With the countdown to V-Day on, take this weekend to make heart-filled and memorable moments with your kiddos. Round up your crew to spot fish and play arcade games at Jenkinson’s Family Date Night in Point Pleasant, taste sweet treats at the Chocolate Family Fun Day in Morristown or make crafts together at Ham it Up in Clinton.
featured image via @ilonath
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are 7 family-friendly things to do this weekend in New Jersey:
Super Pet Expo
February 7, 8 & 9 (hours vary during the weekend)
The entire fam (including leashed furry kids) will have a ball at this event, where you can learn a lot about pets of all kinds. You can meet experts with a variety of specialties (including training, nutrition and health) and shop the best pet products from over 170+ local and national exhibitors. And don’t worry about your littles—there are dog shows, cat agility demonstrations and plenty of reptile exhibits with snakes, hermit crabs and lizards to keep them entertained for hours.
New Jersey Convention Center
97 Sunfield Ave. Edison, NJ
Cost: One Day Adult (12+) $13, One Day Child (4-11) $8, Weekend Pass (Adult) $20, Weekend Pass (Child) $10, Kids 3 & Under Free (one per adult)
Jenkinson’s Family Date Night
February 7 & 8, 6PM-9PM
Plan a fun-filled date night down at the Boardwalk with the ones you love most: These family nights with special pricing will have lots of treats and entertainment, including a visit to Jenkinson’s Aquarium and a cheese pie with a pitcher of soda at the Pavilion. Play your heart out at the arcade (a $10 PlayCard is also included) and top off the evening by devouring chocolates and fudge from the Sweet Shop before you go home.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Cost: $54.95 per family of 4. $10 for each additional child.
Chocolate Family Fun Day at the Morris Museum
February 8, 11AM – 4PM
Got a fam of dessert lovers? Check out this sweet day that celebrates all things chocolate for every age. Local chocolate vendors will be on hand with treats (and yes, sampling is encouraged) and there will be presentations about different types of chocolate and how it’s made. Littles will love making a V-Day craft and touching the “music’— a hands-on demonstration with musical instruments.
Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ
Cost: Non-Members: $7/child; $10/adult, Free for Members
Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar
February 8, 12PM – 6PM
Make Saturday one for your sweets by checking out this curated market of Valentine’s Day treats and gifts. As you peruse local vendors selling gifts ranging from handcrafted jewelry, art, home goods and chocolates for your Valentine’s Day sweetheart, kids can stop by the photo booth for a cute vintage-inspired strip photo. After, relax in the cozy Oyster Bar fireplace lounge for a hot toddy and oysters. And don’t miss making your own gorgeous bouquet of blooms at the Faye + Renee Flower Bar.
Asbury Park Convention Center
Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Free
Lunar New Year Celebration & Pet Parade
February 9, 1PM – 3:30PM
Bring the kids and their furry siblings to celebrate “The Year of the Rat” in style, all while supporting a great cause, the Denville Animal Shelter and Eleventh Hour Rescue. Kick-off the festivities by watching the traditional lion dancers, and then plan to get lost in the inflatable corn maze, watch ice sculpting, snap selfies in the photo booth and join in the pet parade. Be sure to get a red envelope (it’s filled with discounts and giveaways redeemable at local stores) and stop by the Hunan Taste for a delicious New Year’s feast.
Downtown Denville, NJ
Cost: Free
Ham It Up!
February 9, 1PM – 4PM
Looking to get creative for family fun? Spend the afternoon at the Hunterdon Art Museum to make art projects together that will explore art from around the world: You can paint a still life, create character drawings and take part in a nature project using felt, among other crafts. Beyond the hands-on projects, kids will have a ball getting their face painted and a caricature drawing too. Also, check out the Flavorganics samplings of syrups and flavorings.
Hunterdon Art Museum
7 Lower Center St, Clinton, NJ
Cost: Free
Chinese New Year Celebration
February 9, 2PM – 4PM
Spend the afternoon at the New Brunswick Free Public Library to ring in the Year of the Rat with a lively and festive celebration that celebrates all things Chinese culture. There’s plenty of fun for all ages: Check out the time-honored crafts featuring calligraphy, Chinese painting, papercrafts and performances of folk dancing and Kung Fu. And did we mention they’ll be traditional Chinese dishes to try too?
New Brunswick Free Public Library
60 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free
