Things To Do With Kids This Weekend in NJ Feb 18-20: Honeybees, Mardi Gras, School for Scoundrels, Presidents' Day Fun and more!

With all this mild weather, it's easy to forget that it's really the middle of February and time for mid-winter break for some lucky kids. Thankfully there are plenty of events (many free) to keep everyone busy this weekend such as a Bird Count, Charlotte's Web, Family Day at the State Theatre and Open House at Newark Museum. Read on for all of our picks and remember, you can always find additional weekend activities in our Event Calendar. Enjoy those President's Day festivities, NJ!

All Weekend

Honeybee Weekend  (Hamilton)
Buzz on over to Grounds for Sculpture Friday through Sunday from 10am – 4pm to learn all about beekeeping and how honey is made. You'll also want to check out the beekeeping program at 1pm on Saturday presented by New Jersey's own Herbertsville Honey Company. Free with admission price of Adults $12, Children 6-12 $8, Children under 6 FREE. For more information: (609) 586-0616.

Mardi Gras Weekend  (Paramus)
Stop in to the New Jersey Children's Museum from 10:00am–5:00pm all weekend to have some toddler and preschool fun, New Orleans style. This kid-friendly celebration includes beads for all the tykes, masking making and parades. Free with paid admission of $10 per person. For more information:(201) 262-5151.

Saturday February 18th

The Great Backyard Bird Count  (Mendham)
Join the staff and volunteers at Schiff Nature Preserve to seek out some of our overwintering feathered friends! Data collected will be added to the Southern Morris County bird count data. Great FREE outdoor fun for families with kids of all ages. Two sessions: 8am-12pm or 1pm – 4pm. For more information: 973-543-6004.

School for Scoundrels (Princeton)
No, it's not a new child discipline technique! Actually this fun drop-in program for children 5 and up at the Cotsen Library at Princeton University will be highlighting famous villains from literature. Kids can learn how to create some magical mischief, chat with some of our famous alumni, meet “Aragog” the live tarantula, and learn how to totally gross out their friends and neighbors. 1pm-4pm. Free. For more information: (609) 258-2324.

Charlotte's Web  (Milburn)
After Saturday brunch (but please, hold the bacon), bring the family out to the Paper Mill Playhouse to see this classic show based on E.B. White's loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte.  Shows at 10am and 1:30pm. $12-20 per ticket. For more information: 973-376-4343.

Paper Toy Making Workshop   (Madison)
If your kids love raiding the recycling bin as much as mine do, this workshop at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts will be a huge hit all around! Children 4-10 will learn some unique techniques for making toys out of paper, with some to take home. Advance registration is required by calling 973-377-2982 x14 Members $5/Non-members $7 per person. 2pm.

Sunday February 19th  

Washington's Birthday Celebration (Titusville)
Seeing that it IS President's Day weekend, it is only fitting to celebrate the birth of the father of our nation. Stop by Washington's Crossing State Park from 1pm-4pm to party in style with colonial music, toys and games, the history of gingerbread, and other ongoing activities.  Fun free event for the whole family. For more information: (609)737-2515.

Chew on This!  (Basking Ridge)
The 7-9 year old gum lovers in your family will get a kick out of this educational and fun event at the Environmental Education Center from 1pm-3pm. They will learn the history of gum, then conduct bubble gum science experiments. For a grand finale, they will even get to make home-made bubble gum for their chewing pleasure! $15 per person and registration is required. Call (908) 766-2489.

The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket (Branchburg)
It's a great day to visit the Planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College to see one of their planetarium shows for kids. This show about two children who tour the solar system in one night with the help of their astronomy book and their imagination is perfect for children 6-10. $6 per ticket. Call 908-231-8805 for reservations.

Monday February 20th

President's Day Open House (Newark)
Bring the whole family to Newark Museum's Open House from 12:30pm-4:30pm for art and science adventures. What if you were the President of a gallery? Invent games and challenges for other Museum visitors to explore your gallery. At 2pm the Hudson Vagabond Puppets will perform their "Guess Who Signed the Constitution?" show. Free with suggested museum admission. For more information: (973) 596-6550.

Family Day at the State Theater of New Jersey (New Brunswick)
President's Day is a jam-packed day of family fun at the State Theater of New Jersey from 11am - 3pm. This free event has a slew of activities including balloon animals, face painting, games and sand art in the heated Hub City Big Top tent. At the Crossroads Theatre there are dance, music, and storytelling performances throughout the day as well. See online schedule for additional craft workshops that require pre-registration and a fee. Also performing at the State Theatre are Dan Zanes at 10:30am and the Bindlestiff Circus at 1pm and 4pm (tickets required for these shows). For more information: (732) 246-7469.

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.

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