WINTER FUN! WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT?
TUBING...SNOW BOARDING
Winter is here, and the snowy terrain, awesome adventures, and scenic views await NJ families. Most of these kid friendly ski areas offer a mixture of skiing, snowboarding, and of course snow tubing which requires no specialized equipment or lessons. All are within close driving vicinity to North and Central New Jersey, so it’s a great time to get outside and make it a day trip or family weekend getaway. The big plus, skiing among wide open space on thousands of acres - is a great social distancing thing to do.
Plan ahead - Know before you go. Here’s a sum up of important TIPS before you go just about anywhere this season:
• Buy everything online - and buy ahead of time. Expect times and dates to be sold out, but keep checking back as more inventory may be added when capacity allows. If weekends are booked, try the weekdays.
• Passes may be a better bet than day passes, as these may have priority on some mountains. Plus day passes may have less inventory.
• Expect to use your vehicle as your personal base lodge for food breaks, changing, and storing. Lockers are limited.
• Limit number of guests (non-skier/boarder/tuber) since there will be capacity restrictions. Many venues are at a capacity limit and no gathering is allowed.
• Pack a picnic basket for in your car eating just in case there are no food concessions.
THESE RESORTS ARE WELCOMING FAMILIES!
Campgaw Mountain, NJ
8:30am - 10pm
Kid friendly mountain for learn-to-ski/ snowboard and a perfect tubing destination. Campgaw is located right in Mahwah, Bergen County NJ. There’s day and night skiing (with 8 beginner/ intermediate trails and 3 magic carpet lifts for beginners), snowboarding, ten 800 ft snow tubing runs. Check out their expanded Terrain Park.
Bear Creek Mountain, PA
9am-10pm (Fri - Sat), 9am-9pm (Mon - Thur)
Skiing & Snowboarding at Bear Creek Mountain on 23 slopes and trails with 6 lifts, 3 terrain parks along with a 4 season resort 116 room hotel at the base of the mountain. Snowzone area dedicated to young kids to practice their skills. Take-out food options and outdoor food truck with heaters and outdoor seating. All other amenities including lockers, basket check, seating, game room and locker room are not available due to Covid. Lehigh Valley, PA
Belleayre Mountain, NY
Well known for being a family friendly ski mountain. 50 trails, 8 lifts. Ski and snowboard lessons and kids camp. Highmount, NY, belleayre.com
Blue Mountain Resort, PA
8am - 9pm
A family friendly mountain with 40 Trails, 5 Terrain Parks, 34 tubing lanes. Blue Mountain is your Outdoor Adventure destination located in the Pocono Mountains. Close to home, and only 90 minutes from Philadelphia and 90 minutes from NYC. With this season, expect limits on mountain access, so buy tickets as early as possible. There will be no ticket window available and only online ticket purchases. Outdoor food trucks and online to go ordering. You may rent lockers. 1660 Blue Mountain Drive, Palmerton, PA, 610.826.7700.
Camelback Mountain, PA
8:30am - 9pm (weekends); 9am - 9pm (weekdays)
Skiing & snowboarding at Camelback on 39 trails with 100% snowmaking. Snowtubing on 42 lanes. New Terrain Park. Also featuring the Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark. Tannersville, PA.
Hunter Mountain, NY
Skiing and snowboarding. Kids lessons. 67 trails, 13 lifts. Snow Tubing Park with lanes nearly 1,000 feet long. Hunter, NY, huntermtn.com
SAVE THE DATE! Virtual Summer Camp Fair ... February 21, 2021
We’re welcoming all sorts of camps from Day Camps, Specialty Camp and Sleepaway Camps from the greater Northeast area. Usually scheduled in person during the January and February timeframe, we switched to a remote platform during this continuing pandemic.
• Meet camps all in one day
• A variety of day camps, sleepaway camps, special interest camps in NJ, and surrounding Tri-state area
• FREE Admission
Just like the normal in-person fairs, families will be able to listen to a live presentation, watch videos, speak 1 on 1 with camp representatives, sign up for open houses, Q&A, download brochures and even set up a future meeting ... all from the comfort of your home.
