July is just heating up, and we’re hitting our summer stride with lots of kid-friendly things to do with the fam. Spend the day wandering through the lavender garden and enjoying the aromatic scent at the Happy Day Farm Lavender Festival in Manalapan, spend the day admiring castles and having family fun at the Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival, or enjoy live music performances and participate in themed activities and family-friendly events at the Main Street Pops Artisan Market Summer Pop-Up in Hoboken. And for more family-friendly fun, find one of the free things to do near you. (featured photo: NJMOM taken at Happy Day Farm)
Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival
July 10 at 9 AM
See sand creations come to life, or grab a shovel and build your own castles at the Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival. This contest features amateur and semi-pro sand sculptors, and professional world-renowned sand sculptor Matt Long, a former cast member of the Travel Channel’s SandMasters, will host the event. There will also be live music and family-friendly activities.
Cost: Free
Heather Road, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
Princess Fridays at Casino Pier
July 10 at 9 AM
Gather your little royals for a fairy-tale experience filled with FREE sing-a-longs featuring their favorite princesses. Kids can sing their hearts out to beloved songs, dance along, and join an interactive show that brings classic storybook moments to life right on the pier. This Friday, the show is Island Princess & Mermaid Princess.
Cost: Free
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Cumberland County Fair
July 10-11
New Jersey’s oldest county fair is back! Enjoy amusement rides, games, Demolition Derby, livestock exhibits, pie-eating contests, and fireworks.
Cost: $5; kids under 5 and seniors 65 and older are free
3001 Carmel Road, Millville, NJ08332
Randolph Township Freedom Festival
July 10-11, Fireworks July 11
Head to this three-day festival, which features food, carnival games, and fireworks on the last day. The fireworks are synchronized to tunes from a DJ.
Cost: Prices vary for parts of the festival; a $5 donation per car is suggested
County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
New Jersey State Barbeque Championship and Angelesea Blues Festival
July 10-12
Bring the family to experience mouth-watering food vendors and crafters, unique displays, a BBQ competition, and a Blues Festival with something for everyone.
Cost: Free to enter most areas
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Carnival at Bridgewater Commons Mall
July 10-12
Get ready for classic summer fun as this carnival brings rides, games, and all your favorite fair food to Somerset County. Families can enjoy everything from thrill rides and midway games to funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and carnival treats while taking in the lively atmosphere in the mall’s parking lot.
Cost: $5 admission (kids under 36 inches tall free; ride credits/wristbands sold separately)
400 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Lavender Festival
July 10-12
Spend the day wandering through the lavender garden and enjoying the aromatic scent. Kids can feed the goats and chickens and enjoy lemonade and shaved ice. Don’t miss the general store with lavender and lavender products for purchase.
Cost: $16 admission per person; children 1 and under are free
Happy Day Farm, 106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Bastille Day 2026
July 10-12
Experience the spirit of France in Montclair with a joyful weekend of film, shopping, music, food, and community celebrations for all ages! Celebrated every year on July 14 in France and around the world, Bastille Day is France’s national holiday and a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and joie de vivre.
Cost: Free
Various locations throughout Montclair, NJ
Freehold Township Day
July 11 at 4 PM
Bring the whole fam to this concert and festival in the park with merchandise and food vendors. Kids can enjoy the rides, teens can hang out and dance to a DJ at the Teen Center, and the whole family can check out the car show.
Cost: Free
Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Blueberry Festival
July 11 at 11 AM
Celebrate everything blueberry at Mood’s Farm Market in South Jersey. While you are at the festival, make sure to enter the Blueberry Dessert Contest, where the desserts are judged on overall taste, originality, appearance, and ease of presentation.
Cost: Free to enter
901 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Family Fun Day
July 11 at 12 PM
Join this family-friendly event at Lake Musconetcong Park. There will be games, prizes, music, food, and more. The rain date is July 12.
Cost: Free
46 Musconetcong Avenue, Stanhope, NJ 07874
Butterfly Festival
July 11 at 11 AM
Bring the kids to learn all about Bees and Pollinators. Learn about their importance and how to attract them to your yard. Enjoy tours of the Butterfly House, free classes, and a bug parade. The rain date is July 12.
Cost: Free
Red Bank Battlefield National Park, 100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, NJ 08063
Blueberry Summer Fest
July 11 at 10 AM
Pick blueberries, take a wagon ride, enjoy locally made blueberry pies, donuts, and cakes, tour the home of The Blueberry Queen, Elizabeth Coleman White, and shop handmade vendors while listening to music on the Whitesbog stage.
Cost: no fee, but donations are appreciated.
Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 West Whites Bog Road #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Boardwalk Craft Show
July 11-12
Head to the southern end of the boardwalk to find a one-of-a-kind gift, homemade treats, or a unique artwork. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: Free
Wildwood Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Maplewoodstock
July 11-12
Celebrating 22 years, the Maplewoodstock Music and Arts Festival features two days of musical acts, food, drinks, crafts, and community fun. There is even a Kid Zone.
Cost: Free
Memorial Park, 580 Valley Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Annual Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival
July 11-12
Bring the entire family to this lively concert and festival in the park. There will be lots of merchandise and plenty of food vendors. Kids can have a blast on the rides, and teens can chill and dance to a DJ at the Teen Center, and don’t miss the car show.
Cost: Free
Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Project Purple Pretzel Run 5K
July 12 at 8:30 AM
Lace up your running shoes and bring the family to this 5K for a good cause. Whether you’re looking to run or take a leisurely walk through peaceful paths alongside a gorgeous pond, you can move your body to support the fight against pancreatic cancer. The best part? A fresh pretzel at the finish line.
Cost: Registration fee
Nomahegan Park, 995 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016
Main Street Pops Artisan Market Summer Pop-Up
July 12 at 11 AM
Visit the Pier A Walkway for a pop-up artisan experience. Discover handcrafted treasures, enjoy live music performances, and participate in themed activities and family-friendly events.
Cost: Free
Pier A Walkway, 100 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
