8th Annual Cabin Fever Festival (Hoboken)
Kids climbing the walls? Would you rather a root canal than another game of Candyland? You need to get out and commune with other families—after all, misery loves company, right? One of the best family groups around, The Hoboken Family Alliance, provides the perfect cure for those winter doldrums: their Cabin Fever Festival. The Baby Lounge features Romparoo, Travelin’ Tumblers, The Little Gym, Music Together and Mimi Yoga for the 2-and-under crowd. Polka Dot, Garden Street Music and Hudson Dance and Movement Center perform on the Sound Stage. Try your luck at the raffles for a chance to win classes, programs, nights out, spas, camps, etc! Saturday, 10am-3pm.  $20./family non-HFA member.


Annual Matilda’s Tea for Children at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum (Morristown)
Your little fashionista travels back in time as fashion historian Barbara Meyer Darlin shows how times have changed the way we dress. She also covers how hats relate to our environmental movement. All young tea-takers create a real garden party hat to take home.  Recommended for ages 6-and-up with adult. 1:30pm. $30./non-members. Call 973-326-7603 to register, and if it’s snowing, call before you leave to confirm the event hasn’t been postponed—snow date February 20.

Sap to Syrup at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (Morristown)
Hankerin’ for a rustic experience and some real maple syrup, but kids won’t survive the long drive to Vermont? Don’t worry, you can still experience all the charm of maple sugaring at Fosterfields. Take interpretive maple sugaring hikes, tap maple trees, watch an evaporator demo, taste-test maple syrups, help with farm chores or enjoy a wagon ride. Saturday,12-4pm. $6./adults; $5./seniors; $4./children ages 4-16; $2./ages 2 -3; FREE under age 2.

Cirque Mechanics present Birdhouse Factory at NJ Performing Arts Center (Newark)
Thought about taking the tikes to Cirque de Soleil, but held out due to ticket prices and concern that boredom (read: whining) might ensue halfway through the show? Here’s your answer:  Acrobats, dancers, contortionists and clowns-- all graduates of Cirque de Soleil, Moscow Circus and other renowned companies-- present a quirky, comedy-filled production sure to delight every child—no matter their age! Prior to the matinees, avail yourselves of face-painting, clowning, and circus food in the lobby. Saturday, 2pm and 7:30pm; Sunday, 3pm. Tickets start at $18. Order online at NJPAC's site.

Valentines at the Vineyards (Cape May)
Taking a pass on date night this year? No worries! Treat yourselves with the family in tow at this “Old World Farm Winery.” Receive FREE samples of their new strawberry wine, complimentary bakery items from Victory Bakery as well as chocolate fondue samplings from The Melting Pot.  Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Max & Ruby at the Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn)
C’mon, you know the song: “Max and Ruby....Ruby and Max...”  Now watch your kids go crazy over their favorite show coming to life on stage in this musical based on the popular TV show. Saturday, 10am. Ages 5-8. Tickets start at $7.50 and may be purchased online.

Golden Dragon Acrobats at Bergen Community College (Paramus)
Celebrate Chinese New Year on Sunday with a little dim sum in the morning and a high caliber acrobat show in the afternoon. Considered today’s premiere acrobatic touring company, the Golden Dragon Acrobats bring thrills and chills. Award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, beautiful costumes and ancient and modern music–and you thought this was the year of the Tiger!  Sunday, 2pm and 6pm., Tickets start at $20. and may be purchased online.

Dolphin Up a Tree at Bergen Performing Arts Center (Englewood)
Does a play based on the Myers-Briggs theory of personality types sound, well, boring? WRONG! This one brims with fun as Tina’s stuffed animals try to help get a dolphin out of a tree! Filled with humor, songs, slapstick and drama, this hilarious and interactive show helps kids learn how to appreciate their personality differences. Sunday,1pm and 4pm. Tickets $17. and may be purchased online.

Snow White and the Eight Dwarfs at the Saddle River Valley Cultural Center (Saddle River)
Zany balloon artistry and help from audience members, perhaps even as a lead character, bring this story to life! All ages welcome. Saturday, 1pm and 3pm. $12. non-members.   

Sparta Park and Rec Winter Carnival (Sparta)
Celebrate the snow at this wicked-fun Winter Carnival! Kid-geared outdoor activities at Station Park include sledding (for fun, and in contests); snow painting; snow-shoe races; a dog sled demonstration and more! In fact, if your little one loves to launch rockets, bring your own rocket and launch it under the direction and guidance of the local Cub Scout pack. The Scouts provide the launchers. You’ll need a pre-assembled rocket, engine, igniter and cotton batting...all of which can be purchased relatively inexpensively from a local hobby shop. Can we say it? Yes. You’ll have a blast. Saturday, 11am-2pm. (Sled dog demonstration noon-2pm) FREE.

Fire Escapes Family Tour at the Newark Museum (Newark)
Fire truck fanatic in the house? Hit the Newark Museum exhibit, “Fire Escapes: Danger and Survival.”, then let your little fireperson climb into the cab of a real fire truck, and finish up by building a model fire truck to take home. Suggested admission: $10./Adults, $6./ Children