Enjoy the Laurita Winterfest in New Egypt, Discover the Dinosaurs in Secaucus, Lunar New Year Spring Celebration and many more family-friendly events this weekend in New Jersey.
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. Lambertville New Hope Winter Festival
January 21- 29, 2017 | Various times and locations
This winter festival takes place in the charming towns of Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA and is perfect for families. This year marks the 20th annual winter celebration! Free events include Family Events, Gallery Crawl, Ice Sculptures, Snowfolk Art, Soup-A-Thon, Hikes and Tours, Fisherman’s Mark Food Drive, Library Read-A-Thon, and more. Ticketed events include the Fire & Ice Ball, Blues & BBQ, Winter Fest Hawaiian Luau, Historical Pub Crawl, Taste of Winterfest, Beef ‘n’ Brew, Concerts, Chili Cook-Off, Karaoke Night, and much more.
Various locations.
For a full schedule of events, click here.
Cost: Varies
2. Discover the Dinosaurs: Unleashed
January 21 – 22, 2017 | 9:00AM – 8:00PM
Calling all dinosaur lovers! This touring attraction is in New Jersey this weekend, and invites children and parents to get up close and personal with the most exciting dinosaurs imaginable. Climb up and take real rides on dinosaurs, jump on themed inflatables, meet a meat-eating t-rex, go on a fossil dig, get your face painted, go on a scavenger hunt, fossil panning, partake in cretaceous crafts, race around the dino raceway, get creative with fossil etching, test your skills in mini golf, and much more!
Meadowlands Exposition Center
355 Plaza Dr Secaucus, NJ 07094
Costs: $28 Children, $24 Adults
3. Laurita Winterfest (cancelled)
January 21 – 22, 2017 | Saturday 11:00AM – 8:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM – 7:00PM
This celebrated family winter wonderland event is back and better than ever! Families from across the state will be in attendance for this huge event, featuring ice sculptures, classic winter activities, and a variety of themed food and beverages. Admission includes Kids Activities (huge playground, ice luge, mini-snowmobile), Food Trucks, Souvenir Laurita Wine Glass, Parking, Shuttle Service, and more.
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ
Cost: Adults $8, Kids ages 4 – 17 $5
4. Lunar New Year Spring Celebration
January 22, 2017 | 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Shake off the winter blues and help welcome the Lunar New Year by following our lion through the woods! Be prepared to make some noise as we welcome spring with games, trivia, crafts and stories.
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
324 Forest Dr S, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Cost: $8
5. Winter Wine Weekend
January 21 – 22, 2017 | 12:00PM – 5:00PM
Hundreds of wine lovers will be in attendance at this weekend of winter wine festivities. Wine tasting is available for only $5, including 8 tastings and a souvenir glass to take home. Nibble on special platters only available this weekend, and warm up by the bon fire.
Bellview Winery
150 Atlantic St., Landisville, NJ 08362
Cost: Free Admission
6. Family Winter Mystery Hunt
January 21, 2017 | 11:00AM – 12:00PM
Getting outdoors in the winter can be refreshing and can lift our spirits. Families or
groups will follow the numbered clues on the trails to find a surprise box. Inclement weather will
change the date to Saturday, January 28. Dress warmly. Advance registration is required; call
(973) 228-8776.
Essex County Environmental Center
621 Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, NJ 07069
Cost: $10 Adults, $8 Children
7. James and the Giant Peach
January 20 – 22, 2017 | Friday 7:00PM, Saturday 1:00PM & 7:00PM, Sunday 2:00PM
Hoboken Children’s Theater Junior Company is proud to present James and the Giant Peach, a musical for the whole family. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach… and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Enjoy this classic tale that every generation can enjoy, during a family-friendly theater-going experience in Hoboken.
Hoboken Children’s Theater
55 Sterling Ave, Weehawken, NJ 07086
Cost: $15
8. Maple Sugaring at The Great Swamp
January 21, 2017 | 1:00PM & 2:30PM
The trees are tapped and the firewood is chopped – it’s maple sugaring season at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham Township. Immerse yourself in the maple sugaring process from start to finish. Identify and tap maple trees, collect the flowing sap, and witness syrup making over a wood-fired evaporator. Best of all, taste-test the finished product organically made at the Great Swamp.
