FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12
LSC Junior Days
Where: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Every Thursday and Friday is LSC Junior Day at Liberty Science Center, which means ages 6 and under can hit the Science Dance Party twice per day, visit the Wild About Animal exhibition and even explore more shows in the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium. This Friday, work on a Valentine’s Day craft with Valentine’s Day Craft with Luna de Papel.
Lincoln’s Birthday
Where: iPlay America, Freehold
For President’s Lincoln’s birthday, celebrate at iPlay America with arcade games, rides and video games with extra $5 bonuses for laser tag and the 4-D theater and bowling.
Cake Pops
Where: The Flavor Labs, Norwood
Head into the cooking studio for an hour-long class on creating and decorating cake pops with your kids. For kids under age 6, an adult is required. Only eight students will be allowed into a class at a time. Registration required.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Galentine’s Day Skate
Where: American Dream, East Rutherford
Grab a mask and some ice skates for a special Galentine’s Day on the ice at The Rink. DJ Mark Wolf will spin some tunes while you show off your best dance moves and figures eights.
Maple Sugaring Demo
Where: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham Twp.
Your family can learn how to identify and tap maple trees, plus collect sap and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. This year’s program will be completely outdoors. Registration required. Every Saturday through March 13.
Acute Inflections: A Jazzy Love Affair
Where: MPAC, Morristown and virtual
This program follows the origin story of Acute Inflections, the bass and voice duo, as they tell their romantic tale through love songs and engaging with the audience. In-person and virtual tickets available.
Drive Up: Peppa, Marshall and Poppy
Where: Imagine That!!! Museum, Florham Park
Park your car outside Imagine That!!! so the kids can jump out and dance with Peppa Pig and Poppy and Marshall from Paw Patrol. Each child will also receive a treat and can take a chance to take pictures with the characters, too. Registration required.
Cattus Island Nature Walks
Where: Cooper Environmental Center, Cattus Island County Park, Toms River
Take your kids on a walk at Cattus Island to learn about the island’s animal habitats from a park naturalist. No registration required. Ends March 28.
Old-Fashioned Valentine’s Day
Where: Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
From 11-3pm, families can ride in a horse-drawn bobsled or hay wagon through the farm’s enchanting landscape. Indoors at the farmhouse there will be hot soup available, and children can craft their own Valentines for a small materials fee. Masks required for entry.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 (Valentine’s Day)
Valentine’s Day Date Skate
Where: American Dream, East Rutherford
Bring your other half (or your kids!) to The Rink for a date night on ice. There’ll be music while you skate from 4-8 pm.
Great Backyard Bird Count Kid’s Craft and Bird Walk
Where: Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Teaneck
Meet at the conservancy with your kids for a craft and bird walk through nature. Be sure to bundle up! Registration required.
Maple Sugaring
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly
Check out the nature center’s tapped trees and see how the sap is boiled down to make fresh maple syrup, plus learn how to identify a maple tree, the history behind syrup making and how technology has changed the way sap is gathered. Registration required.
Pump it Up Valentine’s Day Party
Where: Pump it Up Piscataway
From 1:30-3:30 PM, your kid can enjoy 1.5 hours of Open Jump playtime and games, as well as pizza and a drink of choice at this kid-centric Valentine’s party. Kids wearing red socks even get a free tattoo! Admission is $20 and is first come first serve due to limited space. Masks, socks, and a signed waiver are required for entry.
Valentine’s Day at iPlay America
Where: iPlay America, Freehold
This V-Day, take your kids to iPlay to celebrate with rides and video and arcade games. On Sunday, take advantage of iPlay’s special offer, which includes ride passes, a game card and two treats from Broadway Sweets.
Live Animal Talks
Where: Nature Center, Jakes Branch County Park, Beachwood
Families can get a close look at the animals of Jakes Branch County Park, plus learn about each species. Talks are about 20 minutes and only the first eight people to sign up upon arrival will be served. Sessions are at 12:30 and 1:30 pm.
Sweetheart Night Hike and Campfire
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly
Grab your sweetheart for a night hike through the woodland preserve, then cuddle up around a roaring fire and roast a few marshmallows. Registration required.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 (Presidents’ Day) and TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
High Exposure Winter Break Camps
Where: High Exposure, Northvale
When: 2/15-19
Do your kids have what it takes to be the next American Ninja Warrior? Ages 5-17 can learn the skills it takes through rock climbing, bouldering, parkour, games and obstacles. Registration required.
Sky Zone
Where: Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Allendale
When: 2/15-16
Take the kids to the trampoline park to blow off some steam while they’re off from school. The park will only allow 35 percent capacity and has added social distancing floor markers and asks all visitors to wear masks. Reserve an open jump ticket for 60, 90 or 120 minutes. BounceU in Paramus is also offering open bounces from 2/15-16.
Lunar New Year Concert
Where: American Dream, East Rutherford
When: 2/16
American Dream will host its first-ever concert to ring in the Year of the Ox on Tuesday with a live, two-hour program (which will also be streamed on Instagram). There’ll be a variety of musical performances ranging from classical instrumental music to popular music genres.
