Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids - New Jersey

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Camp

Info_155658 — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:35:31 +0000

Monday, January 19, 2026 - 9:00am to 5:00pm

http://www.acacnj.org

Cost:

$49

School's out, but the fun doesn't stop at ACACNJ. Enjoy exciting days of creativity, splatter paint, laser tag, games, slime, and lots of hands-on activities at this school break camp.

Locations include Denville, Boonton and Bound Brook.

Recommended Age:

Age:

All Children's Art Center

424 W Main

07834 Denville , NJ

Phone: 908-753-6243

40° 53' 52.3824" N, 74° 29' 46.95" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Academic

Arts

Indoors

STEM

Admission Services

23 Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

Dore Duhaime — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 12:47:28 +0000

It feels like life in New Jersey is so expensive, especially when you are raising kids. Free indoor play activities in New Jersey can be a godsend for stretching your budget and helping to banish boredom at least for a little while. We've tested out lots of free spaces at malls, stores, libraries, and museums and created this list of our favorites.

So grab a coffee, a friend, and schedule your next play date at one of these free indoor gems. My family has enjoyed lots of these great activities, and it's been a wonderful bonus that they aren't budget-busters.

For even more indoor play areas in New Jersey, don't miss our guide to great indoor play spaces with fees for winter drop-in hours.

Complimentary Movie Screening of Paddington at The Cranford Theater

Laurie Rein — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 12:07:09 +0000

Monday, January 19, 2026 - 12:00pm

https://www.cranfordtheater.com/form/National+Popcorn+Day

Cost:

Free

In honor of National Popcorn Day, The Cranford Theater welcomes guests to a free showing of Paddington. For each guest who reserves a ticket, the theater donates a bag of popcorn to a local charity.

Guests are welcome to come in pjs with their favorite stuffies.

Free tickets are reserved online.

Recommended Age:

All

New Jersey

Events

The Cranford Theater

25 North Avenue West

07016 Cranford , NJ 40° 39' 19.9224" N, 74° 18' 21.8772" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Films & Photography

Free

Admission Services

All-Ages Folk Dance in Princeton

suedupre_125695 — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 03:34:38 +0000

Repeats every month on the 8 of February until Sun Feb 08 2026. Also includes Sun Mar 15 2026, Sun Apr 19 2026.

Sunday, January 18, 2026 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Sunday, February 8, 2026 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Sunday, March 15, 2026 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Sunday, April 19, 2026 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

https://www.princetoncountrydancers.org/all-ages-dance

Cost:

$10 per person or $25 per family of 3 or more

This family-friendly dance features square dances, contra dances, play party games, other traditional American dances, and sometimes folk dances from around the world; it’s great fun for the whole family, from young children to adults.

No partner or experience is needed. The dances are led by local callers; the Mixed Age Dance Band provides live music. Musicians of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the MAD Band - there is a rehearsal immediately before each family dance. No partner or experience is needed.

Admission: $10 per person, or $25 per family of 3 or more. For those with limited income: $5-$10 per person and $15-$25 per family

Recommended Age:

Age:

Suzanne Patterson Building

45 Stockton Street

08540 Princeton , NJ 40° 20' 55.2948" N, 74° 39' 57.8196" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Music

Theater & Dance

Admission Services

St. Lucia With Kids: Stay at Coconut Bay and Explore the Island’s Best Family Adventures

Meghan Rose — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 13:10:07 +0000

I live in LA, so for tropical vacations, we tend to head to nearby Hawaii. But we took the long flight to the Caribbean this fall, and I have to say, I’m sorry we waited so long. For a fantastic mix of awesome adventures, gorgeous beaches, relaxing cabanas, stunning nature, great food, loads of animals, and a plethora of activities for kids and the whole family, you can’t beat the island of St. Lucia. Yes, the island famous for honeymooners and romance is actually a wonderful family vacation.

