The weather is getting chillier, but that shouldn’t keep you indoors this month with these great free events throughout the month of January!
Photography via Stefanie Politi Photography
1. Food Trucks & Fireworks
Friday, January 1, 12pm – 6pm
Celebrate the new year with some food trucks and fireworks!
Tuckerton, NJ 08087
2. The Sciencetellers’ “Dragons & Dreams” Science Extravaganza
Saturday, January 2, 2pm
Join us as we learn all about dry ice and the shifting states of matter through storytelling. This spectacular tale features interactive and explosive experiments with dry ice, fog, smoke-filled bubbles, flying rockets and more!
Hoboken, NJ 07030
3. Lady Pancake & French Toast Story Time @ Barnes & Noble
Saturday, January 2, 11am
Enjoy the funniest “food fight” story ever! Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast have a beautiful friendship — until they discover that there’s ONLY ONE DROP of maple syrup left. Join us Saturday, January 2 at 11:00AM to see who will enjoy the sweet taste of victory! Activities to follow.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
4. Tropicana’s Free Holiday Music Light Show @ Tropicana Casino
Saturday, January 2, 12pm
Families will love the stunning holiday décor and music, with the marvelous 35-foot tree in the center of it all. Adding to the festive décor is Tropicana’s famed 25-foot Poinsettia Tree located in Palm Walk. Plus, we’re bringing the wonder of the holiday season to Tropicana’s Multimedia Light and Sound Show on the boardwalk with our free holiday-themed light and sound show playing daily.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
5. An Old Fashioned Christmas @ Carrol Gallery at Emlen Physick Estate
Saturday, January 2, All Day
The Carroll Gallery at the Physick Estate becomes a Christmas wonderland this time of year. It’s all about the wonder of Christmas morning with model trains and a Dept. 56 Dickens Village beneath the tree. You can actually stand under our tree and feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Kids can write a letter to Santa and leave it in his special mail box.
Cape May, NJ 08204
6. Family Coloring Day
Sunday, January 3, 1pm – 3pm
Join us for a fun coloring session at the Library! We will have coloring pages for all ages. This event is part of our First Sundays at the Fanwood Memorial Library program.
Fanwood, NJ 07023
7. The Casual Birder Along the Henry Hudson Trail
Thursday, January 7, 9am
Join a Park System Naturalist for these laid-back morning bird walks. We’ll meander the parks for about an hour to see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy these walks. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. Open to ages 8 and up.
Lincroft, New Jersey 07738
8. Puppy Palooza
Saturday, January 9, 10am – 12pm
PetSmart will help you and your puppy start off on the right paw! Join the puppy experts for pet-parenting basics on nutrition, grooming, training, and more!
Watchung, NJ 07069
9. Science of Fingerprints @ Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center
Sunday, January 10, 10am – 12pm
See what shape your fingerprints are and then make a picture using your print.
Howell, NJ 07731
10. Saint Rocco’s Flea Market
Sunday, January 10, & 24
Indoor Flea Market held twice a month at John Paul II Social Center, unique finds, clothing, makeup, etc!
Union City, NJ 07087
11. Teen Smoothie Party
Wednesday, January 13, 5pm – 6:30pm
Enjoy a relaxing evening. Make delicious smoothies and take some time out to color.
Vineland, NJ 08360
12. Nature Tots @ Scotland Run Park
Wednesday, January 13, 10am – 11am
A fun program for preschoolers and their caregivers. Make a craft and take a walk on the park trail.
Woodbury, NJ 08096
13. Puzzle Day
Friday, January 15, 3pm – 4pm
Calling all parents and kids who are up for a challenge! Help us complete our jigsaw puzzles. Puzzles for all levels of difficulty. Ages 3 & up. No registration required.
Garwood, NJ 07027
14. STAR WARS CELEBRATION & BOOK SIGNING @ Book Ends Book Store
Saturday, January 16, 2pm
Come join us for a a great event to celebrate all that is Star Wars! Author Jason Fry will be here to talk/sign his new book: STAR WARS: The Force Awakens Incredible Cross-Sections. We expect to have some Star Wars Characters here too which will make for some great photo Opportunities! Don’t Miss This one.
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
15. Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes Story Time @ Barnes & Noble
Saturday, January 16, 11am
Story time featuring Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. This delightful book is a special value of the month for only $7.99 (regularly priced $17.99) for a limited time only December 26 to February 15, or while supplies last.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
16. Many Voices Community Wide Peace Vigil-Hunterdon @ Court House
Saturday, January 16, 5pm
Refreshments after at Flemington DIY 90 Main Street, Flemington.