Mardi Gras Celebration
Where: Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
When: 2/16
Ages 6-10 can listen to stories and work on activities based on the celebration of Mardi Gras. They’ll learn about the history and culture of the holiday, plus make fun crafts. Masks are mandatory and registration is required.
After School Program: Predators
Where: Watershed Institute, Pennington
When: 2/16
Ages 6-12 can bundle up and head outdoors to learn about mammals and how they adapt during the winter season. Explore the reserve and learn about the variety, behavior and resiliency of animals in NJ.
Morning Sports Camp
Where: Wyckoff Family YMCA, Wyckoff
When: 2/16-18
Grades K-6 can hit the gym for games and sports that’ll keep them active and moving with kids of similar ages. Registration required.
ALL WEEKEND
Superhero Weekend
Where: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
To celebrate its final month of the DC Super Heroes exhibition, kids can listen to story time, play superhero trivia and experience a superhero laser show in the planetarium. They can also try Thor’s Hammer Challenge, Riddler’s Riddle Hunt or the Heroes Assemble Dance Party.
Maple Sugaring
Where: Watershed Institute, Pennington
Bundle up with your 5-and-uppers to explore the history, folklore and science of maple sugaring. During this hour-long program, you’ll visit the maple trees, discover how to use drills and spiles to tap trees and sample the maple sugar. Registration required. Ends February 21.
Walk of Heroes
Where: Maplewood Village, Maplewood
This self-walking tour through Maplewood’s Village and Springfield Avenue storefronts features educational posters of 25 notable African American historical figures from the past and present.
Big Snow Walk
Where: Thielke Arboretum, Glen Rock
Follow the story of an excited and frustrated boy who watches hopefully as wintry weather slowly develops into a big snow. The story begins at the playground entrance at the pool parking lot. This StoryWalk will be up throughout the winter.
Barnyard Zoo
Where: Abma’s Farm, Wyckoff
On Fridays and Saturdays, head to Abma’s with your little ones for a visit with goats, sheep, alpacas, donkeys, ponies, bunnies, pigs and more. Masks are required.
Elmo’s Furry Fun Fest
Where: The Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
On weekends through March 21, the Sesame Place will offer new, limited capacity special events that include the park’s rides and characters, plus a scavenger hunt and dance party. This weekend, celebrate My Fuzzy Valentine’s Celebration. Reservations required.
ONGOING IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES
The Rink at Winter Wonderland
When: Now-2/21
Where: Van Saun Park, Paramus
The Wonderland portion of the event is on hold, but the rink is open, with a regulation-sized rink, but many time slots are already sold out. You can still take a spin on the carousel or visit the Bergen County Zoo Train for an additional fee. $5 skate (includes rental). Advanced tickets and masks are required.
Skating on the Square
When: Now-2/27
Where: Palmer Square, Hulfish St., Princeton
Palmer Square’s outdoor, eco-friendly synthetic skating rink is back for another holiday season. Bring your own skates or rent a pair.
Blue Cross RiverRink at Winterfest
When: Now-3/7
Where: 101 South Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA
General admission Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is free; ice skating, games and rides are pay-as-you-go.
Winter Market
When: Sundays, now-3/28, 10 am-1 pm
Where: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
Hit the market for fresh foods like cheese, pie, quiche, seafood, pickles, cobbler, soup and more. A number of full-time vendors will be there every week with other part-time vendors rotating their goods into the market, too.
VIRTUAL FUN FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Virtual Chocolate Challenge
When: 2/12
Join the Eclectic Chic Boutique to learn about one of the most popular treats in the world: chocolate. Your family can learn about different types of chocolate, its origins and how it can be used as a functional supplement. There’ll also be a trivia quiz, live tasting and Q&A with a chef. You’ll receive your own tasting box, filled with 24 pieces and eight varieties. Registration required.
George Washington Carver and Friends
When: 2/12
Grades K-5 can virtually meet George Washington Carver and other influential Black figures like Madam C.J. Walker, Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall and more through the Somerset County Library System. Registration required.
Valentine’s Day Bath Bomb Making Virtual Workshop
When: 2/12
Both adults and kids are invited to make their own V-Day scented and colored bath bombs using ingredients typically found in the pantry. DIY kits are available for curbside pickup from the Eclectic Chic Boutique.
Galentine’s Day Jewelry Making Virtual Party
When: 2/13
You and your girlfriends can participate in this virtual workshop, where you’ll design your own jewelry using beads and charms made of glass, gemstones, wood, pearls and more. Make two of any of the following: necklace, bracelet or earrings. Registration required, kit will be provided.
Valentine’s Cooking Party
When: 2/13
Sign your little loves (ages 4-13) up for a virtual Bambino Chef pizza- or cookie-making class. They’ll either make a heart-shaped pizza or V-Day sugar cookies with help from a pro. Registration required.
