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Where To Go Maple Sugaring in New Jersey With Kids

Find out how maples are tapped and try a sample of sweet maple sugar at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center. Photo courtesy of the center
Find out how maples are tapped and try a sample of sweet maple sugar at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center. Photo courtesy of the center
2/5/23 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best places to go maple sugaring in New Jersey? Read on for our guide. 

February is a sweet month in New Jersey. Not only do we have Valentine's Day to look forward to—it's also the start of maple sugaring season. Visitors of all ages flock to New Jersey farms and nature centers to learn about the process of maple sugaring, from tapping the maple trees to boiling the sap into delicious syrup. Some events even offer a sweet taste of the end product.

For even more outdoor winter fun, check out our post on where to play outside in NJ, plus find additional seasonal entertainment in our Winter Fun Guide.

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The maple sugaring demonstrations at the Tenafly Nature Center are very popular. Photo courtesy of the center
The maple sugaring demonstrations at the Tenafly Nature Center are very popular. Photo courtesy of the center

Where To Go Maple Sugaring in New Jersey

Maple Sugaring Demonstrations at Great Swamp

Chatham
Select Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, February 26, 2023
Families can learn about the process of maple sugaring from start to finish. Kids and their parents learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring at Tenafly Nature Center

Tenafly
Sundays February 5 and 12, 2023
Learn how to identify a maple tree, and discover the history of syrup making and how technology has changed the way we gather sap over the centuries. READ MORE

Maple Tree Tapping at Echo Hill Park

Flemington
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Take a stroll from the playground to the sugar bush, and participate in the maple sugaring process. Participants collect tap from about 25 trees. Children must be accompanied by adults. READ MORE

February Festivities at Trailside

Mountainside
Saturday, February 18-Sunday, February 19, 2023
The Union County Trailside & Nature Center hosts fun February festivities that include a magic show, a laser light show, scavenger hunt, maple sugaring and more. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring at Howell Living History Farm

Lambertville–FREE
Saturdays, February 18 and 25, 2023
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

Maple Sugaring at The New Weis Center

Ringwood
Saturdays and Sundays, from Saturday, February 18-Sunday, March 5, 2023
Discover the process, history, and ecology of maple sap and syrup. The fun includes a short hike learning about winter tree ID, sap ecology, and tree biology. Plus, learn the history of tree tapping and some of the many things sap is used for. READ MORE

Puddle Jumpers: Maple Sugaring

Chatham
Monday, February 27, 2023
Little ones learn are invited to experience the magic of turning tree sap into a sweet treat. Enjoy stories, games, activities and guided walks. Registration is required. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring at Van Vleck House & Gardens

Montclair
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Van Vleck House & Gardens hosts this sweet event where families can identify a maple sugar tree, learn the steps of turning sap into syrup and visit a tapped tree. The program features outdoor stations. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring Demonstration

Mendham
Sunday, March 5, 2023
Experience a hands-on demonstration of maple sugar production at Schiff Nature Preserve. Learn about the history of maple sugaring, the seasonal life cycle of the sugar maple tree, and how real maple syrup is made from finding and tapping the tree. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring Living History Program

Flemington–FREE
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Kids are invited for a first-hand demonstration of the North American tradition of maple sugaring. Take a trip through time to experience the art of the sugaring process. READ MORE

Maple Sugar Sunday

Westfield
Sunday, March 19, 2023
At this seasonal chat, visitors to the historic Miller-Cory House learn how maple sap rises and flows in trees, how it is collected using wooden buckets and handmade spiles, and how sugar and syrup are made from the sap. Story time and a craft round out the fun. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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