Spend the day at Van Saun Park and bask in seasonal fun like ice skating. Photo by Kaylen Chiarello Ebner
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Outhouse orchards corn maze
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MLK Weekend 2024 in New Jersey: Top Things To Do With Kids

Celebrate MLK weekend in New Jersey with free interactive workshops and enriching service projects honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Celebrate MLK weekend in New Jersey with free interactive workshops and enriching service projects honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
1/10/24 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this long weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

The first long weekend of 2024 kicks off with a celebration on ice and concludes with an important day of service and legacy. Disney stars glide through town this weekend with Disney on Ice: Find Your Hero. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and there are service opportunities for all ages in Scotch Plains, Princeton, and Summit, among others.

Find more cold-weather activities for the long weekend in our Winter Fun Guide and our packed Family Activity Calendar.

More Things To Do in New Jersey this Week with Kids:​

 

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"Disney on Ice: Find Your Hero" comes to the Prudential Center.in Newark this weekend. Photo courtesy of Disney

Top Things To Do in New Jersey this Weekend

Disney on Ice: Find Your Hero

Newark
Thursday, January 11-Monday, January 15
Disney stars bring their latest magical ice adventure to Prudential Center. Mirabel, Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, Minnie and Mickey help discover the hero inside all of us in this musical ice-skating spectacular. READ MORE

Wild Con! Collectibles Festival

Wildwood
Saturday, January 13
Wild Con is a collectibles festival featuring artists, writers, costume groups, and crafts. Kids can interact with costumed characters from the Avengers and Star Wars. Take part in a costume contest with prizes for all ages. READ MORE

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: King for a Day

New Brunswick
Saturday, January 13
(also on Sunday in Englewood)
Have a royal good time as Daniel and all of his friends learn just what it takes to be King. The beloved characters come alive on stage to captivate audiences with new songs to sing along to, magical moments, and surprise guests along the way. READ MORE

Winter Palooza at Wayne YMCA

Wayne–FREE
Saturday, January 13
A day of family fun awaits at Wayne YMCA. Enjoy drop-in classes, healthy snacks, crafts, bounce houses, basketball and archery demos, and more.  READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Various locations
Saturday, January 13
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

Eagle Festival

Lyndhurst–FREE
Sunday, January 14
Bergen County Audubon Society welcomes everyone to celebrate the eagle at Meadowlands Environment Center. Enjoy eagle walks and talks, plus children's activities. READ MORE

MLK Day Poster Making Workshop

Princeton–FREE
Monday, January 15
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

Scotch Plains Fanwood Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Scotch Plains
Monday, January 15
Join the Scotch Plains Fanwood community for its annual day of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year's projects include volunteer opportunities like card-making and food and clothing drives. READ MORE

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

Summit–FREE
Monday, January 15
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

Jersey Cares Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Multiple Locations
Monday, January 15
Jersey Cares Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service welcomes children and adults to take part in virtual and in-person projects to strengthen communities and build a stronger New Jersey. Projects require registration. READ MORE

School's Out: Winter Wonderland Craft Event

Madison
Monday, January 15
School is out but fun is in. Spend some time at the Education Annex to make one or all of the Winter Wonderland-themed crafts. Participants create winter scenes with pastels, make glittery snowflake window clings, sparkly icicles, cotton ball igloos, and more. READ MORE

Community Day Martin Luther King Jr: Vision in Action

Newark–FREE
Monday, January 15
Community Day at the Newark Museum of Art features uplifting performances, hands-on activities, and opportunities for the whole family to help the community. READ MORE

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony

Ocean City–FREE
Monday, January 15
Gather at the Ocean City Tabernacle for the opening ceremony at noon, and honor Dr. King through words, song and dance. A complimentary buffet luncheon follows at the Music Pier solarium. READ MORE

Science Rocks! Mini Day-Off

Medford
Monday, January 15
Spend a day off from school at the Cedar Mill Wildlife Refuge with outdoor, educational fun. Take part in science experiments, hikes, animal encounters and more.  READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Multiple Locations–FREE
Monday, January 15
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

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