Longer days and warmer temps mean summer is on its way, and we’re so here for it with lots of kid-friendly things to do this weekend. Bring on the family fun with pony rides, a chocolate eating contest, and a fireworks show at Robbinsville Community Festival in Robbinsville, celebrate diversity with a day of family fun and free activities, including live music, face painters, a sports obstacle course and more at Glassboro Community Day in Glassboro or enjoy delicious food from 15 gourmet food trucks, live music, a petting zoo, and mini golf at the Aberdeen Food & Truck Festival in Keyport. And for the last blast of seasonal things to do, check out everything spring on our bucket list. (Featured Photo Credit: istock/ASphotowed)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events, especially in inclement weather)
Bloomfield Food Truck and Music Fest
June 9 at 4 PM
Celebrate the beginning of festival season with 16 food trucks, live music, face painting, hatchet throwing, a petting zoo, sand art, kids’ activities, and vendors. Parking is free.
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free, and please bring a nonperishable canned or boxed item to help support the food pantry.
St Thomas the Apostle Parking Lot – 50 Byrd Ave., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Aberdeen Food and Truck Festival
June 10 at 11 AM
Bring the whole family out for 15 gourmet food trucks, live music, vendors, drinks, and a fun-filled family day. This event will feature pony rides, a petting zoo, miniature golf, a bounce house, a bungee trampoline, face painting, sand art, and more.
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free, and please bring a nonperishable canned or boxed item to help support the food pantry.
Veteran’s Memorial Park, Ocean Blvd & Lakeshore Drive, Keyport, NJ 07735
Livingston ‘Summerfest’ Food Truck and Music Festival
June 11 at 11 AM
Celebrate a day in the sun with quality food trucks and fabulous music. Bring blankets and chairs; pop-up tents are permitted.
Cost: $5. Kids under 2 are free.
Livingston Oval, 30 Robert Harp Drive Livingston, NJ 07039
South Jersey Historic Fair
June 10 at 10 AM
Held on the historic grounds of the 1756 Gabreil Daveis Tavern Museum House, this event will feature exhibitors, including authors, historical committees, and groups from counties across South Jersey. The rain date is June 11.
Cost: Free
Gabreil Daveis Tavern Museum, 500 3rd Ave, Glendora, NJ, 08029
Celebrate Middlesex County
June 10 at 10 AM
Join this free, family-friendly event focused on showcasing Middlesex County’s government’s unique programs, services, and people. Enjoy local food vendors, live music and performances, games and activities, touch-a-truck, roller skating, arts and crafts, historical interpreters, and more.
Cost: Free
Roosevelt Park, 151 Parsonage Rd, Edison, NJ 08837
Westfield Street Fair
June 10 at 11 AM
Head to downtown Westfield for a day of live music, a DJ, dancing, children’s rides, games, and something for the whole family.
Cost: Free
Downtown Westfield, NJ 07090
Glassboro Community Day
June 10 at 11 AM
Celebrate diversity with loads of family fun at Glassboro Community Day. This event will feature over 50 vendors selling artisan offerings, food, and non-alcoholic beverages. Free activities include live music, face painters, a sports obstacle course, balloon artists, kid’s castles, and much more.
Cost: Free
Robbinsville Community Festival
June 10 at 2 PM
Check out the kids’ play zone, games, contests, a trackless train, pony rides, a chocolate-eating contest, and pony rides. Don’t miss the fireworks at 9 PM. The rain date is June 11.
Cost: Free admission
Community Park.- West Manor Way and Gordon Road, Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Renaissance Faire NJ
June 10-11
Take a step back into the 16th century, and the kids can explore Nipper’s Nook, where there will be plenty of things to do to fire the imagination, including pinatas, water balloon games, building your own magic wands, and the new gaming cart of wonder.
Cost: $25 and up. $10 for Child Flex Day Pass (Ages 5 to 12).
1195 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505
Montvale Mile Long Spring Street Fair
June 11 at 10 AM
Hosted by the Montvale Chamber of Commerce, the Montvale Mile Long Spring Street Fair has fun for the whole family. Enjoy a Kids Zone, food trucks in two food courts, a beer garden, freebies from local exhibitors, an arts and crafts section, and more.
