Woohoo—with Valentine’s Day and President’s Day weekend, there’s plenty of family fun to love all weekend long. Learn how to maple sugar at one of the various locations up and down the parkway, enjoy Valentine’s Day crafts and activities at Valentine’s Day Fun in Sea Isle City, or bundle up with the fam for a Winter Bird Walk in Millville. And for more winter things to do, check out our winter activities guide for seasonal family fun. (featured photo credit: iStock/RichLegg)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Bugs Bunny At The NJ Symphony
February 14-16
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony is back! Celebrate Looney Tunes and its legendary stars, including Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, and of course Bugs Bunny, our favorite “wascally wabbit.” Enjoy classics including “Baton Bunny,” “The Rabbit of Seville,” and “What’s Opera, Doc?” alongside Warner Bros. Discovery 3D theatrical shorts “Rabid Rider,” “Coyote Falls,” and “Fur of Flying.” Don’t miss these extraordinary musical scores performed live by the New Jersey Symphony as all the action unfolds on the big screen.
Cost: Ticket Prices vary
Fri, Feb 14 at 8:00 pm | Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank
Sat, Feb 15 at 8:00 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
Sun, Feb 16 at 3:00 pm | State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick
Kissing Booth Photos
February 14 at 10 AM
Bring your furry friend and family members for fun photos this Valentine’s Day. All photos are free, and walk-ins are welcome.
Cost: Free
Doggie Sweets, 15 Morris Avenue Unit 119, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Valentine’s Day Fun
February 14 at 10 AM
Drop in for some Valentine’s Day fun at the Cape May County Library, which will include holiday-themed crafts and activities.
Cost: Free
4800 Central Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Old-Fashioned Valentine’s Day
February 15 at 10 AM
Bundle up for a memorable and heartwarming Valentine’s Day ride. Families can ride in a bobsled or hay wagon pulled by a team of drafts as you go past a wintery landscape. Back at the farmhouse, stop in for soup on the stove and a children’s craft starting at 11 AM.
Cost: Free
Howell Living History Farm, 700 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Maple Sugaring at Watershed Institute
February 15
Give your kids a lesson on the history, folklore, and science of maple sugaring. Visit maple trees, find out how they are tapped using drills and spiles, and try a sample of sweet maple sugar. You will have an up-close view of the evaporation process and how sticky sap transforms into sweet maple syrup.
The cost is $12 per child and $12 per adult. It is for children ages 5 and up, and adult attendance is required.
31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
Maple Sugaring at the Hermitage
February 15
During this program, you’ll learn how to identify sugar maple trees and tap them. Want to DIY? They can teach you to try maple sugaring in your backyard.
Cost: $35 per family
335 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
OCNJ Winter Warrior Challenge
February 15
Bundle up and get moving in the heart of winter. This event has three components: an obstacle course for children, a “Winter Warrior” obstacle course for parents and individuals, and team challenges such as a fire truck pull. Don’t want to be a competitor? You can still come to watch and cheer on the groups.
Cost: $50 per person
Ocean City Sports & Civic Center, 500 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Follow the Drinking Gourd
February 15 at 3 PM
Visit the planetarium to find the Big Dipper and then travel back in time to follow a family trying to escape oppression. Based on Jeanette Winters’ book of the same title, the show describes the astronomy behind the song “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and includes a sing-along. It is recommended for ages 6-12.
118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, NJ 08876
Winter Bird Walk
February 15 at 10 AM
Bundle up and take a walk with the fam. Learn about the history and wildlife in the area while keeping your eyes peeled for the bald eagles that live there.
Cost: $3 for non-members; members are free
Maurice River Bluffs, Silver Run Road, Millville, NJ 08332
Maple Sugaring at The New Weis Center
February 15 & 16
Learn about maple sap and syrup’s process, history, and ecology. Take a short hike to see how to tap, collect, and evaporate the sap. Finish off the day with a syrup taste test.
Cost: prices vary per event
150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Maple Sugaring at Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge
February 15 & 16
Take part in a 60-minute outdoor program at the Sugar Shack, a half-mile hike from the Environmental Center. See how trees are tapped, view sap-collecting methods from the past and today, and see the boiling process used to make maple syrup.
Cost: $6 per student/senior or $7 per adult
190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
6th Annual Causeway CARes Summer in Winter Carnival
February 16 at 12 PM
This vibrant celebration of community spirit, charitable endeavors, and fun for all ages showcases around 35 area nonprofits. Bring the whole family to beat the winter blues with carnival games, delicious food, face painters, balloon artists, and so much more. Sponsored by the Causeway Family of Dealerships and Causeway CARes.
Cost: Free
The Mainland Kitchen + Pub, 151 Route 72 West, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
My Little Man & Me Valentine’s Date
February 16 at 12 PM
Bring your little valentine for a fun date filled with a personal heart-shaped pizza, two medium fountain drinks, an arcade SURF card, and a meet and greet with superheroes with face painting.
Cost: $20 special package
Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
World Whale Day
February 16 at 12 PM
Celebrate whales big and small at the Aquarium. You will learn about these magnificent creatures through crafts, activities, table displays, and keeper chats.
Cost: General admission
Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Guided House Tour: Eyewitness To Black History
February 16 at 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM
Explore 200 years of Black history during this Guided House Tour at the Montclair History Center. The tour includes first-hand accounts, rare source documents, unique artifacts, and much more. Tours begin at the Nathanial Crane House & Visitor Center.
Cost: Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, and $8 for children.
110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ 07042
Parlor Games for Wintery Weather at Historic Longstreet Farm
February 16 at 12 PM
Head to the farm, where you can play board games from the 1890s called Halma and Basilinda. They will also have classics like Checkers, Backgammon, and Reversi.
Cost: Free
Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Maple Sugaring at Tenafly Nature Center
February 16
Make a day of it at this popular nature center, where you can learn how to identify a maple tree, hear about the history of maple sugaring, and see how the technology has changed.
Cost: Children under 2 are free, members are $8, and non-members are $12. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Presidents’ Day Open Swim at Five Star Swim School
February 17
Celebrate Presidents’ Day with a splash at Five Star Swim School! Join us on Monday, February 17th for a Special Presidents’ Day Open Swim event. Bring your family and friends to have fun and enjoy swimming in our indoor heated pool! A lifeguard is always on duty. No registration is needed, just come and have a blast! We can’t wait to see you there for a great time in the pool!
Cost: $15 per person
Eatontown – 1:30-2:30 PM – 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown NJ 07724
Edison – 3-4 PM – 1655 Oak Tree Rd, Edison, NJ 08820
Galloway – 12-2 PM – 323 S Pitney Rd, Galloway, NJ 08205
Princeton – 12-1:30 PM – 127 Main St., Princeton, NJ 08540
Cherry Hill – 2-3 PM – Esterbrook Ln, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
ONGOING EVENT
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown
Every Thursday at 10 AM
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown is back! Join us every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 AM for fun and socializing. Children and caregivers love our padded play area and heated pool. Homeschooler groups are welcome. The pool is open from 10 to 11 AM. A lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child and parents/caregivers are free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
