We may be stuck in a winter stride where it’s easier to hunker down than go out, but with lots of free family fun waiting for you, there’s plenty to entice you to get out of the house. Sing along to Disney favorites at the Disney Children’s Concert and Instrument Petting Zoo in Bridgewater, watch the classic lion dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration in Denville and play boardwalk games at the Summer in Winter Carnival in Stafford Township. So, bundle up mamas and go—there are so many reasons not to stay in.
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
featured image via Downtown Denville
Here are 11 FREE events around New Jersey this February:
Saturdays Are for Kids: Magic Show by Anthony Salazar
Saturday, February 1, 10AM – 1:30PM
Cold outside? Grab your entire crew and head to the mall, where your littles will be excited to see award-winning magician, Anthony Salazar. His shows are a carefully blended combination of comedy, magic, and audience participation that will keep you and the kids at the edge of their seats. In between sets, sneak in a little shopping (it is sale season, after all) and hit the food court for treats to munch on during the show.
4 appearances on the hour, last show at 1 PM
Westfield Garden State Plaza
1 Garden State Plaza Boulevard, Paramus, NJ
Milltown Mel Groundhogs Day Celebration
Sunday, February 2, 7AM
If your kids are early risers and you’re anxious to see when spring will be here, stop by Milltown this Groundhog Day to see resident groundhog Milltown Mel give his prediction. Start gathering outside the stage around 6:45 am and join Mel’s Wranglers with buttons, noisemakers, and more. Mel will reveal whether he sees his shadow shortly after, and then you can all go inside for free coffee and donuts.
American Legion Joyce Kilmer Post
4 J F Kennedy Dr
Milltown, NJ
Disney Children’s Concert & Instrument Petting Zoo
Sunday, February 2, 2PM – 3PM
Disney+ may be streaming 24/7 at your house but hearing those classic songs in person takes it to a whole other level. At this one-hour concert, the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band will feature music from some of the best Disney movies of the modern era—”Star Wars”, “Frozen”, “The Lion King”, “Moana”, “Coco” and many others that you can hum along to. After the concert, stop by the unique “Instrument Petting Zoo”, where you’ll get a chance to chat with the musicians and see and hear the instruments up close.
Bridgewater-Raritan High School
600 Garretson Rd
Bridgewater, NJ
Ocean Grove’s Hunt for the Hearts Event
Saturday, February 8, 10AM – 4PM
Who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? Join in on the fun at this historic town’s scavenger hunt and earn lots of sweet treats. Start your adventure at the Ocean Grove Chamber Office where your fam can pick up the game sheet and search for hidden hearts at businesses all around town. Each time you uncover a heart, you get something sweet and have a chance to win cool prizes. Happy hunting!
Main Avenue
Ocean Grove, NJ
Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar
Saturday, February 8, 12PM – 6PM
Make Saturday one for your sweets by checking out this curated market of Valentine’s Day treats and gifts. As you peruse local vendors selling gifts ranging from handcrafted jewelry, art, home goods and chocolates for your Valentine’s Day sweetheart, kids can stop by the photo booth for a cute vintage-inspired strip photo. After, relax in the cozy Oyster Bar fireplace lounge for a hot toddy and oysters. And don’t miss making your own gorgeous bouquet of blooms at the Faye + Renee Flower Bar.
Asbury Park Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ
Lunar New Year Celebration & Pet Parade
Sunday, February 9, 1PM – 3:30PM
Bring the kids and their furry siblings to celebrate “The Year of the Rat” in style, all while supporting a great cause, the Denville Animal Shelter and Eleventh Hour Rescue. Kick-off the festivities by watching the traditional lion dancers, and then plan to get lost in the inflatable corn maze, watch ice sculpting, snap selfies in the photo booth and join in the pet parade. Be sure to get a red envelope (it’s filled with discounts and giveaways redeemable at local stores) and stop by the Hunan Taste for a delicious New Year’s feast.
Downtown Denville, NJ
HAM it Up!
Sunday, February 9, 1PM – 4PM
Looking to get creative for family fun? Spend the afternoon at the Hunterdon Art Museum to make art projects together that will explore art from around the world: You can paint a still life, create character drawings and take part in a nature project using felt, among other crafts. Beyond the hands-on projects, kids will have a ball getting their face painted and a caricature drawing too. Also, check out the Flavorganics samplings of syrups and flavorings.
Hunterdon Art Museum
7 Lower Center St
Clinton, NJ
Chinese New Year Celebration
Sunday, February 9, 2PM – 4PM
Spend the afternoon at the New Brunswick Free Public Library to ring in the Year of the Rat with a lively and festive celebration that celebrates all things Chinese culture. There’s plenty of fun for all ages: Check out the time-honored crafts featuring calligraphy, Chinese painting, papercrafts and performances of folk dancing and Kung Fu. And did we mention they’ll be traditional Chinese dishes to try too?
New Brunswick Free Public Library
60 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick
Sugar Maple Celebration
Saturday, February 15, 10AM – 3PM
Valentine’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop indulging in the sweet stuff— especially our favorite pancake topping. Learn about the entire maple sugaring process at this celebration that includes tastings too (YUM). When you arrive, you can take a nature hike that focuses on wildlife and hear about tree identification, best forestry practices, and climate change as it relates to the Sugar Maple and our native forests. And be sure to watch the live demonstrations and experience the flavor of pure NJ delicious syrup.
Duke Farms
1112 Dukes Pkwy W
Hillsborough, NJ
Summer in Winter Carnival
Sunday, February 16, 12PM – 4PM
Summer may be months away, but you can still have summer fun inside. Bring the entire fam to this carnival that features boardwalk favorites like Skee Ball and Milk Can toss, as well as kid-friendly food like chicken fingers, french fries, popcorn and chocolate chip cookies. Littles will have a ton of fun getting their face painted, watching a magic show and dancing to a DJ.
The Mainland Kitchen + Pub
151 New Jersey 72
Stafford Township, NJ
Wondrous Winter Walk – Hartshorne Woods
Wednesday, February 26, 10AM – 11:30AM
Winter is a time of serenity in the forest, and also a great reason to bundle up the littles and get on your winter gear. At this guided walk, you’ll go through the trail with a guide, who will point out how the forest survives during the season. Meet the park naturalist in Rocky Point parking area, and make sure to wear sturdy shoes—the trails may have inclines or tree roots to step over.
Hartshorne Woods Park
300 Navesink Ave
Middletown, NJ
