Spend this weekend with your kids experiencing fun and interactive events throughout New Jersey. Celebrate kids at Kidfest or at New Jersey Devils Kid’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day at Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade or at Laurita St. Patrick’s Day Festival, Beauty and the Beast at MarketFair Mall’s Beauty and the Beast Premiere Party, or Diggerland’s re-opening at Diggerland Grand Re-Opening. Buy comics at the Jersey Shore Comic Book Show, crafts at the Edison Country Folk Art Craft Show, or learn about Thomas Edison at Harry’s Magical Invention Bag.
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are our top picks for family events in NJ this weekend:
1. Kidfest!
March 18, 2017 from 11:00AM – 3:00PM
Magic 98.3 along with The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, is celebrating Spring with its 7th Annual Kidfest! There will be tons of hands-on and exciting events like: a rock climbing wall, an interactive DJ, costumed characters and superheroes, photo booths, caricaturists, and face painting opportunities. Featured booths of the event include the LearningRX Booth where you can play fun and brainy games, win prizes, learn about the wonders of brain training, as well as get a chance to receive a special RSVP for a demo at their center! Along with that, Sport Zones featuring the New Jersey Devils and Somerset Patriots will have soccer, mini-golf and hockey for all. This event has food and plenty of more activities yet to be announced, so do not hesitate to bring your family along!
Rutgers New Brunswick – College Avenue Gym
130 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Cost: Free
2. Laurita St. Patrick’s Day Festival
March 18-19, 2017
Saturday from 11:30AM – 8:00PM
Sunday from 11:30AM – 7:00PM
Bring your family and friends to Laurita for another exciting weekend of fantastic fun, toe-tapping Irish music, and wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ
Cost: Free for guests under 21, $5 for guests 21 and older
3. Beauty and the Beast Premiere Party
March 17, 2017 from 5:00PM – 7:00PM
Join PST and MarketFair in celebrating the movie premiere of Beauty and the Beast. There will be games, prizes and candy!
MarketFair Mall
3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, New Jersey 08540
Cost: Free
4. Diggerland Grand Re-Opening
March 18, 2017 from 11:00AM – 6:00PM
Diggerland is finally open for the season, so get your whole family ready to drive, ride and operate heavy machinery! Your little ones will have the chance to drive mini land rovers, ride the Dig-A-Round, which is half Merry-Go-Round and half Excavator, or dig up some treasure in a JCB 8018 CTS mini-excavator in the Mini Diggers Treasure area.
Diggerland USA
100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Cost: $28.95 for Under 42″ Tall tickets, $36.95 for 42″ Tall and Over tickets. Use promo code DIG2017 to save $5 on over 42″ tickets purchased online
5. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South Food Truck Festival
March 18, 2017 from 11:30AM – 4:30PM
Calling all food lovers! West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South is inviting everyone their magnificent Food Truck Festival, which will be sponsored by HSS Post Prom. Proceeds will help keep students safe, off the roads, and away from alcohol and drugs after prom. Be prepared to have a good time, because the food will be delightful and you’ll be supporting a great cause at the same time, you will not want to miss this event!
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School – South Parking Lot
346 Clarksville Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
Cost: Free for Children 10 and under, $2 Adults
6. Jersey Shore Comic Book Show
March 19, 2017 from 10:00AM – 4:00PM
The Jersey Shore Comic Book Show is not just a comic book show, but it’s also a costume and cosplay festival for the masses! Make sure your children wear their favorite super-hero or themed character costume because there will be a costume contest with amazing prizes for all ages!
Toms River Elks Lodge
600 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Cost: Free for Children under 12, $5 Adults
7. New Jersey Devils Kid’s Day
March 19, 2017 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM
Our very own premiere Hockey Club, The New Jersey Devils, welcome the kids back for a second matinee as they go up against the Colombus Blue Jackets, as well as celebrating the wonderful game atmosphere with special activities and programming throughout the game. As a reminder, the first 5,000 kids 12 and under will receive a special giveaway.
Prudential Center
25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ
Cost: Cost of ticket
8. Edison Country Folk Art Craft Show
March 17-19, 2017
Friday from 5:00PM – 9:00PM
Saturday from 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Sunday 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Do your young ones love to craft? If so, the the Edison Country Folk Art Craft Show is for them! They will be able to restock on all their crafting needs. There will also be handmade jewelry, paintings, soaps, and more! Bring your little ones down to the NJ Convention & Expo Center as they join other young craft lovers in celebrating the 35th Anniversary at Country Folk Art Craft Shows! Fellow Craft Connoisseurs will find a variety of unique decorating needs from themes as Primitive, Shabby Chic, Cottage, New Country, Tuscan, Northwest Lodge, Vintage, Traditional and Fine Art, Vintage and Whimsical. Also displayed at the Expo are: handcrafted furniture, home and garden decor, jewelry, textiles, holiday decor, wearable art, handmade candles and soaps, quilts, paintings, framed art, florals, iron work, wood carvings, baskets, stained glass and a ton more! Along with the elegant Art, there will also be relaxing music accompanied by gourmet treats! This is surely an event that will be a great experience for the whole family.
