Summer is flying by, but this week, there are lots of family-friendly activities to do to soak up every last minute. Watch the sky fill with bright balloons at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning in Whitehouse Station, enjoy four days of fun at the Monmouth County Fair in Freehold, or get ready to have an evening of excitement at the Beach Ball-A-Palozza in Toms River. And for more things to do this month, don’t miss our FREE Things to do in July Guide.
Featured Photo Credit: @youbetkev
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July 20-25
Join the fun with lots of rides, games, and plenty of food the whole family will love at this popular fair, back for 2021.
Cost: Advance ride tickets are $10, wristband nights are $30 per night
868 Ringwood Avenue, Haskell, NJ 07420
(973) 835-0480
July 21 from 9 AM-2 PM
Head to the lighthouse for crafts and collectibles featuring vendors and crafters from all over the state and Northeast.
Cost: Free
Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Lighthouse Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 224-6066
July 21-25
The Monmouth County Fair is back, and with it lot of fun. Check out the Bwana Jim Wildlife Show, The Motorcycle Madness Thrill Show, Crunchy the Dinosaur (Saturday and Sunday), and so much more.
Cost: $8 per person, 17 and under free, $6.50 for advance purchase
East Freehold Showgrounds Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 842-4000
July 22 at 7 PM
Watch kites take flight while building a sandcastle masterpiece. This week’s them is the circus, and there’s a grand prize winner every week and prizes for participants.
Cost: Free
Philadelphia Avenue, Lavallette, NJ 08735
(732) 793-7477
July 22
Check out the bands and fireworks of this popular festival, with SuperTransAM, The Amish Outlaws, The Nerds, and ’80s and ’90s theme music night. All events are free to attend and take place at Windward Beach Park. Beer & Wine Garden at Concerts and Car Show. An adult must accompany all children 17 years old or under.
Cost: Free
265 Princeton Ave., Brick, NJ 08724
(732) 262-1000
July 23 at 10:30 AM
Your kiddos can enjoy a special pop-up storytime from the Recreation Department and Cherry Hill Public Library. Then stick around for Food Truck Friday at Croft Farm.
Cost: Free
Croft Farm, 100 Bortons Mill Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
(856) 488-7868
July 23 from 5 PM-8:30 PM
Live music, food trucks, games, nature walks, and a take-home craft bag will keep you and your family busy all evening long. Don’t miss the show by Ken the Magician.
Cost: Free
OCParks Administration Bayfront Fields, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River, NJ
(732) 506-9090
July 23-25
This is one of those premier summer festivals in NJ that you won’t want to miss. With concerts from kids’ favorite Laurie Berkner and bands you grew up with, like Barenaked Ladies and STYX, this promises to be the event of the summer. See the beautiful balloons take flight along with other events such as the Running with the Balloons 5K, sunrise yoga, “The Bullet” human cannonball, Aerial Acrobat’s AeroSphere, Jennifer “The Cannon Lady” Smith, and more. Plus, there will be amusement rides, fireworks, and a balloon glow on Saturday night.
Cost: Adult tickets are $32 as an early bird saver, children (4-12) are $12 as an early bird saver, there are added costs for the concerts, etc.
Solberg Airport, 39 Thor-Solberg Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
(973) 882-5464
July 24 from 10 AM-2 PM
Enjoy a different theme every week at this lively blueberry picking festival which runs all month long. This week, the Creatures of the Pines: Moth Night & Moonlight Walk will be the theme, with kids’ activities every week, including arts and crafts, outdoor fun, games, photo ops, music, instruments, and more. Rain dates will be on Sundays.
Cost: Free, wagon rides are $5, and blueberry picking is $5
120 W. Whites Bogs Road #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
(609) 893-4646
July 24 from 5 PM-8 PM
Get your work boots and gloves ready and learn all about keeping farm animals. Help the farmers feed and water the animals, bring in sheep from the pasture, collect eggs from the hens, scrub and fill water tubs, grind corn, and clean the horse stalls.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
July 24 and 25 from 9 AM-3 PM
Spend the day on the water—-the whole family can paddle a canoe or hop in a kayak this weekend for free. First come, first serve, and all children 14 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. They provide life jackets and paddles, but you must print out a waiver and fill it out before your visit.
Cost: Free
980 E. Academy St., Clayton, NJ 08312
(856) 251-6710
July 24 from 10 AM-4 PM and July 25 from 1 PM-3 PM
Come and tour the newly restored Historic Battery Lewis in the Rocky Point section of Hartshorne Wood Park. Learn all about the history of this former coastal defense site.
Cost: Free
1402 Portland Road, Highlands, NJ 07732
(732) 872-0336
July 25 from 9 AM-1 PM
The County of Passaic and Hazelman Farms present Family Ag days to connect families with agriculture through activities, music, and programs. Don’t miss the produce for sale and the petting zoo too.
Cost: Free
Van Ripper Hopper Museum, 533 Berdan Avenue, Wayne, NJ
(973) 706-6640
July 25 at 7 PM-8 PM
Every Sunday night through August 29, show off your skills on stage or observe others showcasing their talents. The Talent Show champion will be crowned on September 5, 2021. You can enter the Talent Show here.
Cost: Free
On the beach, by Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 295-4334
Every Thursday-Sunday from 11 AM – 6 PM through September 5
Kick-off the summer at this lively market where you can check out various local makers, artists, and designers selling handcrafted goods, clothing, jewelry & accessories, beauty products, art, photography, home goods, and so much more. The kids can also enjoy rides on the Carousel, and don’t forget to visit the beach, restaurants, shops, and the boardwalk.
Cost: Free
52 Centennial Drive, Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-0100
RWJBarnabas Health: Cooking Classes for Kids
Dates and 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, and My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas, Virtual
(973) 926-7371
Somerville Summer Stage
Every Saturday until October 2 from 6 PM-9 PM
Bring chairs to this concert series, with a new performance every Saturday. On July 24, The Bryan Hansen Band will perform.
Cost: Free
Division Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 524-0104
Dino Safari
Freehold: July 10-August 1 and Paramus: July 16-August 8
Grab your prehistoric passport and join over 40 giant moving dinosaurs on a globetrotting expedition at Dino Safari, a drive-thru dino adventure for the whole family. Get up-close-and-personal with fascinating prehistoric creatures from the mighty T. Rex of North America to the giant amphibious Spinosaurus from Africa. At the same time, you learn how dinosaurs evolved, where on earth they lived, and the discoveries paleontologists have made about how they ate, moved, and behaved. Beware: Along the journey, earthquakes might erupt, dinosaurs could battle, and your family might have to help save a baby dinosaur’s life. So, buckle up for the adventure of a lifetime in this completely COVID-safe experience.
Cost: $49.95 regular vehicle and $59.95 for large-capacity vehicles
Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 US 9, Freehold, NJ 07728
Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
(855) 372-3274
Super American Circus Atlantic City
July 1 – August 29
Performers from all over the world will perform in a 2-hour show. Acts, thrills, and laughs will keep the whole family entertained. Watch The All American Motorcycle thrill team in the Globe of Death or the circus performers from America’s Got Talent.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Showboat Atlantic City, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 487-4600
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