27 Free and Fun Activities in New Jersey January 2026

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Rancocas Nature Center is a great spot for a free winter hike. Photo by Lisa Warden

Looking for FREE January events in New Jersey? Read on for dozens of great options. 

January is the perfect time to keep little ones warm and busy on a post-holiday budget with FREE and fun cold-weather festivals, including the Mount Holly Fire and Ice Festival, complete with ice sculptures and chili tasting. Or, enjoy hot chocolate, inflatables, and crafts at Wicoff House Museum's Annual Snowfest. And you'll find plenty of admission-free weekly activities for families, like the Live Animal Talks at Jake Branch County Park.

Mark your calendars with these great no-cost holiday events that take place nearly every day of the season. For more winter fun, check out our Event Calendar and Winter Activities Guide.

28 Free and Fun Things To Do in NYC in January 2026 with Kids

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

Head to the Prospect Park Audobon Center when school is out for some fun, free programming. Photo courtesy of the Prospect Park Alliance

If your bank account needs a rest, fear not: We've found 28 FREE things to do in January to keep New York City families busy all month long.

Though most of the big holiday attractions in NYC are packing up the tinsel this month, January celebrations, including the Three Kings Day Parade in East Harlem and BAM's annual tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., are just around the corner. Plus, Battery Park City's KindieRock series kicks off at the end of January, so little ones have a warm spot to shake their sillies out, and skating fans (even beginners!) can help Wollman Rink break a World Record.

Best Shared Family Calendar Apps (Tested by a Real Parent)

Submitted by Ally Noel on

Does your family run on a host of pieces of paper stuck to the wall? There's an app for that. Photo courtesy of Pixelshot via Canva

If you’ve ever missed a Spirit Day, double‑booked soccer practice, or realized after pickup that early dismissal was today... "Hi! Welcome to the club."  This is exactly why I went down the rabbit hole of family calendar apps in the first place.

For Mommy Poppins, I didn’t just research these apps; I  actually used them with my own family. On iPhones, Android devices, and laptops. With kids who sometimes check apps… and sometimes make me wonder why I pay for cell phone service

Below are the best shared family calendar apps I’ve personally tested — what actually worked in real life, what felt over hyped, and which families each app is truly best for. For more tried-and-tested parenting hacks, check out our Mommy Poppins Parenting Hacks Guide.

January Holidays for Kids: A Kid-Friendly Celebration for Every Day

Submitted by Meghan Rose on

Can you believe National Pass Gas Day is a real holiday? It will be your kid's favorite. Photo by Canva

Welcome to a NEW year! Whether you’re wondering “Is today a holiday?” or just need a quick way to make an ordinary afternoon feel special, this list of January holidays for kids gives families something to look forward to every day of the month. There's Pass Gas Day (what kid won't want to celebrate Fart Day?), Rubber Ducky Day, and of course, a long weekend for Martin Luther King Jr Day, to make it feel like the holiday season isn’t over yet!

Scroll down for all 31 fun holidays in January, plus links to holiday-a-day ideas for every month of the year.

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. In January at Mommy Poppins, we also celebrate all things FREE, so check out our national guide to freebies and also your local guide to free things to do near you!

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