Winter school vacation week will be here soon. In the midst of all the holiday planning, have you thought about what family fun things to do are happening that week? I’ve searched the web for things to do with kids in NJ for not only Christmas vacation week, but also in December.

Visit their websites for current scheduled events – some may have changed over the years, but the links are active.

Jersey Shore Fun

New Jersey has many opportunities for places to visit with some of the most popular being New Jersey Museums including the NJ Children’s Museum and Theatres including. Enjoy your holiday fun things to do with your grandchildren in NJ! But don’t forget to visit Jenkinson’s Boardwalk and Aquarium in Pt. Pleasant.

Hurricane Sandy Affected Some Activities – Call for Info (they have all survived!)

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk and Aquarium

Free Pictures with Santa at the Sweet Shop
Two Saturdays in December

Holiday Merchandise on Sale and extra savings throughout the store; Coloring Contests for Ages 3-5, 6-8 & 9 and Up; Hot Cocoa, Cookies and Milk, and other Treats available for purchase; for more info call: 732-892-7576.

Holiday Express- Big Joe Henry’s Holiday Extravaganza!
On a Saturday in Jenkinson’s Pavilion entertainment may include: Southside Johnny, Holiday Express, Pat Guadango, The Beth Ann Clayton Band, Total Soul & The Sheps!

For more information or to purchase tickets online please visit the Rock and Roll Music Fund website at: www.rockandrollmusicfund.org/eventinfopage.html
You can also purchase tickets in person at Jenkinson’s Aquarium Gift Shop between 10am and 5pm Daily.

Sea of Lights at Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Call for current dates, time, and admission cost$
Indoor holiday light spectacular!

NJ MUSEUMS with Children’s Programs

Air Victory Museum – Lumberton

The Air Victory Museum is home to a number of historic Aircraft, Engines, Uniforms, Vehicles and other memorabilia from the first powered flight on December 17, 1903 to Today. Our volunteers are constantly working on new exhibits and maintaining and preserving our collection of artifacts so that future generations can view, enjoy and learn from them.

A wind tunnel, built under the supervision of the Wright Brothers sits next to a large scale diorama of the historic first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. A flight suit that was donated by Maj. Fred Stankovich, who flew the Number 2 Skyhawk for the Blue Angels, stands next to our A-4C Skyhawk painted to match his aircraft. Captured German and Japanese technology from World War Two as well as a complete Junkers Jumo 004 Engine occupy a corner of the museum.

As you can see, we have a wide range of artifacts that help tell the story of aviation in the past, the present and for the future. Come and take a look around and catch a glimpse into aviation’s past!

Kids Port is an area designed with our younger visitors in mind. Everything from how an airplane flies to space exploration, all in a hands on environment that’s fun for kids of all ages.

Battle Ship NJ – Camden

Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy a hot, delicious breakfast served chowline-style from the crew’s galley, a chance to win prizes, a self-guided tour of the ship and meet and get your photo with Santa Claus! Tickets for adults and kids. Call 1-866-877-6262 ext. 107 to order your tickets today!

GIVE THE GIFT OF FIREPOWER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Give your family and friends a tour of the Battleship New Jersey this Holiday Season! Take a guided or audio tour of our nation’s largest and most decorated battleship! Climb inside the legendary 16-inch gun turrets, experience the Combat Engagement Center, re-live how the officers and crew lived aboard this floating city and more! Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 1-866-877-6262 ext. 107 and can be used whenever you and/or your family and friends want to come and visit the ship!

EXPERIENCE THE BEST VIEW OF THE NEW YEAR’S FIREWORKS TWO TIMES!

A 6 pm Fireworks Display has been added for New Year’s Eve! Now families with younger children can experience the best view of the Fireworks over the Delaware River on New Year’s from the Battleship New Jersey. Enjoy music, prizes, food and bar concessions, as well as a unique view of both the 6 pm or the midnight fireworks from the decks of the Battleship. The ship will open at 4 pm for the early show and 10 pm for the midnight show. The price is a $8 donation per person. NJ Transits RiverLine will offer late service to the Camden Waterfront on New Year’s Eve. For a schedule, visit www.Riverline.com. Tickets for the Battleship can be purchased online, or by phone at 866-877-6262 x 107, or at the Ticket Office until midnight of Dec. 31.

Grounds for Sculpture

SPECIAL CONCERT
Opera NJ: Holiday Fare!

Opera NJ performs a free holiday concert to delight the senses of adults and children alike. Come relax and enjoy the holiday spirit with friends and family. Dinner available before the concert at The Peacock Café. For dinner reservations, please call (609) 890-6015.

This event is free to the public.

Holiday Family Workshop & Winter Tales

Create your own fun holiday packaging in our Holiday Family Workshop. Learn how to make gift boxes and bags and create our own special cards. All ages are welcome for this drop-in workshop.

These events are free with park admission.

Liberty Science Center

Polar Express — A Seasonal Tradition at Liberty Science Center!

When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Please note, films shown in the IMAX Dome Theater are not 3D.

