Weekend Events in New Jersey, March 5-6: Mardi Gras, Mountains, Movies and More, Mostly FREE!

Bring out the beads, masks and music–it’s Mardi Gras Weekend!  No masks? No worries! Make your own at one of the cool events we’ve corralled. Or if you’re ready to get outside and mix it up instead, there’s parks to be cleaned, arboretums to be explored and mountains to be hiked.  If relaxing entertainment is more your thing, take in some classic cartoons, science films or a touching play this weekend.  With the whirlwind of activities, March is certainly coming in like a lion, not a lamb!

SATURDAY ONLY

Classic Cartoons, Science Film Series and Invisible Ink at the Morris Museum (Morristown)

It’s “March Madness” at the Morris Museum this weekend! Take your pick from three fun family activities, or hit ‘em all–either way, it’s a slam dunk of a Saturday.  Start with Super Science Saturday where you’ll learn to create and use invisible ink. Open to children 5+. Noon-2pm. $3/child plus admission. Then move on over to the Bickford Theater for a laugh-fest watching classic cartoons on the big screen. 12:30pm-1pm. FREE with admission.  Stick around for the Science Film Series–this week it’s the acclaimed BBC series, Planet Earth - Deserts. 1pm-1:50pm. FREE with admission. Admission $10/adults, $7/children, $7/seniors, children under 3 FREE.  All activities Saturday, March 5. Call 973-971-3700 for more information.

Mardi Gras Skate at Skylands Ice World  Stockholm

Bring out the beads and masks, grab your ice skates, and get on over to Skylands Ice World for their Mardi Gras Skate!  There’ll be prizes awarded, and anyone dressed in costume gets $1 off of admission.  Saturday, March 5. 1:10pm. Admission $9/adult, $7/children 12 and under. Don't have your own skates - no worries!  Skylands Ice World has both figure and hockey skates just for you.  Skate rentals $3, helmet rentals $3.  Call 973-697-1600 for more information.          

Wooly Wonders, Let’s Talk About Ewe at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum (Summit)

If “ewe” want to learn more about sheep and the art of weaving, head to the Garden Gallery at the Arboretum this Saturday. There’ll be hands-on activities as kids (accompanied by an adult) join weavers-in-residence for a fascinating exploration of this age-old art. Afterwards, borrow one of the Arboretum’s backpacks containing binoculars, field guides, a magnifying glass and everything else needed to explore the Arboretum. Saturday, March 5. 9am–1pm $5/child. Call 908-273-8787 for more information. 

Mardi Gras Art Party at Express Yourself Studios (Maplewood)

It’s a big Mardi Gras bash at Express Yourself Studios where your children ages 2-10 create masks of decorative papers, paints and feathers; rock out to Mardi Gras music; pile on the beads; and munch Mardi Gras treats. Saturday, March 5. Drop-in between 10am-3pm. Tickets may be purchased online. $15/child for 1-hour of studio time. Call 973-763-5256 for more information.

 “A Thousand Cranes” at the Centenary Stage Company (Hackettstown)

 If you’ve read Story of Sadako by Eleanor Coerr, you’ve probably ended up with tissues in hand, but hope in your heart.  Now, adapted for the stage, introduce your kids to Sadako Sasaki, a girl who truly inspired an international peace movement. The show combines Japanese and American language, music and dance, and highlights Japanese society in the after-math of World War II. Today, children in Japan and all over the world fold a thousand cranes and lay them at the feet of Sadako's statue in the Hiroshima Peace Park, where their wish is engraved:  "This is our cry/ This is our prayer/ Peace in the world."  Saturday, March 5. 1pm.  Tickets may be purchased online.  NOTE: Seating is first-come, first serve (with ticket), and doors open 1/2-hr. prior to the show.  $10/Adult, $8/Children under 12.  Call 908-979-0900 for more information.

Winter Search Party at Pyramid Mountain (Montville)

Warm weather has hit New Jersey a few days so far. Now it’s time to pull those hiking boots out of the back of closet and hit the trails! Gather your kids 5-and-up and head to Pyramid Mountain for an easy hike during which you’ll look for clues that’ll reveal which animals whiled away the winter on the mountain. Saturday, March 5. 1pm–2:30pm.$1/per person. Preregistration required. Call 973-334-3130 for registration and more information.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Mardi Gras Weekend at the New Jersey Children’s Museum (Paramus)

It’s more Mardi Gras fun for the toddlers in town at the NJ Children’s Museum. Make a mask during craft time, grab some beads, then strut your stuff during the cutest Mardi Gras parade around. Crafts, games and merriment for all. Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. 10am. FREE with paid admission. Admission is $10 plus tax/adults, $10/child,  FREE for infants under 1. Call 201-262-5151 for more information.

Tremendous Flowers and Tiny Science at the Newark Museum (Newark)

Drop-in to the Newark Museum Saturday or Sunday for fun with flowers and science frontiers.  Your flower child examines two Georgia O’Keefe flower paintings, then paints a magnified flower in her unique style.  Or bring your budding scientist to explore the world of nano-science while discovering how the world changes when viewed on a very small scale. Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. 1-4pm. FREE with suggested museum admission: $10/adults, $6/children, seniors and students with valid I.D.  Call 973-596-6550 for more information.

SUNDAY ONLY

Palisades Meet-up Clean-up at Allison Park (Englewood Cliffs)

Get outside for some fresh air and a fun day of doing good for the environment! All ages are welcome to help out in this clean-up event at Allison Park in Englewood Cliffs, part of the NJ Section of Palisades Interstate Park. The park provides necessary equipment: bags, rubber gloves, and litter sticks. You provide the muscle!  FREE treats for all participants. March 6. 10am-1pm. FREE. Call 201-768-1360 ext. 108 for more information.