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32 Free and Fun Activities for Kids in New Jersey in February 2026

Enjoy Bookscape Babies and other free events at Cotsen Children's Library. Photo by Lisa Warden
Enjoy Bookscape Babies and other free events at Cotsen Children's Library. Photo by Lisa Warden
1/28/25 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for free things to do this February in New Jersey? Check out dozens of great options below. 

February is the month of love, and you’ll love all the free events happening in New Jersey! It's a month full of holiday celebrations, like the Asbury Park Valentine's Bazaar, complete with shopping, food, and photo ops, and Lunar New Year at Bridgewater Commons.

And don't miss free character visits in February at events like Hearts & Heroes at Casino Pier Arcade and Winter Bluey Event at Poricy Park.

Mark your calendars with these great no-cost holiday events that take place nearly every day of the season. For more winter fun, check out our Event Calendar and Winter Activities Guide.

Not on our newsletter list yet? Subscribe for free and get the best local family fun sent straight to your inbox. 

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Photo courtesy of Home Depot
Photo courtesy of Home Depot

Free Things To Do in New Jersey in February 2026

Wassailing the Apple Trees at Terhune Orchards

Princeton
Sunday, February 1, 2026
The ancient British tradition of wassailing the apple trees to protect them from harm is a popular winter celebration at Terhune Orchards. Raise a glass of hot cider and join in on the fun.  READ MORE

Kids Workshops at Home Depot

Various Locations
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Kids can get creative at these monthly Home Depot in-store DIY events. Projects take place the first Saturday of each month at participating stores.  READ MORE

Maker Mondays Kids Craft Hour at Jake Branch County Park Nature Center

Beechwood
Mondays, February 2 and 16, 2026
Drop by the nature center on select Mondays for nature-inspired crafts. Registration is not required. READ MORE

Wildlife Baby Shower at Cedar Run

LaMedford
Saturdays, February 7, 2026
The Wildlife Baby Shower is a donation drive to help prepare for the upcoming arrival of thousands of sick, injured, and/or orphaned wild ones in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital. Enjoy light refreshments, crafts for kids and special appearances by non-releasable wildlife. READ MORE

Art Together at Zimmerli

New Brunswick
Sunday, February 8, 2026
On select Sundays throughout the year, families can work side-by-side on arts and crafts projects at Rutgers' Zimmerli Art Museum. Each session includes a brief, instructor-led tour through one of the galleries. READ MORE

Winter Bluey Event at Poricy Park

Middletown
Friday, February 13, 2026
Head over to Poricy Park for a meet-and-greet with Bluey. The fun includes photos, crafts, a game of Keepy Uppy and Musical Statues.  READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Various Locations
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Stop by New Jersey JCPenney stores on the second Saturday of every month for free and fun crafts. Children receive a lanyard and collector's pin. Six pins earn a Project Master Medallion. READ MORE

Asbury Park Valentine's Bazaar 2026

Asbury Park
Saturday, February 14-Sunday, February 15, 2026
Swing by Asbury Park Convention Hall for a day filled with love, fun, and shopping. Discover unique gifts for a special someone or treat yourself to something special. With a variety of vendors offering handmade crafts, artisanal goods, and delicious treats, plus live music, kids' activities and workshops, there's something for everyone to enjoy. READ MORE

Popstar Sing-a-Long at Casino Pier Arcade

Seaside Heights
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Love is in the air- and on the dance floor. Join Casino Pier Arcade for a Valentine's event featuring a K-Pop sing-along, heart-shaped pizzas, games, and nonstop fun. READ MORE

Historical Valentines at Historic Walnford

Freehold
Sunday, February 14, 2026
Historical Walnford hosts this creative and educational workshop. Take a look at valentines from the 18th and 19th centuries, and study how penmanship has changed over the years. Then, create a valentine of your own or write a letter to a friend using historically inspired materials. READ MORE

Hearts & Heroes at Casino Pier Arcade

Seaside Heights
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Celebrate Valentine’s Weekend at Casino Pier with Hearts & Heroes, a fun-filled family event where love, imagination, and adventure come together. The fun includes a free Princess Sing-a-Long, Superhero Meet & Greet and Face Painting. READ MORE

Free Crafts for Kids at Lakeshore Learning

Various locations
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Lakeshore Learning welcomes children age 3 and older for a free storytime and craft activity each Saturday morning. Check online for photos of weekly projects. No reservations are needed. READ MORE

Kids Workshops at Lowes

Various locations
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Kids can get creative and learn to build at Lowes' mini-DIYers workshops. Reserve a spot online. Some walk-ins may be permitted. READ MORE

Winter Beach Blast at the Ocean County Mall

Toms River
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Get a taste of summer in the winter at Ocean County Mall. The summery fun includes crafts, giant Twister, dancing, and more.  READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Bridgewater Commons

Bridgewater
Saturday, February 21-Sunday, February 22, 2026
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a traditional Asian performance and dragon dance accompanied by the music of beating of drums, cymbals, and gong instruments, believed to bring good luck and fortune. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration at the Ramsey Public Library

Ramsey
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Welcome the Year of the Horse with cultural performances, activities, and light refreshments. Enjoy a variety of traditional cultural performances, plus arts, crafts, riddles, and games. READ MORE
Photo by Mommy Poppins
Photo by Mommy Poppins

Ongoing Free Things To Do in February 2026

Preschool Storytime at Bridgewater Library

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Swing by the library on Mondays with the little ones for books, songs, and activities. READ MORE

Play Group at Glen Ridge Public Library

Glen Ridge
Every Tuesday
Tots are welcome to enjoy toys, books and socializing every Tuesday morning at Glen Ridge Public Library. Caregivers are required to stay.  READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Livingston

Livingston
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Enjoy childhood classics and new favorites at Barnes & Noble in Livingston on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  READ MORE

Bookscape Babies at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Tuesday
Cotsen’s youngest patrons get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in the Bookscape gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await. READ MORE

Storytime at Barnes & Noble Morris Plains

Morris Plains
Every Wednesday
Join Barnes & Noble of Morris Plains for Wednesday storytime, featuring old favorites and new releases.  READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Holmdel

Holmdel
Every Wednesday
Join Barnes & Noble of Holmdel every Wednesday for a fun-filled storytime. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Brick

Brick
Every Wednesday
Head over to Barnes & Noble every Wednesday for children's stories and fun. READ MORE

Tiger Tales at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Friday
Join the staff at Cotsen Library for a special interactive weekly storytime. Tiger Tales begins with a story and ends with a hands-on project to take home. READ MORE

Drop in and Discover at Jakes Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Saturday
Stop by Jakes Branch Nature Center on Saturdays for nature lessons and crafts. A new topic is explored each session. READ MORE

Art for Families at Princeton University Art Museum

Princeton
Every Saturday
Stop by Princeton University Art Museum every Saturday morning for crafty family fun. Drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 1 p.m. and enjoy an engaging gallery activity followed by a related art project. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jakes Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Saturday and Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE

Winery with Music, Firepits, and Mulled Wine at Terhune Orchards

Princeton
Every Saturday and Sunday
Weekends at Terhune Orchards Winery are all about good vibes, great wine, and plenty of fun. Friends and families can gather to enjoy music, food, and cheer in a cozy fall setting. On sunny days, the historic apple orchard makes the perfect backdrop. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River
Every Saturday and Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Discovery Nature Walks at Jakes Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Sunday
Take a nature walk through Jakes Branch Park with a park naturalist. Walks are brief but informative in nature. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Various Home Depot stores
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University
Asbury Park Convention Hall
various Lowes stores
Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Princeton University Art Museum
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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