15 Things To Do In NJ This Weekend (+ 5 Free Events)

Another week of the grind is almost over, so you know what that means, right?

Time for some family fun in New Jersey this weekend!

From the brand new Elmo Body Exhibit at Liberty Science Center to the Secret of the Cardboard Rocket at New Jersey Public Planetarium, to The Laurie Berkner Band or cooking classes for the kiddos, this weekend is full of exciting activities around the state that will give your kids some great Monday morning conversation on the playground.

NJ Mom’s list of things to do in NJ this weekend with the family

1) Laurie Berkner Band
January 24 11:00am & 1:00pm
Princeton native, Laurie Berkner is returning to her home-town this weekend for an all out dance party at McCarter Theater Center. Known as “one of the hippest children’s artists” by Family Fun Magazine, don’t miss Laurie singing all of her hits such as “Rocketship Run” from her new CD, The Ultimate Laurie Berkner Band.
McCarter Theatre Center 91 University Pl. Princeton, NJ
Cost: Tickets start at $25

2) STEM Workshop
January 24 10:00am-12:00pm
Girls and their parents can work on a hands-on engineering design project at the Stuart Country Day School’s STEM Workshop. Learn about aerodynamics and explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related fields.
Recommended for Kindergarten through 2nd grade
Stuart Country Day School 1200 Stuart Rd. Princeton, NJ
Cost: FREE

3) Junior Chef Classes at Williams & Sonoma
January 24 10:00am
Do your kids love to cook? Well then this class is for them! They will learn how to make fun finger foods at Williams & Sonoma in Shrewsbury, perfect for game day snacks!
Williams & Sonoma The Grove at Shrewsbury, Shrewbury, NJ
Recommended for ages 9-13
Cost: FREE

4) Free Kids Basketball Clinic
January 24 10:30-11:30
The Rider University Basketball team is hosting a Kids Basketball Clinic to learn basketball drills, meet the team and watch them practice. Every kid who attends get a ticket to the team’s game that evening at 7p!
Student Recreation Center, Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Rd Lawrenceville, NJ
Recommended for Kindergarten through 6th Grade
Cost: FREE

5) Sesame Street presents: The Body Exhibit
January 24 11:00am
Meet Elmo Live to kick off Liberty Science’s Center newest exhibit! Elmo, Grover and all of your furry Sesame Street friends will walk you through this interactive, hands-on exhibit to teach children how the body works. Have fun and play all day in 17 different activities.
Recommended for ages 2-8
Liberty Science Center 222 Jersey City Blvd Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Included in the cost of your admission

6) Mega Model Trains
January 24 11:00am-5:00pm
Train enthusiasts young and old alike will enjoy this 288 foot model train display at the Morris Museum. Popular trains include Thomas the Train and Polar Express models.
Morris Museum 6 Normandy Heights Road Morristown, NJ
Cost: $10/adults, $7/children (3-12)

7) The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
January 24 12:00pm
Blast off into space on a cardboard rocket at the New Jersey Public Planetarium. This entertaining and informative program will teach youngsters basic facts about the solar system.
Suitable for preschoolers and up
New Jersey Public Planetarium at the New Jersey State Museum 205 West State Street Trenton, NJ
Cost: $7/adult, $5/child (12 and under)

8) Saturday Afternoon Movie
January 24 2:00pm
Come watch Rio 2 with the family at the Heights Branch Library in Jersey City.
The Heights Branch Library 14 Zabriskie Street Jersey City
Cost: FREE

9) Stand4Change
January 24 6:00pm-10:00pm
Your teens will enjoy Stand4Change this Saturday evening at iPlay America. The Anti-Bullying campaign created by Megan Chase and Defeat the Label. Featuring YouTube and Vine performing artists, the goal of this event is to bring to shed awareness of bullying issues among middle school and high school aged students.
iPlay America 110 Schanck Rd Freehold, NJ
Cost: $30-65/ticket

10) Frozen Ball
January 25 2:00pm-4:00pm
Queen Elsa has frozen Liberty Hall Museum over with her icy powers! Come dressed as your favorite Frozen character as you enjoy a hot cocoa bar, crafts, games and a surprise guest!
Recommended for ages 3-10
Liberty Hall Museum 1003 Morris Ave. Union, NJ
Cost: $20/child & adult, $5/additional adult

11) Angry Birds Hour of Code
January 25 1:00pm-3:00pm
Join Code.com, a non-profit dedicated to expanding computer science programs in schools, for The Hour of Code. Based on the Angry Birds game, this is a free one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to teach that anyone can learn the basics of coding.
CoWerks Asbury Park 619 Lake Avenue Third Floor Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: FREE

12) Pinkalicious: The Musical
January 25 1:30pm & 4:00pm
Our favorite ballerina stars in her own musical at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Find out how Pinkilicious reacts after eating one too many pink cupcakes!
Recommended for ages 4-12
Mayo Performing Arts Center 100 South Street Morristown, NJ
Cost: Tickets range from $12-15

13) Family Fun Day at Sahara Sam’s
January 24-25 10:00am-7:00pm
After a snowy weekend, the 84 degrees of New Jersey’s largest indoor waterpark is just what the doctor ordered! Head to Sahara Sam’s for games, contests, a DJ and some of the tallest water slides you may have ever seen!
Sahara Sam’s Indoor Water Park 535 New Jersey 73 Berlin, NJ
Cost: $26.95 with online admission

14) Laser Kid Power
January 25 3:00pm-4:00pm
Watch as the music of yesterday and today’s hottest stars is choreographed to brilliant laser light at the New Jersey Public Planetarium. This audio-visual experience is perfect for the entire family!
New Jersey Public Planetarium at the New Jersey State Museum 205 West State Street Trenton, NJ
Cost: $7/adult, $5/child (12 and under)

15) Go Sledding!
With much of the state calling for some serious snow this weekend, it’s time to finally break out those new sleds! Not sure where to go? Read our list containing 50+ of the best sledding hills in New Jersey!