Chocolate Festival at the Morris Museum (Morristown)
 Chocoholic paradise!  Experience all things chocolate at the Morris Museum where the festivities include s h o w i n g s   o f   t h e   m o v i e   W i l l y   W o n k a   &   t h e   C h o c o l a t e   F a c t o r y  (at noon and 3pm); a 2pm c h o c o l a t e - m a k i n g   d e m o n s t r a t i o n   b y   D o v e   C h o c o l a t e   D i s c o v e r i e s; chocolate tastings; “name-that-candy-bar” trivia game; cookie decorating; a scavenger hunt; creation of a chocolate handprint mural; and a visit from the festival mascot, Chocolate Moose.  And leave some candy for the kids! Saturday, 11am-4pm.  FREE with admission, $10./adults, $7./kids.

Colonial Candy-Making at the William Trent House (Trenton)
Spend the afternoon at the William Trent House trying a hand at colonial era candymaking (and tasting, of course).  The ingredients used may surprise you!  Saturday, 12:30-4:00 pm.  FREE with admission. $4./adults, $2./children.

Valentine’s Fun at the Hopewell Public Library (Hopewell)
Craft a little love this Saturday at noon with your child 4-and-up.  Design and create four valentines to give to those near and dear. They supply paper, glue and stickers. You supply the imagination. Space is limited. Pre-registration suggested. Call 609-466-1625 or email.

Voices and Hearts for Haiti: A Sussex County Cares Festival Benefit Concert (Sparta)  Share some music with your family and some love for those in need in Haiti with this benefit concert to support the Healing Haiti Fund. Sunday, 3pm at the Sparta High School Auditorium. $10./donation.

President’s Day at Newark Museum (Newark)
The Newark Museum brings out piles of entertainment on President’s Day with craft projects, science workshops, a treasure hunt, and a special performance of “Leap, Frog, Leap” by The American Repertory Ballet.  Don’t forget to visit the mini-zoo! Monday 12:30pm-4:30pm with performances at 2pm and 4pm. FREE with museum admission. $10./adults, $6./kids.

President’s Day at the Morris Museum (Morristown)
It’s a presidential-palooza!  Watch a mini-series about Abraham Lincoln’s life, then recreate Lincoln’s log cabin or the White House with craft materials.  At 1:30pm, tour the Art Quilts; and at 2pm, investigate an interactive demonstration of the museum’s mechanical instruments and dolls.  Monday,  noon-3pm.  FREE with admission.  $10./adults, $7./kids.  Workshop fee $5./ child.

Cha Ma Gu Dao Chinese New Year Celebration (Montclair)

This year, February 14th, isn't only Valentine's Day but also the start of the Year of the Tiger, year 4708 of the Chinese lunar calendar. Savor some Chinese tradition Saturday at this lovely zen-like teahouse where they’re offering a free celebration of Chinese New Year.  On the program: 10:30 am - Traditional Chinese Dance, Noon - Chinese Calligraphy, at 2 pm - live music.

Celebrate the Year of the Tiger at Appel Farm Arts and Music Center (Elmer)
Bring in the Year of the Tiger with a roar!  Kids 6-and-up experience traditional Asian styles and tools with beautiful watercolors and bamboo brushes while learning about the Chinese Zodiac as they create their own personalized Chinese-style scroll. Sunday, 3-4:30pm $20./participant
Register online.

http://www.dltk-kids.com/Crafts/mardigras/index.htm
http://www.freekidcrafts.com/kid_mardi_gras_craft_ideas.html
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/mardi_gras.htm
Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday") comes from the ancient custom of parading a fat ox through Paris on this day to remind the people of the restriction against meat during Lent.  Of course, nowadays “Mardi Gras” means time to celebrate! Get into the spirit with these great Mardi Gras kids’ crafts.

Maple Sugaring Demo at Great Swamp (Chatham)
Shun the artificial sweets and go for the natural stuff: maple sugar!  At Great Swamp you can learn how to identify and tap maple trees.  Then collect the sap and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator and taste the results.  Saturday, 2-3pm. $3./person.  Advance registration is required by calling 973-635-6629.
                                    
The Great Backyard Bird Count (throughout NJ)
This annual four day event brings amateur and professional birdwatchers from across the state together to watch and record their sightings for a national bird research project.  In Morris County the Great Backyard Bird Count takes place at Great Swamp and Pyramid Mountain Saturday 9am-4pm. FREE.  Call 973-635-6629 for more information.  Another location participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count also takes place at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center where on Sunday from 2-3:30pm you can show up, pay $5, and borrow a pair of binoculars to go on a guided walk on the lookout for birds in the wild.    

Family Day at the State Theater of NJ (New Brunswick)
The ultimate indoor event for the long weekend:  29 events in one day!  Family Day events include big ticket performances like the Gazillion Bubble Show; storytelling; kiddy sing-a-longs; workshops; free face painting and balloon animals; and plenty of treats and snacks.  Family Day starts Monday at 10am and continue until about 3:30pm.  Some events like storytelling and face painting are free.  The workshops include things like a hip hop dance workshop, and improv workshop, mask making, making Lincoln’s cabin, creating a bubble print tshirt, and even a musical recycling workshop where you create your own musical instruments. Monday, 10am-3:30pm. All workshops cost $8. and require advance registration by calling 732-247-7200, ext 545. There are three showings of the Gazillion Bubble Show throughout the day with tickets at $15.-$25. per ticket. Advance registration for all tickets strongly recommended. Buy online  www.StateTheatreNJ.org or call 732-246-7469.