Presidents Day Weekend 2026 Guide

Your complete guide to Presidents Day weekend (Feb 14-17) and the full week ahead (Feb 18-22). Mini camps, family events, and fun activities for every age in Essex County, NJ.

🏕️ 5 Mini Camps 📅 Feb 14-22 🎯 All Ages 0-14

🗓️ Quick Overview

  • Saturday, Feb 14: Valentine's Day + Lunar New Year events
  • Sunday, Feb 15: Museum family days, zoo
  • Monday, Feb 16: Presidents Day (no school) - 5 mini camps available!
  • Tuesday-Friday, Feb 17-20: Most schools still off - more camps + activities
  • Saturday-Sunday, Feb 21-22: Weekend wrap-up events

🏕️ Mini Camps (Feb 16-20)

Need childcare during the break? These local businesses are running mini camps perfect for keeping kids entertained while you work. Book soon - spots fill fast!

Ages 4-5 (Preschool/Pre-K)

Exceptional Explorers - Livingston

Dates: Mon-Thu (Feb 16-19) full/half day • Fri (Feb 20) half day only

Ages: 4+ (must be toilet trained)

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (half day) • Full day available Mon-Thu

Cost: Contact for pricing (sibling & multi-day discounts)

Includes: Full playground access, themed crafts, board games, snacks (half day) or bagel lunch (full day)

Register →

Ages 5-7 (Kindergarten - 2nd Grade)

Turtle Back Zoo Mini Camp - West Orange

Dates: Monday-Tuesday, Feb 16-17

Ages: 5-7 (separate group) or 8-10

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Cost: $100/day (register for one or both days)

Includes: Games, teacher-led lessons, behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, hands-on science, crafts. Bring your own snack + lunch.

Register →

⭐ Highly recommended - one of the best camps in NJ!

Genius Gems STEM Camp - Millburn

Dates: Mon-Fri, Feb 16-20

Ages: Kindergarten+ (must be 5+)

Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Cost: $115/day

Focus: STEM activities, hands-on learning, experiments

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The Sports U Multi-Sport Camp

Dates: Mon-Fri, Feb 16-20 (choose 1-5 days)

Ages: All ages (age-appropriate groups)

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Cost: $50/day • $300 for all 5 days

Sports: Baseball, soccer, basketball, flag football, hockey, relay races, dodgeball. Lunch included.

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Ages 7-12 (Elementary & Middle School)

Code Ninjas Coding Camp - Livingston

Dates: Week of Feb 15 (Presidents Week)

Ages: 7-14 (coding experience not required)

Time: Half day (9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm) or Full day (9am-4pm)

Cost: Contact for pricing • Extended care available ($20/hr)

Focus: Coding, game design, robotics, STEM projects

Register →

📅 Day-by-Day Event Guide

Saturday, February 14 (Valentine's + Lunar New Year)

  • Community Day: Lunar New Year @ Newark Museum (12-5pm) - FREE admission. Lion dancers, calligraphy, hands-on art.
  • Valentine's Family Walk & Campfire @ Essex County Environmental Center (2:30-4pm, Roseland) - Build campfire, s'mores, hot cocoa. Registration required.
  • Clay "Try It" Classes @ Indigo Road Studio (South Orange, 4-9pm) - Parent/child pottery date night.

Sunday, February 15

  • Newark Museum: February Family Sundays (12-4pm) - Drop-in activities included with admission.
  • Turtle Back Zoo (10am-3pm) - Quieter Sunday before Presidents Day rush. Standard winter hours.

Monday, February 16 (Presidents Day)

  • Liberty Science Center (10am-5pm) - "SUE: The T. rex Experience" exhibit. Expect crowds!
  • South Mountain Reservation Fairy Trail - Perfect weather-permitting day for this magical trail (before March mud season).
  • 5 Mini Camps Running - See full list above

Tuesday, February 17

  • "Hero: The Boy From Troy" @ Mayo Performing Arts Center (Morristown, 10am & 12:15pm) - Musical about John Lewis. Perfect educational outing.
  • Libraries Resume Programs - Most town libraries (Montclair, Livingston, Millburn) reopen. Check for LEGO club, storytime resumption.

