
President’s Day is Monday, February 20. If your kids are off from school, don’t worry about scrambling for a babysitter—there are plenty of NJ President’s Day camps around the Garden State to keep ’em entertained.
Arts Council of Princeton
102 Witherspoon St., Princeton
609-924-8777
The two-day camps are held Feb. 17 and 20. Kids in grades 4-5 can enroll in Animalia, where they will study both acrylic painting and sculpture with a focus on animals through art. Or, kids in grades 2-3 can explore the world of Alexander Calder.
Branchburg Sports Complex
47 Readington Rd., Branchburg
908-203-1600
Campers get to go crazy with arcade games, laser tag (the arena is 9,000 square feet!), batting cages, a play maze the Gaga Pit and more.
Candy Camp
Cricket’s Candy Creations, 200 Hudson St., New York
Make the Presidents Weekend super sweet for your kids. Children 4-7 can go to Jelly Bean Camp, while kids 8 and up can take part in Lollipop Camp. Candy Coaches will guide them through different candy crafts and games each day, which may include Candy Picture Frames, Sugar Shakers and more. Candy crafts help kids learn through play with sensory experiences, practicing fine motor skills, and traditional disciplines, such as art and mathematics.
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
324 Forest Dr. South, Short Hills
973-276-3587
Does your little one love playing in the snow? Gear up for a wintry adventure through the arboretum and bird sanctuary. Campers will learn all about the winter season and how it affects nature and its inhabitants. Turtle Tots is for kids who are 4 up to kindergarten, or Explorers are for first and second graders.
Express Yourself Studios
1877 Springfield Ave., Maplewood
973-763-5256
Do your kids ages 6-11 like to get creative? They can create their own works of art (worthy of the coveted fridge spot) using acrylics, watercolors, pastels and more.
Fernbrook Farms
142 Bordentown Georgetown Rd., Chesterfield Twp.
609-298-4028
Each day of camp will be a new adventure! Kids in grades 1-6 (ages 6–11) will enjoy these winter days outside with friends while engaging with nature. The daily schedule of farm animal feeding, exploration, snack, and choice activities mirror the special Fernbrook Farms summer camp schedule but with seasonal winter activities.
Iron Peak Sports
137 Mountain View Rd., Hillsborough
908-758-2738
Kids will experience a variety of activities, including climbing walls, ninja course, basketball and soccer, all making for a fun-filled, active day. Kids will be divided into age groups, 7-9 years old and 10-12 years old. Lunch will be provided and a $5 arcade game card is included with the option to add more value on site.
My Gym
522 Broad St., Glen Rock
201-444-4644
These 3-hour drop off mini camps are a fun way to keep your kids active and engaged when school is out. Join for action packed programing and activities including energizing games, exciting gymnastics, cool arts & crafts, and music that guarantees to keep them moving. As we emphasize physical development and personal success, kids have a blast and kiss boredom goodbye.
Ninja Warrior Camp
266 Union St., Northvale
201-768-8600
Is your little one obsessed with looking up Parkour videos? How about watching American Ninja Warrior? Kids ages 5-17 will rock climb, boulder and blaze through obstacle courses with the help of pros.Â
Professional Baseball Instruction
1300 Rte. 17 North, Ramsey (Ramsey Square Shopping Center)
201-760-8720 or 800-282-4638
Baseball players ages 6-13 can work on their skills including hitting, pitching, catching, base running, throwing and more.
Seaton Hackney Stables
440 South St., Morristown
973-644-3355
SHS FlexCamp offers your mini equestrian plenty of options—she can ride two to three times throughout the day and learn about barn management. She’ll practice alongside instructors and get hands-on experience with the horses.
STACK Sports
101 Corporate Dr., Mahwah
201-684-9190
Spend the day at a jam-packed basketball camp. Warm up with stretches, practice at various skill stations, play a few games, shoot some free throws and compete in contests. Grades 1-8.
Superdome Sports
134 Hopper Ave. Waldwick
201-444-7660
21-05 Morlot Ave., Fair Lawn
201-796-8000
Soccer and multi-sport clinics take place on the various holidays and vacation weeks. Kids love to play sports when they are off from school and Holiday Clinics are a great way for them to spend the day! Superdome offers single days (full and half) and multiple days (full and half).
TADA! Youth Theater
15 W. 28 St., New York
212-252-1619, ext. 4
Aspiring actors ages 4-11 will write, rehearse and premiere an original mini-musical during school breaks: Feb. 20-24, March 27-31 and April 10-14. Musical theater training, storytelling and lively theater games keep the kids engaged while they make new friends. Themes include: It’s a MEOW-sical! I can’t—I have rehearsal! Pirates & Princesses! No autographs, please! Dramatic Dinosaurs! and So apparently, I’m dramatic! On the last day of class, friends and family are invited to attend the premiere of the campers’ original mini-musical.
Tenafly Nature Center
313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
201-568-6093
Bundle ’em up for some fun in the great outdoors. They’ll explore the trails, hike, make nature-themed crafts, play games and venture through both forest and pond ecosystems. This weekend, first to sixth graders can take part in the Snapping Turtle Campsite, or kids in pre-K or kindergarten will go to the Chipmunk Campsite.
TGA Indoor Golf Camps
The Players Club, 348 Evelyn St., Paramus
PGA Tour Superstore, 295 NJ-17 South, Paramus
201-375-7406
Campers ages 5-12 will gain valuable instruction while playing fun games and competing on the simulator (closest to the pin, longest drive, etc). They’ll also play various golf courses over two days, including real ones like Pebble Beach and courses made for the simulator.
TGA Multi-Sport Camp
Central Elementary School, 600 S. Maple Ave., Glen Rock
201-375-7406
Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
973-731-5800
Wintertime at the zoo will wow your little animal lovers. Head to this NJ gem to find out what all the zoo’s residents do when it’s cold outside. The kids will get to tour the facilities and play games, too. Ages 5-10. Feb. 20 and 21 is Animal Acrobats – Frequent Fliers, Cool Climbers and Rapid Runners; the curriculum is different for each day.