Call 201.253.1310 for advance tickets. Please arrive at least 15 minutes earlier than your showtime in order to purchase tickets and get seated in the theater. There are no previews shown before the film.

Twelve Days of Science

Beginning just before Christmas, the Twelve Days of Science provide an exciting finish to the year with free daily activities. These family-friendly extras make a special holiday visit even more memorable!

Free with paid admission except Bubblemania. Schedules are subject to change without notice and space or supplies may be limited. Activities available on a first come, first served basis. Check the website for activities, dates, and times.

They’re Cold Blooded!
When winter comes, warm-blooded animals can ramp up their metabolisms, but cold-blooded creatures must use special behaviors and adaptations to make it through the winter.

It’s Electrifying
Discover shocking facts about electricity as you enjoy a fast-paced presentation with one of our professional science educators.

Meet Greg T. from Z100
Say hi to everyone’s favorite radio personality, Greg T! He’ll be playing great music, giving out prizes, and visiting his favorite Liberty Science Center exhibitions.

Funny Flavors Ice Cream Making
Watch as our professional educators make shocking ice cream the scientific way – with super cold liquid nitrogen.

The Playful Penguin
Join presenters from Jenkinson’s Aquarium as they explain all about these amazing birds and let you meet one of their special penguin residents.

Animals!
If you love animals, you’ll love seeing denizens from the Turtleback Zoo.

Bubblemania
Experience a high-energy mix of visual comedy, quick wit, swing music, and amazing soap bubble manipulations from round bubbles to intricate Bubble Art (bubble chains, bubble spaceships, fog-filled bubbles, and more). Learn how these shapes form, how to make a cube bubble and the science of bubble bursting, with each topic related to physical laws of the natural world. Great for all ages. Tickets are $5 per person. Joseph D. Williams Science Theater 1:30 and 2:30 pm.

Morris Museum – call for updated activities

Holiday Festival & Holly Shoppes
FREE admission
Open Daily – Sunday thru Saturday
10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Art Sampler – Painting Animals
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

A Carol Sing and a Yuletime Swing
Morris Choral Society
3 p.m.
Winter Family Festival
Reopening of Model Trains Gallery! Noon – 4 p.m.

NJ State Museum and Planetarium

Holiday Schedule runs from just after Thanksgiving to just after New Year’s.

Laser Nutcracker Spectacular 3D

Saturdays & Sundays; 1 & 3 pm; 40 minutes; General Audiences; admission includes 3D glasses
This entertaining show captures the joyous spirit of the season with spectacular effects and brilliant laser light. In addition to the classical music from Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet, the program includes Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and other favorites. Suitable for all ages.

One World, One Sky

Saturdays & Sundays
Big Bird’s adventure begins on Sesame Street when Elmo’s friend, Hu Hu Zhu, visits from China. Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu take viewers on an exciting discovery of the sun, moon and stars. They also learn about the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) and the North Star (Polaris). Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu then take an imaginary trip to the Moon where they learn that the Moon is a very different place from the Earth. When they imagine themselves back on Earth, they celebrate the idea that even though they live in two different countries, they still share the same sky. They even pick the North Star as their friendship star to always remind them of their shared joy of looking up at the sky together. Made possible by the Sesame Street Workshop and the National Science Foundation with special funding from the PNC Foundation through the Grow Up Great initiative.

Montclair Art Museum

FREE Family Day – check website for updated event information

Cézanne and American Modernism

Families are invited to participate in art projects, demonstrations, workshops, and gallery activities, all inspired by MAM’s exhibition Cézanne and American Modernism. Explore the galleries with our cell phone audio guide featuring exhibition-related commentary on Paul Cézanne and his American contemporaries.

The Newark Museum

Holiday Fun Week

Dec 26 – 30th; 12:30–4:30 pm
(Museum Opens at 10 am)

FREE with Suggested Museum Admission

Five Fabulous Festival Days!

Featuring Art and Science Workshops, Laser and Planetarium Shows, Scavenger Hunts, Puppet Shows, Live Music and a Victorian Christmas Celebration in the Ballantine House.

Sunday, December ?
Family Day: Skies Alive!
Learn about bird migration in New Jersey through this interactive exhibit.

Daily Performances (2 pm)

Saturday, December ?
Kwanzaa Celebration: Suunaa presents Eda Ne Kakati(From the Past to the Present)

Sunday, December ?
Twelve Miles West presents Miracle on 34th Street, A Radio Production, and The Dickens’ Carollers perform all of your seasonal favorites

Monday, December ?
Pushcart Players present Peter & the Wolf

Tuesday, December ?
Hudson Vagabond Puppets present The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck and other Stories by Beatrice Potter

Wednesday, December ?
Baze and his Silly Friends present a holiday music extravaganza

NJ THEATRE SHOWS for Children

Broadway Theatre of Pitman

Visit their website for current information

Count Basie Theatre for the Arts – Red Bank

Contact the Box Office for the best seats

The Strand Theatre – Lakewood

Visit their website for information

Surflight Theatre – LBI

Yes, it’s open!

Visit my other posts under the category: Fun Things to Do with Grandchildren in New Jersey!