Summer is halfway over, but don’t let it get away from you—there are lots of family-friendly activities this week to soak up every last minute. Listen to live music among the flowers at the Wildflower Art & Musical Festival at The Herbary in Howell, hop on a hayride and sample homemade ice cream at the Mercer County 4-H Fair & Wheat Threshing in Hopewell Township or ride a hot air balloon at the Warren County Farmers’ Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival in Phillipsburg. And for more things to do this month, don’t miss our FREE Things to do in July Guide.
Featured Photo Credit: Istock/Greg Meland
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July 29 at 7 PM
Watch kites take flight while building a sandcastle masterpiece. This week’s them is the video games, and there’s a grand prize winner every week and prizes for participants.
Cost: Free
Philadelphia Avenue, Lavallette, NJ 08735
(732) 793-7477
July 29 at 7 PM
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, and did we mention there’s a Beer & Wine Garden during concerts and car shows? An adult must accompany all children 17 years old or under.
Cost: Free
265 Princeton Ave., Brick, NJ 08724
(732) 262-1000
July 30 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 30 at 6 PM-6:30 PM
They’re back— each Friday through the summer, a princess will be reading from one of their favorite stories. Don’t miss the dancing and singing on the beach too.
Cost: Free
Pavilion Beach Stage, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 295-4334
July 31 from 10 AM-5 PM
It’s the third annual Wildflower Art & Music Festival at the Herbary, with over 30 local artists, musicians, purveyors, children’s activities, and more all day long. The rain date is August 1, 2021.
Cost: Free
494 Lakewood Farmingdale Road, Howell, NJ 07731
(732) 938-2327
July 31 from 10 AM-2 PM
Enjoy a different theme every week at this lively blueberry picking festival which runs all month long. This week, it’s Living History Day: Vintage Costumes 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 31 from 1:30 PM-3 PM
Have your kids experience “hands-on” history with an interactive history workshop with different trades, tasks, and more. They will be transported back in time to see what it felt like to be an 1830s Howell Iron Works villager. This program is for children ages 5-12, and parents are encouraged to stay.
Cost: Starting at $10
4263 Atlantic Ave., Farmingdale, NJ 07727
(732) 919-3500
July 31 from 10 AM-8 PM and August 1 from 10 AM-4 PM
Bring your whole crew out for music, food, hayrides, magic shows, storytelling, homemade ice cream, and a children’s pedal tractor pull. You’ll also get the chance to participate in Wheat Threshing on Saturday, with demonstrations that allow kids to help with the process.
Cost: Free, please bring a non-perishable food donation for Rutgers Against Hunger
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
July 31 and August 1 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 31 from 10 AM-4 PM and August 1 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 31 and August 1 at 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM
Take a 45-minute tour of the Manasquan Reservoir in Howell narrated by a Park System Naturalist. You must purchase tickets the day of, and please call to confirm before arriving since tours are weather and water level dependent.
Cost: $6 per adult, $4 per children
Visitor’s Center, 311 Windeler Road, Howell, NJ 07731
(732) 751-9453
July 31- August 7
Kids and adults will have a ball at this fair, where you can watch the mass balloon launch of 30 inflatables around 6:30 PM every night of the Fair. Schedule a hot air balloon ride, or if you are hesitant, tethered rides are also available. There will also be Equestrian events, an antique tractor pull, a kids corral area, and so much more.
Cost: Adults $9, ages 6-12 $5, and 5 and under are free. A season pass is $36, and parking is free, balloon rides are extra
877 Uniontown Road, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
(908) 859-6563 for fair events and (908) 283-0721 for balloon rides and events
August 1 at 7 PM-8 PM
Every Sunday night through August 29, you can live out your America’s Got Talent dreams, 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 Saturday and Sunday through August 28
Experience live music, a crafted food menu, Tomasello wine, lawn games, picnic space, and late farm market and ice cream window hours for the whole family. The farm trail will be open along with hayrides, and musicians change every weekend.
Cost: $9.95
2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown, NJ 08041
1-800-MMM-WINE
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
Head to the park for this concert series, with a new performance every Saturday. On July 24, The Bryan Hansen Band will perform. Don’t forget to bring chairs and blankets.
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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