Jack Frost Big Boulder, PA
8am - 4pm (Jack Frost); 8am - 9pm (Big Boulder)
Open for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, from the novice to the expert skier or rider. There are no out of bounds, all can experience fun terrain. 34 trails and 21 lifts. New Glade Park for snowboarders and freeskiers. For the 2021 season, there will be no indoor seating, just access to restrooms and grab and go food service only. Blakeslee, PA, 570.443.8425.
Mountain Creek, NJ
9am - 9pm
New Jersey’s premier ski resort Mountain Creek offers skiing, snowtubing, snowboarding and a Terrain Park. With four mountain peaks and eight lifts, suitable to a variety of ability level. Limited quantities for lift tickets. Children 6 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Route 94, Vernon, NJ, 973.827.2000.
Mount Peter, NY
New York’s Family Mountain offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. 14 trails, 5 lifts. Terrain Park. FREE Beginner Ski and Snowboard Lessons on weekends and holidays for first time skiers or boarders (age 5+). Pete’s Pals: Lessons for Tiny Tots who are potty trained. Warwick, NY, mtpeter. com
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, PA
8am - 9pm
Skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing park at Shawnee with 23 trails and 2 Terrain Parks. Ski lessons for ages 3+. Children 46” Tall & under FREE with paying adult. They are suggesting to buy everything online, save time, save money and save your spot. Tubing tickets are only online. No carry in food, beverages, or coolers, but tailgating is OK! Use your vehicle as your own personal base lodge for changing, taking a break, or storing stuff. Lodging. East Stroudsburg, PA.
Windham Mountain Resort, NY
Stunning adventure with skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and outdoor ice-skating. 54 trails backed by 6 terrain parks and 11 lifts. Lodging on premise. Windham, NY, windhammountain.com
GO CROSS COUNTRY SKIING!
If you have skis, you can explore the parks locally. There are many parks with miles and miles of groomed trails, although you’ll encountered ungroomed trails too!
• Palisades Interstate Pkwy (Bergen)
• South Mountain Reservation (Essex)
• Wawayanda State Pk (Passaic)
• Lewis Morris County Park (Morris)
• High Point Cross Country Ski Ctr (Sussex), groomed
www.njkidsonline.com
GO HIKING!
MORE OUTDOORS... THINGS TO DO THIS WINTER
• Promised Land State Park
Not just snow and ice, adventure winter fun also includes exploring open hiking trails. Put on a hat, lace up the boots, grab some gloves, bring some snacks and enjoy an invigorating winter hike. Check out nature centers and dozens of NJ State Parks at www.state.nj.us/dep/ parksandforests
• D&R Canal State Pk (New Brunswick)
• Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Morris: Chatham, Basking Ridge)
• Fort Lee Historic Park (Bergen)
• South Mountain Reservation (Essex)
GO ICE FISHING!
Fishing is not just a summer sport. Some NJ parks are stocked in the winter so now is the perfect time to lower your hook.
• Allamuchy Mountain State Park, Hackettstown
• Budd Lake, Mt. Olive
• Hopatcong State Park, Hopatcong
• Ringwood State Park, Ringwood
• Spruce Run Recreation Area, Clinton
GO SNOWMOBILING!
• Allamuchy Mountain State Pk, Hackettstown
• High Point State Park, Sussex
• Ringwood State Park, Ringwood
• Wawayanda State Park, Hewitt
• Wharton State Forest, Hammonton
Poconos Mountain offers many trails: (poconosmountain.com)
• Delaware State Forest, PA
• Hickory Run State Park
• Lehigh George State Park
• Tobyhanna State Park
GO CRUISING!
Statue Cruises, 877.523.9849
The Statue of Liberty Experience! Frequent departures from NY and NJ. Ellis Island is open, explore and learn about your family history.
