It may be chilly outside, but there are still plenty of things to do with the fam this week, whether you venture out or stay in. Bundle up and take a guided hike with Middletown Recreation in Middletown, stay cozy at home learning the science behind snowflakes virtually with the Montclair Art Museum, or get up close and personal to a fluffy alpaca at Humor Me Farm in Newfoundland.
featured image via havens_houseof4
Psst! We love seeing your social-distancing New Jersey adventures. Be sure to tag your photos with #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured in our round-up next week.
The Casual Birder at Manasquan Reservoir
January 19th at 9 AM
Grab a pair of binoculars, and bundle up the fam to see what kinds of feathered friends you can spot as you take a walk through the woods. For about an hour and a half, you’ll be led by a park system naturalist for a laid-back bird walk and learn about birds and their winter habits.
Free
Manasquan Reservoir
311 Windeler Road
Howell
Refuge Mornings at the Wildlife Refuge
January 20th – January 22nd, from 10 AM – 11 AM
In just one hour, you and your family can explore the wilderness around you as you’ve never seen it before. With classes for ages 3-5 and 6-12, there’s the option to take a virtual class or do an in-person one about the week’s lesson. Kids can learn about animals, the weather, nature, the moon, and so much more.
Free
Woodland Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
4 Sawmill Road
Medford
Guided Hike at Middletown Recreation
January 20th and January 21st, from 4 PM – 4:30 PM
What secrets will you find in the trees of Poricy Park? This guided hike will focus on owls and get everyone’s hearts pumping and legs moving as you hike. An adult must accompany all children.
$6 per child
Middletown Recreation
345 Oak Hill Road
Middletown
Winter Wildlife Walk
January 21st, from 11 AM – 1 PM
What do animals do when the weather turns cold and snows? Find the answers and spot some furry friends when Naturalist Kate leads this walk, which teaches the whole family how animals adapt to the winter season. You’ll get some fresh air and learn some things along the way—just make sure you bundle up.
Free
Long Bridge Park
895 Deacon Road
Hainesport
Homeschool Day: Winter Wonderland
January 21st from 1 PM – 2:30 PM
Stay cozy as you take on this tranquil lesson at home. Kids will love to learn about the science behind snowflakes while creating a beautiful watercolor painting of falling snow. Led by guides at the Montclair Art Museum, it’s a great way to learn some “cool” facts (and count it as a home-school science class).
$12 per person for non-members, $8 per person for members
Montclair Art Museum
3 S Mountain Avenue
Montclair
Outdoor Drive-Up Petting Zoo
January 23rd, from 12 PM – 12:30 PM, 1 PM – 1:30 PM, and 2 PM – 2:30 PM
Are your littles missing petting zoos? Here’s their chance to do one at this unique barnyard experience that will limit crowds with reservation-only time-slots. Your little ones can feed the animals and even go on a pony ride. If you want to go inside the museum after you’ve held some furry friends, showing your receipt will give you a 50% discount.
$15 per child
Imagine That! Museum
4 Vreeland Road
Florham Park
Farm Tour with the Alpacas
Saturday, January 23rd from 1:30 PM to 4 PM in half-hour time slots
Sign up for a private session with the farm’s adorable alpacas that lets you get up close and personal to these friendly and fluffy animals. Feed them, pet them, and even walk them for an adventure–littles and bigs will love having these creatures all to themselves.
$15 per person
Humor Me Farm
50 Clinton Road
Newfoundland
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum Take & Make Birdfeeders
January 24th at 9 AM
This is a fun-family day you can do at home and learn about birds as they flock to your feeder all winter. Register to pick up your materials at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, then bring your kit back home to build a bird feeder. The kit includes everything you need to build and learn about birds, as well as birdseed to get you started.
$25 per kit
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
324 Forest Drive S
Short Hills
