Photo Scavenger Hunt: The Magic of Trees
All ages.
Let the magic of trees draw you into the gardens. There's a lot to discover about winter trees -- use the clues and find our winter favorites. A great way to get the family outdoors this December.
- Date:Friday, December 1—Sunday, December 31
- Time:8:00 am-4:00 pm
- Location:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$10 per family or group of 6.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.326.7601.
Toddler Treks: Roots!
Ages 2 - 5 with an adult.
Details: What are roots up to way down there in the dirt? Let's find out by looking for roots on the trail, learning about roots we can eat, and reading a root-themed story.
Happening at the Great Swamp on December 6 (10 am-11 am or 4 pm-5 pm) and at Pyramid Mountain on December 14 (10 am-11 am)
- Date:Wednesday, December 6—Thursday, December 14
- Time:10 am - 11 am or 4 pm - 5 pm
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, 472 Boonton Avenue, Montville Township, NJ 07045 (intersection of Mars Court and Boonton Avenue)
- Cost:$7 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629
Owl Pellet Detectives
Ages 7-11.
After learning all about owls with a game, play detective as you dissect an owl pellet to discover what an owl had for dinner! Parents can stay or drop off.
- Date:Wednesday, December 6
- Time:4 pm - 5:30 pm
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
- Cost:$12 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.635.6629.
Hands on Holiday Gifts
Adults.
Silk Scarf Dyeing-Make a beautifully dyed silk scarf with bleeding art tissue in seasonal colors or your favorite colors! Create a very unique gift for the holidays for your loved one! A gift box will be supplied.
- Date:Thursday, December 7
- Time:1:30-3 pm or 6:30 pm - 8 pm
- Location:
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$30 per person.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.326.7645
Homeschool Days: Horticulture Programs
Ages 6 - 12.
Thursday, December 7: Cool Conifers - Students will visit grounds of the Frelinghusyen Arboretum not often seen. This month's trek will go down to the Pinetum, our prized collection of conifers and other evergreens. Students should dress for the weather and wear sneakers. This is a drop off program.
Thursday, December 14: Decked Out! - Do you wonder what the garden has to give in the winter months? Wonder no more. Students will make a seasonal centerpiece, perfect for decorating your dinner table, with greens from the gardens. This is a drop off program.
- Date:Thursday, December 7—Thursday, December 14
- Time:1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
- Location:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$15 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.326.7601.
Holly Jolly Ornaments
Ages 6 - 12.
Time to get crafty! Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and make two hand-made, nature-based ornaments inspired by the grounds of the arboretum. Options include pinecone animals and a decoupaged wooden slice ornament. Keep one or both to hang on your holiday tree, or give them to a loved one! All materials included. This is a drop off program at the Haggerty Education Center.
- Date:Thursday, December 7
- Time:4 pm - 5 pm
- Location:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$15 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.326.7601.
Skulls & Bones
Ages 6 - 10.
Become a forensic scientist for wildlife as you examine real skulls and bones to determine what animals they came from. Discover the 4 types of mammal teeth as you crunch on carrots and apple slices and then guess what animals eat by looking at the teeth in their skulls.
- Date:Thursday, December 7
- Time:4 pm-5 pm
- Location:
Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, 472 Boonton Avenue, Montville Township, NJ 07045 (intersection of Mars Court and Boonton Avenue)
- Cost:$8 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629
Festival of Trees
All ages.
Fridays and Saturdays, December 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 and Tuesday, December 27 -December30.
Tour the Frelinghuysen Arboretum's Mansion decorated for the holidays in the Festival of Trees. Enjoy trees decorated by scouts, families, floral designers and garden clubs in this outing for the family.
- Date:Friday, December 8—Saturday, December 30
- Time:10:00 am-4:00 pm
- Location:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$10 per person
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.326.7601.
Kids in the Wild
Ages 8 - 13.
Join us to get into the woods, learning different outdoor skills, meeting other like-minded kids and building confidence.
Saturday, December 9: Matchless Fire - In this session, practice igniting campfires using various non-match techniques.
- Date:Saturday, December 9
- Time:10:00 am -11:00 am
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07927
- Cost:$10 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629.
Creatures of the Night for Littles
Ages 2 - 5 with an adult.
Come learn about animals that are out and about while we're asleep. We'll start the program indoors with a couple stories, then head out on the trail to search for our nighttime animal friends.
- Date:Saturday, December 9
- Time:10 am-11 am
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
- Cost:$7 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.635.6629.
Snowy Story Time at the Festival of Trees
Ages 3 - 5 with an adult.
Saturday, December 9: Snowy Story Time at the Festival of Trees - Perfect for our families with early risers, wake up and enjoy a peaceful early morning story time with your child. Introduce your child to a lifetime love of reading surrounded by the warmth of the Festival of Trees. This program is located in the Mansion. (9 am - 9:30 am)
Wednesday, December 13: Snowy Story Time at the Festival of Trees - Introduce your child to a lifetime love of reading with our story time sessions! Enjoy story time with your child, surrounded by the warmth of the Festival of Trees. This program is located in the Mansion. (10 am - 11 am or 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
- Date:Saturday, December 9—Wednesday, December 13
- Time:9 am - 9:30 am, 10:00 am - 11:00 am or 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
- Location:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$10 per child with an adult.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.326.7601.
Geology Merit Badge Workshop
BSA Scouts, ages 10 & up.
Put your day off from school to good use and earn the Geology Merit Badge! Discover how geologic forces like lava flows, glaciers, and plate tectonics formed the Great Swamp. Experiment to learn how water shapes the soil & rock around us. Some prerequisites must be completed; more information available at time of registration.
