It’s the last weekend in April (that went fast), and to close it out, we’ve got a lineup of kid-friendly things to do with the fam. Stroll among 50 art vendors, listen to live music, and make crafts with the kids at Art in the Park in Hawthorne, connect with nature and take a kayak tour, live nature talks, and nature games at Cattus Island Nature Festival in Toms River, or head to the premier event for new and expecting moms with the fam at the NJ Mom Baby Expo in Hoboken. And with spring here, make sure you don’t miss all the fun festivals happening this season. (featured photo credit: istock/Fly View Productions)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
FEATURED
FIve Star Open Swim Cherry Hill
April 27 at 1 PM
This is a FREE and fun event for kids and families. This is a great time to see our facility and meet our amazing instructors. We will have enrollment specials, FREE Trial Swim Lessons, FREE Open Swim 1-2 PM, and FREE refreshments as well! Reserve your child for the Free trial class. Only available for new students.
Cost: Free
Five Star Swim School, 5 Esterbrook Ln, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
FEATURED
NJ Mom Baby Expo
April 28
The NJ MOM Baby Expo, presented by NJMOM and powered by RWJBarnabas Health, is the premier celebration for expectant and new parents on April 28, 2024, at the beautiful W Hoboken in Hoboken, New Jersey. At our baby expo, you will connect with leading baby and kids brands demonstrating the best in baby gear and accessories (hello, UPPAbaby, NUNA, Magnetic Me, and more!) while receiving education on everything from sleeping to feeding to ‘taking care of mama’ and beyond. There will also be cupcake decorating by Creative Twist Events, soft play by Happy Kids, and so much more.
Cost: Tickets start at $15
W Hoboken, 225 River St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Earth Day Green Market
April 26 at 4 PM
Spend the afternoon outdoors and enjoy this special Earth Day Green Market. The market will feature native plants, baked goods, crafters, and more.
Cost: Free
615 East Moss Hill Road Smithville, NJ 08205
Middlesex Fire Department Carnival
April 26-27
Ready for a carnival with the fam? Head to this one, where you will find food, fun, games, rides, and more.
Cost: $2 per person
Mountainview Park, Bound Brook Road & JFK Drive, Middlesex, NJ 08846
Bubble Bash at Adventure Aquarium
April 26-28
This bubbly bonanza is the perfect way to spend the day with the kids. There will be endless floating bubbles, demonstrations, and Insta-worthy photo ops.
Cost: General admission
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
15th Anniversary Huddy Park In-Water Boat Show
April 26-28 at 10 AM
Do you like to get out on the water? Unlike many boat shows, this one is known for having boats in the water for sea trials and some boats on land. You can also enjoy vendors and fun activities.
Cost: Free
Huddy Park, 39 East Water Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Fun Under The Sun Jersey City
April 27 at 10 AM
What could be better than some springtime fun in the sun? This free event will allow you to check out some of the schools and summer camps in the area while the kids enjoy local performers. There will also be giant bubbles, crafts, yoga, a magic show, and more.
Cost: Free
Jersey City City Hall, 280 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ 07030
Earth Day Celebration
April 27 at 9 AM
Gather the fam for this fun-filled, educational Earth Day celebration. This event will feature a Family Bird Walk with the Montclair Bird Club, a Hike and Trail Cleanup with Passaic Valley Girl Scouts, Earth Day Expo activities, ceremonial tree planting, and much more.
Cost: Free
Garret Mountain Reservation—Pat DiIanni Boathouse, 8 Mountain Ave. Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Go Green with Hope
April 27 at 10 AM
The 11th Annual festival includes free seedlings, crafts, 40+ vendors, raffles, and giveaways for every age. There is also a Craft Market at the Community Center and a townwide yard sale.
Cost: Free
Hope Township School, 320 Johnsonburg Road, Hope, NJ 07844
Cattus Island Nature Festival
April 27 at 10 AM
Join the Cattus Island Nature Festival, an event connecting the community with nature. You can experience kayak tours, seining, live animal talks, The Great Bug Race, crafts, nature games, and more at this event.
Cost: Free
Cooper Environmental Center, 1170 Cattus Island Blvd, Toms River, NJ 08753
Rutgers Day
April 27 at 10 AM
Bring the whole family to Rutgers, the New Jersey State University, where everyone will enjoy exhibits, interactive activities, demonstrations, performances by faculty, staff, and students, and kids’ activities.
