Winter has hit its stride, and it might be freezing outside, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t tons of fun things to do with the family this weekend. Take a hike and pop popcorn during Family Fireside Fun in Mendham, bring your sleeping bag or blankets, and enjoy Frozen on the screen at Movie Night at Five Star Swim School in Deptford, or watch the Lion Dance and celebrate the Lunar New Year in Fort Lee. And for more family fun this season, don’t miss our guide to filling your winter bucket list. (Featured photo: iStock/JanaShea)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Let It Snow Bingo
January 19 at 6 PM
Spend the evening with some friendly competition. Bring the whole fam and enjoy a cozy game of bingo complete with prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and concessions.
Cost: Free
Emma Havens Young Elementary School, 43 Drum Point Road, Brick, NJ 08723
Introduction to Archery
January 20 at 10 AM
Have a child or teen interested in archery? Now is the perfect time to bring them and introduce them to the sport. All equipment will be provided, and ages 5 to 18 are welcome.
Cost: Free
Appalachian Bowmen, 118 Shotwell Road, Newton, NJ 07860
Unicorn & Dragon Painting Party
January 20 at 10 AM
Come dressed in whatever makes you feel magical, and paint a piece of your choice. There will be unicorns, dragons, rainbows, and more. Each child will receive a complimentary unicorn headband and a craft.
Cost: $15 and your ceramic piece
Color Me Mine, 3710 Route 9, Freehold, NJ 07728
Grandma and Me Cookie Decorating Class
January 20 at 1 PM
This is such a fun way to spend time together with grandparents or a grandparent-like figure. You will have the chance to decorate two cookies per person using royal icing transfers.
Cost: $55 per ticket
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07727
Storytime for Little Artists
January 20 at 10:30 AM
What could be better than storytime followed by a snowman-themed art project? Bring your little ones and enjoy this fun event with small snacks and juice included.
Cost: $25 for one and $20 for each additional child
Wish Upon A Jar, 3128 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Lunar New Year Celebration
January 20 at 12 PM
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with the whole family. The festivities include demonstrations and samples of food, lion dance performances, live traditional music, cultural activities for kids, and more.
Cost: Free
ACME, 2160 Lemoine Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ 07605
Dinosaur World Live
January 20
This interactive show is great for the whole family. Grab your compass and join an explorer across territories to discover a pre-historic world of dinosaurs. Meet all kinds of creatures, including the T-Rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Burlington County Historical Society Par-Tea
January 20 at 12 PM
Come dressed to impress in your best outfit, bring your favorite doll or toy, and have fun at this tea party. You will have the chance to sample a selection of teas, decorate your own teacup, and enjoy crafts and activities.
Cost: $5 per person
Burlington County Historical Society, 459 High Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
Build A Snowman Cookie Craft
January 20 at 3 PM
This fun event is a great way to celebrate the beauty of winter and the fun that snowmen bring. The class will cover icing, piping techniques, an explanation of tools, basic decorating techniques, and more.
Cost: $65
Platinum House of Sweets, 7A Shoppers Lane, Washington Township, NJ 08102
2024 Winter Makers Market
January 20-21 at 11 AM
Want to get a head start on your Valentine’s Day shopping? Head to this market filled with art, jewelry, pottery, garden decor, candles, sweets, and more. This is a great way to beat those winter blues.
Cost: Free
Barlow’s, 47 Sea Girt Avenue, Manasquan, NJ 08736
DIY Valentine’s Gnome
January 21 at 1 PM
Bring the whole family and enjoy some time crafting. You will have the opportunity to make adorable Valentine’s gnomes that you can take home to start decorating for Valentine’s Day.
Cost: $55 per guest
Sew Sassy, 19 South Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Family Fireside Fun
January 21 at 3 PM
Bundle up and spend a winter afternoon hiking in the woods to an old lodge with a stone fireplace and a roaring fire. There will be fresh popcorn cooked over the fire; learn about how animals survive in the winter, then test your knowledge with a quiz and games.
Cost: Prices vary
Schiff Natural Lands Trust, 339 Pleasant Valley Road, Mendham, NJ 07945
Jersey Shore Comic Books Cabin Fever
January 21 at 10 AM
Beat the winter blues and enjoy comic book artists, vendors, comic books, toys, crafts, and more. This is fun for the entire family.
Cost: Free
Toms River Elks Lodge, 600 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Pancake Breakfast
January 21 at 8 AM
Don’t have Sunday brunch plans? Bring your appetite and enjoy some delicious pancakes with the fam. There will also be eggs, sausage, coffee, and orange juice available.
Cost: $10 for adults, $8 for children and seniors, free for children under 5
230 US-46, Mine Hill, NJ 07803
ONGOING EVENTS
Skating on the Square
Now-February 25, open Thursday-Sunday
Bundle up and bring your ice skates for a fun day of skating outside. This eco-friendly, outdoor synthetic skating rink is so much fun for the whole family.
Cost: $10 per person
19 Hulfish Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Maple Sugaring
Now-March 17, Sundays
All ages are welcome to this fun and educational event. Learn how to identify a maple tree, discover the history of syrup making, and see how technology has changed how it’s done. You will tap trees and boil down the sap to make fresh, warm maple syrup.
Cost: Prices vary
Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670
NEXT WEEKEND
Movie Night at Five Star Swim School
January 26 at 4 PM
The magical world of Frozen is coming to the big screen at this fun Friday night event with the fam. Bring cozy sleeping bags or blankets so your kids can get comfortable and enjoy the movie, pizza, snacks, drinks, and swimming.
Cost: $25 per child
Five Star Swim School, 1500 Almonesson Road, Deptford Township, NJ 08096
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