February GO List: The Best Things To Do With NJ Kids This Month

Welcome to our first ever GO NJ List, a carefully curated roundup of the absolute best things to do with kids in NJ for the upcoming month! Of course, we always have our Event Calendar and our weekend Things to Do, but for those who may want to plan just a wee bit in advance (some of us do that, right?), and for those who like to know what's truly cool, we will be listing our 10 favorite events for the month that is nigh upon us. So, without further ado, here are our faves for February in NJ!

Groundhog Day Celebration at Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton, NJ)
If you've never been to MP favorite Grounds for Sculpture, this might be the start of something beautiful. And furry. The 8th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration on Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 11am to 4pm includes a musical performance, tours, kinetic movement workshops and storytelling. Adults/$12, Kids/$8. Children under 6 get in free, but this celebration is best for kids between the ages of 6 and 10, so you might want to leave the free ones home. To register, please call (609) 586-0616.

Atlantic City Boat Show at Atlantic City Convention Center
Okay, maybe this might make Dad happier than the kids, but there's plenty of eye candy for all those marine-inclined with hundreds of boats and 440 booths showcasing all the nautical gear you could ever dream of. Wednesday February 5 through Sunday February 10 at various times. Adults $15, Kids under the age of 15 are FREE when accompanied by a paid adult. 718-707-0711.

Chocolate Festival at Morris Museum (Morristown, NJ)
Um, do we really need to explain why this is on our Top Ten list? Can't we just say "chocolate" and be done with it? Saturday February 9 from 11am to 4pm. Free for members, non-members: $7/child, $10/adult. 973-971-3700.

Super Scientific Circus at SOPAC (South Orange, NJ)
We love seeing shows at the cozy little South Orange Performing Arts Center and Mr. Fish and Trent the Mime of Super Scientific Circus are wildly popular amongst the kindergarten set. The duo use amazing circus skills involving boomerangs, bubbles, beachballs, and magic to introduce the principles of friction, inertia, centripetal force, aerodynamics, sonic booms, air pressure, and ultraviolet light. Whee! Sunday, February 10 at 2pm and 4pm. $16/person.

Valentine's Day at the Funplex (East Hanover, NJ)
If you are up for a very very loud and very very fun Valentine's Day, check out MP fave The Funplex--because, really, who doesn't want to play Foam Frenzy, Laser Tag and deafening video games with the family on the most romantic day of the year? I know I do. Thursday February 14 from 6pm to 10pm. $12/person. Purchase tickets here.

Sing-a-long Sound of Music at McCarter Theater (Princeton, NJ)
Raindrops on roses and sing-a-long Sound of Music, these are a few of our favorite things... Come in costume and do-re-mi along with Maria and the gang in a subtitled version of the 1965 classic (just the musical numbers, silly). Friday, February 15 at 7:00pm. $25/Adults, $15/Kids. 609-258-ARTS(2787).

Avatar: The Exhibition at Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, NJ)
We adore all things Liberty Science Center and this sounds like a doozy. Learn how director James Cameron created the film, Avatar, with groundbreaking use of performance capture and virtual and 3-D technologies. With interactive installations and virtual props (you can even learn some of the Na'vi language), you'll have a magical experience. Opening Saturday, February 16 and repeating every day at various times through May 16. Free with admission to LSC. 201-200-1000.

Maple Sugaring Demo at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (Chatham, NJ)
One of the best things about the month of February is maple sugaring and our favorite place to do it is at Great Swamp. On select Saturdays and Sundays throughout February (check the website for exact days) at 2pm. $3/person. Register in advance by calling (973) 635-6629.

George Washington's Birthday Celebration at Washington Crossing State Park (Titusville, NJ)
Apparently George himself will be attending and we hear he looks good for 281 years old. Demonstrations ranging from Blacksmithing to Open Hearth Cooking will take place and kids will love the games, crafts, storytelling, and colonial musket drills. Oh, and there's cake, of course, cut by Mr. President. Sunday, February 17 from 1pm to 4pm. $1/person. 609-737-2515.

Colonial Children's Tea Party at Poricy Park (Middletown, NJ)
If cake with Washington doesn't satisfy you, how about tea with colonial manners? Party/drink/nibble in the 1770 Murray Farmhouse in gorgeous Poricy Park on either Saturday February 23 or Sunday, February 24 at 4pm. Best for kids 4 through 10. One child with accompanying adult/$10, each additional child with adult/$5.