Spring has officially entered the chat, with bursting blooms and family-friendly things to do that celebrate the season. Enjoy over 50,000 daffodils in the glacially carved Daffodil Bowl plus spring-themed games, crafts, music, food, and more at the Daffodil Day Festival in Summit, stroll through the tulips fields, meet and greet with the dinosaurs, and see a dino dig site at the Dinosaur & Tulip Festival in Manalapan, or embark on a global taste adventure while listening to live music at the World Food Festival in Colonia. And for more family-friendly fun, find one of the free things to do near you. (featured photo: @reevesreedarboretrum)
Dinosaur & Tulip Festival
April 10-12
Dinosaurs and tulips? Yes please. At this event, you will have access to the tulip fields, photo ops, a scenic tractor ride around the farm, a meet-and-greet with the dinosaurs, a dino dig site, and the chance to observe 30+ animatronic dinosaurs throughout the farm.
Cost: $27.50 per person
Arrowhead Farmstead, 135 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Essex County Park Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park
April 10-12
With over 5,300 cherry blossom trees that burst into full bloom in April, this park is famous first for being the nation’s first county park and second for having the largest collection of Japanese cherry blossom trees in the United States, rivaling the famous Washington, DC blooms. During the peak blooms, you can visit the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park from April 4-19, which features a Bike Race, Cherry Blossom 10K, Essex County Family Day, and Essex County 1 Mile Fun Run.
Cost: Free
Park Avenue and Lake Street, Newark, NJ 07104
7th Annual Hoboken Mac & Cheese Festival
April 11 at 1 PM
Get ready to dig into everyone’s favorite dish at the 7th Annual Hoboken Mac and Cheese Festival. Take a tour around Hoboken and sample all kinds of Mac & Cheese creations from some of the city’s best spots. This event will be held rain or shine.
Cost: $15-$40
Locations throughout Hoboken, NJ 07030
3rd Annual World Food Festival
April 11 at 12 PM
Love the food festivals at EPCOT in Disney World? Find the experience in NJ at this culinary food tour. Explore 14+ food vendors showcasing authentic dishes from around the globe, listen to live music, have an international adult beverage, and more.
Cost: $5 at the door, children under 5 are free
St. John Vianney Church, 420 Inman Ave, Colonia, NJ 07067
Sealabration!
April 11 at 12 PM
Ever wanted to participate in a birthday party for a seal? Well, now is your chance. At this celebration, you will sing happy birthday to the seals, wear birthday hats, sign their birthday cards, make a craft, and learn all about the harbor seals that call the aquarium home.
Cost: Included with general admission
Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Spring Slime Madness Party
April 11 at 2 PM
Get ready for a gooey good time at Slime and Dance Party! Kids will mix, stretch, and create their own slime.
Cost: $20 per participant, $15 per additional child, $5 per parent
All Children’s Art Center, 424 W Main Street, Denville, NJ 07834
COA’s 41st Annual Beach Sweeps
April 11 at 9 AM
Join the Bucket Brigade to help clean the beaches along the Jersey Shore. Volunteers are needed between the Raritan and Delaware Bays and along the ocean to clean beaches, waterways, and underwater sites. Participants collect and record valuable data about debris, which is presented in annual reports and used to advance federal, state, and local programs to reduce litter.
Cost: Free
Participating NJ Beaches
Wonders Of The Seasonal Sky
April 11 at 7 PM
Ever wondered what’s happening up in the sky each season? At this event, a live Planetarium presenter will give an in-depth tour of the current sky over New Jersey, exploring the season’s constellations, bright stars, visible planets, deep-sky objects, and celestial highlights.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Robert J. Novins Planetarium, Toms River, NJ 08753
Live History Weekend at Morven Museum & Garden
April 11-12 at 10 AM
Morven Museum & Garden presents “In Time,” an interactive mystery theatre event with Live History USA, a Governor General’s Award-nominated theatre company. History comes alive as you travel through the halls of the historic mansion, solving a mystery with help from characters in Morven’s past.
Cost: $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors/students/active military and veterans, free for kids 6 and under
Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Ocean City Con 2026
April 11-12 at 10 AM
Join comic book and memorabilia enthusiasts in Ocean City. Special guests, artists, vendors, comics, games, and more will be present. There will even be a Super Hero Run, a Dash, and a Super Hero Obstacle Dash.
Cost: Free
Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Opening Weekend at East Jersey Old Town Village
April 11-12 at 10 AM
Opening Weekend features an occupation of the Village by British, Hessian, and Loyalist military and civilian Historical Interpreters. Enjoy historical weapons demonstrations, 18th-century music, children’s crafts, and more.
Cost: Free
East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Daffodil Day Festival
April 12 at 11 AM
Head to this festival, which features one of the largest daffodil collections in New Jersey. Over 50,000 bulbs are in bloom in the glacially carved Daffodil Bowl. Spring-themed games, crafts, a story trail, music, food, and the Green Goats will be included.
Cost: $15 per person, children under 3 are free
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, 165 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ 07901
Storybook Brunch
April 12 at 11 AM
Brunch with the Jumping Tiger, Cute Pig, and Honey Bear at The Bistro. While you are there, enjoy photo-ops, a specialty kids’ menu, and a themed coloring book.
Cost: Price of brunch
iPlay America, 110 Schanck Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
Blacksmith Demonstration
April 12 at 11 AM
Head to the blacksmith shop and see craftsmanship in action, and learn about the rich history behind the forge.
Cost: Free
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
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