April is coming to a close this week, and we’re looking ahead to lots of family fun. Go fly a kite at Terhune Orchards Kite Days in Princeton, listen to live music at the Creative Arts and Music Festival in Lincroft, or spend the day checking out antique cars and a craft show at Spring Family Fun Day in Freehold. And don’t forget to get those tickets early for the Laurie Berkner Encore Performance at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning.
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Outdoor Adventures: Arbor Day
Tuesday, April 27 from 1 PM – 4 PM
There’s no better place to celebrate Arbor Day than in the midst of nature and trees. The whole family can take part in a self-guided exploration of the gardens, with personalized activity kits to teach all ages about Arbor Day.
Cost: $15 per family for non-members, free for members
Van Vleck House & Gardens
21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 744-4752
Kite Day
Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2 from 10 AM – 5 PM
Let’s go fly a kite—joinTerhune Orchards in celebrating spring and lots of sunny skies. Children can use kites from the orchard or bring a kite from home, and everyone will be amazed at the colorful display soaring in the wind. With games, food, pony rides, and more, there’s no better way to celebrate spring.
Cost: $10 per person
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 924-2310
Spring Craft Show
Saturday, May 1 from 10 AM – 4 PM (rain date Sunday, May 2)
Help the historic village of Allaire kick off their craft season in style by viewing artisans, floral exhibits, historic demonstrations, and more. Local painters, potters, textile artists, and other creators will show off their work, and the general store, bakery, and food trucks will be open all day.
Cost: $5 per person
The Historic Village At Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
(732) 919-3500
Creative Arts and Music Festival
Saturday, May 1 from 10 AM – 4 PM
The whole family will have fun at this lively outdoor arts and music festival, featuring a juried art show. You can hear live music from the New Jersey State Youth Orchestra and local bands like The Haven, or browse the pottery, jewelry, photography, or painting exhibits. There’ll be so much to look at and get inspired by.
Cost: Free
Thompson Park
805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732) 842-4000
Virtual Japanese Magical Journey
Saturday, May 1 from 11 AM – 12 PM
Yasu Ishida, an award-winning magician, and storyteller will bring Japanese folktales to life by using origami and magic tricks. After the stories, children will learn how to make their own origami animals at home- all that’s needed is a few sheets of paper.
Cost: Free
The Hoboken Public Library
Virtual
(201) 420-2346
Family Nature Club Hike
Sunday, May 2 from 8 AM – 10 AM
Get a “birds-eye” view of all the feathered friends taking part in the 2021 migration season. Bring a pair of binoculars from home and be on the lookout for hawks, eagles, songbirds, and more.
Cost: $10 per person
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo- Eagle Rock Reservation
Eagle Rock Avenue & Prospect Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 268-3500
Spring Family Fun Day
Sunday, May 2 from 10 AM – 3 PM
Pick up an early Mother’s Day gift, admire the rows of gorgeous flowers, or take part in family-friendly activities like face painting or an antique car show. Vendors will also be selling their merchandise at the event, with goods such as beads, soaps, chocolate, and much more for you to sample and enjoy.
Cost: Free
Patterson Greenhouses
636 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 431-5271
A Pirate Performance
Sunday, May 2 at 11:30 PM
There’ll be a special performance on the Imagine That!!! Pirate ship today—a pirate will sing kids’ favorite ocean-themed songs. With songs from The Little Mermaid, Moana, and more, kids will be sure to have a blast, especially when they get their own special pirate-themed bag of treats to take home. This is included with general admission, so don’t be afraid to wear your favorite pirate costume as you explore the rest of the museum.
Cost: $19 per child, $7 per adult
Imagine That!!! Museum
4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
(973) 966-8000
Virtual Family Celebration
Sunday, May 2 from 2 PM – 3 PM
Latin Grammy winners 123 Andrés will be presenting a program that’ll get the whole family up and moving. This event combines English and Spanish music to introduce families to another culture, and sneak in a Spanish language lesson to kids.
Cost: Free
The Newark Museum of Art
Virtual
(973) 596-6550
Laurie Berkner Encore Performance
Tickets on Sale Now for Friday, July 23 at 1:30 PM
While July seems far off, we’re thinking ahead and making plans. Best-selling children’s recording artist and pre-school television favorite Laurie Berkner, aka “queen of children’s music” is back in live concert, and you won’t want to miss her epic performance at the 38th annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning. She was the festival’s first-ever kids’ concert headliner in 2017 and she’ll perform on Opening Day, Friday, July 23 at 1:30 p.m., tickets are on sale now—get yours before it sells out.
Cost: $30- $75
Solberg Airport
39 Thor-Solberg Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
(973) 882-5464
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