Top 15 {kid-friendly} Things To Do in NJ, January 12-14

Spend time with your little ones this weekend surrounded by beautiful orchids and other flowers at The 51st Annual North Jersey Orchid Society Show and Sale at Rutgers University’s Douglass Student Center, tasting delicious foods at the InstaYm Foodie Event at The Garden State Plaza, enjoying the sights and sounds of The Underwater Bubble Show at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, plus so many more kid-friendly things to do around New Jersey this weekend.

While you’re out and about around New Jersey, don’t forget 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:

North Jersey Orchid Society Show and Sale in New Brunswick. via

1. 51st Annual North Jersey Orchid Society Show and Sale
Friday, January 12 – Sunday, January, 14, 2018 | Friday & Saturday 9:00AM to 5:00PM, Sunday 9:00AM to 4:00PM
The Annual North Jersey Orchid Society Show and Sale is back for an unbelievable 51st consecutive time, and will take place during the second weekend in January. This widely popular event will feature impeccable orchid exhibits that showcases plants grown in homes and greenhouses across the tri-state area. This event can only be experienced at Rutgers University, so make sure your family does not miss out on all the floral fun.
Rutgers University – Douglass Student Center
100 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1412
Cost: Free

2. 2018 Winter Carnival
Friday, January 12, 2018 | 3:30PM to 10:30PM
The 2018 Winter Carnival in Northfield is finally here. Presented by the local Parent Teacher Organization, the event will feature all types of festive games, food, and entertainment for the whole family. There is never a shortage of fun at a Carnival, partnered with the lasting memories with your family, there is no reason not to come down to Northfield for a family fun filled day.
Northfield Parent Teacher Organization
2000 New Rd, Northfield, NJ 08225
Cost: Free

3. Winter Beach Blast
Saturday, January 13, 2018 | 1:00PM to 2:30PM
What else is better than summer family fun in the winter time? Ocean County Mall is bringing the beach indoors for their annual Winter Beach Blast. All families are encouraged to arrive wearing their coolest Hawaiian shirt to partake in fun music, games, crafts and prizes. Beach activities for all ages will be available, which includes the World’s largest Twister game. This unique event is something your family cannot miss.
Ocean County Mall – Center Court
1201 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753
Cost: Free

WinterFest Ice Skating Cooper River in Pennsauken. via

4. WinterFest Ice Skating on the Cooper – MLK Weekend
Friday, January 12 – Monday, January 15, 2018 | Fridays 5:00PM to 10:00PM, Saturdays 12:00PM to 10:00PM, Sunday 12:00PM to 8:00PM, Mondays 5:00PM to 9:00 PM
Celebrate Martin Luther King Day at WinterFest with TD Bank’s discounts and giveaways. Starting Friday, January 12 and continuing through Monday, January 15, TD Cardholders will receive $1 off admission. Over the weekend, guests can also enter to win prizes. Simply take a picture in front of the TD Bank signage at the rink and post it on social media using the hashtag #TDWinterfest. WinterFest Ice Skating on the Cooper is sponsored by TD Bank and presented by the Camden County Board of Freeholders.
Cooper River Park’s Jack Curtis Stadium
5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken, NJ 08109
Cost: $4 Child, $6 Adult, $4 Skate Rental

5. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony
Saturday, January 13, 2018 | 1:00 to 3:00PM
A ceremony commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. will be hosted at the prestigious William & Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center. Immediately following the ceremony, attendees are encouraged to stay and enjoy a truly soulful dinner. A southern style comfort menu will be serving a variety of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, collard green, and plenty of more delcitible items.
Ocean City High School – William & Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center
501 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, NJ 08226

6. Optical Illusions – Children’s Program
Saturday, January 13, 2018 | 1:00PM to 3:00PM
The wonderful world of optics and exploration are available for those with the courage to discover it at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts. Family members with creativity and imagination are invited to find out how light works through a variety of crafts and experiments. This exciting event will be open to all, so do not miss out.
The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts
9 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940
Cost: $8 Member Child, $10 Non-Member Child. Registration is required. Please click here to register

Polar Bear Plunge in Wildwood. via

7. Polar Bear Plunge
Saturday, January 13, 2018 | 12:00PM to 2:00PM
The world famous Plungers will kick off the New Year in Wildwood for the epic Polar Bear Plunge. Anyone of your daring family members can be immersed in the fun as brave jumpers from around the state take on the frigid challenge. The Polar Plunge is more than just a cold dip in the Atlantic, but instead raises awareness for Special Olympics of New Jersey who provides year-round sports training, competition, leadership opportunities and health screenings to more than 25,000 athletes.
Wildwoods Convention Center
4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ
Cost: $25 Registration Fee plus $100 Required Minimum Fundraising Goal, Please click here to register

8. CentraState Foundation Winterfestival
Saturday, January 13, 2018 | 1:00PM to 4:00PM
The CentraState Winter festival is finally here. This jam packed event includes an assortment of games, crafts, food, and prizes for everyone. This event is open to families all over New Jersey, and will surely be a good time bringing lasting memories.
CentraState Medical Center
Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus – Jack Aaronson Conference Center
901 W. Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Cost: $10 General Admission, $25 3-Pack Family Admission

