February is coming to an end, but there’s still one last weekend with plenty to do for family fun. Watch magical mermaids swim underwater at Mermaids at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, listen to winter stories, and roast marshmallows at Weaving Winter Tales at The Watershed Institute in Pennington, or see the mummers at the 8th Annual Philadelphia Mummers Mardi Gras at Renault in Egg Harbor City. And for the last chance at February events, check out more Free Things to Do in February.
Featured Photo Credit: Adventure Aquarium
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(Note: Since COVID-19 rules and regulations are continually changing, it’s best to check ahead for in-person events)
Mermaids at Adventure Aquarium
Every Thursday-Sunday from February 24 – March 13
Catch the opening weekend of seeing the magical mermaids and a world of underwater adventure. Real-life mermaids go deep under the sea and swim among 15,000 animals in a spectacular show that’s not to be missed.
Cost: $18.99-$44.99
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
(844) 474-3474
Weaving Winter Tales at The Watershed Institute
February 25 at 7 PM
Get ready to huddle around the fire to listen to storytellers tell winter tales from around the world. Roast marshmallows and bring a blanket to keep warm.
Cost: $10 per adult and $10 per child 5 and up
31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
(609) 737-3735
Friday Night Hike
February 25 at 7 PM
The whole family can take a guided nighttime hike in the woods under the stars and then warm up with a campfire. Bring a lamp or flashlight, and make sure to dress for the weather. Don’t forget chairs and snacks for the campfire.
Cost: $8 per adult, $5 per child
Wawayanda State Park, Boathouse parking lot, 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ 07421
(973) 853-4462
Maple Sugaring at Franklin at Lorrimer Sanctuary
February 25 and 26 at 4 PM
Get ready to drill a spile in a tree, collect sap, boil it, and get a tasty reward at the end. This program is all outdoors.
Cost: $10 members, $12 non-members
790 Ewing Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
(908) 396-6568
Read and Explore: Fur, Feathers & Fluff: Keeping Warm in Winter at Terhune Orchards
February 26 at 10 AM
Read and explore with hands-on activities while listening to a story. This week you can learn how animals keep themselves warm in the winter. Each child will also make a paper bag animal to take home with lots of “fluff.”
Cost: $10
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 924-2310
Maple Sugaring at Duke Farms
February 26 at 10:30 AM
Duke Farms has a virtual option if you want to learn what maple sugaring is all about without leaving your home. Learn about the relationships between the trees and flora and fauna, what they need to thrive, and what valuable lessons humans can learn from them.
Cost: Free; the Zoom link will be sent before the class starts.
Virtual
(908) 722-3700
8th Annual Philadelphia Mummers Mardi Gras
February 26 at 11 AM
Listen and watch 12 mummer strong bands at Vinter Wonderland at Renault Winery. There will be food and drinks indoors and outdoors. All ages can get in the fun going ice skating, watching mummers on ice, taking part in contests, building a mummers umbrella, taking photos with the mummers, and more.
Cost: $10 event parking (includes a $10 food and beverage voucher)
72 North Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
(609) 965-2111
Maple Sugaring at Howell Living History Farm
February 26 at various times
Spend the day outside for an old-fashioned maple sugaring collection. You can learn how the farmers collect sap in the woods, make syrup in the sap house, and then taste the fresh syrup with whole wheat pancakes in the farmhouse kitchen.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge Maple Sugaring
February 26, 27, March 5, 6, 12 and 13, times vary
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
(908) 722-1200 x5002
Winter Wildlife Walk
February 27 at 12 PM
Look for winter animals while taking a guided winter walk. Pre-registration is required. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Also, bring some binoculars if you have them.
Cost: Free
Liberty State Park, Nature Center, 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201) 915-3400 x503
Echo Hill Park Maple Sugaring
February 27 at 1 PM and March 19 (Rain date March 20)
Kids will be thrilled to see the North American tradition of maple sugaring up close. You’ll take a trip through time to experience the art of the sugaring process. Along the way, you will see an early American Frontiersman taping his trees, visit a sugar “farmer” at his evaporator, and enjoy a Native American story about the discovery of maple sap.
Cost: $3 per person, and other programs are at no charge depending on the date
42 Lilac Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 782-1158
Essence of Healing Presents Black History Month Celebration
February 27 at 2 PM
Bring the whole family to this event with vendors, giveaways, performances, games, and more. There will be a painting activity for kids with Mr. Aidoo.
