Don't Miss the Winter Fun & Events at Morris County Parks

Published on January 20, 2022

carl the ox in snow cropped 1200px.jpg

A full slate of winter 2022 events are planned at Morris County's parks, from visits to the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center and Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, to virtual classes on horticulture and history, and many activities for youngsters. Register for an account to sign up for events.

Winter’s Day on the Farm

Sunday February, 13, 2022, at Fosterfields

10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m.

$10 per person, under 3 is free

Farm activity continues right through the winter! Come to Fosterfields for Winter's Day on the Farm. Learn how to cut and harvest ice, tap trees for maple sugaring,  help the staff saw wood, pet the cows and see an outdoor cooking demonstration. Take a wagon ride around the farm to see its wintery splendor!

Pre-registration required. To register: Scroll to February on this calendar

Photo at right: Carl the Ox likes snow! Visit him at Fosterfields.

Virtual Plant of the Month Club

Ages 6 - 12. 

Pomegranate tree In this virtual program, meet with other plant lovers and get your hands dirty! Each month plant a new kind of interesting, creepy, unusual, or rare plant and learn how to take care of it.

Monday, Feb. 7: Pomegranates - The World Traveler of Fruits. Pomegranate trees have travelled across the world following the Silk Road, the Spice Trade, and travel to "the New World." Learn the history and how to grow your own pomegranate tree!

Monday, March 7: Ancient Giants - Once thought to be extinct, Dawn Redwoods are now found around the world.  Learn its ancient history and discover just how easy they are to grow. 

Register here.

  • Date: Mondays through March 7
  • Time: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Virtual program through Frelinghuysen Arboretum.
  • Cost: $10 per child.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.326.7601.

Pre-K Nature on the Farm

Pre-K Nature on the Farm

Ages 2 - 4 with an adult.

Families with pre-K kids will take a walk on the trails and around the farm, learning about the natural world around them. 

Register here.

  • Date: Select Thursdays: February 3 and 17, and March 10 and 24
  • Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • Location: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ  07960.
  • Cost: $10 per child.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.326.7645.

Wild Animal Experts

Wild Animal Experts
Ages 6 - 10.
Friday, February 4: Foxes

Friday, March 18: Frogs

After school is a great time to take a nature walk and discover new facts about New Jersey's wildlife.  Join a naturalist to learn about a new animal every month! 

Register here.

  • Date: Friday, January 7—Friday, March 18
  • Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Location: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, 07928.
  • Cost: $6 per child.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.635.6629. 

Home School Days 

Ages 6 - 12. 

February 10: Ice, Ice, Baby! - It's ice harvesting season!  Learn how ice cutting was historically done and give it a try. 

March 17 and March 18: Outdoor Cooking - Learn how to cook over an open flame in this new Home School program! Chop ingredients, stir the pots, and see how cooking can be done anywhere.

Register here. 

  • Cost: $10-$12 per child.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.635.6629 (Environmental Education), 973.326.7601 (Horticulture), or 973.326.7645 (Historic Sites).

Maple Sugaring Demo

Maple Sugaring Demos

Ages 5 & up.

Saturdays & Sundays: January 22, 23, 29, and 30, February 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27, March 5, 6, and 12

Dates are booking quickly. If you're interested, sign up now.

Learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator.  This year, the program will be held entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather. Spiles and syrup will be available for purchase, while supplies last.

Register here.

  • Date: Through Saturday, March 12
  • Time: Sessions at 1 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, 07928.
  • Cost: $5 per person.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.635.6629

Hands on History: Craft Series

Hands-On History: Craft Series

Thursday Programs

Thursday, January 27: Hand Spinning with Wool, Flax and Cotton - Adults.

Learn traditional ways to create yarn from wool, flax, and cotton!  See how the fibers are prepared for spinning, then use your own drop spindle to create yarn!  Take a whirl on the spinning wheel.  No experience necessary, all supplies provided.

Thursday, February 10: The Ancient Craft of Weaving - Adults.

Create your very own unique textile piece to take home!  Learn how the tapestry loom works.  No experience necessary, all supplies provided. 