GO OUTDOOR POND SKATING!
Skate the old-fashioned way, outside on a frozen pond. There are quite a few NJ State parks that offer pond skating BUT make sure to call ahead to see if the pond is safe. NEVER skate on a pond that is not properly marked!
GO SLEDDING!
Grab your red flyer and sit tight! Best sledding hills in NJ:
• Briant Park, Summit
• Chubb Park, Chester
• Echo Lake Park, Mountainside
• Hopatcong State Park, Hopatcong
• Meisel Park, Springfield
• Ringwood State Park, Ringwood
• Round Valley Recreation Area, Lebanon
• Fort Mott State Park, Pennsville
Don’t miss the Rutgers Geology Museum’s 53rd Annual Open House! This year’s Paleontology-themed event will be held virtually on Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 9:30AM to 2PM.
Guest lectures by paleontologists, dinosaur-related children’s activities, and a fossil and mineral sale will be held throughout the day.
For the full list of lectures and activities, please visit our website by clicking on the OPEN HOUSE button below.
Register for this FREE event: https://geologymuseum.rutgers.edu/museum-events/annual-open-house
When You Need Safe, Reliable Care, Kiddie Academy® is Here
We understand that parents today face greater hurdles than ever
With so much uncertainty in our world, let Kiddie Academy alleviate some of your biggest challenges and be a partner in your child's safe, nurturing care and education.
Being together makes learning fun
Kiddie Academy of Upper Freehold gives your child a place to safely make friends, play games, learn and celebrate just being a kid – despite what's happening in the world outside.
We're prioritizing health and safety
That's why we launched Health EssentialsSM, an industry-leading set of standard operating procedures that can help mitigate the spread of potential infection throughout our Academies. Health Essentials expands upon existing disinfection and health protocols that offer parents and staff peace of mind and demonstrates our commitment to creating a healthy and safe environment for learning and working.
Now enrolling- start your journey with Kiddie Academy today
Contact us today to set up a time to get together (virtually or in-person) and learn more.
Kiddie Academy of Upper Freehold 5
Got Kids? VIRTUAL THINGS TO DO AT HOME
NEWARK MUSEUM - NMOAatHOME
MLK Jr Day Celebration, Jan 18, 10am-5pm
Virtual Workshops:Terrarium Making, Jan 20, 7pm Virtual Creative Play, Virtual Escape Room, Virtual Tours, Virtual Homeschool. www.newarkmuseumart.org
NJ PAC IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
themes and books together. www.state.nj.us/state/museum
STORM KING AT HOME
While the center is closed, check out their vimeo page for digital content and their create page to bring art and nature to your home. www.stormking.org/athome/
Tune in th their live events including weekly DJ dance parties, arts workshops and NJPAC Backstage celebrity interviews. Or dive into a treasure trove of videos from their archive for a creative boost. www.njpac.org
SHOWS AT RVCC PLANETARIUM WATCH FROM HOME
Take a trip to outer space. See day and night skies from Earth. Watch stars and planets visible in tonight’s sky. For preschoolers to adults. Check website for dates. Currently showing: Birth of Planet Earth; Dinosaurs at Dusk; Earth, Moon & Sun; Legends of the Night Sky. www.raritanval.edu
VISUAL ARTS CENTER
How to Fly: A virtual event for MLK Jr. Day. Jan 18 @ 1-3PM. Free. www.artcenternj.org
NJ STATE MUSEUM
Small Explorers Program; educators will engage families with 1-2 pre-recorded videos per month on their social media for families to explore
CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE - CREATIVITY AT HOME
Crafty FREE Projects from printables, birthday crafts, cardboard crafts, coloring pages, colorful experiments, chalk creations model magic, ... www.crayolaexperience.com/creativityathome
PENN MUSEUM AT HOME
Travel the world and explore the museum from home. See events calendar for all events.
