It’s time for all the summer feels, and you know what that means—a bunch of family-friendly things to do from day to night. Experience a giant inflatable fun park featuring a silent disco dome, colossal ball pit, 600ft obstacle course, and more at Bounce the City Inflatable Fun Park at Jersey Mills in Elizabeth, take the family out to New Jersey’s oldest county fair, and enjoy amusement rides, livestock exhibits, pie-eating contests and fireworks at Cumberland County Fair in Millville or join on a two-day outdoor festival featuring more than 200 artists showcasing the best of fine art and craft from the region at the 29th Annual Haddonfield Crafts & Fine Art Festival in Downtown Haddonfield. (featured photo credit: istock/aneese)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
SPONSORED
Pop ‘n Play Dance Party with Rockness Music
July 19 at 10 AM and 11 AM
It’s no secret Hoboken parents love Bright Horizons, an early education + preschool center with locations at 1155 Maxwell Place and 336 Sinatra Drive. On Sunday, July 9th, Bright Horizons at Maxwell Place and Sinatra Drive are hosting a hosting a Pop ‘n Play Dance Party with Rockness Music. Two locations in Hoboken – Maxwell Place lawn AND Sinatra Park Pier C lawn. Children and parents alike can jam out to awesome tunes, enjoy bubble play, delicious treats, take photos at the selfie station and photo booth, and participate in giveaways. Bright Horizons will host two opportunities for fun: one at Maxwell Park Lawn from 10 AM -12 PM, and one at Pier C Park Lawn from 11 AM -1 PM. Gather your little ones and attend either or both free events — no RSVP needed.
Cost: Free
Bright Horizons at 1155 Maxwell Place and 336 Sinatra Drive
Cumberland County Fair
July 4-8
It’s New Jersey’s oldest county fair. Enjoy amusement rides, games, Demolition Derby, livestock exhibits, pie-eating contests, and fireworks.
Cost: $5 and 5 and under and 65 and older are free
3001 Carmel Road, Millville, New Jersey 08332
Eagleswood Fire Dept. Carnival
July 5-9
Everyone in the family will love the live music, rides, booths, and food at this fun festival.
Cost: $40 online before July 5 at 3 PM. $45 when purchased at the event.
219 Railroad Ave West Creek, NJ 08092
Whale of a Day Family Street Festival
July 8 at 8:30 AM
It’s the biggest day of the year—come out for raffles, vendors, entertainment, crafts, and fun for the whole family.
201 Clubhouse Road, Townbank, NJ 08204
Dig it! Plant it! Eat it! Family Saturdays
July 8 at 10 AM
Take part in hands-on gardening, a tour of the Museum’s historic rooms, and an art-making experience with a New Jersey artist. You will enjoy nature while learning about life in the past. This program is for all ages. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Cost: Free
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 MacCulloch Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
29th Annual Haddonfield Crafts & Fine Art Festival
July 8 at 11 AM
This two-day outdoor festival features over 200 artists showcasing the best fine art and craft from the region and beyond.
Cost: Free
Along Kings Highway between Washington Avenue and Haddon Avenue, along Tanner Street to Euclid Avenue, and on Kings Court.
Water Workshop Weekends
July 8 at 11 AM
Morris Museum hosts a family fun day with activities from GSWA. On July 8, there will be two special screenings of the Smithsonian movie Age of Humans: Water at 11:30 AM and 1 PM.
Cost: $12. $8 for children 3 -17
Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960
Vintage Baseball
July 8 at 11 AM
The Bergen County Historical Society hosts Vintage Baseball. Dressed in authentic uniforms, the Flemington Neshanocks and the Enterprise Club of New Bridge will play against each other with 19th-century rules and equipment in a double-header game. There will be hot dogs, snacks, and drinks available for purchase, and an ice cream truck on site.
Cost: $7.50-$12.50
Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201-1209 Main St, River Edge, NJ 07661
RainbowMoon Fest
July 8 at 11 AM
Join this annual summer outdoor fest with music, arts, yoga, and dance. Also, enjoy food trucks, a kids’ waterpark playground, face painting, circus games, nature trail walks, and more.
