Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!  Let’s hope Mr. Groundhog’s coat grew especially thick this year!  Shake up your routine on Groundhog Day and keep your fingers crossed there’s no shadow to be seen.  Maybe you can’t make it all the way to Pennsylvania to see Punxsutawney Phil make his annual prediction, but New Jersey teams with terrific activities in celebration of this common New Jersey garden pest (sorry Phil!).

Pre-Groundhog Day at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (Madison)
Get in the groundhog groove with an afternoon of kids’ groundhog-themed activities targeted to ages 2-to-6. Monday from 4-5pm. Admission $5. for all participants (regular admission $3./child, $5./adult). Advance registration recommended.  Call 973-377-2982 x12 for more information.

Great Groundhog Day at Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton)
It’s a groundhog extravaganza at this annual event; a day full of musical performances, tours, groundhog-inspired workshops, kinetic movement workshops and storytelling, plus hot chocolate and cookies!  Recommended for ages 6-to-10.  Tuesday, 11am- 4pm.  FREE with park admission:  $10./adults, $8./students 13-and-up, $6./kids ages 6-to-12, and FREE for kids 5-and-under.  Unfortunately, workshops are already all booked up, but you still can take advantage of the concert, artwork, snacks, and go on a hunt to find ART, the Grounds For Sculpture Groundhog! 

Groundhog Day at Pyramid Mountain (Kinnelon)
Head over to Pyramid Mountain after school to find out all sorts of  groundhog facts through fun games and activities for kids ages 7-to-10. (Parents welcome to stay and participate)!  Tuesday, 4-5pm. $5./participation.  Advance registration required by calling 973-334-3130.

Essex Ed at the Turtleback Zoo (West Orange)
Ready to reach a real groundhog?  Check out the Turtleback Zoo’s Essex Ed!  The zoo offers groundhog-related activities from 10am-3:30pm. $7./adults, $5./kids 3-and-up. Kids 2-and-under FREE.

Burrowing in your home on Groundhog Day?  Catch online video of Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction.  Then, serve up some groundhog treats for the kids while sporting your new groundhog gear and creating paper groundhog crafts-–enough to keep you busy until Spring arrives!