18 Kid-Friendly Things To Do This Weekend

The winter blahs are real, but they don’t have to bring you down. Energize your crew with lots of family-friendly activities all weekend long. Taste fresh maple syrup at Tap the Sugar Maples at Howell Living Farm in Hopewell Township, glide on the outdoor ice at Skating on The Square in Princeton, or celebrate the year of the lion at the Lunar New Year Lion Dance in Bridgewater. Or, if you are looking for a winter escape, check out our winter getaways guide on where to go around the tri-state area.

Featured Photo Credit: Palmer Square Princeton

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(Note: Since COVID-19 rules and regulations are continually changing, it’s best to check ahead for in-person events)

Lego Build and Take
February 5 at 9 AM
Create a lego build that your kiddos can bring home. Receive a complimentary drink from Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea.
Cost: $10
Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea, Ocean County Mall, 1201 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 244-8200

Tap The Sugar Maples
February 5 at 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM
The banks of Moore’s Creek are filled with sugar maple trees, and in February, farmers begin to work on the sap collection and maple syrup production. Join Howell Farm experts for a lesson on tapping backyard maple trees and making syrup at home.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299

Valentine Lego Workshop with Snapology of Monmouth County
February 5 at 10 AM
Build a flower made of LEGO® bricks to take home for a loved one. You can also design holiday-inspired projects like 3D heart designs and more, and play Valentine-themed games.
Cost: $32, This event is for ages 6-12.
Snapology Discovery Center, 980 Shrewsbury Avenue (Tinton Falls Plaza), Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
(732) 965-7627

My Little Man & Me: Valentine’s Day Party
February 5 at 1 PM
A Valentine’s Day party that celebrates sons, grandsons, and nephews. Enjoy games, crafts, snacks, punch, and a photo booth area while making special memories.
Cost: $5-$30; recommended for ages 4-8.
Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
(908) 527-0400

Scoop on Sloths at Jenkinson’s Aquarium
February 5 from 5:30 PM – 6 PM
Two-toed sloths spend most of their lives hanging upside down from trees. Meet Wally, the sloth, and find out why they do that and more. And right before the program, you can visit the aquarium, starting at 5 PM.
Cost: $30 Adults (13 years and up), $20 Children (Ages 5 – 12); pre-registration and payment is required.
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 892-0600

Asbury Fresh Valentine’s Day Market at PORTA
February 6 at 12 PM
Looking for a gift for your sweetie or the kids? Shop local at this indoor pop-up market with everything from honey to gifts to clothing, as well as baked treats and artisan chocolates.
Cost: Free
911 Kingsley Street, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Skating on the Square
Now-February 27, dates and times vary
Kids want to learn to skate? Head to downtown Princeton on a synthetic ice skating rink complete with cute whale gliders that help with balance (and look great on insta). You don’t have to worry about having skates either, since rentals are included in the ticket price.
Cost: $10 (cash) or $12 (credit); tickets must be purchased at the door, no reservations
40 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 921-2333

WinterFest Ice Skating at Cooper River
Thursdays-Sundays and some special holidays through February 21
Tie up your skates for WinterFest Ice Skating at Cooper River Park. After, grab a hot cocoa and snack and warm up in the lodge.
Cost: Adults $7.50 and Children 5-12 are $5.50 rentals $6 and sharpening $6.50
Cooper River Park near the corner of Cuthbert Blvd. and Park Avenue in Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
1-866-CAMDENCOUNTY

King George’s Winter Walk
Now-February 22
Run, walk, or roll 22 miles at your own pace through Washington’s Birthday (February 22). This walk is open for all ages. Return a completed walker’s log by March 1 to enter a lottery for a Washington’s Birthday surprise.
Cost: Donations appreciated
Virtual
(908) 725-1015

Grounds For Sculpture Night Forms
Now-February 27, select dates at 5 PM
Glowing trees, sounds, art—it’s a multi-sensory experience at Grounds For Sculpture. Night Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective takes place after hours, and it is a combination of video projection, light, sound, and storytelling.
Cost: $14 and up
80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
(609) 586-0616

Harbaugh Village
Tuesdays-Sundays in February
Head to an adorable winter wonderland featuring live bands, firepits, igloo rentals, skating, sleigh rides, and more packed with family fun. A part of the proceeds supports Harbaugh House, a foundation that helps displaced families with the resources and tools they need to get back on their feet.
Cost: Tuesday-Wednesday $5 Thursday- Sunday $10, ice skating, igloos, and fire pits areas are extra
174 Route 77 Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
info@harbaughvillage.org

Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center Maple Sugaring
Every weekend until March 12
Learn all about identifying and tapping maple trees, collecting sap, and making real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. You can even bring home the freshly made syrup for pancakes. Make sure to bundle up since you’ll be outside the whole time.
Cost: $5 per person—this program is for ages 5 and up, and preregistration is required.
Great Swamp Education Center, 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham Township, NJ 07928
973-635-6629

Morris County Winter Farmers’ Market – Grow It Green
Now-March 27 (except December 26) at 9:30 AM
The Morris County Winter Farmers’ Market features more than 20 farmers and local food vendors to develop a local food system that patrons can eat locally and seasonally. There will be freshly grown produce, farm-raised beef, pork and poultry and fresh seafood, baked goods, farm eggs, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Convent Train Station, Convent Road, Morris Township, NJ 07960 

Edelman Planetarium Family Show
Sundays until March 27 at 2 PM
Families with younger kids can enjoy the planetarium for shorter family shows with themes that change monthly. February kicks off “Peter and the Wolf,” a fantastic laser show.
Cost: $2 per person
Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
(856) 256-4000

RWJBarnabas Health: Virtual Cooking Classes for Kids
Dates and times vary depending on the program
Kids of all ages will love cooking up healthy treats in these virtual hands-on cooking classes (adult supervision required during class): Try Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen for kids 8-12, where they’ll learn to use a recipe, cook with nutritious ingredients, and utilize kitchen basics or try My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen, a beginning cooking class for 4-7-year-olds.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas, Virtual
(973) 926-7371

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