Looking for things to do in NJ this weekend with your kids? Visit Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster at Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! in NYC, or The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites at SOPAC in South Orange. If you don’t want to sit for a show, hit the Eclectic Chic Boutique in Montclair for tea with Queen Elsa, or bring your lil’ comic fans to South Jersey Nerd Fest in Swedesboro.
If you want to stay inside, take a look at our favorite indoor activities. Even though it’s winter you can still experience the great outdoors, we found some awesome activities the kids will love. Got a bunch of younger kids to entertain? We’ve got activities that cater just to them, plus free events for the whole fam. Check out our calendar for events near you, or browse things to do in NJ this weekend by county below.
ALL WEEKEND
The Wizard of Oz
Upper Montclair
You don’t need to head down the Yellow Brick Road to get to Emerald City—just make the drive to Studio Playhouse. Dorothy will meet three special friends on her way to see the great and powerful Oz.
$10
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. Select dates through Feb. 23.
$45+
Maple Sugaring Weekend
Basking Ridge
Make plans with your family to hit the Environmental Education Center and learn how maple trees are tapped, and how sap is gathered and boiled to create maple syrup. If you want to try other maple sugaring activities, there are plenty around NJ.
Free
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Wee Readers
Cherry Hill
Stop by the Garden State Discovery Museum for a visit to Pennsauken Library. All ages are welcome to sing songs and listen to rhymes and stories.
Included with admission
Friday STEAM: Diver Challenge
Phillipsburg
Ages 5 and up can swim to the Warren County Library to construct a one-of-a-kind scuba diver. This diver doesn’t sink to the bottom or float on the surface! Registration required.
Free
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Polar Bear Plunge
Seaside Heights
Grab your swimsuits and head to the beach at Spicy Cantina for a plunge into the Atlantic that’ll benefit Special Olympics New Jersey.
$25/register, $110/pledge to plunge
Read and Explore: Getting Ready for Spring
Princeton
Bring your 8-and-unders to Terhune Orchards for some springtime garden prep. The kids can learn about the St. Patrick’s Day tradition of planting peas and spinach, plus listen to a story. They’ll also leave with their own plant seeds. Registration requested.
$10
STEM Adventures
Allentown
Head to Kiddie Academy for hands-on STEM activities and demos that’ll inspire their imaginations and problem-solving skills.
Free
Blue Comet Day
Jersey City
Stop by the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal to learn about the Blue Comet’s trail on the 91st anniversary of its inaugural run (it used to travel all the way to Atlantic City). There’ll also be displays, presenters and children’s programs (ages 5-10) about trains, plus a take-home craft. Registration required.
Free
Creative Play
Newark
Visit the Newark Museum and learn about the local community, from neighbors and families to all the different facets that make up Newark.
Included with admission
Art for Families: Play Ball
Princeton
All ages are invited to the Princeton University Art Museum for a gallery activity and art project based on the world’s first team sports. Before you leave, make a headdress inspired by the ancient Mayans.
Free
George Washington’s Birthday Celebration
WayneMake plans to visit Dey Mansion to learn about the United States’ first president, George Washington. Your kids will marvel at the local militia, plus listen to 18th-century music and see crafters and demos.
Included with admission
Laurie Berkner Sensory-Friendly Show
Princeton
Laurie Berkner is returning to her hometown for a sensory-friendly performance of her greatest hits. Her popular children’s music includes songs like “Pig on Her Head,” “Victor Vito” and “We Are the Dinosaurs.” The whole family is welcome to get up and dance (plus bring stuffed animals to place on their heads).
$15
Queen Elsa Tea Party
Montclair
Your lil’ ones can have tea with the Queen of Arendelle 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
Earth, Moon, Sun & Coyote
Branchburg
Adapted from Native American oral traditions, Coyote wonders about the lights in the night sky. Ages 6-12 can listen to Native American stories, then learn about lunar eclipses and phases, the Milky Way and more at the Planetarium at RVCC.
$10
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
South Jersey Nerd Fest
Swedesboro
Think costume contests, raffles, comics, action figures, anime, crafts and more, plus guests like Rusty Gilligan from Pete’s Dragon and legendary comic book artist Mark McKenna, who has nearly 600 comics to his name, including X-Men, Spider-Man, Doom Patrol and Deadpool.
$5, free/ages 12 and under
The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites
South Orange
Ages 4-8 can watch their favorite little caterpillar turn into a butterfly at SOPAC, plus see other Carle characters 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
Annual Chili Cook-Off
Highlands
This event doubles as a St. Patrick’s parade fundraiser and an excuse to indulge in great food. Tickets include samples of chili, two beers and two voting ballots. Once you vote for your favorites, check out the bagpipe bands and Irish dancers.
$30
ONGOING
Maple Sugaring
Tenafly
On Sundays through March 22, all’s sweet at Tenafly Nature Center. Your family can learn to identify maple trees and the history and technology behind maple syrup before boiling sap to make fresh, warm maple syrup for tasting.
$5/members, $15/member family; $10/non-members, $30/non-member family
Wild Kratts: Creature Power! Exhibition
Jersey City
Race to Liberty Science Center for this exhibit based on the Wild Kratts PBS show. Explore the Australian Outback for kangaroos, koalas and platypuses before heading to Antarctica for penguins and ice shelves and a tropical rainforest for jaguars, monkeys and sloths. Ends May 31.
Included with admission
FIND MORE THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND
If you have any upcoming events you’d like to add to our calendar, click here!
# things to do in NJ this weekend # things to do in NJ this weekend