap each box before the next one or just wrap the final box.
o
Hang it from the tree. Will they notice?
o
Have your Elf on the Shelf leave it as a parting gift or leave it on the plate where you left Santa his cookies.
o
Treasure hunt ~ Leave clues around the house and see if they can find it.
Sun. Dec. 29 • 2pm
Get tickets at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, at Ticketmaster outlets, or at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office.
Why Magazines & Comics Are Great for Kids Kids love mail. It doesn’t matter the age. My boys rush to the mailbox every day wondering if one of their magazines has arrived (National Geographic, High Five, or Highlights) or their latest Little Passports subscription. If your kids love mail too consider adding some magazines and comic books to your gift list.
Magazines & comics make reading fun. When children enjoy reading they are more likely to do it. I have often heard it doesn’t so much matter what they are reading as long as kids keep reading. As my children get older their daily homework involves reading. The shortness and language of magazine articles make them easier for a child to manage and stay focused on. Reading builds vocabulary. When a child reads they get introduced to new vocabulary and reinforce their current vocabulary. There are magazines for every age and every interest. On the following pages we give you some recommendations for preschoolers, school-age kids, tweens & teens, and comics for all ages. Many kid magazines come with activities like crafts, recipes, or games to keep the fun going beyond the pages of the magazine. Some magazines even come with collectible cards or stickers. Magazines give kids ways to connect to the world. They take current events and global news and put it in wording kids can understand. Magazines are something kids can come back to again and again. They are a gift that keeps giving. Whether it’s when the next issue arrives or they pick up a past issue again and again, they are going to enjoy the experiences of reading that magazines year round. Comics and magazines travel well. Taking a road trip? Give the batteries and electronics a break and pass the time reading. Magazines and comics are also some of the easiest gifts to order. You know the publisher is never going to run out. You can also order a subscription by phone, mail, or online.
Our Favorite Magazines for Preschoolers Links on this page are affiliate links. We appreciate your purchases using these links that allow Jersey Family Fun to earn a small commission.
Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and all of the other Muppets in the new Sesame Street magazine. Each issue is full of stories, activities, games, science fun, a workbook, collectible poster, plus much more! For ages 3-6. Subscription ~ 6 issues ~ Your Price: $28.97 Use Coupon Code SESAME - Save $10 off the NEW magazine - SESAME STREET which premiers with the Dec 2013 issue (coupon expires 12/10/13)
National Geographic Kids first magazine for 3- to 6-year-olds and their parents. Packed with teaching tools to help parents inspire a love of learning in their children, NG Little Kids, brings animals, nature, science, and just plain fun to the littlest learners. Subscription ~ 6 issues ~ Cover Price: $59.99 Your Price: $27.95 You Save: 53%
Highlights High Five helps you encourage your child’s development and gives you an ideal opportunity for one-on-one fun together. Each monthly issue brings 40 pages of read-along stories and poems, simple crafts and recipes, learning games, puzzles for beginners and other activities that can set your child on the path to becoming a life-long learner. Every page reinforces skills that prepare children for reading, math and other areas of learning. High Five also offers positive role models and constructive activities that help build character and self confidence. Ages 2 to 6. Subscription ~ 12 issues ~ Cover Price: $47.40 Your Price: $34.75 You Save: 26%
Disney Junior Magazine is an educational magazine for kids two to seven years old. It encourages fun and learning through stories, games, and activities featuring their favorite characters from Disney Junior Channel. These include Mickey Mouse, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso, Jungle Junction, and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Subscription ~ 6 issues ~ Cover Price: $59.00 Your Price: $28.97 You Save: 50%
Save 10% off any magazine subscription purchase of $75.00 or more
Great Magazines for School Age Kids Each issue of Disney's Princess is full of magical stories, a collectible poster, a Princess project, and a pull-out workbook full of fun activities for children ages 4 and up.
Subscription 6 issues ~ Cover Price: $39.92 Your Price: $27.97 You Save: 29%
Highlights magazine delivers puzzles, science projects, jokes and riddles that challenge young minds, and also includes regular features like Hidden Pictures, The Timbertoes, and Goofus and Gallant. Highlights magazine is recommended for kids ages 6 to 12. Subscription 12 issues ~ Cover Price: $59.40 Your Price: $39.95 You Save: 32%
National Geographic Kids is an award winning magazine that combines learning with fun. Exciting articles on wildlife, earth, sea, and sky; plus challenging puzzles, games, and scientific experiments, for kids 8 & up! Subscription 10 issues ~ Cover Price: $49.90 Your Price: $24.00 You Save: 51%
Owl challenges kids 9-13 with articles on science, technology & the natural world. Subscription 10 issues ~ Cover Price: $35.00 Your Price: $24.50 You Save: 30% Links on this page are affiliate links. We appreciate your purchases using these links that allow Jersey Family Fun to earn a small commission.
Magazines for Tweens & Teens Created especially for girls age 8 and up, American Girl is an appealing, ageappropriate alternative to teen magazines. Features advice, crafts, contests, puzzles, games, giggles, and more! - Renewals available. Subscription 6 issues ~ Cover Price: $30.70 Your Price: $19.25 You Save: 37%
Creative Kids includes ideas and activities to entertain, challenge, and stimulate creativity in children ages 8-14. Includes examples of student work, and art, photography, music, games, puzzles, contests, and stories. Subscription 4 issues ~ Your Price: $19.75 Odyssey Magazine is a physical and space science magazine written in language that kids between the ages of 10 and 15 can understand and enjoy. Subscription 9 issues ~ Cover Price: $44.55 Your Price: $33.95 You Save: 23%
Junior Baseball magazine is America's oldest baseball magazine for kids 6-18. Junior Baseball magazine gets kids reading with game advice, entertainment, tips from MLB stars, profiles of teams, games, contests & more! Junior Baseball is endorsed by dozens of organizations like the MLB Hall of Fame. Subscription 6 issues ~ Cover Price: $29.94 Your Price: $14.95 You Save: 50%
Popstar! Magazine is a positive teen-gossip entertainment magazine famous for finding start FIRST, for having the best photography and for our scoops on stars like Taylor Lautner, Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, & more! Subscription 12 issues ~ Cover Price: $47.88 Your Price: $13.95 You Save: 70% Links on this page are affiliate links. We appreciate your purchases using these links that allow Jersey Family Fun to earn a small commission.
Comics Kids Will Love Magazine Values has comics for all interests in ages. Click the links for more information about the titles. Save your favorite teen or kid from visiting the comic book store with a subscription to one of these titles. Links on this page are affiliate links. We appreciate your purchases using these links that allow Jersey Family Fun to earn a small commission.
Avenger Series Comics ~ Magazine Values has 10 titles. Marvel Series Comics ~ Magazine Values has over 4 titles. Superhero Comics ~ Magazine Values has you covered with comics for these superheroes too. Batgirl Captain Marvel Fantastic Four Green Lantern Hulk Superman
Batman Catwoman Flash Hawkeye Iron Man XMen
Captain America Daredevil Green Arrow He-Man & Masters of the Universe Spiderman
More Comics for All Ages Looney Tunes Join Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and all the other Looney Tunes as they go for the gold in wackiness! Subscription 6 issues ~ Cover Price: $35.88 Your Price: $10.50 You Save: 70% Scooby Doo Hop aboard the Mystery Machine with Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Fred and Daphne and travel along as they uncover the truth behind haunted houses, ghosts and goblins and all sorts of other mysteries! 32 pages. Subscription 12 issues ~ Cover Price: $35.88 Your Price: $15.50 You Save: 56%
Save 10% off any magazine subscription purchase of $75.00 or more
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