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Best Free Fun Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids February 2024

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon for free at the Woodland Lunar Fest NJ 2024. Photo courtesy of the Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon for free at the Woodland Lunar Fest NJ 2024. Photo courtesy of the Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture
2/2/24 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for free things to do this February in New Jersey? Check out dozens of great options below. 

February is the month of love, and you’ll love all the free events happening in New Jersey! It's a month full of holiday celebrations, with a Valentine's Bazaar, many Lunar New Year festivities, and a Black History Celebration.

And don't miss February festival freebies like Ocean County Mall's Winter Beach Blast and Livingston Public Library's Winterfest. 

For more free fun, check out our Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with NJ Kids, and find more winter happenings in our Family Activity Calendar and Winter Activities Guide.

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Stop by Jake's Branch Nature Center on Saturdays for nature lessons and crafts. Photo courtesy of the center
Stop by Jake's Branch Nature Center on Saturdays for nature lessons and crafts. Photo courtesy of the center

Ongoing Free Things To Do in February 2024

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Bridgewater

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Bring the little ones to Barnes & Noble in Bridgewater every Monday morning for stories and fun. READ MORE

Preschool Storytime at Bridgewater Library

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Swing by the library on Mondays with the little ones for books, songs, and activities. READ MORE

Toddler Tuesday

Cranford
Every Tuesday
Toddlers are welcome to Cranford Public Library every Tuesday for stories and hands-on activities. Registration is not required, but space is limited. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Livingston

Livingston
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Enjoy childhood classics and new favorites at Barnes & Noble in Livingston on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  READ MORE

Bookscape Babies at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Tuesday
Cotsen’s youngest patrons get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in the Bookscape gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await. READ MORE

Storytime at Barnes & Noble East Brunswick

East Brunswick
Every Tuesday
Give the kids a storytime break every Tuesday morning at Barnes & Noble in Brunswick Square Mall. Participants will hear a story and take part in a coloring activity. READ MORE

Storytime at Leonia Public Library

Leonia
Every Tuesday
Stories, songs, toys and crafts are all part of the fun for little ones at this weekly Tuesday activity. Registration is not required. READ MORE

Atlantic Highlands Indoor Baby Storytime

Atlantic Highlands
Every Wednesday
Bring the babies to Atlantic Highlands library for stories, rhymes, songs and fingerplay. No registration required. READ MORE

Playtime at Ramsey Free Public Library

Ramsey
Every Wednesday
Pop in for playtime with lots of toys and fun guaranteed. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Brick

Brick
Every Wednesday
Head over to Barnes & Noble every Wednesday for children's stories and fun. READ MORE

Baby Lap Time at Johnson Public Library

Hackensack
Every Thursday
Johnson Public Library welcomes babies, and their caretakers, for songs, stories and rhymes. Registration is not required. READ MORE

Tiger Tales at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Friday
Join the staff at Cotsen Library for a special interactive weekly storytime. Tiger Tales begins with a story and ends with a hands-on project to take home. READ MORE

Drop in and Discover

Beechwood
Every Saturday
Stop by Jakes Branch Nature Center on Saturdays for nature lessons and crafts. A new topic is explored each session. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River
Every Saturday and Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jake Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Saturday and Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE

Winery with Music, Firepits & Mulled Wine at Terhune Orchards

Princeton
Every Saturday and Sunday
Meet family and friends at the winery to enjoy music and cheer in the historic apple orchard weather depending, or inside the wine barn with fire pits, outdoor heaters, and hot mulled wine. READ MORE

Winter Market by Grow It Green Morristown

Morristown
Every Sunday
Grow It Green Morristown presents the Winter Farmers Market every Sunday, offering a wide range of unique selections from pasture-raised meat to artisanal cheese, honey, prepared foods, nuts and grains, baked goods, artisan bread, eggs, produce, and hand-crafted home goods.  READ MORE
The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers hosts the free Art Together program this month. Photo courtesy of the museum
The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers hosts the free Art Together program this month. Photo courtesy of the museum

Free Things To Do in New Jersey in February 2024

Kids Workshops at Home Depot

Various Locations
Saturday, February 3, 2024
Kids can get creative at these monthly Home Depot in-store DIY events. Projects take place the first Saturday of each month at participating stores.  READ MORE

East Brunswick Lunar New Year Celebration

East Brunswick
Saturday, February 3, 2024
East Brunswick honors the Year of the Dragon with a day of festivities that includes performances, traditional food demonstrations, local artists and vendors and more. READ MORE

Winterfest at Livingston Public Library

Livingston
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Ice sculptures, crafts, hot chocolate and cooking decorating are all part of the fun at this celebration of winter.  READ MORE

