Looking for things to do in NJ this weekend with your kids? Use this year’s Leap Day to visit dinosaurs at Prudential Center in Newark for Jurassic World Live Tour or introduce your kids to Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park at UCPAC. Hit the State Theatre in New Brunswick for levitation and magic at Masters of Illusion or see a fairytale hit the stage at MPAC’s Hansel and Gretel in Morristown. If your kids don’t want to see a show, they can burn off all their energy playing games and jumping on inflatables at the Bridgewater Winter Carnival.
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, so 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
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 rush to save Jeanie, a new dinosaur, while evading the Indominus rex and thwarting corrupt plans.
$20+
Progressive Atlantic City Boat Show
Atlantic City
Hit the Convention Center to see Twiggy, the waterskiing squirrel, try the virtual fishing simulator and kids’ toy boat building, enter the wing eating contest, splash around in a mini paddleboat, check out sand art and more.
$17/adults, free/ages 12 and under
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Masters of Illusion
New Brunswick
Whether or not you’ve seen the Masters at work on The CW, these escapologists will wow your family at the State Theatre. From illusions to levitation, there’ll be plenty of sleight of hand to keep your kids in awe.
$35-75
Classic Film Series on 35mm: Jurassic Park
Rahway
Introduce them to Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park at UCPAC, featuring Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern, and the humans who find that an island full of dinosaurs isn’t such a good idea. Run!
$5
Friday STEAM: Black History Month
Phillipsburg
Ages 5 and up can learn about iconic African Americans, then work on related STEM challenges. Registration required.
Free
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29
Discover Family Engineering Day
Phillipsburg
Celebrate National Engineers Week by building a Rube Goldberg machine, notorious for making simple tasks more complex. Registration required.
Free
Children’s Nature Hour
Barnegat
Bring kiddos ages 5-12 to Cloverdale Farm County Park for a hands-on indoor program that’ll introduce them to nature topics.
Free
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday at Target
Multiple locations
Target stores around the Garden State will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with giveaways, activities and a read-along of Happy Birthday to You! every 30 minutes from 10-11:30 am. For more ways to celebrate Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Day, check out these local events.
Free
Leap Day Craft
Toms River
Kids can spend some time in Spark’s Lab at the Toms River Branch Library to make a frog craft in honor of this year’s extra day.
Free
Creative Play
Newark
Explore the Newark Museum of Art’s collections through activities, songs and stories. Your lil’ ones ages 3-5 can create a project before they leave.
Free
Indoor PlayStreet
Elizabeth
Get the kids out of the house and over to Elizabeth Public Library for basketball, jumprope, hopscotch and giveaways for all ages.
Free
Art for Families: Better Still
Princeton
All ages are invited to the Princeton University Art Museum for a gallery activity and art project based on still life pieces. Before you leave, create your own still life work to take home.
Free
Big Brew Beer Fest
Morristown
Leave the kids with their grandparents and head to the Morristown Armory for your choice of more than 200 brews, plus live music and bites from food trucks like Angry Archie’s, Glazed and Confused, Ma & Pa’s Tex-Mex BBQ and more.
$60-70
International Polar Bear Day
Point Pleasant Beach
Learn about polar bears and the everyday efforts we can make to help conserve their species at Jenkinson’s Aquarium.
Included with admission
Planetarium Shows
Branchburg
The RVCC Planetarium has you covered with a variety of shows that’ll keep the lil’ ones entertained. Ages 3-8 can hop on a Rockin’ Rocket Ride to learn about the moon, sun and planets to a fun soundtrack. Skylights mixes songs like “The Planet Song” and “Kalien the Alien” with images and lasers. To Worlds Beyond (ages 10 and up) is all about the night sky. Find out what constellations and planets are visible this weekend, then visit each of the planets, including Pluto. Then, stick around for Rock of Ages (ages 10 and up), a laser concert featuring songs from popular films and Broadway shows.
$10
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Belmar
Celebrate the luck of the Irish a little early at the shore. Find a spot on Main St. and watch thousands of marchers, performers and decked out floats.
Free
Trailblazers Volunteer Day
Jersey City
Your 10-and-uppers can volunteer at Liberty State Park Nature Center and help maintain the trails by removing weeds and vines from the Richard J. Sullivan Natural Area. Registration required.
Free
Bridgewater Winter Carnival
Bridgewater
Let the kids roam free at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC, where they can go nuts with carnival games, a GAGA space, inflatables, the Frozen room and more. For an additional fee, they can hit the game truck, petting zoo, crafts room and hair braiding station. Food will be available for purchase.
Free admission
New Jersey Ballet: Hansel & Gretel
Morristown
This weekend, MPAC’s stage will showcase an infamous pair of siblings who wander into the forest and find a mysterious gingerbread house. After being captured by a wicked witch, the two foil her plans and free other captured children before reuniting with their parents.
$15-25
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 making maple syrup. Then, boil 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
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