Flemington, NJ 08822
17. Martin Luther King Day at Newark Museum @ Newark Museum
Monday, January 18, 12pm – 5pm
Imagine what would happen if everyone committed themselves to the ideal of freedom and justice for all. Join us for film screenings, musical performances, tours and hands-on workshops for all ages as we celebrate the power of community.
Newark, NJ 07102
18. Lambertville Bouncy Book Time-Hunterdon County @ Lambertville Free Public Library
Tuesday, January 19, 10am – 11am
This is the library’s year-round weekly storytime. It’s a multi-age program that encourages language development and pre-reading skills in a relaxed atmosphere, followed by an age-appropriate craft. Stay and socialize afterward!
Lambertville, NJ 08530
19. Edible Craft: Cookie Planets
Wednesday, January 20, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Make ordinary cookies out-of-this-world! We’ll provide the crafting materials, you bring your creativity. For kids, tweens, and teens.
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
20. Animal Strategies
Wednesday, January 20, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Join us for a program presented by the Hunterdon County Parks system.
Students will learn about local animals and how they survive in their environments.Through the use of mounted specimens, the students will get a close look at the physical features of these animals.
Flemington, NJ 08822
21. Movie at the Library: Ant-Man (PG-13) @ Howell Library
Thursday, January 21, 1pm
Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world, 117 minutes.
Howell, NJ 07731
22. Watchung Booksellers
Saturday, January 23, 10:30am – 11:00am
Come and enjoy Saturday AM Storytime! The only thing Bobby wants for his birthday is a pet shark. Any kind will do: a whale shark, or a bull shark or a lemon shark. So you can imagine his disappointment when his parents get him…a puppy. Everyone knows shark lovers can never become dog lovers. Or can they? Full of humor and heart, this book explores the idea that sometimes, getting exactly what you don’t want turns out to be exactly what you need.
Montclair, NJ 07042
23. Minions Movie Showing – Ridgefield Park @ Ridgefield Park Library
Saturday, January 23, 2pm – 3:30pm
We will be showing “Minions” at 2:00 p.m. You may bring your own favorite snacks to enjoy. Children 7 and under must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
24. Celebrate Party Showcase – Bar Bat Mitzvah Showcase
Sunday, January 24, 12pm – 4pm
Celebrate’s Park Ridge, New Jersey Bar Bat Mitzvah Showcase takes place on January 24th. Whether you are just getting started with planning a bar bat mitzvah or are trying to find last minute vendors, this showcase is a can’t miss event!
Park Ridge NJ. 07656
25. Family Chess Afternoon @ West Long Branch Library
Monday, January 25, 4pm
Learn and play chess with volunteers from Shore Regional Chess Club. All ages and playing levels welcome! Children of Kindergarten age or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
26. Toddler Play Group
Friday, January 29, 10:30am – 11:30am
Toddlers, Toys, and Fun! Give your young child the opportunity to interact with peers while socializing with other parents! It’s fun for everyone!
Bogota, NJ 07603
27. Mount Holly Fire and Ice Festival
Saturday, January 30
Mount Holly will be the place to warm your tummy and see lots of artistic eye candy while having plenty of free family friendly fun. On this date Mount Holly will play host to over a dozen professional and amateur ice carvers from up and down the East coast, Burlington County’s best professional chili cooks plus a wide variety of interesting entertainment for young, old and everyone in between.
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
28. Drop In Salt Painting
Saturday, January 30, 10am – 5pm
Children of all ages, enjoy watching your art come to life as you create a sparkling painting!
Wyckoff, NJ 07481
29. WinterFest
Saturday, January 30, 1pm – 5pm
Looking for a cool event for the whole family? Head over to Thompson Park, Lincroft, for this festival that celebrates the fun that winter can bring with ice skating, wagon rides, ice sculptures, cross-country skiing and so much more. Admission and parking are free!
Lincroft, NJ 07738
30. Ice Harvest
Saturday, January 30, All Day
When the farm opens its season, visitors can experience a winter activity that was familiar to Pleasant Valley families a century ago — ice harvesting! Conditions permitting visitors are invited to join farmers on a frozen pond to help cut the hundreds of blocks needed to fill the ice house where 25 tons of frozen H2O will be stored for use during the coming year.
Lambertville, NJ 08530
