By Karen Liszewski

13 Kid-Friendly Things To Do This Weekend January 9-11

15 January Events With RWJBarnabas Health For New Moms, Moms-To-Be, Parents, And Kids

7 Charity Events The Whole Family Can Do This January 2026

15+ Festivals This Month In New Jersey For Family Fun

16 FREE Things To Do In January

18 Kid-Friendly Things To Do This Weekend January 2-4

Free Days at National Parks In 2026

Indoor Play Spaces In NJ: The Best Spots For Any Time Of Year

20 Kid-Friendly Things To Do This Weekend December 26-28

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
			5 events 1 5 events, 1 2025-12-31 Best NYE Family Celebration! 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge January 1 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful… $36, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience January 1 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Deck the halls with tons of COLOR and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Craft handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, pose in holiday photo-ops, and… $30.99 + 2 More	4 events 2 4 events, 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge January 2 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful… $36, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience January 2 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Deck the halls with tons of COLOR and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Craft handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, pose in holiday photo-ops, and… $30.99 + 2 More	4 events 3 4 events, 3 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience January 3 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Deck the halls with tons of COLOR and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Craft handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, pose in holiday photo-ops, and… $30.99, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village January 3 @ 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village November 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026 Downtown Newark & Mulberry Commons Park Opening Day 4–8 p.m. \| Wednesday, Thursday: 4-6 p.m. \| Weekends 12–8 p.m. ++++ Newark’s most magical… Varies + 2 More	4 events 4 4 events, 4 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience January 4 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Deck the halls with tons of COLOR and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Craft handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, pose in holiday photo-ops, and… $30.99, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village January 4 @ 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village November 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026 Downtown Newark & Mulberry Commons Park Opening Day 4–8 p.m. \| Wednesday, Thursday: 4-6 p.m. \| Weekends 12–8 p.m. ++++ Newark’s most magical… Varies + 2 More
1 event 5 1 event, 5 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience January 5 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Deck the halls with tons of COLOR and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Craft handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, pose in holiday photo-ops, and… $30.99	1 event 6 1 event, 6 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience January 6 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Deck the halls with tons of COLOR and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Craft handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, pose in holiday photo-ops, and… $30.99	0 events 7 0 events, 7	2 events 8 2 events, 8 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge January 8 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful… $36, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ January 8 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly morning filled with swimming, play, and bonding. Our heated indoor pool and padded play area make it the perfect spot for parents, caregivers, and children to… $15	6 events 9 6 events, 9 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Let It Glow January 9 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Let It Glow Catch the last few days of this light-up spectacular with stunning, larger-than-life lantern displays of animals and nature that will wow you and your littles. You can walk through the…, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Winter Wonderland Skating January 9 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Winter Wonderland Skating Grab your ice skates and head to this brand-new outdoor skating rink. This winter wonderland includes ice skating, igloo rentals, and fire pits to warm up to with the whole… + 4 More	11 events 10 11 events, 10 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Let It Glow January 10 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Let It Glow Catch the last few days of this light-up spectacular with stunning, larger-than-life lantern displays of animals and nature that will wow you and your littles. You can walk through the…, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Winter Wonderland Skating January 10 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Winter Wonderland Skating Grab your ice skates and head to this brand-new outdoor skating rink. This winter wonderland includes ice skating, igloo rentals, and fire pits to warm up to with the whole… + 9 More	12 events 11 12 events, 11 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Let It Glow January 11 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Let It Glow Catch the last few days of this light-up spectacular with stunning, larger-than-life lantern displays of animals and nature that will wow you and your littles. You can walk through the…, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Winter Wonderland Skating January 11 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Winter Wonderland Skating Grab your ice skates and head to this brand-new outdoor skating rink. This winter wonderland includes ice skating, igloo rentals, and fire pits to warm up to with the whole… + 10 More
0 events 12 0 events, 12	0 events 13 0 events, 13	0 events 14 0 events, 14	2 events 15 2 events, 15 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge January 15 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful… $36, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ January 15 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly morning filled with swimming, play, and bonding. Our heated indoor pool and padded play area make it the perfect spot for parents, caregivers, and children to… $15	1 event 16 1 event, 16 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge January 16 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful… $36	3 events 17 3 events, 17 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Wild Con January 17 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Wild Con Come out and join us as we bring in 2026 with what is guaranteed to be a Wild time as we hold our first show of the year. WILD-CON will…, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Edible Engineering January 17 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Edible Engineering Get ready to build, design, and compete at our STEM Edible Engineering Challenge! Kids will work in teams of up to 3 to create the strongest bridge they can using… $15 + 1 More	1 event 18 1 event, 18 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history January 18 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history Step into history with, IN HER FOOTSTEPS, a fun, family-friendly, immersive theatrical experience that brings great women from the past to life through dynamic performances, multimedia displays, and hands-on activities.… $5 – $15
1 event 19 1 event, 19 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm MLK Volunteer Day January 19 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm MLK Volunteer Day Create toys for the shelter pets and learn about ways you can help animals in your community. Location: AWA Front Lobby & Community Room Stations are split in 30-minute slots.… Free	0 events 20 0 events, 20	0 events 21 0 events, 21	2 events 22 2 events, 22 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge January 22 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful… $36, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ January 22 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly morning filled with swimming, play, and bonding. Our heated indoor pool and padded play area make it the perfect spot for parents, caregivers, and children to… $15	3 events 23 3 events, 23 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge January 23 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful… $36, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Shabbat Club! January 23 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Shabbat Club! Shabbat Club! is Oheb Shalom's FREE relaxed dinner and a brief Shabbat experience, specially designed for families with children from birth through 5th grade. Dinner features kid- and adult-friendly food.… Free + 1 More	4 events 24 4 events, 24 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Click, Clack, Moo January 24 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Click, Clack, Moo “Cows that type? Hens on strike! Whoever heard of such a thing!” Farmer Brown cries. When his granddaughter Jenny comes for a visit, Farmer Brown declares the farm a tech-free… $22, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history January 24 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history Step into history with, IN HER FOOTSTEPS, a fun, family-friendly, immersive theatrical experience that brings great women from the past to life through dynamic performances, multimedia displays, and hands-on activities.… $5 – $15 + 2 More	4 events 25 4 events, 25 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Pet Patrol Brunch January 25 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Pet Patrol Brunch Pet Patrol Brunch Event Experience \| Family Events Sunday, January 25 • 11 AM–2 PM Brunch with Pet Parol at The Bistro! January 25th from 11a-2pm, enjoy photo-ops, a specialty… cost of food, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history January 25 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history Step into history with, IN HER FOOTSTEPS, a fun, family-friendly, immersive theatrical experience that brings great women from the past to life through dynamic performances, multimedia displays, and hands-on activities.… $5 – $15 + 2 More
1 event 26 1 event, 26 10:00 am - 11:00 am Beyond the Bug Preschool Series January 26 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Beyond the Bug Preschool Series Spark curiosity and wonder in your little explorers with Beyond the Bug's interactive preschool programs! These hour-long programs feature 2–3 live animal ambassadors alongside engaging hands-on activities, games, and crafts… $48.00	0 events 27 0 events, 27	0 events 28 0 events, 28	2 events 29 2 events, 29 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge January 29 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful… $36, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ January 29 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly morning filled with swimming, play, and bonding. Our heated indoor pool and padded play area make it the perfect spot for parents, caregivers, and children to… $15	1 event 30 1 event, 30 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge January 30 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am Messy Play in Basking Ridge Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful… $36	1 event 31 1 event, 31 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history January 31 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history Step into history with, IN HER FOOTSTEPS, a fun, family-friendly, immersive theatrical experience that brings great women from the past to life through dynamic performances, multimedia displays, and hands-on activities.… $5 – $15

