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Free in February: Best Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at American Dream Mall. Photo courtesy of the mall
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at American Dream Mall. Photo courtesy of the mall
2/3/23 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for FREE things to do this February in New Jersey? Check out dozens of great options below. 

February is the month of love, and you’ll love all the FREE events happening in New Jersey! It's a month full of holiday celebrations, with a Valentine's Bazaar, Presidents Day tours and hike, and sweet fun during maple sugaring season.

Don't miss February festival freebies, like New Milford's Hispanic Heritage Expo and Ocean County Mall's Winter Beach Blast. 

Mark your calendars with these 30+ no-cost February events that take place nearly every day of the month. For more free fun, check out our Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with NJ Kids, and find more winter happenings in our Family Activity Calendar and Winter Activities Guide.

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Ongoing Free Things To Do in February 2023

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Bridgewater

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Bring the little ones to Barnes & Noble in Bridgewater every Monday morning for stories and fun. READ MORE

Preschool Storytime at Bridgewater Library

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Swing by the library on Mondays with the little ones for books, songs, and activities. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Livingston

Livingston
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Enjoy childhood classics and new favorites at Barnes & Noble in Livingston on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  READ MORE

CATSS: Take & Make Tuesdays

Summit
Every Tuesday
Grab a craft every Tuesday from Summit Free Public Library. Create the craft at the library or take it home. READ MORE

Bookscape Babies

Princeton
Every Tuesday
Cotsen’s youngest patrons get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in the Bookscape gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await. READ MORE

Kids! Baby/Toddler Storytime

Howell
Every Wednesday and Thursday
Head over to Howell Library for fun with bubbles, nursery rhymes, finger play, songs and stories. The same stories are read on the Wednesday and Thursday sessions, so please choose one to attend. Attendance is first-come, first-serve. READ MORE

Tiger Tales

Princeton
Every Friday
Join the staff at Cotsen Library for a special interactive weekly storytime. Tiger Tales begins with a story and ends with a hands-on project to take home. READ MORE

Terhune Orchards Winery Weekend Music Series

Princeton
Every Saturday and Sunday
Gather with friends and family at the winery for wine, relaxing music and light fare. Fire pits are available all weekend. Kids can enjoy light fare like chips and salsa, while adults can sample a variety of wines. READ MORE

Drop in and Discover

Beechwood
Every Saturday
Stop by Jakes Branch Nature Center on Saturdays for nature lessons and crafts. A new topic is explored each session. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River
Every Saturday and Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks

Beechwood
Every Saturday and Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE

Sunday Makebreak at Michaels

Multiple Locations
Every Sunday
Stop by Michaels every Sunday for a free and fun craft. No registration is necessary. READ MORE

Winter Market by Grow It Green Morristown

Morristown
Every Sunday
Grow It Green Morristown presents the Winter Farmers Market every Sunday, offering a wide range of unique selections from pasture-raised meat to artisanal cheese, honey, prepared foods, nuts and grains, baked goods, artisan bread, eggs, produce, and hand-crafted home goods.  READ MORE
Bookscape Babies at the Cotsen Children's Library lets the littlest ones explore books and stories. Photo courtesy of the library
Bookscape Babies at the Cotsen Children's Library lets the littlest ones explore books and stories. Photo courtesy of the library

Free Things To Do in New Jersey in February 2023

Lunar New Year Celebration at American Dream

East Rutherford
Friday, February 3-Saturday, February 4, 2023
Ring in The Year of the Rabbit at American Dream with festive performances, shopping deals, and beautiful decor in honor of the Lunar New Year. Performances take place at the Dream Stage in Court A. READ MORE

Kids Workshops at Home Depot

Various Locations
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Kids can get creative at these monthly Home Depot in-store DIY events. Projects take place the first Saturday of each month at participating stores.  READ MORE

Go, Groundhogs, Go!

Cedar Grove
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Cedar Grove Free Public Library welcomes author Steve Garfinkel as he shares his children's book Go, Groundhogs, Go! Stick around for a groundhog's craft. READ MORE

Nature Nurtures

Oxford
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Each month, Pequest staff shares a nature-based book. After the story is done, participants create a craft to take home. READ MORE

Valentine's Day Paper Crafts (WAIT LIST)

Madison
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Join Fairy Art Mother Shari Seltzer to create Valentine’s Day handmade valentines from vintage and everyday materials that capture the spirit of friendship. This is a mixed media art workshop celebrating friendship. READ MORE

Kindness Rocks Workshop

Jersey City
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Everyone's invited to the nature center at Liberty State Park to create kindness rocks as part of the Kindness Rocks Project. Pre-registration is required. READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Various Locations
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Stop by New Jersey JCPenney stores on the second Saturday of every month for free and fun crafts. Children receive a lanyard and collector's pin. Six pins earn a Project Master Medallion. READ MORE

Asbury Park Valentine's Bazaar

Asbury Park
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Treat your valentine to goodies from this eclectic bazaar, featuring hand-made gifts, a fresh bouquet bar, music, photo stations, food, children's activities, and more.  READ MORE

Hispanic Heritage Expo

New Milford
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Get ready for a weekend of fun, featuring a variety of local hispanic owned businesses from food, desserts, apparel, and more. Plus, enjoy face painting, music and photobooth.  READ MORE

Historical Valentines

Freehold
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Historical Walnford hosts this creative and educational workshop. Take a look at valentines from the 18th and 19th centuries, and study how penmanship has changed over the years. Then, create a valentine of your own or write a letter to a friend using historically inspired materials. READ MORE

Family Sundays at the Nature Center

Hamilton
Sundays, February 12, 19, and 26, 2023
Swing by this free naturalist-led program on select Sundays that encourages families to explore the wonders of nature. READ MORE

Valentine's Day Bee Craft-to-Go

Hoboken
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Grab a free craft bundle from Hoboken's main branch and Grand Street libraries. The kit contains supplies to make a bee craft. Bundles are first come, first serve. READ MORE

A Celebration of Science at Darwin Day

Pitman
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Head to Words Matter Bookstore to celebrate Charles Darwin's birthday and all of his amazing contributions to science with hands-on activities for the whole family.  READ MORE

Winter Beach Blast

Toms River
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Get a taste of summer in the winter at Ocean County Mall. The summery fun includes crafts, interactive tables, games, dancing and more.  READ MORE

Great Backyard Bird Count at Freneau Woods Park

Aberdeen
Saturday, February 18, 2023
In honor of the Great American Backyard Bird Count, meet at Freneau Woods Park, and take a small walk to see what birds can be identified. Observe which winter birds visit the local feeders. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring at Howell Living History Farm

Lambertville
Saturdays, February 18 and 25, 2023
Help farmers collect sap in the woods of Howell Living History Farm. Plus, make syrup in the sap house, and taste whole-wheat pancakes after a walk through the farmhouse kitchen. READ MORE

Presidents Day Free Tours and Hike

Browns Mills
Monday, February 20, 2023
Spend Presidents Day hiking and touring the grounds and museums of Whitesbog Historic Village. Tour the Cranberry & Blueberry Farm Museum, take a winter hike with the education team, and browse the historic cottages. READ MORE

Deptford Mall Kid's Mini Theater Show

Deptford
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Beloved story characters take the stage at Deptford Mall for FREE monthly shows. Enjoy singing, dancing, story time, fun giveaways, and a meet-and-greet with the character. Registration is required.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Summit Free Public Library
Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Various Home Depot stores
Pequest Natural Resource Education Center
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts Education Annex

About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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