NJ Weekend February 12-13: Animals, Animals, Animals!

2/10/11 - By Desiree

Animal lovers, this weekend is for you! The Turtleback Zoo has a family program on animal tracks, you can see animal shows at the Super Pet Show in Edison, the annual Great Backyard Bird Count takes place nationwide, and the Newark Museum has elephant art as part of their circus science weekend. And for those who are not animal lovers, get ready for Valentine's day! There is chocolate tasting, chocolate making, maple sugaring, and plenty other of sweet events going on!

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 Circus Science at the Newark Museum (Newark)

Ringling Brothers Circus is at the Newark Museum this weekend with clown performances, trapeze and tightrope walking, art, face painting, a treasure hunt, painting with centrifugal force, juggling, plate spinning, and more. There will be some fun circus-related giveaways too. Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 4:30pm.  Free with admission which is $10 for adults and $6 for kids.

Tracking Animal Prints at the Turtleback Zoo (West Orange)

There's more at the Turtleback zoo than just animal exhibits! At this fun family workshop learn why animal researchers find animal tracks so informative, and create wondrous works of art by using a variety of casts made from actual wildlife tracks of cougars, bears, wolverines, and more. Sunday from 2pm to 3pm. Ages 6 and up. $10 per child.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (throughout NJ)

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. You can do it in your own backyard, or various nature centers are sponsoring organized bird counting including Pyramid Mountain, Great Swamp, Davidson Mill Pond Park, Forest Road Park, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Duke Farms. Find a Great Backyard Bird Count venue near you here

Super Pet Expo (Edison)

This weekend you can take both your kids and pets to a fun outing, the Super Pet Expo. See animal shows and there will be a moonbounce, face painting, sand art, free arts and crafts, and more for kids. Leashed pets are welcome. Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm. Tickets are $13 for adults. 1 kid free with adult admission. Additional kids are $6 each.

World Story Festival: Africa at the Cotsen Children’s Library (Princeton)

Take a trip to Africa at this fun library program. Meet friends from the Princeton African Students Association and Voices of Africa and visit their beautiful land by touring colorful displays, hands-on projects, and more! Tahira, an African storyteller, will African tales in the griot tradition – through stories and West African instruments. Saturday from 2pm to 4pm. Ages 3 and up. FREE. First come first serve – no advance registration.

Family Fun Day at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (Madison)

Make your own yummy chocolate lollipop to share with your Valentine! Advance registration recommended by call 973-377-2982 x12. Saturday from 1pm to 3pm. Free with admission which is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 6 and up.

For some more Valentines events this weekend, like a Choclate Festival in Morristown look at our New Jersey Valentine's post.