9. The Montclair Orchestra Children’s Chamber Concert
Saturday, January 13, 2018 | 3:00PM to 4:30PM
The Montclair Orchestra all concert loving families for for a free chamber music concert for kids. There is no better way to introduce music into your children’s life than with the exquisite music in this event. Donations will be appreciated to benefit the community programming and operations of the Montclair Orchestra, Montclair Wind Quintet, and the John J. Cali School of Music.
Central Presbyterian Church In Montclair
46 Park St, Montclair, New Jersey 07042
Cost: Free

InstaYum: The Ultimate Foodie Event in Paramus. via

10. Foodie Event
Saturday, January 13 – Sunday, January 14, 2018 | Saturday 10:00AM to 8:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM to 5:00PM
We know many of you who have scrolled through Instagram wishing you could take colorful fun food photos, look no further because this is the event for you. The ultimate foodie event includes Master Classes taught by NJ Influencers. Featured Food Vendors include: Pop Pasta, Moffle Bar, Baonanas, Ono Grinds Poke, Tojo Kitchen, Cryo Cream, The Belgian Plate by Waffle It & Co., Hold My Knots, The Good Donut Shop, El Lechon De Negron, Caked Up, Sisig City, The Guac Spot, and Callahan’s of Norwood & Food Trucks.
Garden State Plaza
1 Garden State Plz, Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Cost: $20 – $45 General Admission, Tickets can be purchased here

11. Ice Skating with Poppy the Troll
Saturday, January 13, 2018 | 1:40PM to 3:10PM
Ice Skating with Poppy the Troll is just the perfect wacky and family friendly event for all your loved ones. This event is not just Ice skating, but plenty of other entertainment including Face Painting with your new friend Poppy will be available to all.
Ocean Ice Palace
197 Chambersbridge Rd, Brick Township, New Jersey 08723
Cost: $7 Without Skate Rentals, $10 With Skate Rentals

12. Life-Sized Candyland
Saturday, January 13 – Sunday, January 14, 2018 | 2:00PM to 4:00PM Both Days
Families and children of all ages are invited to the Scotch Plains Public Library to play a fun and interactive life-sized version of the classic board game Candy Land. Families of all ages remember growing up with this family favorite in their lives, so why not experience the larger than life version together.
Scotch Plains Public Library – Children’s Department
1927 Bartle Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Cost: Free but is a ticketed event. Registration is required. Please email kids@scotlib.org or call (908) 322-5007 ext. 209 for more information about tickets and registration

Under Water Bubble Show in Englewood. via

13. B- The Underwater Bubble Show
Sunday, January 14, 2018 | 2:00PM, 5:00PM
B-The Underwater Bubble Show is the perfect family event for those longing for some playful water related fun. This underwater show takes place in colorful underwater world of Bubblelandia. After another long day full of meetings and deadlines, Mr. B finds himself transported to a magical world that’s inhabited by seahorses, dragon fish, starfish, mermaids, clown fish and more. They carry Mr. B along his imaginary journey in this beautiful underwater world where fantasy becomes reality and you are invited to follow him. This fantastic journey filled ride is worth the price of admission, so do not miss out.
Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 N Van Brunt St, Englewood, New Jersey 07631
Cost: $19-$39 General Admission, Tickets can be purchased here

14. “Shark In The Dark” Overnight Program
Saturday, January 13 – Sunday, January 14, 2018 | 6:00PM to 9:00AM
Join the Center for Aquatic Sciences at Adventure Aquarium for an awesome overnight experience, Shark in the Dark. Experience the Aquarium’s amazing shark collection, as well as sea turtles, stingrays and a multitude of different fish. After your adventure, you’ll spend the night sleeping up close with one of these amazing aquatic animals. The next morning, you’ll get a chance to visit with our African penguins and hippos. It’s a shark-tastic experience you;re family will never forget.
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Dr, Camden, NJ 08103
Cost: $70 Child with Accompanying Adult Chaperone, Click here to register

15. Dinosaur Time Trek
Saturday, January 13 – Monday, January 15, 2018 | 10:00AM to 7:00PM
It’s about time for family to go out on a expedition this year. At Dinosaur Time Trek your whole family will be transported through a special Time Lab, where everyone can observe enormous prehistoric dinosaurs and catch a glimpse at mythological dragons. This experience is all about hands-on family fun along with unforgettable memories. Kids in attendance will love the larger-than-life creatures, and activities that go with this event such as: Design-a-Dino, Prehistoric Poop, or the Race Through Time Labyrinth. Families can compete in the Cretaceous Challenge Zone, visit the Time Trek Theater to meet baby dinosaurs, and test their dino-knowledge in family and individual trivia contests.
Meadowlands Exposition Center
355 Plaza Dr, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094
Cost: $24 Child, $24 Adult