It’s the first 3-day weekend of 2026, and we’re honoring Dr. Martin Luther King with lots of kid-friendly things to do for fun that support good causes. Stand by and cheer on the brave ocean goers diving in to support Special Olympics at the Polar Bear Plunge in Wildwood, check out the whimsical ice carvings and sip on hot cocoa at the Pier Village Ice Carving Contest in Long Branch, or help restore a nature preserve at the Day of Service in Nature in Princeton. And for more family-friendly fun, find one of the free things to do near you. (featured photo: @piervillagelongbranch)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Winter Wonderland Skating
January 16-18
Grab your ice skates and head to this brand-new outdoor skating rink. This winter wonderland includes ice skating, igloo rentals, and fire pits to warm up to with the whole family.
Cost: $20 per adult and $15 per kid, additional fees for skate rentals, igloo rentals, and fire pit rentals
Middletown Sports Complex, 214 Harmony Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
WinterFest Ice Skating
January 16-18
Is there anything better than lacing up some skates and hitting the ice with the family? Bundle up for the cold winter weather and spend the day enjoying gliding across the ice.
Cost: Skate rentals and rink admission prices vary
Copper River Park, Cuthbert Boulevard and Park Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Edible Engineering
January 17 at 12 PM
Bring your thinking caps and your creative side for a fun-filled afternoon of engineering. You will have the chance to build, design, and compete at this STEM Edible Engineering Challenge. Kids will work in groups to build a bridge from spaghetti and marshmallows.
Cost: $15 + tax per person
Table and Banter Market, 300 Connell Drive, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
2026 Polar Bear Plunge at Wildwood
January 17 at 10 AM
Support the Special Olympics New Jersey at this fun event. This event is more than just a cold dip into the ocean—it’s a way to bond as a family, all for a fantastic cause.
Cost: $25 per person
Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Wildwood Comic Con
January 17 at 10 AM
Kicking off the Comic Con season, this event features comic books, guest appearances, vendors, artists, and so much more.
Cost: $10; children 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood, NJ 08260
LADACIN Plunge 2026
January 17 at 10:30 AM
Get ready to jump into the freezing ocean—all for a good cause. Bring the entire family and take a dip to support this organization that supports people with disabilities. Then, head to Leggett’s Sand Bar and Restaurant for the after-party, which includes prizes, food, and drinks for the adults. Pre-registration is encouraged.
Cost: $25 per person
Leggett’s Sand Bar and Restaurant, 217 First Avenue, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Pier Village Ice Carving Competition
January 17 at 12 PM
Celebrate winter at this fun and exciting ice-carving contest. Then, head to the shopping, a delicious meal, fire pits, and hot cocoa. Rain date is January 18.
Cost: Free
Pier Village, 110 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Bernardsville Farmers Market
January 18 at 10 AM
At this annual outdoor Winter Market, vendors sell homemade bakery goods, soup, nuts, coffee, and produce. Many of these items are also sold at the popular summer one.
Route 202 and Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924
Swan Lake at Union County Performing Arts Center
January 18 at 3 PM
Step into the world of Swan Lake that the whole family can enjoy. The performance is a timeless masterpiece that tells the story of love, betrayal, and redemption through the beauty of ballet.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving St, Rahway, NJ 07065
Winter Clean-Up: MLK Day of Service
January 18 at 9 AM
This day of service is an excellent opportunity to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by picking up litter and removing invasive shrubs and plants in the woods. They will provide work gloves, hand warmers, and tools. Make sure you dress for the weather and pack a snack and a drink.
Cost: Free
250 MacArthur Boulevard, Haddon Township, NJ 08033
Winter Market by Grow It Green Morristown
January 18 at 9:30 AM
This Sunday morning market is a partnership with Grow It Green Morristown. Each week, you’ll find a revolving list of local vendors who offer a great assortment of cheeses, produce, prepared foods, and baked goods.
Convent Train Station, Convent Road, Morris Township, NJ 07960
Sap to Syrup at Tenafly Nature Center
January 18 at 11:30 AM and 1 PM
Interested in learning more about how maple syrup is made from tapping trees? Head to this fun event for the whole family, where you will head outdoors to identify tree species, learn how sap flows, and practice using tapping tools.
Cost: Children 2 and under are free
Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670
MLK Unity Run
January 18 at 8 AM
Bundle up and get moving in memory and to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr, at this 5k event. After the run, there will be complimentary coffee and tea at the Sankofa Cafe. Bring personal care donations for a toiletries collection at Nishuane Park between 8 AM and 9 AM.
Cost: Free
151 Harrison Place, Montclair, NJ 07042
Volunteer Center of Burlington County’s 20th Annual MLK Day Challenge
January 19 at 10 AM
Burlington County residents can join hundreds of thousands of Americans nationwide in remembering and memorializing Dr. King by participating in activities such as collecting food for the Oaks Integrated Food Pantry, collecting animal supplies for the Burlington County Animal Shelter, and more.
Cost: Free
Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ 08036
A Day of Service In Nature
January 19 at 10 AM or 1 PM
Friends of Princeton Open Space, a nonprofit dedicated to land preservation, is hosting a Day of Service in Nature in honor of Dr. King at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton. Have the whole family join (a parent must accompany kids under 16) to help restore native habitat for birds and other wildlife and make space for future native plantings.
Cost: Free; complete a waiver form
Mountain Lake House Parking lot: 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540. Then, walk as a group to the project site.
MLK Day Poster-Making Workshop and Food Drive
January 19 at 1 PM
Join the Arts Council of Princeton as they celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, with a free poster-making workshop. The workshop is open to all ages, and they will provide the materials to create a poster highlighting civil justice. Please bring a non-perishable food item that will be made available in the Free Pantry.
Cost: Free
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Stockton University MLK Day of Service
January 19 at 9 AM
This event brings together over 500 students and community members to honor the legacy of Dr. King with a day of service. It encompasses 15 projects on- and off-campus in Galloway, Hammonton, Atlantic City, and Woodbine. Activities include clean-ups, food donations, card making, assembling crafts for nursing homes and hospitals, and more.
Cost: Free
Various locations in Atlantic County
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