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
247 Southern Blvd, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
Cost: $3 for ages 3 and up
9. Historic Tours of Smithville Village
January 21, 2017 | 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Take a stroll through history. Learn why life here in Smithville in the 19th century was so different from the rest of the world. Tours start at 1 PM at the Visitor Center.
Historic Smithville Park & Smith’s Woods
803 Smithville Road, Mt Holly, NJ 08060
Cost: Free
10. Breakfast with a Dragon
January 21 – 22, 2017 | 8:30AM – 10:00AM
Slither into some morning fun! Learn about our Komodo dragon at the Zoo from theReptile Keeper and enjoy a unique behind the scenes peek of theReptile House. Tickets include breakfast, activities, and admission to the zoo for the day. A portion of this event goes to animal conservation initiatives. Recommended for families with children ages 5 and up.
Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfields Avenue, West Orange, NJ
Cost: $20 Zoo Members, $30 Non-Members
11. Morven’s Festival of Trees
January 21 – 22, 2017 | 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Morven’s Festival of Trees has become a beloved tradition in Princeton during the holiday season. Brighten up your winter weekend with a visit to Morven Garden & Museum to see the treetops glisten in the museum’s elegant galleries, hallways and porches artfully decorated for the holidays by local businesses, garden clubs, and non-profit organizations.
Morven Garden & Museum
55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ 08540
Cost: $10, Children 6 and under are free.
12. Geocaching at Plainsboro Preserve
January 22, 2017 | 2:00PM – 3:30PM
Geocaching is the latest form of treasure hunting, using modern technology to find hidden caches. Learn what it is all about, and how to use your smart phone or GPS in new ways. A short geocache trail at the Plainsboro Preserve will take it out of the classroom and into the field to test your skills. Pre-registration is required at least a day in advance by calling 609-427-3052.
Plainsboro Preserve
80 Scotts Corner Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Cost: $5 per person NJA members; $7 per person non-members
13. Frozen Spa for Kids
January 22, 2017 | 3:00PM – 4:15PM
Celebrate winter this weekend with a Sparkling Ice Spa and Princess Makeover featuring the Ice Queen and Snow Princess. Makeover and pampering includes Ice Mini-Pedi, Ice Mini-Mani, Light-up Ice Ring, Sparkling Makeover, Ice Rock candy, Princess updo with Tiara, Snowflake Charm necklace, and Snowflake Glitter tattoo. RSVP to to gotzumba@yahoo.com with child’s name and event in the note section.
D. Fitness Studio
760 Mantoloking Rd, Brick Township, NJ 08724
Cost: $25
Outside of New Jersey:
14. Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
January 20 – 22, 2017 | Friday & Saturday 11:00AM – 1:00AM, Sunday 11:00AM – 11:00PM
Take the ride across the Delaware River to experience the 23rd year of this beloved family festival in Philadelphia’s Old City at Penn’s Landing. Step into the beautifully decorated riverfront winter wonderland featuring an ice skating rink, outdoor seating with fire pits, cozy warm cabins, the Franklin Fountain Confectionary Cabin, the Kids Lodge with arcade games, and a chalet-inspired Lodge with food and beverages from Garces and Chickie’s and Pete’s.
The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
101 Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Cost: Free General Admission, Skating is $3
15. Inventgenuity Festival
January 21 – 22, 2017 | 9:00AM – 5:00PM
This two-day annual Inventgenuity Festival will feature hands-on learning, technology-integrated crafts, and a site specific, community built, collaborative project. Also, the first ever Beam Team Brooklyn project will be on display for all to see. This event is free to attend, but registration is recommended.
Beam Center
317 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Cost: Free
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 30 FREE NJ Events in January
- Top 15 Things To Do in NJ This January
- 10 Indoor Activities To Do in January
- 10 Outdoor Activities To Do in January
- 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.
