Top 15 {kid-friendly} Things To Do in NJ, February 16-18

Get ready for the long President’s Day weekend and spend bonus time with your little ones this weekend honoring America’s first president at Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Titusville, smooching hippos at Adventure Aquarium’s 4th Annual Hippo Awareness Weekend in Camden, or riding a mini snowmobile at Laurita Winery’s Winter Fest in New Egypt, plus so many more kid-friendly things to do around New Jersey this weekend. Be sure to also check out our 10 Events to Enjoy President’s Day with Your Family roundup!

While you’re out and about in New Jersey, be sure to tag #NJMOM and @njmom, and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.

Here are 15 Things To Do This Weekend in NJ:

Ice Skating in Pier Village in Long Branch. via

1. Pier Village President’s Day Ice Skating and Winter Fun
Thursday, February 15 – Monday, February 19, 2018 | Thursday 2:00PM to 9:00PM, Friday
2:00PM to 10:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM to 10:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM to 9:00PM, Monday 10:00AM to 9:00PM
Lace up those skates and twirl away by-the-sea at Pier Village’s iconic Ice Rink. This President’s Day is the final weekend to skate before the rink closes for the season. Enjoy this timeless tradition with your family, then check out the beautifully decorated community, exciting shops, and restaurants.
Pier Village
50 Chelsea Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740
Cost: $10 Child, $14 Adult, $4 Skate Rental, $4 Skate Aides
Tickets can be purchased here

2. New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo 2018
Thursday, February 15 – Sunday, February 18, 2018 | Thursday & Friday 12:00PM to 8:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM to 8:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Row, row, row your boat… The New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo is fun for all ages, even the littlest! Attendees can board and shop over 80 different boat brands and models of all sizes. Sail through the Boater’s Marketplace, experience free seminars and boating safety classes, and lastly, stop by the Kids Cove to visit the turtle tank and make a turtle-related craft, get your face painted, and take a selfie with SpongeBob SquarePants who will be on hand for photo opps.
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center
97 Sunfield Ave, Edison, New Jersey 08837
Cost: $10 Adults, Free for Kids and Teens 16 & Under
Tickets can be purchased here

3. Love the Earth at Fairview Farm
Friday, February 16, 2018 | 9:00AM to 12:00PM
Show Mother Earth some love. At Love the Earth, you will embrace your tree hugging self and kids will learn about protecting our planet through reducing waste, reusing items, and recycling bottles. A fun craft project repurposing discarded everyday items into something new will spark your child’s imagination at this event.
Fairview Farm
2121 Larger Cross Road, Bedminster, NJ 07921
Cost: $25 Child
Please email ltheis@raritanheadwaters.org to register

Seussical in Lambertville. via

4. Seussical the Musical
Friday, February 16 – Sunday, February 18, 2018 | Friday 8:00PM, Saturday 3:00PM & 8:00PM, Sunday 3:00PM
Oh, the places you’ll go when you watch the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss be lifted from the page and transplanted to the stage! Head to Music Mountain Theatre to see Seussical the Musical center stage this weekend. This clever mashup of Dr. Seuss’s most popular children’s stories is perfect for the whole family. Sing along with The Cat in the Hat who tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos. The whole family will be mesmerized by this fun, interactive show underscoring the powers of friendship, loyalty, and family which trump all in the face of a challenge. Bring a children’s book to the box office for a ticket discount. Books will be donated to a local school in honor of Read Across America.
Music Mountain Theatre
1483 Route 179, Lambertville, New Jersey 08530
Cost: $22 General Admission
Tickets can be purchased here

5. Winter Crafts & Collectibles Show 2018
Saturday, February 17 – Sunday, Feb 18, 2018 | Saturday & Sunday 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Looking for an off-the-beaten-path type of weekend event? Head to the Cape May Winter Crafts & Collectibles Show (hosted by Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities) and see an amazing display from high-quality crafters and artists from around the state. Proceeds go towards MAC’s preservation and restoration projects for the Cape May Lighthouse, World War II Lookout Tower, and the Emlen Physick Estate.
Cape May Convention Hall
714 Boardwalk, Cape May, New Jersey 08204
Cost: $2 General Admission, Free for MAC Members

6. Kidabaloo
Saturday, February 17, 2018 | 12:00PM
Calling all teen fans of Henry Danger! Sean Ryan Fox aka “Jasper” from the hit Nickelodeon show will headline this year’s Kidabaloo in Asbury Park. Whether your teen just wants to get an up-close look at the star heartthrob or break it down on the dance floor with kids’ musician Mr. RAY, Kidabaloo is sure to be a rocking good time. There will be a magic show, live animal education program, face painting, bounce houses, balloon artists, slime-making station, costume characters, and a photo booth.
Asbury Park Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712
Cost: $13 General Admission, $23 VIP Meet & Greet
Tickets can be purchased here