- Date:Sunday, December 10
- Time:9 am – 12 pm
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
- Cost:$24 per scout.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629
Ornament Felting
Adults.
‘Tis the season for crafting! Learn the basics of felting and make a felted ornament to take home!
- Date:Wednesday, December 13
- Time:6:30-8 pm
- Location:
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$10 per person.
- Contact:For more information, call 973.326.7645
Sunshine Yoga for Kids: Winter Wonderland
Ages 4 - 7.
An awesome class for kids who want to play games, use their imaginations and have FUN! Each class is taught by a licensed yoga instructor and centers around a nature theme. Kids learn 5 yoga poses to use in our games. At the end of every class, we will talk about a “big feeling”, such as being mad, and learn a new tool to help us cope with that feeling.
- Date:Saturday, December 16
- Time:10:00 am-10:45 am
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
- Cost:$12 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629
Always Evergreen
Adults.
Design and create a centerpiece perfect for the holiday table using greens and berries from the arboretum's gardens. All materials supplied.
- Date:Saturday, December 16
- Time:10 am - 11:30 am
- Location:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$30 per person.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.326.7601.
Adult Bird Walk: Christmas Bird Count
Adults.
Every year for more than 100 years, bird lovers all over the world have taken part in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, helping to gather important data about bird populations. You can be part of it too! Join an experienced guide to count the birds at the feeders and on the trails. All skill levels are welcome and binoculars are provided.
- Date:Saturday, December 16
- Time:8:30 am - 10 am
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
- Cost:$8 per person.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629
Christmas Bird Count for Kids!
Ages 7 - 12.
Read a story about how the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count works while you count the birds visiting our feeders. Then head out on the trails to see what other birds you can spy! Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Parents can stay or drop off.
- Date:Saturday, December 16
- Time:1:30-3 pm
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
- Cost:$8 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629
Jolly Old Christmas at Historic Speedwell
All ages.
Tis the Season at Historic Speedwell! Join us for an afternoon of holiday sprit and good cheer the old fashioned way. We have carols, dancing, and crafts, and the Historic Vail House is decorated for the season.
- Date:Saturday, December 16—Sunday, December 17
- Time:12:00 pm-4:00 pm
- Location:
Historic Speedwell, 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$10 per person, children 2 & under are FREE.
- Contact:For more information, call 973.285.6537
Puddle Jumpers
Ages 5 - 7.
Monday, December 18: Collecting Rocks! - A real geologist will be our special guest as we learn where rocks come from with a book, activities, and a trail walk. Take home some real rocks to keep too! Parents can stay or drop off.
- Date:Monday, December 18
- Time:4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07927
- Cost:$7 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629
Adventures in STEM
Ages 6 - 10.
In this series, young scientists will explore different parts of the natural world through experiments and activities, making surprising discoveries along the way!
Tuesday, December 19: Surviving the Winter - In this session, investigate the clever & crazy ways that wildlife in NJ adapt to the winter cold.
- Date:Tuesday, December 19
- Time:4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07927
- Cost:$10 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629
Woodstove Cooking Class – Christmas Cookies
Adults.
The warm glow of a woodstove fire and the smell of fresh-baked cookies. What could be better? Join the Fosterfields staff during this hands-on holiday workshop, and take a bag of your very own cookies home to share with family and friends. Cute, rustic cookie bags included!
- Date:Tuesday, December 19
- Time:6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
- Location:
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$45 per person.
- Contact:For more information, call 973.326.7645
Floral Arranging for the Holidays with Supermarket Flowers
Adults.
Ann Fahey, Superintendent of Horticulture Education will demonstrate how to design beautiful floral arrangements with supermarket bouquets for any holiday table. We supply the container, the greens and the mechanics. You bring your own supermarket bouquet to style.
- Date:Tuesday, December 19
- Time:10 a.m – 11:30 a.m.
- Location:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$25 per person.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.326.7601.
Bells, Boughs, and the Festival of Trees for Preschoolers
Ages 3 - 6.
Kick off your winter vacation with a centerpiece making workshop! Warm up with hot chocolate and treats before exploring the Festival of Trees with your favorite preschooler. All supplies will be provided, including greens from the garden.
- Date:Wednesday, December 20
- Time:10 am-11:30 am
- Location:
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960
- Cost:$30 per child with an adult.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.326.7601.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Ages 6 & up with an adult.
Join a woodland gathering around a campfire under the glowing moon to experience the historical and ceremonial aspects of the winter solstice. Bundle up to listen to storytellers and enjoy hot cider and roasted marshmallows. Register today as space is limited!
- Date:Friday, December 22
- Time:6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
- Cost:$12 per person.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.635.6629.
Winter Mini-Camp
Ages 6-10
Time off from school is a great time to get out in nature and explore! Enjoy walks, crafts, stories, games and activities! On Wednesday, make amazing winter art using natural materials. On Thursday, learn to move like the animals and recognize their tracks in the wild. And on Friday, discover hidden winter insects!
Kids can sign up for one or more days.
- Date:Wednesday, December 27—Friday, December 29
- Time:9:30 am - 12 pm
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
- Cost:$25 per child per day.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.635.6629.
Wild Animal Experts
Ages 6 - 10.
Saturday mornings are a great time to take a nature walk and discover new facts about New Jersey's wildlife! Join a naturalist for this popular series to learn about a new animal every month.
Saturday, December 30: Tracks - In this session, we'll head out looking for tracks and learn how to identify which animal made them.
- Date:Saturday, December 30
- Time:10:00 am - 11:00 am
- Location:
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07927
- Cost:$10 per child.
- Contact:Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629