Cost: Free
Busch Campus in Piscataway and the Cook/Douglass Campuses in New Brunswick
Manville PBA Empanada Festival
April 27 at 12 PM
The Manville PBA Food & Music Festival is a great way to celebrate the weekend. Enjoy empanada trucks, live music, and craft vendors. This event features Bounce House Village, a bungee trampoline, an air shot shooting range, henna tattoos, a kids ATV course, and much more.
Cost: Food and music fest admission will be $6 for everyone over six years old.
Rustic Mall, Manville, NJ 08835
BaconFest at Laurita Winery
April 27-28
It’s an outdoor, fun-filled day of relaxing fun on the grounds of Laurita Winery—pair wine with the many delicious food offerings available from onsite food trucks. There will also be live musical artists, free parking, a face painter for the kids (1 PM-4 PM), fire pits, and fireworks (Saturday evening).
Cost: Tickets are $13 online in advance and $15 at the gate. Everyone under 21 is free.
85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Hawthorne Art in the Park
April 27-28
Visit nearly 50 vendors selling their artwork and handcrafted goods. You’ll have a ball with food, dessert, drinks, local musicians, live demonstrations, kids’ activities, and much more.
Cost: Free
Passaic County Arts Center-Goffle Brook Park, 675 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ 07506
Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival
April 27 at 1 PM
It’s the perfect time for a food truck festival with the whole fam. Enjoy craft vendors, delicious food trucks, and live music. And for the adults, over 10 different breweries will be in attendance.
Cost: Donation-based entry
Veteran’s Bicentennial Park, 100 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Roebling Museum Car Show
April 27 at 9 AM
It’s the first of the spring car show circuit—head to the Museum, where you can check out lots of vintage cars while you walk around and enjoy the weather.
Cost: Free
Roebling Museum, 100 Second Avenue, Roebling, NJ 08554
Monmouth County Sheriff PBA 134 1st Annual Car Show
April 28 at 9 AM
Come out and see all the awesome cars on display at the event. The rain date is May 5.
Cost: Free
Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738
April Community Bike Ride
April 28 at 11 AM
Grab your bicycles and go for a ride with the community. This ride is intended for the family, so you will ride around 4-5 miles with a stop or two along the way. There will also be a police escort to ensure safety. Kids need to be able to ride independently or in a seat on the back of their bike.
Cost: Free
Columbus Park, 900 Clinton Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
ACUA’s 32nd Annual Earth Day
April 28 at 10 AM
It’s the annual Earth Day Festival with lots of free, fun, and educational activities for everyone. The celebration has many exciting events and entertainment throughout the day, and more than 150 vendors, crafters, food vendors, and exhibitors will participate.
Cost: Free
ACUA Environmental Park – 6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Paramus Food Truck Festival
April 28 at 11 AM
Kick off the season with food, music, and fun. Over 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, music, pony rides, a petting zoo, knocker ball, hatchet tossing, inflatables, face painting, sand art, and vendors with a beer and margarita tent for the adults. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets.
Cost: Please bring a nonperishable canned or boxed item to help support the Paramus Food pantry. Tickets are $5 for admission, and 5 and under are free.
Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, NJ 07652
Renault Winery 5 Miler and Food Truck Festival
April 28 at 9 AM
Enjoy the beauty of the vineyards as you run this flat 5-mile course at New Jersey’s oldest active winery. Refuel at the after-party featuring live music, food trucks, and lush surroundings for you to enjoy. Awards will be given to the top 3 overall finishers and the top 3 in each age group, including kids under 15.
Cost: $48.00 Race Fee
Renault Winery, 72 Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Cranford Street Fair & Craft Show
April 28 at 11 AM
It’s festival season and a great time of year to get out of the house and enjoy this event. This is one of the most popular street fairs in the state, and you will find fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
Downton Cranford, Cranford, NJ 07016
ONGOING EVENT
Five Star Swim School Play and Swim Moms Group
Now-May 30
Moms, Dads, Caregivers, Babies, and Kids are welcome to the Play & Swim Moms Group at Five Star Swim School, where parents/caregivers can bring their children to have fun and socialize. Homeschooler groups are welcome. Thursdays – from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The pool is open for swimming from 10 AM to 11 AM, and a lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child, and parents/caregivers swim for free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
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