Cost: $15 – $100
105 Pennington – Hopewell Rd, 105 Pennington – Hopewell Road Hopewell, NJ 08525
Bubble Show
July 8 at 1 PM
Experience a magical world of bubbles at this family-friendly interactive bubble show by the sea featuring a variety of bubbles, including foam bubbles, smoke bubbles, bubble nets, giant bubbles, and much more. Make sure also to enjoy the iconic carousel and the Pier Village Arcade.
Cost: Free
Pier Village, 50 Chelsea Ave Apt 137, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Freehold Township Day
July 8 from 4 PM-11 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 fam can check out the car show.
Cost: Free
Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Water Carnival
July 8 at 5 PM
Get ready to have a fun night with vendors, a Kids Zone, Hula Dancers by Paradise Island, and a Water Stunt Show. There will also be a fireworks show. The rain date is July 9.
Cost: Free
Mirror Lake Beach, 141 Clubhouse Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Seaside Heights Movies at the Beach
July 8 at 7 PM
Enjoy free movies on the beach every Sunday at dusk. Eventgoers will be seated on the Fremont Avenue beach; please bring your own beach chairs and blankets.
Cost: Free
Fremont Avenue Beach, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Blueberry Bash at Terhune Orchards
July 8 and 9 at 10 AM
Spend the day blueberry picking, relaxing, and enjoying music. Kids can say hello to the barnyard animals, play at the playhouses, watch a puppet show, and see Mr. Bubbleman, a fun interactive show full of bubbles. Hungry? Have a bite or more from Pam Mount’s Blueberry Bash Buffet.
Cost: Prices vary
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Maplewood Stock 2023
July 8 – 9
Mihali and Louis Cato will headline the Maplewoodstock Music and Arts Festival. This festival will feature an entire Kid Zone with fun things like, bouncy rides, face painting, arts and crafts, ice cream, and more.
Dunnell Rd & Oakview Ave Maplewood, NJ 07040
Fanwood Summer Fan Jam 2023
July 9 at 11 AM
Head out to the annual Fanwood Summer Fan Jam featuring food trucks, a classic car show, and live music.
204 La Grande Ave Fanwood, NJ 07023
ONGOING EVENTS
LEAD Fest Carnival at Gloucester Premium Outlets
Now – July 9
Gloucester Premium Outlets hosts this carnival which benefits the LEAD. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) Program. Enjoy a day full of food, rides, and entertainment.
Cost: $5 and up
100 Premium Outlet Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012
LEAD Fest State Fair – Mercer County Park
Now – July 9
Get ready for food, fun, rides, and more for the whole family at the Law Enforcement Agents Drugs and Violence (LEAD) Fair. Nightly entertainment will include a petting farm, rides, Cowtown USA, and a pie-eating contest.
Cost: $5 during the week and $8 on weekends; several activities are an additional cost
1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
State Fair Meadowlands
Now – July 9
Bring the family out for a day full of fun at State Fair Meadowlands. Enjoy 150+ rides and attractions, 100+ food vendors, 50 + game vendors, and 12 shows, including Cycle Circus, Pirates of the Columbian Carribean, Extreme Illusions and Escapes, and more.
Cost: $38.99 for a Fun Pass
1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Bounce the City Inflatable Fun Park
Now — July 16, Saturdays and Sundays
What’s better than jumping around on inflatables? If your kids like to bounce, make sure you don’t miss this giant inflatable fun park featuring a silent disco dome, huge ball pit, 600ft obstacle course, sports arena, slides, and more.
Cost: $24
The Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Rd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Whitesbog’s Blueberry Summer Fest
Now – July 22
Enjoy amazing handmade craft vendors, taste fantastic food, and listen to live music on stage. House Tours of Suningive are $5, and each day will have a few timed tours to choose from. Blueberry picking is $5 per person. On July 8, bring the family out to enjoy baseball and vintage games.
Cost: No entry fee, but donations are greatly appreciated
Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
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