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Ocean County Parks and Recreation has a full slate of holiday programs this season, and most cost $5 or less. From a stained glass ornament class in Barnegat to Grinch crafts for preschoolers and a gingerbread house contest at Cattus Island, here are the county park holiday programs worth putting on the calendar between Friday, November 20, 2026, and Sunday, January 3, 2027.
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Holiday Stained Glass Ornaments
- Town: Barnegat
- Where: Program Room, Cloverdale Farm County Park, 34 Cloverdale Road, Barnegat
- When: Friday, November 20, 2026, 9 a.m. to noon (Santa ornament session)
- Cost: $5 registration, plus $60 in exact change for the instructor and materials
Shannon Hummel teaches beginners to foil and solder colored pieces of stained glass into a holiday ornament, and adventurous students can even try grinding their own glass. The morning class makes a Santa ornament. The afternoon tree ornament session is already full, so register soon. Adults only.
Arctic Art Adventures
- Town: Tuckerton
- Where: Community Center, Stanley H. “Tip” Seaman County Park, Tuckerton
- When: Friday, December 4, 2026, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Cost: $5 per child, ages 3 to 5
Little ones explore the arctic and the wonders of winter with snowflake crafts, storytelling and a whole winter wonderland of art projects.
Candy Cane Creators
- Town: Tuckerton
- Where: Community Center, Stanley H. “Tip” Seaman County Park, Tuckerton
- When: Friday, December 11, 2026, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Cost: $5 per child, ages 3 to 5
A peppermint-themed morning of candy cane crafts and holiday stories. Note any food allergies when you register.
A Pinch of Grinch
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Program Room, Ocean County Parks Administration Office, Toms River
- When: Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Cost: $5 per child, ages 3 to 5
After reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas, kids make Grinch crafts and share a special green Grinchy treat. List any food allergies at registration.
Deck the Halls
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Program Room, Ocean County Parks Administration Office, Toms River
- When: Thursday, December 17, 2026, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Cost: $5 per child, ages 3 to 5
Preschoolers get in the holiday mood by making lots of ornaments with glitter, pom-poms and sparkly baubles to bring home.
All four preschool programs are drop-off classes for potty-trained children, some activities may be held outside, and there are no rain dates.
Cattus Island Gingerbread House Contest
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Cooper Environmental Center, Cattus Island County Park, 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard, Toms River
- When: Entry drop-off Wednesday, December 16, to Sunday, December 20, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; People’s Choice voting Wednesday, December 23, 2026, to Sunday, January 3, 2027, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cost: Free, no pre-registration
This year’s theme is “Out in Nature.” Entries must be made from edible materials, mounted on a 12-inch by 12-inch board and no taller than 12 inches. Categories include youth ages 0 to 6 and 7 to 12, teens 13 to 17, and adults, with one entry and one voting ticket per person. Even if you do not build, stopping by to vote over winter break is a fun outing. Official contest rules can be requested by email, using the contact listed in the county program guide.
Cattus Family Holiday Traditions Nature Walk
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Cooper Environmental Center lobby, Cattus Island County Park, 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard, Toms River
- When: Saturday, December 26, and Sunday, December 27, 2026, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Cost: Free, no registration
The park’s weekend naturalist-led walks wrap up the year with a Cattus Family Holiday Traditions theme, a nice way to get everyone outside after Christmas. Before the walk, the free live animal program with snakes and turtles runs at 1:30 p.m. in the lecture room.
How to Register
Most programs require registration with Ocean County Parks and Recreation. Program numbers and full details are listed in the county’s program guide, and you can call 732-506-9090 for availability. Many classes fill up early, so sign up as soon as you can.
Looking for more holiday fun? Keep checking Shop Ocean County for events, markets and things to do across Ocean County.
Photo: Louis174936, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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