Not every play that we bring kids to needs to be a children's show. Just last week I brought my son to see the legendary Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit (partly because Ahmanson Hot Tix are cheaper than a babysitter), and he giggled himself blue in the face. And when Cirque du Soleil comes to town, it ain't cheap but a whole family can love it together. Fairy tales, puppets, and sing-alongs definitely have their place, but it can be a wonderful thing to find a play that the entire family can enjoy on different levels. Such a show is Smoke and Mirrors at The Odyssey, in which a master magician tells his personal story and performs some top-notch magic along the way.

There’s definitely something to be said about a cozy weekend spent at home during the chilly month of January. But if you’re growing just a wee bit tired of “Mooom, I’m bored!”, it might be time to plan an outing for the whole gang and get out of the house! Lots of great performances going on in Jersey this weekend: check out the Laurie Berkner Band and her high-energy dance songs at the McCarter Theater, Ivy + Bean The Musical at South Orange Performance Arts Center or Sid the Science Kid Live at BPAC. For some hands-on fun and learning, sign up for one of Great Swamp’s popular Maple Sugaring Demos during their peak season or take a crash course in Backyard Birding at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum. For even more weekend fun, check out the full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

If your little one loves to bust a move at home, why not sign him or her up for a hip hop class that's close to home? Your tiny dancer can get up, get down and get funky with these hip hop classes in Suffolk County.

You can also check out our neighboring Nassau County roundup of Hip Hop Classes. And if you're looking for other after-school and enrichment classes on Long Island, be sure to check out  our Classes Guide.

Now that New Jersey's in a deep freeze, is anyone itching for warm weather, beaches and swimming? While there are plenty of fun winter activities, I can’t help feeling like Olaf and dreaming of everything summer. Don’t let the cold keep you indoors and stop you from doing those summer activities you love. With warm clothing and a little imagination, there are ways to experience summer-type fun in the winter. So get out your bathing suit (perhaps covered with your winter coat), and pretend it’s summer in January.

The week kicks off with Martin Luther King Day, a day of peace and remembrance, as well as a day off from school. Keep the kids busy at Explore the Dream Through Art Workshop or a fun day of Skate & Play at Depford Skating, plus various other community events. Nature programs are popping up all over the state this week, including Awesome Animal Artists, Maple Tree Tapping and Kids and Critters Preschool Program. And get a taste of music and art at Rock Out with Mr. Ray and Fire Me Up! Studio’s Kid’s Night Out. Don’t forget to check out our event calendar for even more weekday and weekend events.