SATURDAY ONLY

T-Shirt-to-Tote Bag Event at Michaels (Princeton) 

Did you know you can turn a regular ol’ t-shirt into a rockin’ tote bag? Learn how here, then go home and recycle all those torn, stained or too-small t-shirts into great gifts for those your little ones love. Open to children 12-and-up. Saturday, February 19 at 10am. FREE with purchase of t-shirt ($2.50) While supplies last. Call 609-919-1250 for more information.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn)

While the snow days pile up and the winter seems to stretch on and on, we can still dream of spring birds and butterflies. The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia visits the Paper Mill Playhouse this weekend to bring The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle favorites to life. Saturday, February 19 at 10am. Tickets $15 for orchestra and $12 for mezzanine. Call 973-376-4343 for tickets and more information.

Art for Families at the Princeton University Art Museum (Princeton) 

Love Italy but no family trip across the Atlantic planned in the near future? Bring your kids here for a taste of “Everyday Life in Renaissance Italy. ” Enjoy a self-guided, interactive tour followed by an Italian art project. All ages welcome. Saturday, February 19. Drop in between 10:30am and 1pm. FREE Call 609-258-3788 for more information.

Build a Birdhouse at the Essex County Environmental Center (Roseland)

It’s National Nest Box Week! Celebrate by building a home for our flying friends. Putting out your bird house now creates a good chance of having a nesting pair of songbirds in your yard by spring. Beats the neighbor’s Saturday early morning lawn-mowing racket, right? Saturday, February 19, 10:30am-12:30pm. Adults $8. Children $6. Advance registration required; call 973-228-8776 to register and for more information.

Tots on Tour at Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton, NJ)

Here’s some three-fold fun for your 3-to-5 year old: listen to a story, explore the gorgeous Grounds for Sculpture, then make your own sculpture! Afterwards, grab some kid-friendly food at the center’s Peacock Cafe–participants receive special dining rates. Saturday, February 19. 11am and 1pm. Open to 3-5 year olds accompanied by an adult, but space is limited and are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. FREE with admission. Adults $12, Seniors (65+)$10, Children (6-17) $8. Members and children 5 and under FREE. Call 609-586-0616 for more information.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

The Touch Tunnel at Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, NJ) 

How much do we rely on our sense of sight? If you can endure a 10-minute crawl through a pitch-black maze, navigating only by your sense of touch, you’ll find out. If your brave child suddenly panics, don’t worry, cameras and microphones allow LSC staff to give guidance, and panels can be popped along the way for a quick rescue. Open to children 7 and up. Saturday, February 19 and Sunday February 20 from 9am to 5pm. FREE with paid admission (Adults 13+ $15.75, Kids 2-12 and Seniors $11.75) Call 201-200-1000 for more information.

Beauty and the Beast at the Studio Playhouse (Montclair) 

If you think you’ve heard and seen this one so many times you mumble it in your sleep, think again! The Studio Playhouse offers a fun, comedic version filled with forests, castles and magical gardens. Lots of surprises, hilarious characters, and some unexpected twists make it fun for everyone. Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20 at 1:30pm and 3:30pm Adults $22, Children 18 and under and Seniors $19. Call 973-744-9752 for tickets and more information.

SUNDAY ONLY

The Unhuggables at Environmental Education Center (Basking Ridge)

Sure, puppies and kittens steal our hearts, but how about some love for the icky, the creepy and the scary animals? The “unhuggables”? Meet and get to know some of these amazing animals–maybe you and your kids will change your minds about that pet tarantula. Sunday, February 20 at 1:30-2:30pm. $6/participant. Pre-registration required. Call 908-766-2489 to register, or for more information, go to the website and click on 2011 Winter Park Guide for a full listing on a pdf file.