New Year's Weekend Fun for NJ Kids: Kids Party, Model Railway Show, January 1-3
Happy New Year! As we say goodbye to 2015 and usher in 2016, there’s plenty of fun to be had around New Jersey while the kiddos are still on winter break. Soak in the last of this year’s Christmas cheer with a Holiday Scavenger Hunt at Frelinghuysen Arboretum or check out the last weekend of the dazzling holiday lights during the Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show. And if you want to include the whole family in New Year festivities, take them to make a New Year’s Ball Craft at Imagine That Children’s Museum, join in the New Year’s Day Party at Kidz Village or lace up your hiking boots for a picturesque New Year’s Family Walk at Pyramid Mountain. Whatever you decide to do this holiday weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For additional activity options, check out our Event Calendar.
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The Magic Conductor’s Reading Adventure: Caboose Mystery (Edison, NJ)
Calling all train lovers! Join Steve the Magic Conductor as a Junior Train Engineer and help him solve a mystery. This high energy train-themed Magic Show is great for the whole family – join Steve for a ‘meet & greet’ before or after the show.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt (Morristown, NJ)
Head over to Frelinghuysen Arboretum for a special holiday weekend scavenger hunt, ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland.’ Bring your camera and snap a photo of every item to win a prize. Spend the rest of the afternoon at the arboretum and explore the wintertime gardens.
Garden State Model Railway Show (North Haledon, NJ)
Check out the last weekend of the Garden State Model Railway Club Annual Model Railroad Show. This event features intermodal, mixed freight, coal and passenger trains. There will be lots of family fun, including a visit from Thomas the Tank Engine.
Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show (Smithville, NJ)
Catch one of the last few days of the annual Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show. Enjoy favorite holiday songs synchronized with a dazzling Christmas tree light show in the center of Historic Smithville.
A Christmas Story (Millburn, NJ)
Book your tickets for the last weekend to see A Christmas Story at Paper Mill Playhouse. The hilarious account of Ralphie’s quest to ensure that this perfect gift ends up under his Christmas tree is a classic crowd pleaser that’s great for a group with lots of different ages.
Friday, January 1st
New Year’s Ball Craft (Florham Craft, NJ)
Take your little ones to Imagine That Museum where they'll create their very own New Year's Eve Ball. Kids will also take home a special hat and horn. Then stay and play at the museum the rest of the afternoon.
New Year’s Day Kids Party (Woodbridge, NJ & Kennilworth, NJ)
Join Kidz Village for a New Year's Day Party just for kids. The fun will be led by a Kidz Village party host and admission includes pizza, drinks, cake and lots of interactive fun in the indoor climbing structure, the imaginary play space and arcade games too.
Saturday, January 2nd
New Year’s Family Walk (Montville Township, NJ)
Looking to jump start good exercise habits in 2016? Enjoy an easy guided walk designed for families at the beautiful Pyramid Mountain. Stroll the wooded trails and discover the unique animals and plants that call the mountain home.
Sunday, January 3rd
Harlem Globetrotters (Piscataway, NJ)
Celebrating 90 years of basketball sportsmanship and service to millions of people worldwide, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters will bring their energetic family show to The Rutgers Athletic Center during their 90th Anniversary World Tour.
All-Girls Chess Camp (Branchburg, NJ)
If you’ve always wanted to learn more about the game of chess, sign up for a one day clinic at Dean of Chess. Girls ages 5-12 will be taught the basics by National Chess Champ Alice Dong and everyone will go home with a t-shirt and their very own chess set to keep practicing!
Check out our NJ GoList featuring our top picks for the entire month of January. And don't forget: We have additional activity listings in our Event Calendar.
And if you are heading into NYC for the weekend, make sure you check out the New York City Mommy Poppins Event Calendar to get the latest on all the fun to be had Big Apple-style.
