Schools are closed, kids are home and that means – how on earth will you occupy them for the week? Thankfully, we’ve got some great ideas.
1. Head Outdoors
If they enjoy outdoor activities, you can take them skiing, snowshoeing or ice skating. It’ll let them exercise, burn off energy and breathe in some fresh air. On Jan. 1 you all can go on a First Day Hike for a group connection to nature.
2. Act Out Inside
For kids with a dramatic side, head to a local theater to see a musical, comedy or kids show.
3. Hit the Lanes
You can also practice your bowling skills at a local alley, which is a popular pastime for winter fun.
4. Drive Along
Your teens will definitely want to be one of the first to drive on the new indoor karting track at Supercharged! There are two tracks that make up the longest indoor karting track in the world. There’s also axe throwing, bumper cars, a Drop & Twist tower and dozens of arcade games. Topgolf is next door if you want to add a driving range to your experience.
5. Immerse Yourselves
If you don’t mind the drive to NYC, there are some really cool immersive experiences you will all love. Picture yourself standing in the middle of your favorite artist’s iconic painting or learning about King Tut’s tomb in life-sized fashion.
6. Celebrate Kwanzaa
Learn about the seven principles of this special holiday during a dance party. A choreographer, percussionist and West African dancer will incorporate traditional elements of the holiday with new movement, art and music. There will be dancing and singing so the kids get a firsthand experience!
7. Listen to the Sounds of the Season
Keep the Christmas spirit alive a few more days by attending a concert by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. “Christmas Canon” and “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” are two of the most recognizable Christmas tunes, and you’ll love hearing them live and intertwined with a beautiful story of Christmas.
8. Go Prehistoric
Picture yourselves sitting inside a glow-in-the-dark puppet theater while the Dinosaur Troubadour and singing paleontologists tell you all about your dino neighbors! Dinosaurs Dynamite is a 75-minute double feature live show where your kids will root for the bravest dinosaur of them all. Or, check out Jurassic Quest which is more of a hand-on exhibit where you will see life-sized dinos roaming around the convention center.
9. Keep History Alive
For your kids who enjoy learning about the past, keep them interested in a little bit of history this break, as five new Civil War flags will be unveiled in the first floor exhibition of the New Jersey State Museum. This rotation includes a late-war national flag with hand-painted battle honors belonging to the 7th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, a rare artillery swallowtail flag or guidon, and a presentation flag of the 23rd New Jersey donated to the regiment by the “Sunday School Army” of Burlington County.
10. Take a Road Trip
There are great places in South Jersey to spend the holiday week, such as Cape May or Historic Smithville. Many of their Christmas-themed activities are on through the New Year. You can do some after-holiday shopping for those relatives you haven’t seen yet, or catch a lights show before they’re removed for the season.
11. Go on a Holiday Adventure
Liberty Science Center will have its ongoing exhibits open, plus a special Holiday Adventure this week. Take a spin on the Sock Skating Rink, rock out at the Holiday Dance Party, get tickets to the Laser Wonderland show, hop aboard the Winter Train, taste some liquid nitrogen ice cream and sit down for storytime.
12. Wander Through Adventure Bay
CAMP has its PAW Patrol Experience ready for your youngsters! Fans of the hit show will love taking part in different activities, such as building a tower, biking along Chase’s Roadway, putting out the fireworks Mayor Humdinger let loose, and traveling down Skye’s Zip-line.
13. Ride a Roller Coaster
Six Flags Great Adventure is open all week, so you can ride your favorite rides while also catching the last few days of Holiday in the Park, which decorates the theme park with millions of dazzling lights.
14. Enjoy Storytime
Most local libraries will be open, so sit down and read a good book, check out their magazine selection and browse the DVDs you can borrow. If your child’s teacher assigned a project over winter break, the library is a great place to have some quiet time to work on their homework.
15. Visit a Museum
Plan a day trip to the Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill, the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton or Imagine That!!! in Florham Park.
16. Have a Ball
Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park is a fun place to play antique pinball games. Have some friendly competition with your kids on the games from your childhood!
Don’t forget to check our list of Things to Do This Weekend for more ideas on how to keep the kids occupied. Plus, we rounded up fun NYE parties the kids will enjoy!