Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam (Trenton)

Get your ear plugs and head out to Monster Jam! This fun(but loud) event features Grave Digger and stars Monster Jam monster trucks. Watch these 12-ft.-tall, 10,000-lb. machines race and rip up a rack full of obstacles and wonder about their insurance premiums. January 6, 7:30 p.m. Sun National Bank Center. Ticket prices vary. For more information: 800-298-4200.

Drop-in Art and Gallery Activities (Newark)

Take a tour of the Newark Museum, followed by a studio experience with the family. January's theme is Precious Metal, where families create sculptures using aluminum foil after viewing bronze sculptures of a seal, peacocks, cupid, and more. Tours begin at 1, 2 and 3 pm from the South Wing rotunda. January 7, 1:00 p.m. Free with admission. For more information: 973-596-6550.

Magic Tree House: Space Mission (Branchburg)

Kids love Jack and Annie and the whole Magic Tree House series, so join J and A at the Raritan Valley CC Planetarium as they discover the secrets of the sun, moon, planets, space travel, and more.  January 7, 3:00 p.m. $6/show, $11/two shows on same day  For more information: 908-231-8805.

Open Ceramics (Lincroft)

Get your pottery on at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center; work on your own bisque-fired pottery pieces to glaze and make your own. Leave your piece to be fired, and come back for it in a week. January 8, 12:30-4:30 p.m. $6/hr. plus the cost of bisque-ware. For more information: 732-842-4000x4343.

Full Moon Hike: Great Horned Owls (Mendham)

Snuggle into your long underwear and snow gear and brave the cold for a night hike at the Schiff Natural Lands Trust, where you might have the chance of hearing the Great Horned Owl, who is active in the winter.  January 8, 5:00-6:30 p.m. $10/person. For more information, call 973-543-6004.

Super Science Saturdays (Morristown)

At Super Science Saturdays at the Morris Museum, kids get to play scientist as they conduct experiments and observe results. Appropriate for kids 5 and up, the program is free for members; non-members must pay $3/child plus museum admission.  January 7, 12:00-2:00 p.m. For more information, call 973-971-3700.

FIRST Robotics Competition (Jersey City)

Have a kid who loves robots? The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of elementary school students to design robots and put them through a fast-paced competition. Twelve teams, who will compete at LSC, are vying to see who will go on to the next level of competition. January 7, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Free with admission. For more information: 201-200-1457.

Owl Prowl (Tenafly)

It's Owl time in NJ!  Join a TNC educator for a short introduction and a visit from a live owl. The group will then venture outside in search of this star of the nighttime hours. Recommended for adults and families with children 5 and up. Rain or shine. Pre-registration required. $5.00 for members; $10 for non-members. Tenafly Nature Center. January 8, 5:00-6:00 p.m. For more information, call 201-568-6093.