Let me introduce you to the glitter-dusted, paint-splattered state of New Jersey, a land brimming with colors so vibrant, it makes even the rainbow look like a black and white rerun! The Garden State, as it's fondly called, is a canvas to countless kids who love to dive headfirst into the flamboyant world of Arts & Crafts. Meet our imaginary character, Doodle McDazzle, a funny, googly-eyed, paintbrush-wielding critter, who hops around the city, leaving a trail of creativity wherever he goes. Doodle lives in the bustling heart of New Jersey, in a house made of Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, and a roof of felt paper. In the morning, he brushes his teeth with glitter toothpaste, uses a comb made of colored pencils, and eats a breakfast of crayon croissants! The children of New Jersey are just as creative as Doodle McDazzle. Armed with tubes of glue, paint pots, and a limitless imagination, they are little wizards, transforming everyday objects into magnificent art. They can turn a simple rock into a cuddly pet, a toilet paper roll into a super telescope, or even a shoebox into a spectacular spaceship! The spirit of New Jersey thrives in these young artists, their hands as busy as honey bees, their minds buzzing with creative energy. They paint the town, quite literally, with their imagination, their laughter echoing in the air. For they believe, as Doodle McDazzle often says, "Art and Crafts isn’t just about making things, it's about making things FUN!" And that's the colorful, crafty, and wonderfully wacky world of Art & Crafts in New Jersey!
Read morebest art-crafts programs in Closter, NJ


What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.


Our summer camp exists exclusively for the young child 18 months to 9 years of age. Our aim is to nurture and develop each child’s greatest potential during a stimulating and fun filled summer! We have created a relaxed environment where campers feel comfortable and confident. Our small group size and excellent camper to counselor ratio assure the fostering of each camper’s social, emotional and physical needs. After a summer at Palisades Country Day Camp, campers feel a sense of accomplishment, importance and independence which in turn builds strong self-esteem!


In 1961 the mayor and council- concerned that unwise development might erode the future quality of life in the borough- established a committee to study the prospects for a nature center. A public association was incorporated in 1962, to which 80 acres of land was leased from the Borough. Since that time more land has been added, some with the assistance of State and local Green Acres programs. A building for meetings and classes was erected in 1967. In 1985, The Nature Center lease was amended to place additional acres under Nature Center management and to extend the lease for 50 years.


Drive down the Lindgren drive and you know you’ve entered into a very special place. Set in our woodland oasis, Lindgren camp is a haven, unlike any summer camp in the local area. The beautiful outdoor grounds and pavilions create a true outdoor camp experience,“a bit of country right here in Closter.” Lindgren teachers, local elementary teachers and artisans bring their talents to each department offered at the camp. Children have the freedom to choose how to spend their time in an atmosphere free of pressure. Campers can choose painting or playing games, making mud pies or real pies, learning about birds or learning to swim. From an extensive arts and crafts program, to sports and swim lessons, the farm animals and gardens, and the adjacent Closter Nature Center, it’s a country atmosphere that engages and inspires campers—and lets children be children.

Our summer camp exists exclusively for the young child 18 months to 9 years of age. Our aim is to nurture and develop each child’s greatest potential during a stimulating and fun filled summer! We have created a relaxed environment where campers feel comfortable and confident. Our small group size and excellent camper to counselor ratio assure the fostering of each camper’s social, emotional and physical needs. After a summer at Palisades Country Day Camp, campers feel a sense of accomplishment, importance and independence which in turn builds strong self-esteem!


Whole Child Education. At Evergreen Kids Academy, it’s our belief that a child learns best when every aspect of a child’s development – cognitive, physical, social and emotional – is nurtured. Our Whole Child approach – based on the approach developed by Maria Montessori – concentrates on skills that include early literacy, logical thinking, problem solving,social understanding, physical coordination, creativity and positive character traits, such as cooperation and self-control. It is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological development. By adhering to this philosophy to help nurture all of these areas of your child’s development, our goal is to create good citizens with a strong intellectual curiosity. At Evergreen Kids Academy, we believe education should be about more than memorization and repetition. We offer a completely different approach, with a unique, open environment that emphasizes your child’s natural interests and allows your child to set his or her own development pace. The practical application of sensory-based and self-directed learning for children is the most important thread that runs through our Toddler and Primary programs. Language, mathematics, spatial learning, self-discovery, music and art – they’re all incorporated into our approach. Every Evergreen Kids Academy teacher will work with your child to individually encourage her to explore the areas that excite and engage her. As children master an exercise, we guide them to the next appropriate challenge. Students will be treated as equals, and respected as individuals with their own unique thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and talents.

The Closter Public Library is a cultural, recreational, and educational center for the community.