Yes, we're all wiped out from the holidays, but instead of couch potato-ing through the rest of the winter, why not venture out and see what New Jersey has to offer this weekend. We have a great contest for four FREE sets of tickets to the awesome Bari Koral Family band, and you can also finally see the holiday lights you missed because you were too busy during the actual holidays or take part in the wonderful winter activity of maple sugaring. Happy New Year, Jerseyites!

When the winter cold sets in, not only do the kids bounce off the walls, they also manage to turn the house upside-down. Better plan: Let them get the wiggles out somewhere else. Indoor playspaces were created by some very wise adults, let us tell you. Our favorite kid-tested spots will keep the small ones entertained for hours, and you with a clean house (plus some sanity).

It really is the most wonderful time of the year, and New Jersey has many wonderful events to prove it. Pick from an underwater Santa, a gift wrap workshop, puppet shows and carriage rides or a Kwanzaa fest. Ho ho ho and all that good stuff to you!

For more holiday events, see our Holiday Guide.

It’s that special time of year, when we consume about 70% more sugar and butter in one month than in the rest of the eleven months combined. Okay, I might be exaggerating a bit. But you can at least conceal your high-sweets-consumption in the guise of a family affair—there are a few nice kids/family baking classes in NJ for holiday yummies. Enjoy!

Yeah, you might want to just lie around and digest that turkey, but why not haul yourself and the kiddos off the couch and head out to one of the many events New Jersey is offering up this weekend. There are plenty of it’s-almost-Christmas activities, plus some great interactive museum events and my personal favorite—“The Butt Book” book signing. Can’t miss that, now can you.

I have one word for you people: CHOCOLATE. Do you really need to read any further? Well, if the thought of the 13th Annual New York Chocolate Show does not send shivers down your spine like it does mine and force you to haul yourself into Manhattan for the day, there are other fun and free events in New Jersey this weekend. Gingerbread House making, teddy bear picnics and geocaching round out our favorites list, but hey… you know where you’ll find me. See you by the truffles!

What could be more fun than making Bread of the Dead? Not much, right? In New Jersey this weekend you can celebrate some fine American ghouls and goblins, or join in a Latino Heritage Festival and celebrate Day of the Dead with sugar skulls, Mexican hot chocolate and Pan de Muertos. Or you can party in a non-Halloween fashion and go to the huge Sugarloaf Crafts Festival. Whatever you choose, have a fun, only mildly scary weekend! (And check our Halloween Guide for more Halloween thrills.)

Yes, it’s October and Halloween is always the star, but even if you’re not into fun frights, there’s still plenty to do in New Jersey this weekend. Six Flags is continuing their “Thrills by Day, Fright by Night” weekend parties and you can “Boo” at the Zoo with Scooby Doo, but you can also make your own scarecrow, get up close and personal with fire trucks and bulldozers, and see one of our absolute favorite kids’ groups, They Might Be Giants, in concert. Have fun!