This December go on a wondrous winter walk, take a one-horse open sleigh selfie and become a seashore scientist with the Monmouth County Park System. The park system will host family friendly activities during the month.
Wondrous Winter Walks will be held on the following dates: Dec. 1, 10-11:30 a.m.
at Huber Woods Park, Middletown; Dec. 15 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell; and Dec. 29, 10-11:30 a.m. at Thompson Park, Lincroft, meet at the Old Orchard parking lot. Tag along with a park system naturalist and explore nature. Free.
A Winter Beach Walk will be held on Dec. 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan. Take a guided walk with a park system naturalist along the beach while collecting and identifying some of the ocean’s natural treasures. Dress in warm clothing and bring along something to carry shells. Meet on the beach. Free.
A cookstove demonstration will be held on Dec. 2, 16 and 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Visit the out kitchen and see what’s cooking on the woodstove. Free.
A One-Horse Open Sleigh Selfie event will be held on Dec. 2-3 from 1-4 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township, Bring a camera and the park system will provide the props, including a little red sleigh, hats and scarves for fun outdoor holiday photos. Free.
Open Ceramics will be held on Dec. 3 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft. Choose from a selection of bisque fired pottery pieces to glaze and make your own. Children 12 and under are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $6 per hour plus price of bisque ware; cash or check only. Pieces will be fired in about a week.
Enjoy “The Sounds of Christmas” on Dec. 3 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Enjoy the welcoming warmth of the farmhouse with the backdrop of wistful music as Larry Mosser and Mary Nagen play Christmas carols on the hammered dulcimer and fiddle. Free.
Join a roving naturalist on Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. at Thompson Park, Lincroft, meet in the Marlu Lake parking area. Take a walk and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. This is a 90-minute to two-hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain and snow are not deterrents. Free.
Become a seashore scientist on Dec. 9 from 1-2 p.m. at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park Activity Center, Long Branch. Explore different aspects of oceanography through interactive discussions and hands-on experiments. Free.
There will be a blacksmith demonstration on Dec. 10 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Come see what the blacksmith is making in his workshop. Free.
The Casual Birder will take place on Dec. 14 at 9 a.m. at Crosswicks Creek Park, Upper Freehold Township, meet in the Province Line Road parking lot. Join a park system naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander for about an hour and see what birds can be found. Free.
A Christmas Sing-Along will be held on Dec. 16 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Come to the farmhouse and visit with Rick Garland as he plays the piano for an old-fashioned sing-along. Free.
Visit with Santa on Dec. 16-17 from noon to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Enjoy an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas. Children can visit with Santa and walk to the farmhouse for a cup of cider. Free.
For more information, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the park system TTY/TDD number is 711.