This weekend, snap beautiful family photos at the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark, take in the high-flying fun over the beach at the Kites at the Pier Festival in Long Branch, or watch a brigade of more than 500 basset hounds in the Doo Dah Parade in Ocean City. It’s spring in Jersey and there’s lots happening to make for a perfect day out and about with the kiddos.
featured image via Kites at the Pier Festival
Psst! We love to feature your adventures around New Jersey! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are 13 kid-friendly things to do this weekend around New Jersey:
Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival
April 6 – 14
Did you know that New Jersey is home to a serious amount of cherry blossoms? As in, the largest collection in the country (yes, even more than Washington, DC). Check out this fest for the beautiful trees but also fun events like the bike race, fun run, and family day. This is the perfect backdrop to up your Insta game with some great family photos. These trees are gorgeous!
Branch Brook Park
Newark, NJ
Cost: free
Catsbury Park Cat Convention
April 13 – 14
Calling all cat lovers! The Catsbury Park Cat Convention celebrates the furry felines with celebrity cats, adoptable cats, DJs, games, activities, art, vendors, presentations, seminars, comedians, contests, tattoos, tasty vegetarian food, and tons of other cat lovers to enjoy it with.
Convention Hall
Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Adults $25, Kids $15
Kites at the Pier Festival
April 13 & 14, 9AM – 4PM
Spend a day at Pier Village perusing the shops, grabbing lunch, and enjoying a sky full of kites. Your littles will be wowed by high-flying creations of all shapes and sizes, from inflatable flying creatures to more traditional kites flying over the beautiful beach.
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
Cost: free
Diggerland Scout Overnight
April 13, 6:30PM – 8AM
Hang out overnight at Diggerland for a night full of fun in the park. Admission includes access to all attractions, arcade access, a Diggerland USA Fun Patch for Scouts, a bonfire and s’mores, all meals, and an overnight campout. Be sure to bring your own tent though! Space is limited, so you should book ASAP.
Diggerland
West Berlin, NJ
Cost: $59.95 per person over 42”, $54.95 per person under 42”
11th Annual Collingswood Green Festival
April 13, 9AM – 2PM
Celebrate spring and all things green at Collingswood’s 11th Annual Green Festival. Enjoy local sustainable food, organic gardening, water conservation, renewable energy, environmentally-friendly construction, and more. Your family can learn about smart green living from local activists and experts. Your littles will love the Fun Zone, which features face-painting, sidewalk chalk drawing, games, arts and crafts, and more.
Irvin Ave.
Collingswood, NJ
Cost: free
The 4th Annual Lobster Run
April 13, 10AM – 12PM
The 4th Annual Lobster Run 5K Run/Walk to Care for the Coast benefits the American Littoral Society. The race begins and finished at The Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park. Stick around for the after party, or enjoy other Asbury events that day, like the Catsbury Park Convention in Convention Hall.
Langosta Lounge
Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Run or Walk & Meal ticket: $45, Run or Walk Only: $25, Meal only: $25
Smithville Art Walk
April 13, 11AM – 5PM
More than 75 local artists set up shop on the Greene to showcase and sell their work. Got a little Marvel fan on your hands? This year’s special guest is Marvel Comic Book Artist Joe Del Beato. Enjoy live music and yummy food on a beautiful spring day at Smithville.
Historic Village of Smithville
Galloway, NJ
Cost: free
Doo Dah Parade
April 13, 12PM
The Doo Dah Parade is Ocean City’s tribute to all things funny and features a procession of more than 500 basset hounds! The lively parade also includes marching bands, floats, and grand marshal Barbara Eden, the star of “I Dream of Jeannie”. It all kicks off an uninterrupted season of special events in Ocean City that stretches throughout the year.
Ocean City, NJ
Cost: free
WTHS Project Graduation 2nd Annual Food Truck Event
April 13, 3PM – 8PM
Washington Township Project Graduation will be hosting its 2nd Annual Food Truck Event this weekend. The event features plenty of food trucks, local vendors, face-painting, a DJ and moon bounces. Come hungry with the kids for a day of great food and outdoor fun.
Washington Township High School
Sewell, NJ
Cost: free
Pirate School Performance at Bergen PAC
April 13, 1PM & 3PM
This Bergen PAC event is a sensory-friendly solo variety show for all ages. The fun-filled show features a funny pirate who teaches great lessons throughout the performance, promoting everyday polite behavior and social courage.
Bergen PAC
Englewood, NJ
Cost: $19
Red Bank Battlefield’s Spring Festival
April 14, 12PM – 4PM
Take a trip back in time this spring with Red Bank Battlefield! The Whitall House will be open for tours and hearth cooking demonstrations. You can also enjoy 18th-century arts and crafts demonstrations and meet some furry farm animals the kids will love.
Whitall House/Red Bank Battlefield
National Park, NJ
Cost: free
Annual Spring Festival in Jersey City
April 14, 10AM – 2PM
Spend time outside in beautiful Jersey City at the annual Spring Festival, held at The Atrium at Harborside Financial Center. The event features a puppet show, arts and crafts, magician, photo corner, live music, a bouncy house, a train, egg hunt, and cookie decorating. So many ways to celebrate spring!
The Atrium at Harborside Financial Center
Jersey City, NJ
Cost: $5
Somerville Historic Downtown Arts & Crafts Festival
April 14, 10AM – 5PM
Spend the day strolling along Somerville’s beautiful historic downtown Main St. while shopping for pieces from over 100 talented artists, crafters and artisans. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy live music, and bring your littles to the hands-on crafts station for a chance for them to get creative too!
Main St
Somerville, NJ
Cost: free
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
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