Keep kids engaged this winter by blending exciting indoor activities with fun outdoor adventures across the greater New Jersey area. From learning through play to quality family time, these experiences help children stay active, curious, and connected all season long.

Brains on! Live: your brain is magic at NJPAC

Sat, Jan 17, 2026, 3PM. Come experience a science themed live show, truly an adventure with your brain. Magic tricks, dance, game show, and more! Tickets online. 1 Center St, Newark, NJ. njpac.org

Morris Museum - Perennial Land - The Data Forest 

Through April 2026. Immersive Experiential Installation by International Award-Winning Artists Laia Cabrera and Isabelle Duverger, integrates Film, Storytelling, and Sound to Highlight How Human Activity and the Landscape are Interconnected. Using visual poetry and cutting-edge technology, this immersive experience encourages visitors to reflect on their role in addressing climate change. Features multiple projections mapped onto three walls in the gallery, surrounding visitors with an array of visuals. 

Morris Museum - Kathleen Gilje Repaints Art History 

Through April 2026. The artist connects the major legacies of artists such as Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1664), and Gustave Courbet (1819–1877) with those of 20th-century luminaries such as Linda Nochlin (1931–2017), Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) to create a contemporary conversation about beauty, female agency, and culture. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at National Constitution Center

Mon, Jan 19, 2026, 10am-5pm. FREE Admission. Educational programs, performances, and teachings at the National Constitution Center. Visit Freedom Rising, Signers Hall, We the People, and more! Participate in arts & craft projects, story corner, and other interactive family-friendly activities. 525 Arch St, Philadelphia PA. 

MLK Day Community Rock Garden at Visual Arts Center of NJ

Mon, Jan19, 2026, 12:30-2:30pm. All are welcome to paint rocks to contribute to our community rock garden, spreading the messages of peace, love, and hope. Art materials supplied by Visual Arts Center. 68 Elm St, Summit, NJ. 

Newark Museum - Community Day Martin Luther King Jr: Stronger Together

Mon, Jan 19, 2026, 12pm-5pm. FREE, registration required. Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., his life, legacy, and teachings at the Newark Museum. The theme Stronger Together - love triumphs over hate, peace over conflict, and unity over division. Afternoon of hands-on activities, music, and performances. 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ. 

NJ Symphony 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration at NJPAC

Sat, Feb 7, 2026, 7:30PM. Celebration of the Year of the Horse with a concert for families and children. Tickets online. Gates open at 6PM for a Cultural Exchange Festival featuring performances and artists from the Shanghai Museum. 1 Center St, Newark, NJ. njsymphony.org

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company: Year of the Horse at NJPAC

Sat, Feb 14, 2026, 2PM. Family friendly celebration with Chinese dance, acrobatics, costumes, performances, and live music. Tickets online. 1 Center St, Newark, NJ. 

Rutgers Geology Museum Open House

Select Sat: Jan 31 & Feb 7, 2026. It’s cold outside so head indoors and visit this FREE museum filled with exhibits, collections, and programs about the natural world. Fossils, meteorites, planetary science, minerals, and more! 85 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ. 

Island Waterpark at Showboat

Keep the winter chill out at a tropical paradise in the heart of Atlantic City. A year round splashing sensation featuring 11 trilling waterslides, 4 restaurants, and an arcade. Great fun for the whole family! Tickets online. islandwaterparkac.com

Planetarium Shows at the RVCC

Various dates Jan & Feb 2026. Exciting shows for public viewing at RVCC - Accidental Astronauts, Laser Kids, Asteroid: Extreme Mission, Our Lovely Skies, and more! Each show runs 45-60 minutes. Buy tickets at door. 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, NJ. 

Family Dino Tours at the Morris Museum

1st, 2nd, 3rd Sat of each month (free with museum admission), 11:30AM. 15 minute guided experience introduces kids & visitors to the world of dinosaurs. Learn what paleontologists do. See and touch replica fossils and dinosaur tracks. 6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown NJ.

Play at Imagine That!!!

Kids can enjoy a hands on enrichment experience in a discovery center geared towards young kids. Learn, touch, play, and explore unique interactive exhibits at Imagine That!!!. Tickets available online. 4 Vreeland Rd, Florham Park, NJ.

My Gym 1 Week Guest Experience

Sign up for a Parent and Me program or high-energy classes for big kids. 1 week Guest Experience for $29 includes unlimited classes and Practice and Play (free play). Locations: My Gym Glen Rock, My Gym New Providence, My Gym Westfield

Play Retro Games at the Morristown Game Vault

Donkey Kong anyone? Go back in time and play over 110+ classic video games, pinball machines, and consoles. Each player’s time is tracked by a wrist band. You only pay for the time you’re here. Visit Morristown Game Vault and have fun!

Spirit of ’76: The Bicentennial

New exhibit opening Feb 14, 2026. Go back to the glorious Seventies with a bicentennial celebration. See masterpieces, silkscreens, lithographic prints, artworks, and more! General Admission is FREE. 205 West State St, Trenton, NJ. nj.gov/state/museum

Sue The T.Rex Experience

Now through May 2026. How exciting? Go back millions of years. Step into a full scale replica of Sue’s T-rex skeleton. Perfect hands-on experience for dinosaur loving kids. High tech simulations and multimedia show. Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ. 

Washington’s Birthday Celebration at Washington Crossing Park

Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 11AM-2PM. Family friendly event with hands on activities for kids. Cooking, blacksmithing, musket firing, artillery demos, and more! Kids 12 & under can join in “Let’s Draw George” contest - create a birthday card or art work. 1112 River Rd, Washington Crossing, PA.

Morristown National Historical Park Washington’s Headquarters Museum & Jockey Hollow Visitor Center

Visit exhibits about George Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment. Interactive activities for children. Full scale model of a soldier’s log cabin. FREE admission. 30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ. 

Go Skiing, Sledding .....

Experience outdoor fun with winter skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, sledding, and ice skating.

Attend the NJ Camp Fairs and find a summer camp

From January 24 to February 28, go to one of 7 camp fairs to explore, learn and select the perfect camp for your child. This free event invites parents and children to connect with camp directors from a variety of camps, including traditional day and sleep-away options, as well as specialized programs in sports, arts, STEM, and more. With offerings for children from PreK through high school, there’s truly something for every interest and age group. Additionally, camps will be looking for camp counselors (CIT), making it an ideal occasion for those seeking summer employment. RSVP at www.njkidsonline.com/camp-fairs.

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