Learn how to gather sap and make fresh maple syrup at Tenafly Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the nature center
Groundhog Day Celebrations and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend
Freehold's iPlay America is an indoor venue that was designed to mimic a boardwalk at the Jersey Shore.
Best Winter Birthday Ideas for Kids in New Jersey
A visit to the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton makes for a great winter day trip. Photo by David Michael Howarth Photography
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 33 Best Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey
New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things To Do with NJ Kids
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Top Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places to Play Indoors
Enjoy Bookscape Babies and other free events at Cotsen Children's Library. Photo by Lisa Warden
32 Best Free Things To Do in New Jersey this February
The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
Themed Restaurants in New Jersey for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
Get ready to hit the sledding hills in New Jersey. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Best Sledding Hills in New Jersey for Families
Snow tubers hurtle from top to bottom at exhilarating speeds at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area. Photo courtesy of Shawnee Mountain
Best Snow Tubing in New Jersey for Families
Admission to the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton is completely free. Photo by Lisa Warden
100 Free Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids
GUIDE
NJ Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
The Best New Jersey Zoos and Aquariums to Visit with Kids
At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
Budget-Friendly Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey: Drop-in Play for $25 or Less
The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
Best Family Fun Centers & Indoor Amusement Parks in New Jersey
Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
40 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey on a Rainy Day
The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
Best Playgrounds in New Jersey Worth the Drive
Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey
Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
Meet the Animals at these New Jersey Petting Zoos and Animal Farms
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids
Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
Atlantic City with Kids: 34 Top Things To Do in Atlantic City, NJ
Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
22 Best Things To Do in Princeton, NJ, with Kids
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for New Jersey Kids
At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
18 Top Birthday Party Places in New Jersey for Kids
Help your kids develop their creative side with art classes
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for New Jersey Kids
Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
  VIDEO
Visiting American Dream Mall in New Jersey: 26 Fun Things To Do and Tips For Your Visit
Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey
Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
100 Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids Before They Grow Up
Boonton's
Easy Waterfall Hikes in Northern New Jersey for Kids
Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
Great Day Trips to New Jersey State Parks and Forests
The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
Free Admission for Kids at 50+ Top New Jersey Family Attractions
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Top Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places to Play Indoors
Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
Top Attractions in New Jersey: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
GUIDE
New Jersey Amusement Parks and Water Parks Guide

MLK Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Top Things To Do With Kids

Celebrate MLK weekend in New Jersey with free interactive workshops and enriching service projects honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Celebrate MLK weekend in New Jersey with free interactive workshops and enriching service projects honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
1/17/25 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this long weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

The first long weekend of 2025 kicks off with a celebration on ice and concludes with an important day of service and legacy. The weekend's off to an icy start with Pier Village's free Ice Festival, complete with an ice sculpture demonstration and other wintry fun. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and there are service opportunities for all ages in Scotch Plains, Princeton, and Summit, among others.

Find more cold-weather activities for the long weekend in our Winter Fun Guide and our packed Family Activity Calendar.

More Things To Do in New Jersey this Week with Kids:​

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Top Things To Do in New Jersey this Weekend

Wild Con! Collectibles Festival

Wildwood
Saturday, January 18
Wild Con is a collectibles festival featuring artists, writers, costume groups, and crafts. 2025 brings new guests, Hot Wheels Die Cast Car Races, the trivia game Name It!, special guests, artists, writers, creators, and a huge variety of vendors. READ MORE

Hot Cocoa at Historic Cedar Bridge

Barnegat – FREE
Saturday, January 18
Join a Cedar Bridge Tavern Historic Site docent to learn about the site's history. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate to warm up while learning about local lore and the history of Ocean County’s Revolutionary War past. READ MORE

Ice Festival at Pier Village

Long Branch – FREE
Saturday, January 18
Pier Village is ready for winter with a live ice sculpture demonstration. Award-winning sculptors design and carve sculptures in an elimination style speed carving format. READ MORE

Penguin Awareness at Jenkinson's Aquarium

Point Pleasant
Saturday, January 18
This is a day to celebrate the world's penguins. Come learn about all 18 species through crafts, activities, and keeper chats. READ MORE

Downtown Cranford Souperhero Stroll

Cranford
Saturday, January 18-Sunday, January 19
Put on a cape, and get ready for the Downtown Cranford Souperhero Stroll. Take a stroll through Downtown Cranford to view the life-size superhero balloon sculptures while sampling delicious soups offered by our local restaurants. READ MORE

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony in Ocean City

Ocean City – FREE
Saturday, January 18
Gather at the Ocean City Tabernacle for the opening ceremony at noon, and honor Dr. King through words, song and dance. A complimentary soul food buffet luncheon follows at the Tabernacle. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring Demonstrations at Great Swamp

Chatham
Weekends beginning Saturday, January 19
Families can learn about the process of maple sugaring from start to finish. Kids and their parents learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. READ MORE

Maple Tree Tapping at Echo Hill Park

Flemington
Sunday, January 19
Take a stroll from the playground to the sugar bush, and participate in the maple sugaring process. Participants collect tap from about 25 trees. Children must be accompanied by adults. READ MORE

MLK Day Community Gathering and Art Making

Princeton – FREE
Monday, January 20
This free gathering offers the opportunity and materials to create artwork that motivates and educates on topics of social justice, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s life’s work. This free art-making workshop is led by artist Tamara Torres. READ MORE

Scotch Plains Fanwood Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Scotch Plains – FREE
Monday, January 20
Join the Scotch Plains Fanwood community for its annual day of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Service projects include volunteer opportunities like card-making and food and clothing drives. READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Summit – FREE
Monday, January 20
Stop by the patio of Reeves-Reed Arboretum to pick up supplies to create valentines that will be delivered to clients of SAGE Eldercare. On this important day of service memorializing Martin Luther King Jr., participants can warm the hearts of our neighbors.  READ MORE

Jersey Cares Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Multiple Locations – FREE
Monday, January 20
Jersey Cares Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service welcomes children and adults to take part in virtual and in-person projects to strengthen communities and build a stronger New Jersey. Projects require registration. READ MORE

School's Out: Friendship Bracelets at METC

Madison
Monday, January 20
School is out but fun is in. Spend some time at the Education Annex to make friendship bracelets. READ MORE

Community Day Martin Luther King Jr: Stronger Together

Newark – FREE
Monday, January 20
Community Day at the Newark Museum of Art features uplifting performances, hands-on activities, and opportunities for the whole family to help the community. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Multiple Locations – FREE
Monday, January 20
On select days throughout the year, including January 20, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article: