Valentine’s activities and crafts, an interactive spring festival, educational nature walks, and silly costume contests are all making the wintery weather a bit more bearable this February with these free events. Share your adventures in NJ using #NJMOM on social media.
Photo via Stefanie Politi Photography.
Photo via cohanzikzoo.org
1. Coati Day
February 1st, 2016 | 10:00 AM
Rumor has it that the Coati can predict the weather long before the groundhog. Break tradition and visit Cohanzick Zoo on February 1st to witness the Coati’s prediction.
Cohanzick Zoo
Mayor Aitken Dr., Bridgetown NJ
2. Family Game Night
February 3rd, 2016 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Game Friendzy will be hosting a fun filled night of family gaming. This is you and your families chance to try out some new games.
Game Friendzy
7 Ellis St., Haddonfield NJ
3. Harry Potter’s Night of Magic
February 4th, 2016 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Harry Potter fans of all ages are welcome to join Barnes and Noble of North Brunswick to taste butter beer, take part in a raffle giveaway, and create your very own wand at the wand-making station.
Barnes and Noble
North Brunswick 861 US-9, North Brunswick Township NJ
4. Build a Valentine’s Mailbox
February 6th, 2016 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ever wondered what a Valentine’s mailbox would look like? The professionals at Home Depot are holding a wonderful, hands-on event at all participating stores to create a Valentine’s Mailbox for your child’s Valentine’s day cards.
Event will be taking place at any participating Home Depot.
Photo via www.howellfarm.org
5. Tree Tapping at Howell Living History Farm
February 6th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Learn where maple syrup comes from by tapping the sap enriched trees of Howell Living History Farm during their 150-tree sugar bush operation.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Ln, Lambertville NJ
6. Family Game Day
February 6th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Refreshments, giveaways, and Valentine’s day crafts will be taking place at Boscov’s Monmouth Mall. Stop by and play some board and toy games.
Boscov’s Monmouth Mall
35 Seaview Square Mall, Ocean Township NJ
7. Meet Minnie Mouse
February 7th, 2016 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Stop by Learning Express Toys of Holmdel to meet one of Walt Disney’s most timeless animated characters, Minnie Mouse. Children of all ages are welcome. Make sure to bring your camera for a photo.
Learning Express Toys
2107 Route 35, Holmdel Towne Center
8. Family Nature Walks
February 7th, 2016 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Become one with nature and join a Naturalist into the Great Swamp for an hour long nature walk.
Environmental Education Center at Lord Stirling Park
190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge NJ
9. Lunar New Year and Welcome Spring Festival
February 7th, 2016 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
A parade through the woods, an animal show, crafts, and games will be welcoming spring at the Lunar New Year and Welcome Spring Festival. Make sure to pre-register and come dressed for outside weather.
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
324 Forest Dr. S., Short Hills NJ
10. Get it Girls Empowerment
February 8th, 2016 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Empower your daughter with the Family Success Center’s confidence building empowerment group. There will be interactive group sessions, challenging activities and games, and the support of other young girls and women in her community.
Family Success Center of Cape May County
1046 Route 47 S # B, Rio Grande NJ
Photo via www.coolcleveland.com
11. Valentine’s Chocolate Walk
February 12th, 2016 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Snacking on free chocolate treats is the best way to spend Valentine’s weekend with your family this year. There will be a “chocolate passport” for every participant on their journey to the different chocolate locations offering free goodies.
Farnsworth Ave. , Bordentown City NJ
12. Polar Bear Plunge Costume Contest
February 13th, 2016 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Put your best costume idea to the test at the Polar Bear Plunge Costume Contest. Tweens and adults are welcome to brace the cold in their most creative get-up.
Sea Isle City, LaCosta Family Tent
4000 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City NJ
13. Winterfest in Hackettstown
February 13th, 2016 | 11:00 AM
Warm up with some hot soup and experience winter with a Valentine’s winterfest in Hackettstown. There will be ice sculptures in multiple restaurant locations. Later in the evening, the finished ice sculptures will be placed around town.
Main St., Hackettstown NJ
14. Create Pine Cone Feeders
February 13th + February 14th, 2016 | 2:00 PM
Prepare for the arrival of Spring by creating beautiful pine cone feeders at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center.
Manasquan Reservoir
331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell NJ
15. Klondike Derby
February 13th, 2016 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Is your son a Boy Scout? Make sure he learns winter scouting skills at the Watchung Reserve for the Klondike Derby. The event is free for boy scouts and will include sleds, problem solving, learning first aid, practicing knot tying, fire building and understanding team work.
Watchung Reservation
Munsee District, Mountainside NJ
16. Night of Stargazing
February 13th, 2016 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The 5th floor observation tower is waiting for you to explore space and stargaze. People will be there to answer your questions about the stars and to provide telescopes.
