Spend this weekend with your kids experiencing fun and interactive events throughout New Jersey. Celebrate all things winter at Laurita Winterfest, help fight Lupus at the Youngsters Plunge-The Plunge to Freeze Out Lupus in Asbury Park, or commemorate Presidents’ Day at The Historic Village at Allaire’s George Washington’s Birthday Celebration or State Theatre New Jersey’s Presidents’ Day – Family Day Festival.

Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.

Here are our top picks for family events in NJ this weekend:

1. Laurita Winterfest
February 18-19, 2017 | Saturday 11:00AM – 8:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM – 7:00PM
After being rescheduled due to weather, the ultimate day of fun at Laurita Winterfest is finally here! The weekend will be jam packed with ice sculptures, mini snowmobiles, and some of New Jersey’s finest food trucks. There will also be fun winter activities such the “Please touch” snowman dress-up tent, ice sculpting demonstrations, and an outdoor playground for the little ones. This is definitely an event your family would not want to miss, so make sure you stop by for one of the days, especially for Sunday Fireworks!
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Cost: $5 Children, $8 Adult

2. George Washington’s Birthday Celebration
February 19, 2017 | 11:00AM – 3:00PM
Many of us know George Washington from the $1.00 bill, but did you know he was also once referred to as the “Father of America”? In case you wanted to learn more about one of America’s founding fathers, bring the whole family to The Historic Village at Allaire’s, for George Washington’s Birthday Celebration! To commemorate one of America’s greatest heroes, there will be an array of cannon fire, fireworks, and plenty of fanfare to take part in. Villagers will be attending a special program in the Chapel at 12pm as well. An important part also to note, since The Historic Village at Allaire is a non profit living history museum, it receives no funding from the State of New Jersey. This means the Historic Village relies on donations, admissions, and purchases made at the General Store and Bakery to continue all the good work they do. So come and take part in the great historical teaching of life in New Jersey in 1836, and get to know the roots of our beloved state!
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Cost: Free

3. Seussical
February 17-March 3, 2017 | Times vary by day
SLTC’s stage plays host to one of the most performed Musicals in America, the fantastic Seussical story! This premiere musical is a story of triumph when Dr. Seuss’ favorite characters collide and dance around in this unforgettable musical display. Kids will learn life lessons from from Horton the Elephant and his many friends! This production will charm your young ones, make their hearts smile, and show them how bright the world can be! They will also be able to sing along their favorite popular songs such as: Alone in the Universe, Oh the Thinks You Can Think! and Amayzing Mayzie.Spring Lake Theatre Company
300 Madison Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Cost: $22 Children, $30 Adult

4. Hippo Awareness Weekend
February 18-20, 2017 | 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Back by popular request, Adventure Aquarium is hosting their 3rd annual Hippo Awareness Weekend. Who wouldn’t want to raise awareness about Hippos while taking selfies in the Hippo Kissing Booth (don’t forget to use #HippoLove and #njmom with all your pictures), and play a ton of hippo themed games such as: Hungry Hungry Hippos and Watering Hole. Along with the many games, join the AAQ biologists for hippo feedings, underwater workout training, and enrichment sessions for crowds of all ages. Your kids can also adopt Button and Genny, and receive a special adoption certificate along with a hippo plush! Lastly, all donations will help save hippos in the wild and benefit the Turgwe Hippo Trust. Make sure you come by this event and spread all the #HippoLove !
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
Cost: $21 Children, $28 Adult

5. Choo Choo Soul
February 18, 2017 | 11:00AM & 3PM
Genevieve from Disney Junior’s Choo-Choo Soul show is looking for passengers to come all aboard this exciting event, and it’s making a stop in Toms River! Genevieve will be accompanied by DC, her breakdancing and beat boxing railroad engineer! Together they will sing soulful renditions of the ABC’s, 1-2-3’s, and some of your favorite Disney songs.
The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
Cost: $18 – $25

6. Dad (Or Mom) & Me Galactic Paint Party
February 19, 2017 | 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Is your child as calm and cool as a Jedi, are they one with the force like Princess Leia, or are they rulers of a Galactic Empire like Darth Vader? If so join us at the ultimate Galactic Paint Party in a Galaxy far far away! The artists at Dragonfly Farms will help you and your little ones pick your paint colors, guide everyone through the painting process, and finish off by adding glitter to their lightsabers. Remember, if Mom is a Star Wars fan or if Dad can’t make it, Mom can join in on the party as well! This is the perfect event for your little padawans to share in all the star wars love, and train them to be a Jedi Painting Master!
Dragonfly Farms
966 Kuser Road, Trenton, NJ 08619
Cost: $20 Dad & Child, $5 Additional Child

7. MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition
February 18 – September 4, 2017 | Times vary by day
Have your kids ever wondered if they can really huff, puff, and blow a down down? How about answering whether toast always land butter-side down? Do you think they can pull a tablecloth off of a fully set table without disturbing a dish? Well at the MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition, these myths will be put to the test to see if they are true or BUSTED! The exhibition includes sets from the TV show, hands on displays, plenty of gadgets, a gallery, live demonstrations, and interactive acts. Make sure your family stops by the exhibition to fully explore their curious minds.
Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Cost: $17.75 Children, $21.75 Adult