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837
Cost: $8, $7 if you print and fill out this discount coupon
9. Harry’s Magical Invention Bag
March 19, 2017 at 1:00PM & 3:00PM
Thomas Edison National Historic Park is hosting the premiere event that will inspire all future inventors, as well as provide your family with a great historical view that of Thomas Edison that you will not find anywhere else. Harry’s Magical Invention Bag invites your whole family to earn about invention how our own great American Hero, Thomas Edison played a pivotal role in our everyday lives. You will have the opportunity to hear Harry Roman, who has won Inventor of the Year in 2005 with his work in robotics, as he discusses the major role NJ plays in the national invention scene. You will also walk away with knowledge of all the great inventions NJ inventors have brought into our world. If you are looking for the best event that provides a learning atmosphere for your children to learn about their home state of New Jersey, then look no further!
Thomas Edison National Historic Park
221 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052
Cost: Free for children under 16, $10.00 Adults
10. 11th Annual Mercer Green Fest
March 18, 2017 from 11:00AM to 4:00PM (Rain or Shine)
The 11th Annual Mercer Green Fest will be a day of fun for the whole family! There will be live music performed by the Miss Amy Band and the Green Planet Band, feature speakers addressing climate change, electric bicycles, and yummy food for all event go-ers.
Rider University – Student Recreation Center
2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Cost: Free
11. The Saltwater Fishing Expo
Friday, March 17, 2017 from 12:00PM – 8PM
Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 10AM – 6PM
Sunday, March 19, 2017 from 10AM – 5PM
Come kick off the beginning of New Jersey and Tri-State coastline’s saltwater fishing season at the The Saltwater Fishing Expo! Bring your kids to this amazing event as they can learn everything about saltwater fishing. There will be local retailers, guides, and experts who will be demonstrating the latest techniques, and answering all your questions. The Garden State Exhibit Center will be the host to this incredible event, and whether your passion is saltwater fishing, surf casting, off shore fishing, all are will be in attendance for your needs. Make sure this is on your calendars now and don’t miss east coast’s most exciting exclusive saltwater event!
Garden State Exhibit Center
50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ 08873
Cost: $3 Children, $12.00 Aduilts
12. Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17, 2017 at 1:00PM
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There will be live bagpipes and dancing that will surely captivate your little ones!
Newark, NJ
Cost: Free
13. Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 18, 2017 at 2:00PM
This parade includes tons of traditional Irish heritage and is great for the whole family. Hundreds of participants will walk in the parade including the Grand Marshal, the fire company, first aid unit and Irish dancers.
Huddy Park
325-329 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
Cost: Free
For more St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, please visit our 30 Free March Events post.
14. Hawthorne Christian Academy’s Vendor & Craft Expo
March 18, 2017 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM
The Hawthorne Christian Academy’s Vendor & Craft Expo is an event full of a variety of food trucks, local entertainment, and door prizes!
Hawthorne Christian Academy – Pavilion
2000 State Route 208, Hawthorne, NJ
Cost: Free
15. The Fishing Expo
March 19, 2017 from 9:00AM – 3:00PM
The Wildwood Convention Center & The Fishing Expo is a great way to introduce your little fishing enthusiasts to the wonderful world of fishing! The venue will be home to a variety of exhibitors, new products on display, and demos to partake in all day. There will also be local experts sharing their tips and tricks. This event is not just for fishing of course, but there is a portion of the Expo for Boat lovers as well! All water sport related products will be available along with experts who will not only catch your attention, but provide you information that you just cannot find on the internet. There will be an abundance of fishing and boating items alike, you are sure to find the perfect gift for your loved one. What better way to spend the day with your kids than bonding over an activity you both love, like fishing!
Wildwood Convention Center
4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Cost: Free for Children under 12, $4 Adults
BONUS!
St. Patrick’s Day Kids Fun Run
March 19, 2017 at 9:45AM – 10:00AM
Join Us for a 5k Run through the local streets of Fair Lawn, NJ. Proceeds to benefit CTC Academy! Run on your own, with a friend or bring a whole team. Join us as we paint the town green with runners and leprechauns!
12-00 1st Street, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Cost: $15.00 Race Fee + $2.75 SignUp Fee, Registration ends March 17, 2017 at 11:59pm EDT
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 30 FREE NJ Events in March
- 10 Outdoor Activities To Do in March
- Best Ski Resorts for NJ Families
- Must Know Winter Classes in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