Jakes Branch Park
Jakes Branch Park County
1100 Double Trouble Rd., Beachwood NJ
Photo via www.photos.nj.com
17. The Great American Backyard Birdcount at Plainsboro Preserve
February 13th, 2016 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Don’t miss out on one of the most popular bird watching events of the year. Help build nesting boxes, count the birds, and learn facts about birds from the professionals.
Plainsboro Preserve
80 Scotts Corner Rd., Cranbury NJ
18. Vintage Valentine’s in Freehold
February 13th, 2016 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
At the Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold, kids will make their own Valentine’s day crafts by grabbing inspiration from vintage Valentine’s day cards from decades ago.
Historic Walnford
62 Walnford Rd., Cream Ridge NJ
19. Farmhands Program
February 13th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Children are invited to help care for animals, play in farm craft games and activities, and help take care of the barn and fields. This program is meant to educate children about life on the farm and how to fulfill different duties on the farm. Howell Living History Farm invites children of all ages to participate in this free program as long as a parent joins them in volunteering.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Ln, Lambertville NJ
20. Art For Families
February 13th, 2016 – February 20th, 2016 | 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
The art museum at Princeton University is opening its doors to some amazing artwork without charging any fees. Check out the different themes for each week and study the family-friendly pieces.
Princeton University Art Musuem
Princeton, NJ
21. Glen Rock’s Cupid’s Chase
February 13th, 2016 | 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Rise and shine. In support of people with disabilities, Glen Rock’s Cupid’s Chase is raising money through volunteering, sponsoring, and participating. This is a free event that helps raise money and awareness. All you have to do is participate. Baby strollers, runners, people in wheelchairs, and walkers are all welcome.
Glen Rock Pool
390 Doremus Avenue, Glen Rock, Bergen County NJ
22. State Theater Family Day
February 15th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Face painting, balloon animals, live characters, interactive drum circles, and much more will be happening at the State Theater in New Brunswick during their annual family day.
State Theatre
15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ
Photo via www.plainfieldsymphony.org
23. Family Concert: A Musical Duel
February 20th, 2016 | 3:00 PM
Experience the musical heroes of the Phil Harmonic Orchestra at this annual concert. Featuring musical entertainers, Dave Rimelis and Brianna Tang, audiences of all ages are sure to be charmed by these talented performers.
716 Watchung Ave., Plainfield NJ
24. Mt. Olive Cabin Fever Reliever
February 20th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The winter months are known for giving families a bit of cabin fever with the chill weather and early sunsets. With free kid friendly activities, the Mt. Olive Cabin Fever Reliever will wash away the winter blues that cold months can bring.
Mt. Olive Senior Center
204 Flanders-Drakestown Rd., Flanders NJ
25. Winter Carnival Family Concert
February 21st, 2016 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Join the South Orange Symphony in celebrating the most charming time of year with the Winter Carnival Family Concert that will include Sleeping Beauty ballet, selections from Star Wars, and much more family-friendly music.
South Orange Middle School Auditorium
70 N Ridgewood Road, South Orange NJ
Photo via www.mybergen.com
26. Family Woodland Hike at NJ Botanical Gardens
February 21st, 2016 | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Plants, animals, and geology are the greatest features of the NJ Botanical Gardens woodlands. Take a relaxing and educational hike while witnessing the wondrous nature and wildlife of New Jersey.
NJ Botanical Gardens
2 Morris Rd., Ringwood NJ
27. Wheaton Family Workshop
February 27th, 2016 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
In the Gallery of Fine Craft, the WheatonArts offers a free art workshop that includes all of the material one needs to showcase their inner artist. For February’s workshops, there will be sugar casting and sensory art.
WheatonArts
1501 Glasstown Rd., Millville NJ
28. Hawk Rise
February 27th, 2016 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Frozen fun awaits at the Hawk Rise Backyard Bird Count, being hosted by the Hawk Rise Sanctuary in Linden. Explore New Jersey wildlife during the winter by helping look for winter-thriving plants and animal tracks.
Hawk Rise Sanctuary
Range Road, Linden NJ
Photo via www.familysuccesscenter.org
29. Valentine’s Karaoke Party
February 28th, 2016 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Share your love for singing and dancing with your family at the Valentine’s Karaoke Party. If you are not interested in showing off your skills, you can also be part of the audience. Pre-registration required.
Family Success Center of Cape May County
1046 Route 47 S # B, Rio Grande NJ
30. 7th Leonia Winter Craft Fair
February 28th, 2016 | All day event
The most sought after crafters in the state will be attending the Winter Craft Fair in Leonia this February with all of their hand-made items.
399 Broad Ave., Leonia NJ