We stayed at the all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort and had maybe the most perfectly balanced tropical family vacation I’ve ever experienced. Think chocolate tasting/making, drive-in volcano, snorkeling with endangered turtles, and the best Kids Club I’ve seen.

Below, I’m sharing the real insider stuff. Not just the list of top things to do, but the details: what you need to pack (and what to not pack!), which days you should plan on adventures and which you should lie by the pool, and even what to eat.

Check out our complete Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations. Now, here are my tips on making a trip to St. Lucia with kids a rousing success:

Animal Welfare Association- School Break Camps

Laurie Rein — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 10:51:38 +0000

Animal Welfare Association

509 Centennial Blvd

08043 Voorhees , NJ 39° 51' 33.1812" N, 74° 56' 58.0848" W

New Jersey

Best Indoor Water Parks near New Jersey for a Warm Weather Getaway in 2026

Allison Posner — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 14:17:03 +0000

Looking for a unique way to beat the winter blues? Enjoy some summertime fun even in the coldest months at a multitude of indoor water parks in and near New Jersey, where the temperature is kept at a balmy 84 degrees year-round.

My family especially loves indoor water parks because they are fun for mixed age groups, even grown-ups! We've made a list of indoor water parks near New Jersey that can be reached in 3 hours or less by car, give or take your starting address and traffic, of course.

So, go dig out your bathing suit from behind your coats and mittens, and get ready to take the plunge at one of these exciting indoor water parks. If you're looking for more seasonal fun, we've rounded up 35 things to do with NJ kids this winter, plus a slew of winter day trips.

New Year's Eve Weekend in New Jersey with Kids: Countdown to 2026 and More Fun Things To Do

Laurie Rein — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 14:16:37 +0000

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey over New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

It's time to kiss 2025 goodbye and look forward to a fresh new start in 2026. Celebrate New Year's Eve family-style with low-key events like Noon Year's Eve at Jenkinson's in the daytime, featuring entertainment and a balloon drop, or see the nighttime New Year's Eve fireworks in Sea Isle City. Plus, kick off the first weekend of the new year with some fresh air during a Storytime and Craft at the Liberty State Park Nature Center.

Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!

Nature’s Canvas at Liberty State Park Nature Center

Laurie Rein — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:07:44 +0000

Saturday, January 10, 2026 - 9:00am to 12:00pm

https://dep.nj.gov/event/natures-canvas/

Cost:

Free

Have a crafty day at The Nature Center as participants learn about nature’s most captivating creations and make a seasonal work of art to take home.

Pre-registration required.

Recommended Age:

All

New Jersey

Events

Liberty State Park Nature Interpretive Center

Freedom Way

07305 Jersey City , NJ 40° 41' 50.4096" N, 74° 3' 20.1024" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Free

Admission Services

Wildwood Fishing & Boating Expo

Laurie Rein — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:44:32 +0000

Repeats every day until Sun Jan 11 2026.

Friday, January 9, 2026 Various times

Saturday, January 10, 2026 Various times

Sunday, January 11, 2026 Various times

https://www.fishingexpowildwood.com/

Cost:

$12/adult, $5/kids 6-13, free 5 and under

Set sail to the Wildwood Fishing & Boating Expo, featuring three days of vendors, seminars, boats to climb aboard, giveaways and more. Children's activities include face painting.

Vendors include tow services, terminal tackle, rods and reels, custom rods, inshore-offshore, accessories, services, apparel, gifts and decor.

Hours:
January 9th from 1pm-7pm
January 10th from 930am-6pm
January 11th from 930am-2pm

Recommended Age:

All

New Jersey

Events

Wildwood Convention Center

4501 Boardwalk

08260 Wildwood , NJ

Phone: 609.522.3800

38° 58' 53.076" N, 74° 48' 59.5224" W

New Jersey

Ticketed:

Activity Category:

Boats, Buses & Trains

Exhibitions

Admission Services