This weekend take a trip to Congress Hall on the Spook Express at their inaugural fall festival, watch the pumpkin derby and an underwater pumpkin carve at Boo at the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, or shimmy aside Bollywood dancers at Diwali Fest NJ in Maplewood.
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
featured image via Congress Hall.
Here are 10 kid-friendly things to do this weekend around New Jersey:
Fall Festival at Congress Hall
October 19, 12PM-6PM
Make a day of it on the grand lawn of the historic Congress Hall, munching on fall treats like brats, cheese pretzels, funnel cakes, candy apples and apple cider doughnuts, and then wash it down with a pint from the beer tent or “adult” slushie. After, the whole fam can play carnival games, paint pumpkins or take a ride on the Spook Express. Still up for some fun after sunset? Stay for a screening of “Hocus Pocus” and s’mores by the firepit.
Congress Hall
Cape May, NJ
Cost: free
Tuckerton Haunted Seaport
October 17 – 20
Come dressed in costume and stroll along the boardwalk for a night of screams. While there, you’ll encounter plenty of characters, including pirates and ship captains who are lost at sea; after, hop on a hayride through the Haunted Woods (lookout for the Jersey Devil!). Don’t worry if the littles aren’t up for the scary stuff— there will be plenty of fall-themed activities and games for them too.
Tuckerton Seaport
Tuckerton, NJ
Cost: $10
Boo at the Boardwalk
October 19, 20, 26, 27
Looking for Halloween fun that’s not so spooky? Head to Jenkinson’s Boardwalk on one of the weekends leading up to Halloween, for a day of trick-or-treating, crafts, games, a pumpkin patch, beach maze, underwater pumpkin carve and kiddie rides. Enjoy the Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest on October 19th and Perky’s Pumpkin Derby on October 26th.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Point Pleasant, NJ
Cost: free
Haunted Allaire! Haunted Hayrides & Village
October 18, 19, 25, 26
Spend the night with ghosts, ghouls, and goblins when this historic village takes on Halloween. Visit the chapel for storytelling, then check out the rest of the village for fortune telling, a glow-in-the-dark bubble witch show, and the haunted hayride that meanders down a path of 20 spooky scenes. Need provisions for this epic journey? Fill up on treats at the haunted food truck and bakery.
Historic Village at Allaire
Wall, NJ
Cost: $10-15
It’s the Great Pumpkin! At Insectropolis
October 18, 6PM-8PM
It’s the Great Pumpkin at Insectropolis! This special #NJMOM Adventure spot features Halloween activities, an indoor treat trail, games, crafts, photos with Snoopy, costume contests, and showings of It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Don’t worry mama, touching the bugs is optional.
Insectropolis
Toms River, NJ
Cost: $10 (regardless of age), Member Admission: $9
New Jersey Botanical Garden Harvest Fest
October 19, 10AM-5PM
Snap one for the ‘gram, when you check out the beautiful New Jersey Botanical Garden.Your kids will be all over this seasonal scene featuring hayrides and pumpkin painting, games, face painting, applesauce making and dancing to live music. While they’re being entertained, clock in some adult time at the beer garden, buy mums at the autumn plant sale and marvel at the seasonal plantings along the garden tour.
Ringwood, NJ
Cost: free, parking $5
Brooklawn Fall Festival
October 19, 11AM-8PM
It’s the height of fall, and being on the waterfront is a perfect way to celebrate it at this annual fair. You and the fam can dance to live music, try yummy foods, make crafts, go on hayrides and vote for your favorite treats in the fall dessert competition. We can’t think of a better way to end the day than with a movie under the stars – bring a blanket!
Brooklawn, NJ
Cost: free
Cowtown Farmers Market Harvest Day
October 19, 8AM-4PM
Get ready for a day of old fashioned fun, as you board the horse-drawn wagons that take you to pick your own pumpkin in the patch. After, kids can take a pony ride, while you pick up veggies and baked goods from the farmers market, listen to live music from a local band at the barn and shop among the antique and artisan vendors.
780 Rte 40 Harding Hwy
Woodstown, NJ
Cost: free
Diwali Fest NJ
October 20, 12:30PM-6:30PM
Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated in Southeast Asia, and it’s coming to Maplewood! Your family can participate in fun, cultural activities like Bollywood dancing, cooking, and creating Indian folk art, all while learning about the holiday and culture. There will also be vendors selling colorful jewelry, clothing, and handcrafts and restaurants offering regional cuisine.
The Woodland
Maplewood, NJ
Cost: free
Celebrate Fall 2019
October 20, 11AM-3PM
Bring the fam to Reeves-Reed Arboretum to explore the Spooky Trail among the golden hues of the garden. If scary isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty to do: Paint pumpkins, make seasonal crafts, listen to live music, and snack on treats from local food vendors. You can also help feed the hungry, by bringing non-perishable food items to donate (there will be collection boxes on site). Keep your eye out for the goats, they love visitors!
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Summit, NJ
Cost: Members are free, Kids under 3 free, non-members $10, $25 per family
