It might be cold, but that doesn’t mean you should stay inside (and find great places to take preschoolers in February). Bundle up the tots and take them to see The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites on stage at SOPAC in South Orange. Visit MPAC in Morristown for a musical bonanza with Pete the Cat. Meet the Queen of Arendelle at the Eclectic Chic Boutique’s Queen Elsa Tea Party in Montclair, or get them grooving on their feet at Laurie Berkner’s Sensory-Friendly Show at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton.
Looking for free things to do this month? We’ve got you covered.
Saturday, February 1
The Sky Above
Branchburg
Hit the planetarium at RVCC for lasers, stories and music about the Milky Way and all its planets, stars and our moon. This sensory-friendly performance welcomes all ages, but presents its content on a kindergarten level.
$10
Sunday, February 2
Family Nature Club: Groundhog Celebration
Flemington
The kids can learn about Groundhog Day superstitions, try activities and see what Echo Hill’s local groundhog has to say about this year. Registration required.
$5/kid, free/accompanying adults
Storytime
Hoboken
Tots can listen to stories and sing songs about life in the big city at the Fire Department Museum with librarians from the Hoboken Public Library.
Free
Champions of Magic
Rahway
Five illusionists will perform incredible feats at UCPAC, like escaping from Houdini’s impossible water torture cell, levitating above the stage and making incredible predictions.
$22+
Friday, February 7
Alice in Wonderland
Union
This sensory-friendly performance at Wilkins Theatre heads down the rabbit hole with a new twist: Alice doesn’t fall into a garden, but a library full of pop-up books. Within each book is a door to a new adventure!
$10
Saturday, February 8
Valentines for Your Tweet-Heart
Trenton
Get crafty at the New Jersey State Museum—think handmade valentines with a bird theme. In the middle ages, people thought birds mated in mid-February, and they’ve been associated with the holiday ever since.
Free
Mystery and History of Magic
Morristown
Ages 3-9 can learn about famous magic tricks and the illusionists who performed them at the Morris Museum, plus see the magic in real life.
$15/non-members, $10/members
Lunar New Year Celebration
Princeton
Hit the Princeton University Art Museum to celebrate the Year of the Rat with activities, dance, music and traditional Chinese dishes.
Free
Sunday, February 9
Lightwire Theater: Dino-Light
Toms River
This glow-in-the-dark show at the Grunin Center mixes puppets and tech in this story about a famous scientist who uses magic to bring a dinosaur to life. When he leaves home, the dino discovers other creatures that’ll teach him about love as they light up the dark.
$17/adults, $12/kids
Monday, February 10
Pete the Cat
Morristown
Take your kiddos ages 3-8 to see their favorite musical cat at MPAC, who gets in trouble when he gets caught out of bed after bedtime. The cat-catcher sends him to live with the Biddle family, who’ll learn a thing or two about rockin’ out from their new feline.
$12-15
Friday-Sunday, February 14-23
Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!
NYC
This interactive show at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden features iconic characters from your childhood and theirs. Family favorites like Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster will have you moving, grooving and laughing.
$25+
Monday, February 17
Blippi Live!
Englewood
If your kids love watching Blippi on YouTube, now’s their chance to see him live at bergenPAC in Englewood. He’ll sing, dance and bring his sense of wonder to the stage. VIP tickets include a meet and greet.
$29.50-99.50
Craft and Story Time
Chester
Kiddos ages 5-11 can munch on snacks, listen to stories and work on crafts at Alstede Farms. Ages 5 and under are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
$9.99
Saturday, February 22
Laurie Berkner Sensory-Friendly Show
Princeton
Bring the kids to the McCarter Theatre Center to listen to Laurie’s solo acoustic music. Hear hits like “Victor Vito” and “We Are The Dinosaurs,” plus new songs that’ll get them on their feet. Bring a stuffed animal.
$15
Queen Elsa Tea Party
Montclair
Your lil’ ones can have tea with the Queen of Arendelle herself at the Eclectic Chic Boutique. Dress them in their Frozen best and get ready for stories, snacks, playtime, a sing-along, face painting and photos, plus a present to take home. Registration required.
$25
Sunday, February 23
The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites
South Orange
Ages 4-8 can watch their favorite lil’ caterpillar turn into a butterfly at SOPAC, plus other Carle stories like Little Cloud, who travels through the night sky and The Mixed-Up Chameleon, who discovers the importance of being yourself.
$25/adults, $20/kids
Wednesday, February 26
Oaks and Acorns—Mardi Gras
Summit
Ages 3 and up can take a nature walk, tell stories and work on an art project at Reeves-Reed Arboretum, plus celebrate with purple, yellow and green colors. Registration required.
$10, free/members
Thursday-Sunday, February 27-March 1
Jurassic World Live Tour
Newark
Head back to Isla Nublar at Prudential Center and witness another adventure with the Jurassic World crew and its dinos, like Blue the Raptor. Watch as a team of scientists rushes to save Jeanie, a new dinosaur, while evading the Indominus rex and thwarting corrupt plans.
$20+
Saturday, February 29
Rockin’ Rocket Ride
Branchburg
Ages 3 and up can blast off into the vast Milky Way at the planetarium at RVCC and visit the planets, moon and sun—all to a musical soundtrack. Reservations recommended.
$10
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