See the Grinch on stage at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick in New Brunswick. Photo by Jeremy Daniel
Elf, The Grinch, Holiday Lights, and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend
Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities abound in New Jersey.
Holiday and Thanksgiving Volunteering for Kids and Families in New Jersey
Step into a world of wonder at LuminoCity's 2024 holiday lights festival in Freehold. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Bobby Chez offers to-go options for Thanksgiving dinner in Cherry Hill.
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Outhouse orchards corn maze
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Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway
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Spend a day running around at Johnson's Corner Farm this November. Photo courtesy of the farm
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Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights this season as its popular Orchard of Lights returns for another holiday run. Photo courtesy of the farm
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Johnson's Locust Hill Farm is a picture perfect backdrop for a stroll through sunflowers. Photo by Cody Conk
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The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
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Visit the petting zoo at Alstede Farms for a chance to meet the animals. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
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Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
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Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
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Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
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The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
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Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
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Help your kids develop their creative side with art classes
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At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
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Admission to the Cape May County Park & Zoo is completely free. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
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Boonton's
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Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
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The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
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Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
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Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
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Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
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These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
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Things To Do in New Jersey This Weekend and Beyond: Ice Harvest, Groundhog Day, and More

Bring your preschoolers to the Liberty Science Center every Thursday and Friday for Junior Days. Photo courtesy of LSC
Bring your preschoolers to the Liberty Science Center every Thursday and Friday for Junior Days. Photo courtesy of LSC
1/27/21 - By Laurie Rein

This January weekend features two ice-centric events: Witness amazing ice sculptures at the Mount Holly ice exhibition or get a hands-on lesson in the historic ice harvesting industry at Howell Living History Farm's ice harvest. Plus, the search for Wally the Woodchuck is on with H20 Quest: Groundhog's Day.

If you're looking for indoor activities, check out our Poppins@Home site, where little ones can burn energy with Happy Feet's online soccer series and brush up on art skills while learning to draw an iconic cartoon character.

As always, you can find more things to do in our Event Calendar and our Winter Fun Guide, which are filled with seasonal happenings.

Editor's note: While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our Event Calendar to find something else to do.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Join Liberty State Park for an evergreen investigation. Photo courtesy of the park
Join Liberty State Park for an evergreen investigation. Photo courtesy of the park

Best Things To Do in New Jersey This Week With Kids

Penguins, Zebras, and Oreo Cookies

Toms River
Thursday, January 28
Ocean County Parks & Recreation hosts this drop-off program for preschoolers. In this session, learn about the uniqueness of black and white animals, and discover them through crafts, activities, and more. READ MORE

Groundhog Day Celebration

Pennington
Saturday, January 30
Armed with a map, participants explore The Watershed Institute searching for clues to find Wally the Woodchuck. Part treasure hunt, part nature hike, this program is sure to tickle your creativity and curiosity. READ MORE

Ice Harvest

Lambertville–FREE
Saturday, January 30
Farm visitors learn about the tools and technology that made ice harvesting a successful business at the turn of the 20th century on Howell Living History Farm. Guests can help pull ice blocks up the ramp to the ice house, chip ice for ice cream, and make an ice candle. READ MORE

Mount Holly Fire and Ice Festival

Mount Holly–FREE
Saturday, January 30
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

Evergreen Investigation

Jersey City–FREE
Saturday, January 30
Liberty State Park hosts this program exploring the different evergreens found within its borders. Learn how to identify different species and the valuable roles they play in nature. Dress for the outdoors. READ MORE

Garden State Comic Fest: Winter Edition

Rockaway
Friday, January 29 through Sunday, January 31
Shop for pop culture collectibles, vintage toys, comics, and artwork at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall's Garden State Comic Fest. Capacity is limited, and masks are required. READ MORE

Outdoor Afternoons at Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

Medford
Wednesdays and Thursdays through Thursday, February 25
Kids are invited to take a screen break and spend time outdoors after school on Cedar Run's 171 acres. Groups of 8-12 participants are split into two age groups, with social distancing in place. Topics rotate weekly.  READ MORE

After-School Program at The Watershed Institute

Pennington
Tuesdays through Tuesday, March 9
Come learn alongside your child about the fascinating world of mammals and how these creatures adapt to survive the challenging winter season. Discover the variety, behavior, and resiliency of the mammals that inhabit the reserve. READ MORE

LSC Junior Days

Jersey City
Thursdays and Fridays through Friday, March 26
Bring your preschoolers to the Liberty Science Center every Thursday and Friday for Junior Scientist Days. The excitement includes planetarium shows for your astronomers, the new Explore More adventure, animal programs, a Science Dance Party, and storytime. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, March 28
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–FREE
Sundays through Sunday, March 28
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
Translate textures into vibrant, multi-dimensional works of art at Family Art Project: Textures of the Wetlands. Photo by Josh Bright / Wave Hill
Translate textures into vibrant, multi-dimensional works of art at Family Art Project: Textures of the Wetlands. Photo by Josh Bright / Wave Hill

Top Virtual Events This Week

Astronomy Days

Monday, January 25 through Sunday, January 30
North Carolina’s Museum of Natural Sciences helps families see the big picture  ... of the universe. Highlights include updates on the various Mars rovers, a zoomed-in look at the moon, inside info on upcoming missions, and discussions about the search for intelligent life. READ MORE

Introduction to GarageBand

Saturday, January 30
Musician and educator Adam Ollendorff teaches participants the basics of GarageBand music production software, including how to create a drum loop, add guitar and keyboard sounds, and record voices. READ MORE

Family Art Project: Textures of the Wetlands

Saturday, January 30
For World Wetlands Day, take some time to investigate what makes wetlands so natural at healing and how you can support wetlands in these processes READ MORE

Virtual Festival of Chocolate

Sunday, January 31
The Bowers Museum's latest free virtual festival celebrates chocolate. The livestream features performances, art projects, and recipes.  READ MORE
Get ready for some serious shopping at the Lili & Liam play space. Photo courtesy of the space
Get ready for some serious shopping at the Lili & Liam play space. Photo courtesy of the space

More Things To Do in New Jersey This Month

Private Playtime: 12 NJ Indoor Play Spaces to Book For Your Pod or Play Date

Give your pod or play group a cool surprise by booking one of these spots. READ MORE

Where to Play Outside in NJ This Winter: Snow Sports, Hiking Trails, Animal Visits, and More

You'll barely notice the cold as you enjoy these Garden State fun spots. READ MORE

Top Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey Open Now

These indoor play spaces have reopened with safety protocols in place. READ MORE

Northeast Snowboarding Parks Where You Can Catch Some Air

If you're ready to shred, we've rounded up 12 nearby terrain parks for your pleasure. READ MORE

Best Snow Tubing near New Jersey for Families

These snow tubing slopes in and around NJ offer cold-weather thrills. READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in New Jersey for Kids

Here's where you can hit the ice in the Garden State this winter. READ MORE

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