Anthro LIVE: Story of the Chinese Zodiac: Jan 12 Anthro LIVE: Create a legendary Creature: Jan 19 Africa and the World: Jan 19
Trip to China and Beyond: Jan 20
Behind the Lion Dance: Jan 28 www.penn.mueum/calendar
RUTGERS GEOLOGY MUSEUM
Ask A Geologist Live Stream Web Series. Virtual Open House - Jan 30. FREE. They engage children and answer their questions to the day’s geologic topic. Elementary and middle schoolers. www.geologymuseum.rutgers.edu
Penn Museum At Home
WHERE TO GO?
Need help overcoming cabin fever? These wonderful venues have reopened for safe smart fun and for your in-person enjoyment. Please abide by all COVID19 safety protocols. Tickets will be limited to capacity constraints, therefore it’s best to reserve ahead of time and keep checking back with updated ticketing inventory. Mask up!
BIG SNOW AT AMERICAN DREAM
Reserve a ski or snowboard package online. Every day is a snow day at American Dream. Located at NJ’s newest family entertainment complex in nearby Secaucus. All the fun of skiing and snowboarding, only it’s indoors, temperature controlled at 28 degrees Fahrenheit, rentals, and lessons. www.bigsnowamericandream.com
AMERICAN DREAM MALL
Check out the largest indoor theme park with attractions such as Nickelodeon Universe, Big Snow, Dream Works Water Park, Angry Birds Not So Mini Golf Club, It’s Sugar Candyland adventure and more coming. Shop, eat, and just walk around. East Rutherford.
BERGEN
COUNTY ZOO
Free admission and open but capacity will be monitored. Zoo traffic goes one way. Walk around outdoors and spot the animals. Paramus
BRONX ZOO
Reserve a date online for a winter admission ticket and enter the zoo within one hour of the entry time, then stay as long as you like. You can also book a private encounter for your group of six of more. www.bronxzoo.com
CENTRAL PARK ZOO
Now open for your visit, but must have a date specific ticket and arrive within one hour of entry time. Visit Tisch children’s zoo, animal feeding from 10am-2pm. NYC
FUNTIME JUNCTION
Indoor Children’s Entertainment Center Reserve open play admission tickets online and access FunCade, vest-less laser tag, a helicopter carousel ride, toddler playground, Beam floor projection game, LiteZilla (Giant Lite Brite), and a multi-level climbscape and jump pillow. Fairfield, 973.882.9777, www.funtimejunction.com We’ve found these
IMAGINE THAT!!! CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
General Admission Tues - Sun - with Special Appearances at Weekend events. East Hanover. imaginethatmuseum.com
LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER
Open this winter, Thurs-Sun. Buy tickets online. DC Superheroes, Making Mammoths, Sock Skating Rink, Planets Show, One World One Sky, Beyond Rubik’s Cube.... www.lsc.com
MINI GOLF AT MONSTER MINI GOLF
Reserve your optional tee time! Swing your way to non-stop fun. Unique mini golf experience with 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini golf. Play in a state-of-the-art-arcade and enjoy a laser maze. Fairfield 973.244.0026, Paramus 201.261.0032, www.monsterminigolf.com
SKYZONE TRAMPOLINE PARK
Pinebrook, Mount Olive, Allendale, Springfield, Ocean
Reserve for open jump or glow (at select locations) tickets. Some locations offer private group play. www.skyzone.com
IPLAY AMERICA
Reserve tickets to this indoor amusement park full of rides for all ages, including go-karts, minibowling, carousel, rollercoaster, skyscraper, laser tag, 4D theater, arcade, and new ride - Reverse Time. Freehold. www.iplayamerica.com.
SAHARA SAMS
Reserve a one day ticket or season pass to visit the indoor waterpark. Admission ticket allows access to all attractions, water rides, The Congo Bongo lazy river, Flow Rider, slides, obstacle courses, indoor pool, arcade and more! Special Lizard Lagoon toddler water area for little ones. West Berlin. www.saharasams.com
STATUE OF LIBERTY
The new Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island has reopened, limited to 25% capacity. Tours available include the grounds of Liberty Island (Reserve Ticket) and the Hard Hat Tour of Ellis Island (includes the Liberty Island Reserve Ticket); however, the Crown and Pedestal interior
areas will remain closed. Ferry service to Ellis island has resumed, and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum has also reopened to 25% capacity.