Wednesday-Friday, February 18-20

  • Liberty Science Center (10am-4pm) - Shorter hours but less crowded than weekend!
  • Reeves-Reed Arboretum (Summit) - Free grounds access. Great for cabin fever relief.
  • SOPAC (South Orange) - Check events calendar for pop-up workshops.

Saturday, February 21

  • Newark Museum: February Family Saturdays (11am-4pm) - Full day of science and art activities.
  • Montclair Art Museum - Check for Drop-in Studio hours (sometimes added for break weeks).

Sunday, February 22

  • Newark Museum: Family Sunday (12-4pm) - Last hurrah before back to school!
  • Liberty Hall Museum: 250th Family Fun Day (Union, 1pm) - Medicine & Healthcare history. Sounds dry but they make it fun/gross for kids!

🏠 At-Home Activities for Each Age Group

Ages 1-3 (Toddlers)

  • Sensory Bin: Fill a container with rice, beans, or pasta. Add scoops, cups, small toys. Supervise closely!
  • Color Sorting: Use colored paper bowls + pom-poms or blocks. "Can you put all the red ones here?"
  • Water Play: Bathtub time! Add cups, funnels, sponges. Makes afternoon fly by.
  • Dance Party: Put on Cocomelon or Elmo songs. Dance, freeze dance, wiggle time.
  • Sticker Art: Dollar store stickers + paper = 30 minutes of focus.

Ages 4-6 (Preschool/Kindergarten)

  • Baking Together: No-bake recipes (Rice Krispie treats, energy balls). They can stir, pour, roll.
  • Fort Building: Blankets + couch cushions + flashlight = castle/spaceship/cave.
  • Scavenger Hunt: "Find something soft, something blue, something that smells good."
  • Play-Doh Bakery: Make pretend cookies, cakes, pizza. Use cookie cutters, rolling pins.
  • Presidents Day Craft: Paper plate Abraham Lincoln hat. Draw penny rubbings.

Ages 7-9 (Elementary)

  • Science Experiments: Volcano (baking soda + vinegar), slime making, ice melting race.
  • Board Game Tournament: Uno, Connect 4, Jenga. Keep score, award silly prizes.
  • LEGO Challenge: "Build the tallest tower" or "Build something that moves."
  • Cooking Class: Let them make lunch. Teach knife safety with butter knives, measuring.
  • Presidents Research: Pick a president, draw a poster, present facts to family.

Ages 10-12 (Tweens)

  • Coding Practice: Scratch.mit.edu (free), Code.org games, Roblox Studio.
  • Movie Marathon: Presidents-themed (Hamilton, Lincoln, National Treasure).
  • Photography Challenge: "Take 10 photos that show 'winter' in different ways."
  • Bake & Decorate: Cupcakes, cookies - let them get creative with frosting.
  • Podcast Time: Listen to Brains On! or Wow in the World together.

💰 Budget Breakdown

Option Cost Best For
Free Activities
Parks, libraries, at-home		 $0 Budget-conscious families
Budget Week
1 museum + free activities		 $50-100 Mix of structure + free play
Moderate Week
2 days mini camp + museum		 $200-300 Working parents (partial coverage)
Full Week Camp
5 days coverage		 $250-500 Working parents (full coverage)

📍 Planning Tips

  • Book camps ASAP - Most fill 2-3 weeks in advance. Spots go fast!
  • Monday = busiest day - Everyone has Presidents Day off. Hit museums Tuesday-Friday for smaller crowds.
  • Check weather Friday - If nice, prioritize outdoor activities early in week before weather changes.
  • Pack snacks everywhere - Museums, camps, car rides. Hungry kids = meltdowns.
  • Mix structured + unstructured - Don't over-schedule. Kids need downtime too.

🗺️ More Resources