Virtual Music and Puppets with Jumpin’ Jamie
When: 2/13
Join kindie rock musician Jumpin’ Jamie and his puppet friends for music and dancing with the Bernards Twp. library.
Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating Virtual Workshop
When: 2/13
Work with your kids for this holiday-themed sugar cookie workshop. They’ll learn how to ice, sprinkle and decorate cookies like a professional. The class comes with a DIY kit that includes ingredients, cookie cutters, icing and decorations. Registration required.
Community Day Celebrating Carnival
When: 2/13
Learn how ancient traditions evolved Carnival with each culture that adopted the celebration as it traveled from Europe to Central and South America. There’ll be unique foods, music, dance and of course, masks.
Laurie Berkner Valentine’s Party
When: 2/14
Laurie will live stream a concert especially for Valentine’s Day, where kids can sing, dance and play interactive games through devices while Laurie performs. Registration required.
Valentine’s Day Mosaic Workshop
When: 2/14
Couples can collaborate to make their own creative mosaic designs out of wood boards, glass tiles, grout and more (or you can work as a family!). DIY kits are available for curbside pickup from the Eclectic Chic Boutique.
Carla Morrison
When: 2/14
Carla will host a virtual musical show tailored around the romantic holiday. Through MPAC, you can listen to Carla’s classic songs spanning across multiple albums.
Valentine’s Virtual Bazaar
When: Now-2/14
Asbury Park’s annual Valentine’s Bazaar will be online this year, featuring the same handcrafted goods and services (like jewelry, art, candles, home goods, treats and more) the event offers at the Convention Hall each year.
Milk & Cookies
When: Now-5/1
The State Theatre is offering a Milk & Cookie (ages 3-10) virtual event, which can be accessed at any point (even beyond the weekend) with a donation of at least $10. Join Aaron Nigel Smith to listen to reggae songs with the founder of 1 World Chorus, a non-profit dedicated to promoting peace through music. You can also check out indie rock star and children’s entertainer Ralph Covert will perform silly music off albums like Green Gorilla Monster & Me and The Rhyming Circus.
Virtual Valentine’s Dance
When: 2/15
Join Bach to Rock Music School for this free dance, which will feature a live DJ, musical games, dance challenges and more. Registration required.
Animation First 2021
When: Now-2/15
This festival, celebrating the artistry of French animation, will showcase feature-length and short films (all with English subtitles, plus all talks are in English), plus special guest filmmaker Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom). The festival will begin with the US premiere of Calamity Jane, a feminist western about the early life of the legendary Wild West figure (ages 6 and up).
Code Ninjas
When: 2/15-16
Sign up for one or both of these virtual, half-day camps being offered on February 15 and 16. Ages 7-14 can try Adventures in 3-D Printing, where campers will learn tips, techniques and best practices for 3-D modeling and printing. Kids can also try Roblox Create, where they’ll learn the basics of game building and create development in Roblox, an online gaming platform like Minecraft. Your little coders can also join free sessions to learn about digital footprints and create a game to help George Washington navigate the wintry Delaware River.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Annual Kids Week
When: 2/15-19
Beginning Monday, the Intrepid will host its annual, week-long festival tailored toward teaching kids about STEAM through presentations, workshops and demos. There’ll be three themes this week: space and science, nature and music and arts. On Monday and Tuesday, kids can learn about safari and nature with programs about the Triceratops, flight, climate, space exploration and live animals.
Eyes of the Wild
When: 2/16
Ages 4 and up are encouraged to open their eyes with this educational and entertaining program, which will feature up-close views of live animals like the Australian sugar glider, a macaw, porcupine and more. Registration required.
Winter Break Virtual History Days
When: 2/16
On Tuesday, ages 7-12 can join the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden to learn about a specific aspect of nineteenth-century life. With a box of supplies, kids can follow live art, craft, science and cooking demos. There’ll also be scavenger hunts and nineteenth-century games.
Happy Lunar New Year: Virtual Preschool Nature Class
When: 2/16
Ages 3-5 can log onto this Zoom event and celebrate the Year of the Ox with games, activities and decorations. Children must be accompanied by an adult, registration required.
Black History Month Tribute to Frank Johnson’s Music
When: 2/16
Virtually visit the Morven Museum & Garden to explore the link between the Stockton family and the free black composer Francis “Frank” Johnson, one of America’s most prominent musicians during the Federal period. Johnson was the first African American to publish sheet music, to perform an integrated concert and the first musician in America to tour with this band in Europe.
Storytime with Chester Library
When: 2/16
Preschoolers can join this Zoom program for fun stories, songs and a craft. Registration required.
Winter Activity Box
When: Now-2/28
Grab an activity box with kiddos ages 4-8 from the Hunterdon County Arboretum, that has a variety of games and activities based on weather, hibernation, trees in winter, animal evidence and owls.
Check our calendar for more events.
If you have upcoming events you’d like included in our digital calendar or considered for future things to do stories, please submit it here.