HIGH POINT CROSS COUNTRY SKI CENTER
Go cross country skiing. Trek through the trails of this winter wonderland. Great sport and exercise as you navigate hills and the large expanse of forest. Group and private lessons available. Sussex. Rt 23.
GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE
A sculpture garden, arboretum, and museum. Experience a 42-acre landscaped park and its seasonal transformation; engage with new sculptures throughout the landscape with nearly 300 sculptures on view. Flat rate admission at the reduced price of $10. GFS’s six indoor galleries remain closed due to Covid-19. Grounds will be open Thurs-Mon from 10am–6pm thru March 31.
GO ICE SKATING
We found these outdoor rinks opened!
Princeton’s Palmer Square’s synthetic ice rink is located behind the Nassau Inn Hotel in Princeton. Skates available for rent and tickets are sold at the door thru Feb 28. Then walk around Princeton.
Van Saun Park RINK at the Winter Wonderland is open thru Feb 21. Purchase tickets online for a 50 min skate. Limited based on availability. Paramus
Winter Village at Bryant Park. Enjoy NYC’s only free ice skating rink, the Holiday Shops and cafes and cozy igloos. Fully outdoor experience. Skate time will be booked per timed session. Online booking required. 40st 6th ave.
Sock Skating Rink @ Liberty Science Center
Take off your shoes and take a spin on a rink made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface.
Wollman Skating Rink @ Central Park
Enjoy the fresh air of winter, outdoors in Central Park. So much to do inside the park. Think Zoo, Park, NYC streets.
Everyone Deserves Authentic Friendships!
MORE IN-PERSON THINGS TO DO...WHERE TO GO?
AVIATION HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
Make online reservations to go see their unique exhibits including the rocket engine that propelled the X-15 to incredible speed and height records and the first American hovercraft invented by Charles Fletcher. You’ll also see real live aircraft, helicopters, airplane models, and the museum’s custom built “Fundamentals of Flight” interactive aerodynamics exhibit. Teterboro. www.njahof.org
MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM
Galleries will be reopening February 6. Register for in-person winter classes and workshops. Montclair. www.montclairartmuseum.com
MORRIS MUSEUM
Opened Saturdays and Sundays. For Bank of America and Merilly Lynch cardholders, Free admission first weekend every month. Go see the Mega Model Train Gallery for train enthusiasts of all ages. Currently open to the public. Morristown. www.morrismuseum.org
PONY POWER THERAPIES
Offering fun for the whole family with limited availability for winter riding and grooming sessions. This is a great way to be with horses. Families are limited to no more than 5 people in
the grooming lesson. Great learning activity and outdoors. Mahwah. www.ponypowernj.org
ASBURY PARK
Stroll the streets of this revitalized beachfront town, with its eclectic shops, fantastic food options, The Stone Pony, arcade and Silverball Museum, and the boardwalk, including the newly expanded north end. Take a coffee break in one of many cozy cafes along restaurant row (Bangs and Cookman avenues), and then partake in the dynamic restaurant scene with so many choices.
Or choose your favorite beach destination and go for a hot chocolate, then walk the boardwalk and enjoy the outdoors!
WHITNEY HOUSTON’S MURAL
Admire late Newark-born pop singer’s mural, a colorful 19- by 28- foot artwork comprised of more than 1,000 pounds of hand-cut glass mosaic on William Street, just three blocks from Prudential Center.
STORM KING ART CENTER
Get outside and experience art in nature. But advance tickets for Saturday or Sunday visits 10am-4:30pm. New Windsor, NY. www.stormking.org
Morris Museum Mega Model Train Gallery