8. The Great Backyard Bird Count
February 18, 2017 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Make your way to Plainsboro Preserve to experience one of their most popular annual events! The Great Backyard Bird Count features plenty of child friendly activities such as box nest building for spring, learning about fun new facts about birds, and attempting to count the number of birds at the feeding station! It will be a day filled with feathered fun that your family won’t want to miss.
Plainsboro Preserve
80 Scotts Corner Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Cost: FREE

9. Club Cool Kids
February 17, 2017 | 6:00PM – 9:00PM
Club Cool Kids is open to Children from K-8 grade that enables your kids to enjoy a nice night out crafting, learning about STEM awareness, and bonding over dinner about everything they learned.
All Things Are Possible Foundation
630 Beverly Rancocas Road, Willingboro, NJ 08046
Cost: $20, Please contact info@atapfoundation.org to register

10. An Introduction to Beekeeping and Great Backyard Bird Count
February 18, 2017 | 10:00AM – 4:30PM
The perfect Introductory Beekeeping expose at the EARTH Center will start at 10am. This display will have kids being taught the basics of building a hive, how beekeepers have an impact on the environment’s honeybee population, and on the kinds of plants to use as pollen sources. Following this workshop, will be the “Great Backyard Bird Count”, where children will receive count sheets to keep track of all the birds they see! Please dress appropriately for outdoor hiking and please bring your own binoculars as well as field guides. All forms of curiosity and love for exploration are welcome, as you can also roam the park at your own leisure!
EARTH Center of Middlesex County
42 Riva Avenue, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Cost: Free

11. Presidents Day Weekend
February 17, 2017 | 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Visit Deptford Skating Center for a day filled with fun! Admission includes roller skating, access to Funzone, the bounce house, a slice of pizza, and a small drink.
Deptford Skating Center
510 Deptford Avenue, Westville, NJ 08093
Cost: $9 Children, $4.99 Adult, Skate rental is not included

12. Music At The Museum – From The Far East
February 19, 2017 | 1:30PM – 3:00PM
Head to Rutgers in New Brunswick to expand your childrens’ horizons with art and live music! The Music at the Museum event will start your family at the splendid Russian Art Exhibit before heading to the Guerilla Girls display, which uses humor and math to represent female activism. Lastly, you can explore the exhibit entirely dedicated to French printmaking! As if if there was not enough art and music to go around, this weekend’s concert features classical works for piano, violin, and cello, that was inspired by Asian musical traditions. The third year of this jazzy event also features key performances from Young Eun Lee on cello, Chang Ho Lim on violin, and Cong Ji on piano, and faculty of the Mason Gross School of the Arts Extension Division. Concert goers of all ages are encouraged to come and have their musical and artistic pallets truly satisfied!
The Zimmerli Museum
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Cost: Free

13. Pinkalicious The Musical
February 19, 2017 | 2:00PM-4:00PM
Based on the popular children’s book Pinkalicious, the stage musical was written by the original authors Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann with music and lyrics by John Gregor. Pinkalicious and can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe—a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. Show tickets include free pink cupcakes for all children!
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Cost: $20-$26

14. The Little Mermaid
February 18, 2017 | 2:00PM
The classic tale of The Little Mermaid will be brought to life in South Orange Performing Arts Center’s production of the world famous story. The Little Mermaid follows the dreams of a young mermaid who believes there is a better life for her outside of the ocean. Of course, there would not be a beautiful fairytale without a handsome prince, an evil baddie, and a bucket of laughs along the way. With breathtaking scenery, eye popping costumes, original songs plus up to date chart songs, not forgetting loads of audience participation, this show makes for a thoroughly joyous family day out.
SOPAC South Orange Performing Arts Center
1 Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ 07079
Cost: $18

15. Youngsters Plunge-The Plunge to Freeze Out Lupus
February 18, 2017 | Check-In & Late Registration 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Plunge 1:00PM
Please come join the crowd favorite, Plunge to Freeze out Lupus event! This annual event brings together friends, families, and co-workers of those affected by lupus to bring awareness and raise money for Lupus research. Be sure to come by to see if you can handle the plunge into the frigid ocean!
Asbury Park Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Cost: Must raise $50 to take the plunge

Bonus!

Presidents’ Day – Family Day
February 20, 2017 | 10:00AM – 3:00PM
There is no better way to spend Presidents’ day with the whole family than attending State Theatre New Jersey’s annual Family Day Festival! This event is back and better than ever featuring: live performances, interactive activities and workshops, and picture taking with your favorite costumed characters. There will also be face painting, games, ice sculpting demonstration, and a photo booth to remember the day. If that isn’t enough for your family, you can visit downtown New Brunswick to have some more fun!
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Cost: Free

MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:

• 30 FREE NJ Events in February
• 10 Outdoor Activities To Do in February
• Best Ski Resorts for NJ Families
• Must Know Winter Classes in NJ
• Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
• Aquariums in NJ
• 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
• 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
• Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
• Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
• 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
• 50 Best Spas in NJ
• 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
• Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
• Kids Eat Free Restaurants
• Kids Bowl Free in NJ

Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.