Cost: Free
1 Paragon Dr, Montvale, NJ 07645
Magnificent Station: Nature Too Small to See
June 10 at 10 AM
Explore the outdoor world through crafts, scavenger hunts, activity sheets, and Van Vleck House and Gardens displays. Each program will focus on a specific theme, and the Van Vleck Education team will guide your family through this interactive learning experience. Registration is required and includes everything you need to participate. Designed for children ages 4 -11, but all are welcome.
Cost: $15
Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck Street Montclair, 07042
The Family Expo of America
June 10 at 12 PM
Enjoy a free fun-filled day at The Family Expo of America. Activities include live music, shopping, health and wellness, face painting, balloon art, and more.
Cost: Free
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave, Edison, NJ 08837
Good Food Fest at Lima Family Farm
June 10 at 4 PM
Bring your family to this fun-filled farm-to-table event with musical performances by The Cold Soil Drifters from 4 – 6 PM and Tony and the Trees from 6 – 8 PM. Enjoy delicious farm-to-table food, including BBQ and vegan options. This event features farm tours, pasture walks, community engagement stations, and art activities.
Cost: Entry is free, but food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Lima Family Farm, 826 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Metuchen Street Fair & Craft Show
June 11 at 11 AM
This event features artists, crafters, vendors, food, rides, live music, and more.
Cost: Free for spectators
Downtown Metuchen, Main St and Middlesex Ave Metuchen, NJ 08840
Hudson River Showcase Car Show
June 11 at 11 AM
View a curated collection of vintage and classic luxury automobiles set along Hoboken’s riverfront on Sinatra Drive. This event features over 100 models from pre-1959 through the 1990s. Car enthusiasts and eventgoers will enjoy strolling along Hoboken’s famous riverfront drive and experiencing the unique charm of The Mile Square City.
Cost: Free
Pier A Park, 102 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ 07030
3rd Annual Pet Palooza and Food Fest
June 10 at 2 PM
Together with Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, help find homes for some amazing dogs and cats. This event will feature 12+ food vendors, live music, games, the famous doggie agility course, a pet fashion show, and more.
Cost: Admission will be $6 for everyone Over 5 years old. Tickets are $5 in advance (plus service charge)
161 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
Kids Nature Series: Hello Hummingbirds
June 11 at 10 AM
Learn fun facts about hummingbirds, play two games to reinforce the information, play a memory and relay game with flowers, catch insects, plant zinnia seeds, and make a hummingbird feeder and nectar to take home.
Cost: $15
Burlington County Agricultural Center, 500 Centerton Rd, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Irish Festival in Long Branch
June 11, Gates open at 11 AM
The New Jersey Irish Festival is back and celebrating its 50th edition. There will be live racing, Irish food, vendors, dancing, and music. Don’t miss the Human Horse Race raising money for a great cause, and kids will be entertained with clowns, face painters, pony rides, and a bounce house.
Cost: general admission is just $6. Kids 12 and under are free.
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07757
History Kids Day!
June 11 at 11 AM
Join this interactive event that invites children and young adults, ages 5 to 12, to experience history firsthand. Your kids will learn all about what it meant to live and work in an industrial village like the Howell Iron Works in the 1830s by participating in hands-on activities ranging from historical water races, gardening, cooking, and games on the green.
Cost: $5 per person. Age 3 and under are free.
The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue Wall Township, NJ 07727
2023 Gillian’s Wonderland Pier Day for FACES 4 Autism
June 11 at 3 PM
Spend the afternoon on rides with Faces 4 Autism families at Gillian’s Pier. This popular event is a great opportunity to be in a sensory-friendly environment where families enjoy a quieter afternoon on the pier where staff are aware and accepting.
Cost: $5 donation for bands; after the first 200 are sold, $20.
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, 601 Boardwalk Ocean City, NJ 08226
LEAD FEST Carnival – Westfield Garden Plaza
June 4, June 7 – 11
Head out to this lively festival, including carnival rides and a show with the amazing Anastasini Circus. Children must be 36″ to ride most rides.
Cost: $5 and up
One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
LEAD FEST Carnival – Monmouth Mall
June 2 – 11
Monmouth Mall 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
Monmouth Mall, 180 NJ-35, Eatontown, NJ 07724
LEAD FEST Carnival – Woodbridge Center
June 2 – 11
Woodbridge Center 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
Woodbridge Center, 250 Woodbridge Center Dr, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095
