12 Days of Science at Liberty Science Center (Jersey City)

A whole new slew of science activities arrive this week at Liberty Science Center! On Monday, check out a presentation by the Turtleback Zoo that shows a variety of animals including turtles, snakes and birds, and tells you all about their lifestyles. 11am, noon and 1 pm. Kids from 6-12 yrs old can also experience a 25-minute hands-on chemistry lab with a take-home item in the BASF Kids Lab at 10am, 10:35am, 2pm and 2:35pm. Sign-ups are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Stop at Welcome Desk for more information. On Tuesday, participate in an electrifying experience as kids watch and experience a range of electricity-based activities. Noon and 2 pm. Or catch a cold-blooded animal presentation–kids’ll learn about and see real reptiles, amphibians and more. 11am, noon and 1pm. Wednesday brings penguin presenters from Jenkinson’s Aquarium, who’ll explain about the birds and introduce one of their residents in person! 11am, noon and 1:30pm. Also, watch professional educators make ice cream the scientific way – with liquid nitrogen. Children may taste pumpkin, cheese or even broccoli flavors 4th floor Breakthroughs Lounge,1pm and 4pm. FREE with admission. Adults 13+ $15.75, Children 2-12 years, $11.50. Activities available on a first-come, first-served basis.

December 28-30th

Adventure Aquarium's Christmas Celebration (Camden)

This long-running celebration allows your kids to meet and take photos with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Bumble, who’ll light a 12-ft Christmas tree; catch the “Polar Express” in 4D; shake your booty at Gill's holiday mascot dance party; or watch Scuba Santa dive in a 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit. 9:30am-5:00pm. Adults, $19.95; Children (2-12) $15.95. (Children under 2 are FREE).

December 28-30th

Patriot’s Week (Trenton) 

March down to Trenton for the remainder of Patriots’ Week, celebrating Trenton’s pivotal role in the American Revolution through art, music, literature, battlefield re-enactments, and living history events. From 8am-5pm, a slew of activities (most of them FREE,) include horse and buggy rides; church, barracks, museum, and historic home tours; exhibits; portrait drawing; concerts from glass armonica to fife and drums; lectures; period costume battle and story re-enactments; colonial tavern dinners; and puppet shows. Please visit website for specific times and costs, or to pre-register for specific events.

December 28-30th

Family Fun Week at the Newark Museum

The Newark Musuem continues its schedule of activities and performances this week. From 12:30–4:30 pm, the Holiday Fun event includes art and science workshops, laser and planetarium shows, and scavenger hunts. Shows take place daily at 2pm: Monday, the Pushcart Players present “Peter & the Wolf”; Tuesday, Hudson Vagabond Puppets present “The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck and other Stories by Beatrice Potter”; and Wednesday, Baze and his Silly Friends present a holiday music extravaganza. Suggested Admission: $10./adult; $6./children, seniors and students w/ valid I.D. Planetarium admission additional $3./adult; $2/children, seniors and students w/ valid I.D.

December 29th

5th Annual Snowball Classic Ice Skating Show at Mennen Sports Arena (Morris Township)

Skaters of many levels join together to show off the skills they’ve learned in this program themed “International” to commemorate the Winter Olympics! 6:30-8:30pm. FREE

December 29-30th

Wolf Watches at the Lakota Wolf Preserve (Columbia) 

Check out some howls to rival those of your kids! The Lakota Wolf Preserve offers a unique opportunity to watch and listen to packs of Tundra, Timber, and Arctic wolves right here in New Jersey. Bobcats and foxes also reside at the reserve. Enjoy a scenic walk to the preserve, observing the many forms of local wildlife along the way. Upon arrival at the Preserve you will be invited to the observation area, in the center of four packs of wolves, to listen to informal, educational talks with the people who raised and care for the wolves. While in the observation area you will be able to watch the wolves play, interact with each other and maybe even hear them howl. 10:30am and 3pm. Reservations required. Call 1-877-733-9653 or 1-908-496-9244. Also call before coming to check on possible closings due to icy conditions: 877-733-9653

December 30th

Family Winter Walk at Pyramid Mountain (Kinnelon)

Bundle up your kids age 5-and-older, and join the last scheduled hike for 2009 to seek signs of life in the frozen, winter landscape. 1pm. $3./person or $10./family.