Lunar Fest NJ 2024

Maplewood
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Revel in the Year of the Dragon at this Lunar New Year celebration. The fun includes a lion dance, a performance representing Korean and Chinese cultures, children's activities, delicious Asian food, and much more. READ MORE

Sew Leana

South Orange
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Dive into creativity with South Orange Downtown at the upcoming Downtown on Display event featuring Sew Leana, along with the first ever Craft Swap. READ MORE

Sunday Character Meet & Greets at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Enjoy free character appearances and face painting every Sunday in the arcade. READ MORE

Maker Mondays Kids Craft Hour at Jake Branch County Park Nature Center

Beechwood
Mondays, February 5 and 19, 2024
Drop by the nature center on select Mondays for nature-inspired crafts. Registration is not required. READ MORE

DIY Valentine Party

Hoboken
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Drop by the children's room at the library, and make Valentine crafts for friends and family. Supplies are provided.  READ MORE

Lunar New Year Collection Celebration

Elizabeth
Friday, February 9, 2024
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at IKEA, with giveaways, food, kids' activities, and a preview of IKEA's new collection. The event is for IKEA Family account holders, a program that is free to join. READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Various Locations
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Stop by New Jersey JCPenney stores on the second Saturday of every month for free and fun crafts. Children receive a lanyard and collector's pin. Six pins earn a Project Master Medallion. READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Bridgewater Commons

Bridgewater
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Bridgewater Commons with a traditional Asian performance and dragon dance accompanied by the music of beating of drums, cymbals, and gong instruments, believed to bring good luck and fortune. READ MORE

Asbury Park Valentine's Bazaar

Asbury Park
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Celebrate local love in the City by the Sea at the 8th annual Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar. Guests may shop and stroll at two pop-up locations: Grand Arcade of Convention Hall and the event space at The Asbury Hotel. READ MORE

Kids Workshops at Lowes

Various locations
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Kids can get creative and learn to build at Lowes' mini-DIYers workshops. Reserve a spot online. Some walk-ins may be permitted. READ MORE

Kids Club at Michaels: Butterfly Painted Rocks

Various locations
Saturday, February 10, 2024
On certain Saturdays, Michaels offer Kids Club with specific kids-oriented projects. In this particular class, kids make rocks that look like butterflies. Best of all, it's free, including the supplies.  READ MORE

You Are Loved Valentine's Day Event- SOLD OUT

Wallington
Saturday, February 10, 2024
This Valentine's-themed event boasts vendors, photo ops, children's activities and more. Freebies are given to the first 20 women and children. READ MORE

Art Together at Zimmerli

New Brunswick
Sunday, February 11, 2024
On select Sundays throughout the year, families can work side-by-side on arts and crafts projects at Rutgers' Zimmerli Art Museum. Each session includes a brief, instructor-led tour through one of the galleries. READ MORE

Kindness Rocks Workshop

Jersey City
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Everyone's invited to the nature center at Liberty State Park to create kindness rocks as part of the Kindness Rocks Project. Pre-registration is required. READ MORE

Historical Valentines

Freehold
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Historical Walnford hosts this creative and educational workshop. Take a look at valentines from the 18th and 19th centuries, and study how penmanship has changed over the years. Then, create a valentine of your own or write a letter to a friend using historically inspired materials. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration at the Ramsey Senior Center

Ramsey
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Welcome the Year of the Dragon with cultural performances, activities and light refreshments. Watch a variety of traditional cultural performances, plus enjoy arts, crafts, riddles and games. READ MORE

Winter Beach Blast at the Ocean County Mall

Toms River
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Get a taste of summer in the winter at Ocean County Mall. The summery fun includes crafts, giant Twister, dancing and more.  READ MORE

Maple Sugaring at Howell Living History Farm

Lambertville
Saturdays, February 17 and 24, 2024
Help farmers collect sap in the woods of Howell Living History Farm. Plus, make syrup in the sap house, and taste whole-wheat pancakes after a walk through the farmhouse kitchen. READ MORE

Deptford Mall Kid's Mini Theater Show

Deptford
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Beloved story characters take the stage at Deptford Mall for FREE monthly shows. Enjoy singing, dancing, story time, fun giveaways, and a meet-and-greet with the character. Registration is required.  READ MORE

Black History Celebration at Lawrence High School

Lawrenceville
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Shop from dozens black business vendors, taste cultural dishes, and take a visual and musical journey through black history at this celebratory event.  The theme Black Resilience: Upward and Onward features an array of moving performances and tributes by students, faculty, and special guests. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Hackensack 's Johnson Public Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Various Home Depot stores
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
various Lowes stores
Various locations
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University