April is finally showing its true colors, with flowers popping up and plenty of fun kid-friendly things to do all weekend long. Take in all the gorgeous blooms, meet and greet dinosaurs, and hop on a tractor ride at the Dinosaur & Tulip Festival in Manalapan, celebrate Earth Day with guided hikes, nature-themed crafts and a scavenger hunt at the Earth Day Celebration in Ringwood, or step into a day of history and family fun with games and crafts, a petting zoo, sheepshearing demonstrations, and a magic show at the Spring Festival and Earth Day Celebration in Red Bank. And for more family-friendly fun, find one of the free things to do near you. (featured photo: NJMOM taken at the Dinosaur & Tulip Festival)
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Bloom: Women’s Health & Wellness Expo
April 18 at 10 AM
Step into a day designed to help you feel your best, inside and out. Join us for an inspiring experience featuring 60+ health and wellness experts across holistic health, pelvic wellness, IV hydration, yoga, Pilates, red light therapy, and both mental and physical well-being. There will be organic beauty products, crafted matcha drinks, and fresh pressed juices, 20-minute guest speaker sessions, and exclusive samples.
Cost: $12.51 per person in advance or $15 at the door
Wayne Police Athletic League, 1 Pal Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470
Holland Ridge Farms Spring Spectacular
April 17-19
Holland Ridge Farm bursts into bloom each year with over 8 million tulips in 15 varieties. During their Spring Spectacular festival, you can climb a windmill, see farm animals, learn about Dutch traditions, snap gram-worthy photos, take a pony ride, and sample delicious foods. Tickets will go on sale about a week before the event begins, so check on their website or sign up for alerts.
Cost: $17 per person on weekends and $15 per person during the week
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
Dinosaur & Tulip Festival
April 17-19
Dinosaurs and tulips? Yes please. At this event, you will have access to the tulip fields, photo ops, a scenic tractor ride around the farm, a meet-and-greet with the dinosaurs, a dino dig site, and the chance to observe 30+ animatronic dinosaurs throughout the farm.
Cost: $27.50 per person
Arrowhead Farmstead, 135 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Earth Day Celebration in Cape May
April 18
Celebrate Earth Day at the Zoo with hands-on educational exhibits, kids’ amusements, live music, eco-shops, and a scavenger hunt.
Cost: Free
Cape May County Park and Zoo, 700 US 9, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Earth Day Celebration
April 18
All ages are welcome to this free Earth Day celebration full of activities for the whole family. This event will feature guided nature walks and hikes, educational displays, volunteer opportunities, nature crafts and activities, a scavenger hunt, and more. Rain date is April 19.
Cost: Free
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Crawfish & Jazz Festival – A Taste of New Orleans
April 18 at 11 AM
Can’t travel to New Orleans? Don’t worry – they are bringing New Orleans to you at this festival. Spend the day diving into mountains of live, spicy crawfish and delicious seafood, plus other Southern-flavored food vendors. There will also be brass bands, jazz, and cocktails. While you sip your drink, let the kids enjoy the activities planned for them.
Cost: $7 per person in advance, $10 at the door, and all kids under 5 are free.
Washington Lake Park, 626 Hurffville Crosskeys Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
Fur Baby Festival
April 18 at 12 PM
Together with the friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter, you will help find forever homes for some amazing dogs, cats, and other small animals. This event will feature 15+ food vendors, live music, games, a pet costume contest, and much more.
Cost: Admission is $6 for anyone 5 years old or older. Tickets are $5 in advance (plus a service charge), or you can purchase them at the door.
Burlington County Fairgrounds, 1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Road, Jobstown, NJ 08022
5th Annual Memorial Walk Marketa’s Journey
April 18 at 10 AM
Join this walk on the trails to celebrate and honor the life of Marketa McCabe, a young woman and Girl Scout who died too soon, and her passion for protecting the environment. The walk has a staggered start, any time between 10 AM and 12 PM. Trails vary from 0.5 to 5 miles long. When you’re done, visit supporters, grab some refreshments, go fishing in the lake, or have fun with the Girl Scout activities. Walking on the trail is optional, and there’s indoor seating available. All proceeds will be donated to the Marketa’s Journey Scholarship Fund.