December 29

December 29, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience

December 29, 2025 @ 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village

December 30

December 30, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience

December 30, 2025 @ 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village

December 31

December 31, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - January 1, 2026 @ 1:00 am

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience

December 31, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Noon Year’s Eve: Asteroid Drop

+ 4 More

December 31

December 31, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - January 1, 2026 @ 1:00 am

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience

January 2

January 2 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience

January 3

January 3 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience

January 3 @ 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village

January 4

January 4 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience

January 4 @ 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village

January 5

January 5 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience

January 6

January 6 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience

There are no events on this day.

January 8

January 8 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ

January 9

January 9 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Winter Wonderland Skating

+ 4 More

January 10

January 10 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Winter Wonderland Skating

+ 9 More

January 11

January 11 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Winter Wonderland Skating

+ 10 More

There are no events on this day.

January 15

January 15 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ

January 16

January 16 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Messy Play in Basking Ridge

January 17

January 17 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Edible Engineering

January 18

January 18 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history

January 19

January 19 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

MLK Volunteer Day

There are no events on this day.

January 22

January 22 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Play&Swim – Mom’s Group at Five Star Swim School – Eatontown NJ

January 23

January 23 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Shabbat Club!

January 24

January 24 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history

January 25

January 25 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

IN HER FOOTSTEPS: a celebration of women in history