New Jersey family activities and events

Activities

Special Events, Activities, Party Planning and more

Holiday/Seasonal Events Calendar - upcoming family events for major holidays & seasons in calendar format (submit your event); also check out Koddler's listings for other NJ, NY and PA events for families
Holiday/Seasonal Reading List - our recommended reading for all ages for the different holidays & the seasons
Annual Special Events - ParenthoodNJ's listing of annual family events (not necessarily relating to a holiday) for each county, organized by month & then by town (submit your annual event)
Fun Things - ParenthoodNJ's Picks for fun family events & places
Things to Do in NJ with Your Kids - free and open Facebook page where parents can post and view suggestions for fun family activities and locations; for other sites focusing on specific geographic regions, check here
Camp programs - includes summer & winter camp programs for a variety of ages and interests
Party Planning - involve your children in a charity event; host a party just because, or plan your next special celebration; entertainers who make local appearances & some do parties

Playgroups & Mom's (& Dad's) Groups

Meetup.com - search for local playgroups, including the Somerset & Middlesex County Moms Meetup. Some are free & some charge a nominal fee.
Newcomersclub.com - a directory of Newcomers Clubs, Women's Groups, Moms Clubs & Dads organizations in New Jersey
MOMS Clubs - Moms Offering Other Moms Support; MOMS Club of Middlesex, Dunellen & Bound Brook (more info contact Farrah 732-983-2855 or farrahmaria@optonline.net; other NJ chapters
Mothers and More - offers mothers support whether they are transitioning to stay at home or remaining in the workplace; New Jersey chapters include several local groups including those for Bergen County, the Summit Greater Area and Maplewood/South Orange
Athomedad - find a group of dads in your local area, advertise your group, communicate with each other, discuss local topics, keep a calendar of events, and otherwise keep your group organized and visible.
DrMoz - includes a Dad's Group directory by state
Stay at Home Dads of NJ - a Facebook group enabling dads to communicate and set up playdates

Enrichment Programs

Art, Dance & Theater Programs - schools for more intense study in the arts
Enrichment Programs - facilities that provide Mommy & Me-type programs and a variety of classes including gymnastics, music, art & more
Artistic Endeavors - locations that give children a taste of music, art, painting, pottery and more; some of them also offer camps and classes
Camp programs - includes summer & winter camp programs for a variety of ages and interests

Theme Activities

Princess Page - your aspiring princess (or fairy) will love our collection of books, events & other fun
Knights & Dragons - calling all knights to visit this section featuring books, events & more
Dinosaurs! - encourage your future paleontologist with our list of books, special exhibits & online fun
Planes, Trains & Automobilies (& ships) - for practically anything that moves in NJ, check out this page
To Infinity & Beyond - our special page for aspiring astronomers & those interested in outer space
It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's our Superhero page! - superheroes can find toys, replacement disguises & more

Cheap and Cheerful Ideas & Activities

Play with Your Baby and Save Hundreds of Dollars (article by Sandra Lee)
Go to the Library! - Links to your local library and featured libraries and events
Books for Activity Ideas
The Crafty Corner - blog for fun & cheap things to do with (or for) your kids
Online & Computer - listing of websites that offer games, printable activities & learning programs
Fun at home - list of sites that offer free printables for coloring and crafts as well as fun activity ideas at home. Also see our Education section for some learning activities at home

More Fun Without Breaking Your Budget

The Great Outdoors - information on outdoor activities and parks
Historic Sites & Houses - links to historic sites
Museums - museums, planetariums & other indoor learning for the whole family to enjoy
For a Rainy Day - links to children's museums and indoor play areas
For Animal Lovers - Aquariums, Zoos, Preserves, Farms, Riding Stables & Other Animal Activities & Events
Sports & Recreation - information & links to sites offering sports & recreational activities
Enjoy the theater - list of area theaters that offer children's shows; also area entertainers list who make appearances;