Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend Dec 22-23: Scuba Santa, Country Christmas, Holiday Sing & More!

Christmas is just around the corner and if you’re sticking around town or have guests to entertain, you can find last-minute holiday fun with Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Celebration, Christmas in the Country Trail or brunch with the big red man himself at Liberty Hall Museum.  Read on for our top picks and remember you can find a listing of all NJ activities in our Event Calendar.

All Weekend

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Life Radio Play (Hoboken, NJ)
Inspired by the classic American film, It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience at the Mile Square Theatre - Monroe Theaterspace. Five actors perform the dozens of characters in the radio play as well as produce the sound effects, giving theater goers a unique audience perspective. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Show times Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm & 8pm, Sunday at 3pm. $20/Adult, $12/Kids & Seniors. 201-683-7014

Liberty Science Center’s 12 Days of Science (Jersey City, NJ)
With the kids on vacation and out-of-town guests to entertain, head inside for some wintry science fun at the fifth annual 12 Days of Science celebration. Special events include a 45 minute show featuring penguins from Jenkinson Aquarium, a meet & greet with Atka the grey wolf from the Wolf Conservation Center, ‘insta-snow’ making demos & the popular ‘Bubblemania’ where kids can marvel at huge soap bubble creations. Be sure and also stay and enjoy an IMAX movie or one of the LSC’s mainstay attractions such as the Cartoon Network exhibit or the I Explore room for wee ones ages 2 to 5. Special events throughout winter break. Please visit the LSC website for exact dates and times. Events FREE with museum admission. 201-200-1000

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular (West Orange, NJ)
Experience Turtle Back Zoo in the winter as 100,000 bulbs and 40 lit displays illuminate the zoo this holiday season! Bundle up and admire glowing figurines such as bears, tigers and elephants, along with wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes. Some of the regular exhibits will be open past dusk as well – a rare treat for kids and adults alike to see the animals at night.  The zoo will be collecting non-perishable food, winter coats and unwrapped new toys for the needy each evening of holiday lights. Friday, Saturday & Sunday 5-9pm. FREE.

Adventure Aquarium Christmas Celebration (Camden, NJ)
Experience the magic of the holidays at Adventure Aquarium’s annual Christmas Celebration, featuring Scuba Santa! The aquarium will be transformed into an underwater winter wonderland featuring larger-than-life decorations, twinkling lights, glowing trees, and gently falling snow. Snap the kids’ picture with Christmas characters like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster. Guests will also have plenty of chances to meet Scuba Santa, who will hang up his scuba gear at select times throughout the day to visit and take photos with guests on the “dry” side. Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm. $23.95/Adult $17.95/Children 2-12, Children under 2 are FREE. 856-365-3300

Christmas in the Country Trail (Belvidere, NJ)
Visit three of Warren County's most unique farms all within 5 miles of each other. Wyckoff's Christmas Tree Farm, Mackey's Orchard and Four Sisters Winery come together for a cozy and festive pre-Christmas family outing. Cut your own Christmas tree (if you still need one!), savor fresh-press apple cider, mile high apple pies, apple cider donuts and other apple treats, adults can sample award-winning wines and of course, the kids can meet Santa. Friday, Saturday & Sunday at various times. Please visit their website for an exact schedule. FREE. 908-475-4508

Saturday, December 22nd

Illstyle & Peace Productions (Newark, NJ)
New and old collide when Philadelphia’s high-octane Illstyle & Peace Productions puts on a performance that blends hip hop dance styles with tap, ballet, DJing and beat boxing. Founded in 2002 by Brandon “Peace” Albright, this multicultural troupe has toured to critical acclaim, both nationally and internationally, bringing the spirit of Kwanzaa to life. From grade school-aged kids to preteens and adults too, there's a little something to entertain everyone. Show times at 2 & 5pm. $20-22/Person.

Holiday Party Open Jump (Hasbrouck Heights NJ)
No school and chilly temps mean lots of pent up energy so let the kiddos run, jump and shout at Jump On In this Saturday afternoon. The supervised indoor area features awesome play structures and even a basketball trampoline game! Holiday jump packages include 2 slices of pizza and juice, a holiday craft and even a goody bag to take home.10:30am-12:30pm. $18/Child. 201-426-0700

Holiday Sing Sing (Madison, NJ)
Visit the Museum of Early Trades for their Holiday Sing Sing this Saturday. Join in on some holiday merriment with a good old-fashioned sing along to get into the Christmas spirit (if you haven’t already!) Older kids & adults might want to stay after the festivities to check out the museum’s latest exhibit, Orphan to Apprentice: Child Indentures as Social Welfare. The museum also hosts family fun days with arts & crafts throughout the winter – please visit their events calendar for a complete listing. 2:30-3:30pm. FREE with museum admission. Pre-registration recommended. 973-377-2982 x12

Sunday, December 23rd

Breakfast with Santa (Union, NJ)
If you still haven’t told jolly Old Saint Nick what’s on your list this year, head over to Liberty Hall Museum for breakfast with the big guy this Sunday. Enjoy a hot breakfast buffet, and then take a photo with Santa Claus in his sleigh. After you’ve got a full belly and plenty of snapshots on your camera, take a complimentary tour of Liberty Hall to see all of the beautiful Christmas decorations. Recommended for ages 7-12. Breakfast begins at 10am. $25/Adult $20/Child. 908-527-0400

MAM Family Learning Lab: Exploring ‘O’Keeffe (Montclair, NJ)
For a little break from the holiday festivities, stop by the Montclair Art Museum this weekend to explore the artwork of American favorite Georgia O’Keeffe with your budding art lovers. Drop by this interactive exhibit on Sunday afternoon for self-guided art activities, children books, and fun through learning with tactile objects. If you’re up for more art, venture into the rest of the museum and check out Native American artwork collection or their gallery of abstract American art. 12-5pm. FREE with museum admission. 973-746-5555

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 visit the New York City Mommy Poppins events calendar to get the latest on all the fun to be had NYC-style.

Planning an event? Submit it to our calendar.

Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to our free newsletter.