Cost: $20 kids 10 and under, $10.
YMCA of the Pines (Camp Ockanickon) 1303 Stokes Rd, Medford, NJ 08055
17th Annual Collingswood Green Festival
April 18 at 9 AM
Pay it forward by taking care of our Earth. Celebrate spring and all things green at Collingswood’s 17th Annual Green Festival. Enjoy local sustainable food, organic gardening, water conservation, renewable energy, environmentally-friendly construction, and more. Your family can learn about smart green living from local activists and experts.
Cost: Free
Irvin Ave., Collingswood, NJ
Ort Farms Blooms and Baby Festival
April 18-19
Pick a beautiful tulip bouquet from our more than one-acre field of vibrant, blooming tulips, and capture stunning photos at our spring-themed photo ops scattered throughout the farm. Then step into our barn to meet all the newest additions to the farm—adorable baby bunnies, baby chicks, baby sheep, baby goats, and so much more! There will also be food vendors and a scenic hayride around the farm.
Cost: $15.46 per person over 2
2 Bartley Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853
Earth Day Activities in Monmouth County
April 18-19, times vary
Bring your crew to these outdoor Earth Day events, including an open house at the Huber Woods Environmental Center, planting along the shore, and a cleanup at Bayshore Waterfront Park.
Various locations in Monmouth County
The Northeast Coalition Earth Day Celebration
April 18-19
Join the Official Earth Day Celebration at Pine Street Community Garden, a movie screening of “The Little Things That Run The World,” the Crane Park Pollinator Garden, and the Montclair Earth Fest.
Cost: Free
Montclair, NJ 07042
Von Thun Farms Tulip Festival
April 18-19
The newest tulip farm in NJ is at Von Thun, where their tulip festival takes center stage this spring. Stroll through the tulip fields and cut your own for $1.50 per stem. Beyond the tulips, families will find plenty to do, including a barnyard animal area, an activity area with more than 20 games and activities, hayrides, gourmet food trucks, and a beer barn. Make sure you stop at the dozens of photo-ops to remember your trip.
Cost: $19.99 per person online and $22.99 in-person
438 NJ-57, Washington, NJ 07882
Bloomfest
April 19 at 11 AM
It’s a family day in New Jersey’s pinkest park, with Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. Experience Japanese cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, a crafter’s marketplace, and food.
Cost: Free
Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Mill Street Entrance, Belleville + Prudential Concert Grove, Clifton Avenue Entrance, Newark 07104
Spring Festival and Earth Day Celebration
April 19 at 11 AM
Step into a day of history and family fun at the annual Red Bank Battlefield Spring Festival, with games and crafts for children, a petting zoo, sheepshearing demonstrations, and a magic show.
Cost: Free
Red Bank Battlefield, 100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, NJ 08063
Gloucester County Hero Scholarship Coffee Run
April 19
Join us for a 5k run, a 1-mile fun walk, or a 10 K run at RiverWinds Community Complex in West Deptford, NJ. Money raised will go to the Gloucester County Hero Fund. In addition, a kids’ obstacle course will be available for your littles.
Cost: $15 – $40 for adults. Kids are free
Riverwinds Community Complex, West Deptford, NJ
Mosaic Annual 5K Run, Walk & Family Fun Run
April 19 at 8 AM
Give back and get your heart rate going at the annual Mosaic (formerly Seashore Gardens Foundation) 5K Run Walk and Family Fun Run. Net proceeds from this event will benefit Alzheimer’s and Dementia outreach and programs.
Cost: Registration cost varies
9th Street, Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08223
Run Wild for the Cape May County Zoo
April 19 at 8 AM
Lace up your running shoes and say good morning to all of the animals at the Zoo. You can choose between a 5k run, a 1-mile walk, or a free kids’ race, and you will have fun running through the Zoo. The proceeds from this event benefit the Cape May County Zoological Society and the Step Back Foundation.
Cost: Registration cost varies
707 Route US 9 N, Cape May Court House, NJ
Party Like It’s Your Earth Day
April 19
Head out to Morven Museum and Garden and party like it’s your Earth Day! This festive day of community action offers something for everyone, including yoga, garden tours, a dance party, and a Trashion show.
Cost: Free; registration is required.
Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
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