It’s late spring, and with (almost) summer weather, we’re getting out and about with a bunch of family-friendly activities this week. Feed and pet barnyard animals during a Day At The Farm at Silverton Farms in Toms River, discover local authors, art, and music at the Point Pleasant Beach Homegrown Fair, or join the 1st Annual Strawberry Festival in Berlin. Looking for more events? Take a peek at our 45 Free Things To Do In May.
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RWJBarnabas Health: Cooking Classes for Kids
May 18 and 19 times vary depending on the program
Kids of all ages will love cooking up healthy treats in these virtual hands-on cooking classes (adult supervision required during class): Try Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen for kids 8-12, where they’ll learn to use a recipe, cook with nutritious ingredients, and utilize kitchen basics or try Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen, a Mommy and Me style class for 2-4-year-olds.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas
Virtual
(973) 926-7371
The Casual Birder
May 18 at 9 AM at Manasquan Reservoir, and May 25 at 9 AM at Thompson Park
Grab your walking shoes and a pair of binoculars to take a laid-back morning walk with a park naturalist, who will point out local birds in the area.
Cost: Free
Manasquan Reservoir – 311 Windeler Road, Howell, NJ 07731 – 732-919-0996
Thompson Park – 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738 – (732) 842-4000
Nature Lecture Series: Horseshoe Crabs Trying To Survive In a Modern World
May 20 from 7 PM – 8 PM
Learn why the horseshoe crab population is declining and learn what you can do to help Bayshore Waterfront Park.
Cost: Free
719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
(732) 787-3033
A Day At The Farm
May 21 from 2 PM – 5 PM
Bring the whole family to this organic, family farm with animals, free activities, resources, and more to commemorate mental health awareness month. This event is sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health.
Cost: Free
Silverton Farms 1520 Silverton Road, Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 244-2621
Fun Under The Sun in Jersey City
May 22 from 10 AM – 2 PM
Head to Jersey City for lots of family fun. Littles will have a ball dancing to music from kiddie favorites like Rockness Music, watching a magic show from Cisco the Magician, making arts and crafts, and seeing giant bubbles during a live demonstration.
Cost: Free
280 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
admin@jcfamilies.com
Family Exploration Hike: Stony Brook on the Watershed Trail
May 22 at 10 AM
Spend the day in the great outdoors exploring the watershed trail while learning about the plants and animals along the way.
Cost: $10 per adult and child
The Watershed Institute
31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ
egallos@watershed.org
Hog Slopping and Weighing at the Howell Living History Farm
May 22 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Can you guess the weight of the hogs before they step on the scale for their summer weigh-in? Get to know about pigs, how to keep them, their history, and more. Finish off with grinding the corn, filling the wallow, and slopping the hogs.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Point Pleasant Beach Homegrown Fair
May 22 from 12 PM-6PM
Celebrate local arts and the written word with NJ authors, poets, artists, and musicians during this fair, sponsored by The Little Point Bookshop, The Point Pleasant Beach Chamber, and the Barefoot Real Estate.
Cost: Free
River Ave “Bordens Parking Lot, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(201) 414-2535
19th Century Woodworking Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm
May 22 from 12 PM – 3 PM
Visit Longstreet Farm and learn about 19th-century woodworking and carving tools in a carpenter-run demonstration.
Cost: Free
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
May Outdoor Garden Activities
May 22 from 1 PM – 2:30 PM
Enjoy a garden scavenger hunt and storytime in the garden of this historic museum. You won’t be able to access the building (or the bathrooms, FYI), but you will be able to admire the beautiful wisteria and rose gardens.
Cost: Free, registration required
MacCulloch Hall Historical Museum
45 McCulloch Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 538-2404
1st Annual Strawberry Festival
May 22 from 3 PM – 7 PM
It’s all things strawberry with a strawberry contest, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, and info on growing strawberries from Stella Farms. Make sure to have a taste of strawberry shortcake and sip on brews and wines from local purveyors.
Cost: Free
Berlin Borough Municipal Court
59 S. White Horse Pike, Berlin, NJ 08009
Community South Jersey Philadelphia’s Family Day of Service
May 23 at 12:30 PM
The whole family can join in to assemble 1,000 care packages for the hardworking migrant workers who spend their summers working in South Jersey’s blueberry fields. Once those are complete, you’ll put together hospital care packages and hygiene kits for local communities in need.
Cost: Free-pre-registration required for adults and kids; 50-minute time slots available
Laurel Run Park 151 Creek Road, Delran, NJ 08075
communitysjp@gmail.com
Raptor Adaptations
May 23 from 2 PM – 3 PM
Do your kids want to learn all about raptors? Join the Nature Conservancy virtually as The Raptor Trust takes an in-depth look at the biological adaptations of raptors (hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and vultures) and what makes each group unique.
Cost: Free
Virtual
(973) 326-7600
Splendid Spring Stroll
May 24 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM
Say “hello” to spring as a park naturalist guides you through some Monmouth County trails dotted with budding trees and lively birds.
Cost: Free
Thompson Park
805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732) 842-4000
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