Hippo Awareness Weekend in Adventure Aquarium in Camden. via

7. 4th Annual Hippo Awareness Weekend
Saturday, February 17 – Monday, February 19, 2018 | Saturday – Monday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
If you’ve ever wanted to take a selfie with a hippo, now you can. Back by popular demand, Adventure Aquarium is hosting its 4th Annual Hippo Awareness Weekend to raise awareness about hippo conservation. Spend a fun-filled day at the aquarium playing games, making crafts, and checking out the Hippo Kissing Booth (yes, really!). Don’t forget to use #HippoLove and #NJMOM when you take a selfie with a hippo! Lastly, grab a limited edition, custom-designed t-shirt with a hippo kiss print. Your donations will help save hippos in the wild and benefit the Turgwe Hippo Trust, a non-profit organization in Zimbabwe.
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Dr, Camden, New Jersey 08103
Cost: $21-$28 Child, $29-$35 Adult.
Tickets can be purchased here

8. Discover History Center Grand Opening
Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18, 2018 | Saturday and Sunday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
American history buffs, rejoice in the long-awaited grand opening of Discover History Center in Morristown! After a decade in the making, the new historical center will launch on President’s Day weekend with immersive, interactive exhibits about the stories of Morristown, the Continental Army, and General Washington. All weekend long, colonial toys, games, and riddles will be available in the Ford Mansion. Get a peek at never-before-seen artifacts and engage in multi-media experiences, including an interactive timeline of the Revolutionary Era. Visitors must get Free Timed Tickets for the Discover History Center at the Information Desk – Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. See the event schedule here.
Morristown National Historical Park
30 Washington Pl, Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Cost: Free

9. Hackettstown Winterfest
Saturday, February 17, 2018 | 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Stroll around downtown Hackettstown and check out ice carvings throughout town, local shopping, and kids’ crafts. The best part? $2 tastings of chili and soups from 5 different merchants – come warm up at Winterfest with your family!
Hackettstown Business Improvement District (BID)
219 Main Street, Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840
Cost: Free

Laurita Winery Winter Fest in New Egypt. via

10. Laurita Winery Winter Fest
Saturday, February 17 – Sunday, February 18, 2018 | Saturday 11:00AM to 8:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM to 7:00PM
Let’s celebrate what may be one of the last snowy weekends this winter with Laurita Winery. At Winter Fest, go play on the huge playground and bounce house, sled, ride a mini snowmobile, and get your face painted. Fine wines and gourmet food is always an unbeatable combo, then add in tons of vendors, beautiful scenic views, hand-sculpted ice displays, and live music and you’ve got a winning day for the whole family.
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, New Jersey 08533
Cost: $8 Ages 21+, $5 Ages 5-20, Free for Kids 4 & Under
Tickets can be purchased here

11. Cape May Chili & Chowder Cook-Off
Sunday, February 18, 2018 | 12:00PM to 3:30PM
Find out if you can handle the heat at the Cape May Chili & Chowder Cook-Off. Get your taste buds going by trying out all the different kinds of chili and cast your vote to crown the winners.
The Grand Hotel of Cape May
1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May, New Jersey 08204
Cost: $10 General Admission
Please bring a non-perishable food item to help support food banks in and around Cape May.

12. Washington’s Birthday Celebration
Sunday February 18, 2018 | 1:00PM to 4:00PM
Did you know that before fighting the British, good ‘ol George fought FOR the British? Or that he never actually chopped down that cherry tree? You might pick up a few surprising tidbits about our first president when you attend Washington’s Birthday Celebration at Johnson Ferry House. There will be colonial toys and games for kids, and you can try your hand at quill pen writing and the wood shop.
Johnson Ferry House
355 Washington Crossing-Trenton Outskirts, Titusville, NJ 08560
Cost: Free but donations are appreciated

Mr. Popper’s Penguins. via

13. Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Sunday, February 18, 2018 | 1:00PM & 4:00PM
This weekend Bergen Performing Arts Center brings the classic childhood tale of Mr. Popper and his penguins to life. Mr. Popper dreams about Antarctic adventure all day long, and then one day, a packing crate magically appears on his doorstep and out waddles a penguin! Find out what happens next when you see this enchanting show filled with original songs and adorable performing penguin puppets.
Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 N Van Brunt St, Englewood, New Jersey 07631
Cost: $15-$39 General Admission

14. Hammonton Gravy vs Sauce Competition
Sunday, February 18, 2018 | 3:00PM to 6:00PM
Pull out those passed-down family recipes, take over the kitchen, and get cracking on that secret sauce which tastes just like grandma used to make. The Gravy vs. Sauce competition will put your chef skills to the test in support of the Hammonton Rotary Club. Get the kids involved in the cooking process, and everyone is sure to enjoy the final feast. Your ticket includes a tasting of all the entrees, salad bar, macaroni, dessert bar, and soft drinks and coffee. Do not be bashful either, this event is a BYOB event.
Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Co. Station 2
51 N. White Horse Pike, Hammonton, New Jersey 08037
Cost: $20 adults, $10 children, additional $10 per entry
Tickets can be purchased here

15. Skywars
Sunday, February 18, 2018 | 4:00PM to 8:00PM
Squad up and lock and load – get your game faces ready because SkyWars is the newest and ultimate battle in South Jersey. Players will gear up with blasters, foam balls, or darts in team strategy games such as team elimination, capture the flag, duck hunt, and more.
Sky Zone
2355 State Highway 66, Ocean Township, NJ 07712
Cost: $28 60-Minute, $32 90-Minute, $37 120-Minute