These 13 fun and low-cost things to do with kids in Rockland County, NY, and northern Bergen County, NJ, include Presidents Day, Black History, and Chinese New Year events in East Rutherford, Paramus, West Nyack, Cornwall, Haverstraw, Garnerville, Airmont, Suffern, and Upper Nyack.
Monster Jam Freestyle Mania
IZOD Center, East Rutherford, NJ
Feb. 1-2
Fans of automobile antics will want to be there when the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Freestyle Mania crashes into the IZOD Center this month. The evening will feature some outrageous trucks, including Monster Mutt (pictured), Grave Digger, and Aftershock, as well as a range of high-energy competitions packed into a two-hour show. Purchase a $10 Pit Pass for access to a pre-show meet-and-greet with the drivers and their trucks.
Sweetheart Princess Ball
New Jersey Children’s Museum, Paramus, NJ
Feb. 8
Little princesses can meet their favorite big princesses when the New Jersey Children’s Museum once again hosts its popular Sweetheart Princess Ball. Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White will all make appearances at the party to dance, sign autographs, and pose for pictures. Tickets include a hot dinner, beverage, dessert buffet, and dancing to the music of DJ Polka Dot. Reservations are required.
Curious George Story Time
Barnes & Noble at Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY
Feb. 8
Curious George, one of the most famous and endearing children’s book characters of all time, makes a special guest appearance Feb. 8 at the Barnes & Noble store at Palisades Center. Little ones will meet the mischievous monkey and listen to stories about his adventures. FREE!
Geology Fair
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Outdoor Discovery Center, Cornwall, NY
Feb. 9
The folks at the Orange County Mineral Society will bring their rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils to the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum for its annual Geology Fair. Children can check out New York State fossils and excavate their own rock specimens. Refreshments will be available for purchase. For adults and children ages 5 and older.
Celebrate Chinese New Year
Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Garnerville, NY
Feb. 10
One distinctive feature of the Chinese calendar is its cyclical association with animals. Kids ages 3-13 can celebrate Chinese New Year and learn about the Year of the Snake through crafts and games. Registration required. FREE!
Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, Haverstraw, NY
Feb. 12
Students in grades K-5 are invited to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Snake with crafts and games. Registration required. FREE!
Presidents Day Story Time
Barnes & Noble at Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY
Feb. 15, 16, 20
Young readers can learn a little something about our first president as they listen to a reading of George Washington’s Birthday, which weaves fact with fiction in an imaginary tale of the title character’s 7th birthday. FREE!
For more things to do with your kids during Presidents Week/February school vacation, search our full calendar of events featuring activities in Rockland and the NYC area.
Celebrate Purim
Feb. 10: All ages are welcome to come in costume for a Purim Carnival at Temple Beth Torah in Upper Nyack. FREE!
Feb. 23: Temple Beth Torah will also host a Purim Shpiel and Megilat Esther Reading. And Congregation Sons of Israel, also in Upper Nyack, will host a holiday-themed magic show, Queen Esther’s Magic, followed by a traditional megillah reading. Both are FREE!
Harlem Globetrotters
IZOD Center, East Rutherford, NJ
Feb. 15
Those amazing athletes, the Harlem Globetrotters, entertained us as kids and they’re still around to entertain our children. These days, the team has added talented female players to its stacked roster. Catch the Globetrotters’ energy when the team swings into our area this month. Before the show, fans can go to the team’s website (harlemglobetrotters.com) to vote for a crazy new game rule—sure to make the night more entertaining. After the game, fans can meet the Globetrotter stars for autographs and photographs.
Rendezvous with a Comet
Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center, Airmont
Feb. 17
Just like the real astronauts, participants attend a briefing session then select tasks to perform on the mission like navigation, medical, communication, and life support. Tasks are detailed enough to feel real and challenging yet simple enough for kids to do.
Celebrate Black History Month
Rockland Community College, Suffern
Through March 1
In honor of Black History Month, bring the family to Striving to Live with Dignity: Photography of the African Diaspora, a photographic exhibit that documents blacks in a variety of situations as they: cope with uncertainty, celebrate their joy, and struggle to live a dignified life in difficult circumstances. The exhibit features images by RCC Campus Photographer Collette V. Fournier and captions by David Lucinda. FREE!
More Fun
A Guide to Kid-Friendly Museums in the NYC Area
Family Outing: Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center
See our full calendar of events for many more fun family activities in the NYC area