Cost: Free
The YMCA Turell Gymnasium, 314 Williams St., East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 673-5588
South Jersey Nerd Fest
February 27 at 10 AM
Nerd Fest is back! Enter geek paradise with Artists, Vendors, Comics, Manga, Funko’s, Pokemon, Art, Non-Sport Cards, Crafts, Toys, Collectibles, Cosplay, and more.
Cost: $5 Kids 12 and under FREE with paying adult, there is plenty of free parking.
Holiday Inn Philadelphia-South, 1 Pureland Drive, NJ, Swedesboro, NJ 08085
(856) 467-3322
Audubon: Return of the Bald Eagle
February 27 at 1 PM
Watch an indoor presentation about the return of the bald eagle. Learn about eagles going from almost reaching extinction to their population growing.
Cost: Free
New Jersey State Botanical Garden, Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
(973) 962-9534
Annual Chili Cook-Off Highlands
February 27 at 2 PM
This festive fundraiser will include bagpipe bands, Daly’s Irish dancers, and of course, chili. You can also register to compete in either the professional “commercial” cook-off or the “amateur” local resident chili cook-off. All proceeds will benefit the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 19 at Huddy Park in the Highlands.
Cost: $10 to register to compete, $35 for tickets
Proving Ground, 56 Shrewsbury Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
(732) 291-4713
Maple Sugaring At The Tenafly Nature Center
February 27, March 6, 13, and 20 with a variety of session times
Identify a maple tree, learn about the history of maple sugaring and see how the technology has changed at this program for all ages.
Cost: Children under 2 are free, member $8, member family $30, non-member $10
313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670
(201) 568-6093
The New Weis Center Maple Sugaring
February 27 and March 5
Come out to watch the process, history, and ecology of maple sap and syrup. Start with a short hike to learn about winter tree ID, sap ecology, tree biology, and some of the many things sap is used for. Then learn how to tap, collect and taste the sap, then see how the evaporator works. Finish off the day with a syrup taste test.
Cost: $10 per person
150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
(973) 835-2160
Skating on the Square
Now-February 27, dates and times vary
Kids want to learn to skate? Head to downtown Princeton on a synthetic ice skating rink complete with cute whale gliders that help with balance (and look great on insta). You don’t have to worry about having skates either, since rentals are included in the ticket price.
Cost: $10 (cash) or $12 (credit); tickets must be purchased at the door, no reservations
40 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 921-2333
Grounds For Sculpture Night Forms
Now-February 27, select dates at 5 PM
Glowing trees, sounds, art—don’t miss the last days of this multi-sensory experience at Grounds For Sculpture. Night Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective. It takes place after hours and combines video projection, light, sound, and storytelling.
Cost: $14 and up
80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
(609) 586-0616
Harbaugh Village
Tuesdays-Sundays in February
Head to an adorable winter wonderland featuring live bands, firepits, igloo rentals, skating, sleigh rides, and more packed with family fun. A part of the proceeds supports Harbaugh House, a foundation that helps displaced families with the resources and tools they need to get back on their feet.
Cost: Tuesday-Wednesday $5 Thursday- Sunday $10, ice skating, igloos, and fire pits areas are extra
174 Route 77 Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
info@harbaughvillage.org
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center Maple Sugaring
Every weekend until March 12
Learn all about identifying and tapping maple trees, collecting sap, and making real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. You can even bring home the freshly made syrup for pancakes. Make sure to bundle up since you’ll be outside the whole time.
Cost: $5 per person—this program is for ages 5 and up, and pre-registration is required.
Great Swamp Education Center, 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham Township, NJ 07928
(973) 635-6629
Morris County Winter Farmers’ Market – Grow It Green
Now-March 27 (except December 26) at 9:30 AM
The Morris County Winter Farmers’ Market features more than 20 farmers and local food vendors to develop a local food system that patrons can eat locally and seasonally. There will be freshly grown produce, farm-raised beef, pork and poultry and fresh seafood, baked goods, farm eggs, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Convent Train Station, Convent Road, Morris Township, NJ 07960
Edelman Planetarium Family Show
Sundays until March 27 at 2 PM
Families with younger kids can enjoy the planetarium for shorter family shows with themes that change monthly. February kicks off “Peter and the Wolf,” a fantastic laser show.
Cost: $2 per person
Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
(856) 256-4000
Now–into Winter 2022
Wrap yourself in the warmth of the season as the grounds of Cape May’s only Victorian House Museum—the Emlen Physick Estate—will be lit up and glowing all winter. Take a self-guided walk on the grounds and view these fun and whimsical display of winters’ past.
Cost: Free
1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 884-5404
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