Family friendly fun

As you work to finalize your holiday shopping, we’ve outlined a variety of family friendly activities to plan a fun day (or part of it) in Red Bank!

Take in the holiday decor, shop Red Bank’s unique and diverse stores, enjoy seasonal restaurant specials and many holiday happenings! Kick things off with Red Bank’s Elf Scavenger Hunt! Seek out the Red Bank Elf as your make your way through town and keep track of the locations by logging information into the Scavenger Hunt form! Download it, print it out and start searching! Your family will love trying to find the Elf and you can enjoy browsing or refreshments at any of the 40+ locations.

To add extra incentive, prizes will be awarded to the most accurate and complete forms! Once you've finished your scavenger hunt, just drop the form off at any participating business and you'll be entered to win the Red Bank Grand Prize Package or Red Bank Gift Cards. There’s also an accompanying social media photo challenge too! Share your experience on social by snapping photos of the elves and tagging the business, @redbank_nj and hashtagging #RedBankElf #RedBankNJ to be entered to win bonus prizes. View participating businesses and download the form at: www.redbank.org/events/27/holiday-hunt/.

Looking to take advantage of more holiday fun? Get tickets to one of The Count Basie Theater’s many holiday performances: The Nutcracker, Black Nativity, Santa For… featuring Brian Kirk & the Jirks, Darlene Love’s ‘Souled’ Out Christmas and Monmouth Civic Chorus “Messiah & More.” Feeling crafty? Bring the family over to A Time To Kiln for their December 22nd Holiday Canvas Prints event.  The workshop is a make-and-take event opportunity to create awesome last minute gifts on canvas! Can’t make the event? Stop in during their normal studio hours to paint holiday themed pottery.

A&R Workshop also has many family-friendly activities including their upcoming Family-Fun Morning Out Plank Workshop. The workshop will offer the opportunity to customize your chosen piece with your choice of designer paints and (non-toxic!) stain colors. Stop by Paint A Tee to create holiday ornaments, shirts and more; reservations are required. If your sweet tooth is calling, make a pit stop at The Melting Pot and grab a dessert fondue with the kids. Everyone will love a hands-on experience dipping their favorite treats into your chosen chocolate fondue.

We hope you enjoy shopping and holiday fun at Red Bank’s abundant shops and businesses this season. For a full list of downtown businesses, visit: www.redbank.org/directory/shopping/all/.

And there is free parking in Red Bank, now through Christmas (Dec. 12 to 25)!