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Fun Free Activities for Kids in January 2024: 28 Free Things To Do in New Jersey

The ancient British tradition of wassailing the apple trees to protect them from harm is a popular winter celebration at Terhune Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchards
The ancient British tradition of wassailing the apple trees to protect them from harm is a popular winter celebration at Terhune Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchards
1/5/24 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for FREE January events in New Jersey? Read on for dozens of great options. 

January is the perfect time to keep little ones warm and busy with FREE story times at several Barnes & Noble locations, plus no-cost crafts at events like Art Together and MLK Day Poster Making Workshop. Or bundle up for gratis January festivals, like Mount Holly Fire & Ice Festival and Seashore Open House.

Mark your calendars with these 25+ no-cost holiday events that take place nearly every day of the season. For more winter fun, check out our Event Calendar and Winter Activities Guide.

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Cotsen Children's Library offers free storytimes throughout the week. Photo courtesy of the library
The Cotsen Children's Library offers free storytimes throughout the week. Photo courtesy of the library

Ongoing Free Things To Do in January 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

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 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

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

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Brick

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

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

Sunday Character Meet & Greets at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Every Sunday
Enjoy free character appearances and face painting every Sunday in the arcade. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in New Jersey in January 2024

Kids Workshops at Home Depot

Various Locations
Saturday, January 6, 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

A Twelfth Night Celebration

Hancocks Bridge
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Experience the last peaceful holiday season before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War at this historical celebration. Enjoy live music, games, and refreshments. Feel free to come dressed in your 18th-century finest. READ MORE

Makerspace Saturdays

Madison
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Stop by METC's Makerspace on the first Saturday every month at the METC Education Annex. Whether you are looking for a kid-friendly project or for something creative to do after spending time at the museum, enjoy hands-on activities in the new collaborative workspace. READ MORE

Art Together at Zimmerli

New Brunswick
Sunday, January 7, 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

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

Beechwood
Mondays, January 15 and 29, 2024
Drop by the nature center on select Mondays for nature-inspired crafts. Registration is not required. READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Summit
Monday, January 15, 2024
Stop by the patio of Reeves-Reed Arboretum to pick up supplies to create Valentine Cards that will be delivered to clients of SAGE Eldercare. On this important day of service memorializing Martin Luther King Jr., participants can warm the hearts of our neighbors.  READ MORE

MLK Day Poster Making Workshop

Princeton
Monday, January 15, 2024
This free gathering offers the opportunity and materials to create posters that motivate and educate on topics of social justice, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s life’s work.  READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Various Locations
Monday, January 15, 2024
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. Veterans Day marks the last freebie for 2024.  READ MORE

Kids Workshops at Lowes

Various Locations
Saturday, January 20, 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

Mount Holly Fire and Ice Festival

Mount Holly
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Guests can expect to view beautiful ice sculptures carved right before their eyes. Keep warm with a bowl of hot chili while strolling High Street and enjoying live music. READ MORE

Rutgers Geological Museum Annual Open House

New Brunswick
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Head over to Rutgers Geological Museum for its 56th  Annual Open House, featuring  crafts, activities and a mineral sale. This year's theme is Ancient Seas.  READ MORE

Seashore Open House - CANCELED

Long Branch
Sunday, January 28, 2024
(canceled due to weather) Head over to Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park Activity Center for its annual afternoon of seashore fun. Take part in engaging hands-on activities. Speak with a Park System Naturalist about your own shell collection or the aquatic animals on display. READ MORE

Parlor Games for Wintry Weather at Historic Longstreet Farm

Holmdel
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Historic Longstreet Farm invites everyone to come play two long-forgotten 1890s board games: Halma and Basilinda. There are also old-time favorites to play, including backgammon and checkers. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Various Home Depot stores
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
National Parks - Multiple Locations
various Lowes stores