MLK Weekend Events

We have five inspiring Martin Luther King Jr Day events lined up for kids on this long weekend! Kids can celebrate MLK Day through art, performance, community events and leadership activities at the Newark Museum, Morris Museum, Arts Council of Princeton, Express Yourself Studios, or the Essex Environmental Center. On Saturday and Sunday participate in special zoo programs at the Turtleback Zoo or Jenkinson Aquarium, explore the outdoors maple-sugaring at Great Swamp or learning how to cook outdoors at Plainsboro Preserve, get hands-on at the New Jersey State Museum's new kids workshops, or make some snowflake inspired art work at the Liberty Hall Museum. Or take advantage of the snow and take the kids skiing on NJ's slopes!

Predator/Prey at the Turtleback Zoo (West Orange)
Spend some extra time at the zoo at one of their family workshops. This weekend, kids can get a little more out of their zoo experience by discovering how evolution has manifested physical differences in predators and their prey. Saturday at 2pm. $10 per child. Pre-registration required.

Behind the Scenes Tour at Jenkinson Aquarium (Point Pleasant)
Discover what goes on behind the scenes at our aquarium while you tour the building from top to bottom! Sneakers are required.  Ages 5 and up only. Saturday, 9:30am - 11:00am. $14 adults/$10 children.  Call 732-899-1659 to pre-register

Cooking Outdoors at the Plainsboro Preserve (Plainsboro)
At this fun event you can learn how to make a proper cooking fire and use Dutch Ovens to make a campfire feast. On the menu: venison stew, blueberry biscuits, and tea. Ages 6 and up. Saturday, 2:30-4:30. $8 per person. Call 609-897-9400 to pre-register.

Maple Sugaring Demo at Great Swamp (Chatham)
Maple sugaring season has begun! See tree tapping demonstrations, learn how to identify and tap maple trees, make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator, and taste test different syrups. Sunday 2pm-3pm. $3 per person.

Sunday Explorers at the New Jersey State Museum (Trenton)
The New Jersey State Museum just launched a new 45-minute hands-on workshop for kids and their adult chaperones. This Sunday there are two workshops, both of which relate to the museum's current exhibits. At 1pm kids can make an origami dragon puppet. At 2pm kids will paint a winter landscape using acrylic paints. Programs are $3 per person and first come, first serve--limited to 20 participants. 

Let is Snow at Liberty Hall Museum (Union)
With all the snow we've been getting lately, this workshop is the perfect chance to celebrate winter, snow and the uniqueness of each snowflake. Ages 7-12. Saturday from 10am to 1pm. $1 per child. Reservations required by calling 908-527-0400.

MLK DAY

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Workshop at the Morris Museum (Morristown)
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by making a symbolic peace collage and learning about Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, noon to 2pm. Free with admission.  $10 adults, $7 kids, and free for kids under 3.
Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ

Martin Luther King Day Celebration at the Arts Council of Princeton (Princeton)
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr with an afernoon of creative learning, artistic expression and hands-on fun! Monday, 1pm to 4pm, FREE.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Newark Museum (Newark)
The Newark Museum annual event includes an afternoon of performances, film screenings, tours of the exhibit "Narratives of African-American Art", and hands on workshops for kids and families. Monday from noon to 4:30pm. Free with admission of $10/adults, $6/kids.

Celebrate Dr. King: Explore the Dream Through Art at Express Yourself Studios (Maplewood)
Kids will create art exploring the themes of peace, equality and friendship.  Ages 4 to 12. Monday from 11am to 3pm. $15 for one hour of studio time plus all participants are asked to bring a canned or boxed non-perishable food item for the Community Food Bank. Register online.

Tomorrow's Leaders at Essex County Environmental Center (Roseland)

Children 7 to 14 can learn to lead a group on the trails. The hike will be followed by campfire stories about Martin Luther King Jr. and other revolutionary leaders. Monday, 10:30-noon or 2:30-4pm. $6 per child. Advance registration required by calling 973-228-8776. Make sure to dress warmly!