This weekend, identify seaglass and beach fossils at the LBI Seaglass and Art Festival in Ship Bottom, enjoy a stroll by the ocean, live music and delish food at family-favorite Pierfest in Long Branch, or go back to Revolutionary time at the 1770’s Festival in Basking Ridge. There is so much going on this weekend in New Jersey—get to it mamas!
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are 10 kid-friendly things to do this weekend around New Jersey:
Cranberry Festival
October 5-6, 11AM-5PM
The holidays are less than 80 days away, so get a head start by checking out the unique decorations at the Cranberry Festival. It’s one of the oldest and largest craft shows in the Garden State featuring over 150 crafters, artists and vendors offering hand made, vintage and upcycled items for the heart and the home.While you shop for decor and enjoy craft beer in the beer garden, your littles will have a ball jumping in the bounce houses in the kids zone.
Bordentown City, NJ
Cost: free
LBI Seaglass and Art Festival
October 5-6, 10AM-4PM
Whether you’re a serious collector or just fascinated with these colorful ocean treasures, this family-friendly fest by the beach has something for everyone. Shop for seaglass jewelry, coastal artwork and nautical home decor, learn how to ID seaglass and fossils from local experts and take a walk along to shore to find your own. Kids get in on the action by participating in the Best Sea Glass Contest, Guess the Gallon, Wrack Line Sculpture Contest and more. Don’t miss the Guinness World Record attempt at Conch Horn Blowing to reclaim the 2012 record!
406 Long Beach Blvd.
Ship Bottom, NJ
Cost: free
Wizards, Witches and Wands Festival
October 5, 11AM-5PM
The supernatural spirit is alive and well at this magical day in Allaire’s living history museum. Harry Potter fans and the like can learn how to make their own wands or witches hats. Once you’ve got the gear, there’s even more to explore, including magic, traveling witches, candle making, fortune-telling, a potion station and palmistry. Oh, and did we mention food trucks?
Historic Village at Allaire
Wall, NJ
Cost: $8, Kids 6-12 $4, Under 6 free
Sloth Saturday at Jenkinson’s Aquarium
October 5, 1PM-4PM
Did you know that a sloth is nature’s slowest animal? Get more facts and learn about this unique breed on this dedicated day to awareness, that features info about sloth rehabilitation, well-being and conservation. Plan to spend some time here listening to keeper chats and making sloth-centric crafts. After, check out the aquarium’s featured exhibits, including the shark tank, touch tank and African penguins.
Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Point Pleasant, NJ
Cost: Included with admission; Adults $14, Kids 3-12 $8
Fall Forestry Festival
October 5, 10AM-3PM
If you want to spend more time in nature, head to the Fall Forestry Festival hosted by New Jersey Forests. This environmentally-conscious event celebrates everything about nature with a bunch of activities including a nature hike, maple sugaring demonstrations, woodcarving, a nursery greenhouse and acorn planting. Kids will be mesmerized by the Forest Fire Service Helicopter water drop, while you listen to live music and learn creative ways that you can help our environment. Bonus: a special appearance from Teddy Roosevelt!
370 E Veterans Hwy
Jackson, NJ
Wildwoods Food and Music Festival
October 5, 11AM-8PM
Got kids who love a party? Stop by this South Jersey favorite, which features two stages of live music from local shore bands. You can dance your heart out, eat the best of the boardwalk food, sip a draft in the beer garden and watch people stuff their faces in the pie-eating contest. The littles will have a blast in the designated “kids korner” where they can paint a pumpkin, make a hat and jump till they can’t in the bounce houses.
Atlantic Ave, between Wildwood and Schellenger Ave.
Wildwood, NJ
Cost: free
PierFest in Long Branch
October 6, 12PM-5PM
Even though the calendar says fall, you can still head to the beach. Stroll along the boardwalk at this fair, which will have plenty of local shop vendors, food tastings from Pier Village restaurants and music from live bands. Plan to bond with the fam when you step on the Fun Bus for kid’s fitness and games. And if that’s not enough to entertain them, check out the climbing inflatable wall, face painting and golf games.
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
Cost: free
1770’s Festival
October 6, 11:30AM-4:30PM
Ever wondered what New Jersey was like during the American Revolution? Step back in time and experience New Jersey’s rich Revolutionary history, as exhibitors and costumed volunteers recreate colonial life on the site of Lord Stirling’s Manor. This event offers hands-on learning about colonial times, the lifestyles lived by patriots and their families and the importance of New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution. Curious kids can talk to colonial craftspeople about their trades, visit the Brigade camps and participate in a musket drill. George Washington would be proud!
Environmental Education Center
Basking Ridge, NJ
Cost: suggested donation of $5
Festival Cultural Latino
October 6, 1PM-5PM
Take the whole fam on a stroll in a mercado (a Spanish market) to experience the rich culture of Latin America and Princeton’s Latino community. Throughout the day, watch dancers perform traditional dances like Flamenco dancing, taste homemade Mexican dishes and listen to the DJ spin lively Latin American Music. As you make your way through, vendors will have authentic crafts and goods, while artists will be painting live on the Plaza.
Hinds Plaza
Princeton, NJ
Cost: free
Fall Family Float Festival
October 6
The family that floats together stays together! Grab a canoe or kayak and float along the Rancocas Creek or Smithville Lake to enjoy the sights of beautiful fall foliage. While you drift by, check out the decorated docks from lakeside residents, and cast the vote for your fave. Shuttles are provided to bring you back to Smithville Park for food, entertainment and kids activities.
Historic Smithville Park
Eastampton, NJ
Cost: free