Thursday, March 31: The Art of Tea Blending - Adults.

Join us for a wonderful cuppa tea!  Learn the history of tea and create your own original blend to take home.  No experience necessary, all supplies provided.

Saturday Programs

Saturday, February 12: Victorian Valentine Craft - All Ages.

Celebrate Valentines Day by creating your own Victorian valentine!  Using pressed flowers, Victorian stickers, and other supplies, impress your loved one with this festive craft!  No experience necessary, all supplies provided.

Saturday, February 19: Natural Dyeing with Flowers and Bugs - Adults.

Come dye with us!  Learn how to create natural dyes using flowers and bugs.  Everyone gets to take swatches home at the end of program.  Please wear older clothes, as the dyes are permanent. No experience necessary, all supplies provided. 

Saturday, March 5: Artisan Soap Making - Adults.

Create your own custom soap blend in this workshop!  Learn how soap is made and then craft your own to bring home. No experience necessary, all supplies provided. 

Register here.

  • Date: Saturday, January 15—Thursday, March 31
  • Time: Times vary.
  • Location: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960.
  • Cost: Varies according to program.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.326.7645.

Virtual Lunch & Learn

Virtual Lunch & Learn

Environmental EducationRegister here. 

February 17: Maple Sugaring - It's sugaring season!  Learn why maple sugaring can only take place during a few weeks in winter and only in the northeastern part of North America.  Discover how the process works, from identifying a maple tree all the way to grading the finished syrup, and many other interesting facts along the way.

March 17: Deer Me! - White-tailed deer are both a scourge and a beauty in NJ.  How did we get to this point?  You'll be amazed to learn the history of deer in NJ and their adaptations for survival.  Learn solutions for keeping deer out of  gardens.

HorticultureRegister here.

January 27: Birds in the Winter - Discover the birds that live in our backyards during winter, and what seed and shelter plants can attract them and allow them to survive. 

February 24: The Dirt on Dirt - Ann Fahey, Superintendent of Horticulture Education, will discuss the science of soil and and the importance of adding compost or not! Learn easy ways to start or speed up your compost pile and make a simple home soil test.

March 24: The Story of Tulip - Did you know that tulips used to be worth more than gold?  Discover their amazing history and botany of this garden favorite.

  • Date: Thursday, January 20—Thursday, March 24
  • Time: Noon - 12:45 p.m.
  • Location: Locations vary.
  • Cost: $10 per person.
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.635.6629 (Environmental Education) or 973.326.7601 (Horticulture).   
Virtual Flower Arranging

 

FLORAL ARRANGING

Floral Arranging with Supermarket Flowers for Kids
Ages 6 - 12. 

In this in-person class, young floral arrangers will create a centerpiece perfect for Valentine's Day gifting.  Greens, container, and décor are supplied.  Attendees should bring one bouquet of supermarket flowers. 
Register here.

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 8
Time: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, 07960.
Cost: $25 per child.
Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.326.7601.

 

Virtual Floral Arranging with Supermarket Flowers for Adults.

Just in time for Valentine's Day! Use your own supermarket flowers to create a knock-out bouquet to give to your special Valentine. Ann Fahey, Superintendent of Horticulture Education, will lead this hands-on, virtual class. We supply greens and the container and you supply the flowers.

Register here.

Date:Tuesday, February 8
Time:10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Location:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, 07960.

Cost:$25 per person.
Contact:Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.326.7601.

Photo Scavenger Hunt: Growing Presidential

Photo Scavenger Hunt: Growing Presidential

All ages. 

Nothing like a month full of presidents to get you thinking about plants.  Lots of plants are named in honor of presidents and lots more are just plain presidential.  Thomas Jefferson described botany as "among the most useful of the sciences," so put on your thinking cap and keep your eyes open!  Get outside and explore the gardens with this contact-less family photo scavenger hunt. 

Register here.

  • Date: Tuesday, February 1—Monday, February 28
  • Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, 07960.
  • Cost: $10 per family (Family/group of 6 or less).
  • Contact: Preregistration is required. For more info, call 973.326.7601.