Spring is blooming, and so is the family fun, with lots of kid-friendly things to do this weekend. Snap Insta-worthy photos and take in the beauty of nature at Branch Brook Park’s Bloomfest in Newark, revel in the glorious daffodil bowl and hang with goats at the Daffodil Day Festival in Summit, or pet baby animals and hunt for eggs at Alstede Farm’s Springtime and Easter Festival in Chester. And for more April fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo: @essexparks)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
FEATURED
Star Wars The Force Awakens In Concert
April 9-13
Enjoy Star Wars projected on the big screen while your New Jersey Symphony plays John Williams’ epic score live in-sync to all the action. Bring the whole family to watch Rey, Finn, and Poe team up with Han Solo to find Luke Skywalker and save the galaxy from its newest threat in this immersive cinematic event.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Wednesday, April 9 at 7:30 pm – Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ
Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 pm – Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, NJ
Saturday, April 12 at 8:00 pm – New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ
Sunday, April 13 at 3:00 pm – State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ
Dinosaur & Tulip Festival
Opens April 11
Dinosaurs and tulips? Yes please. At this event, you will be able to enjoy 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
Holland Ridge Farms Spring Spectacular
Opens Aril 11
Holland Ridge Farm bursts into bloom each year with over 8 million tulips in 15 varieties. During their Spring Spectacular festival, you can 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
Johnson’s Corner Farm Egg Hunt Hayrides
April 11-13
Stop by this farm for a festive hayride and hunt. After your search, visit Peter Rabbit and create some sweet treats by decorating rabbit and egg-shaped cookies. Join the Easter Bunny for breakfast from March 28 to April 19 on Saturday, Sunday, and Good Friday.
Cost: Ticket prices start at $6
Johnson’s Corner Farm, 133 Church Road, Medford, NJ 08055
Essex County Park Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park
April 11-13
With over 5,300 cherry blossom trees that burst into full bloom in April, this park is famous—first, for being the nation’s first county park and second, for having the largest collection of Japanese cherry blossom trees in the United States, rivaling the famous Washington, DC blooms. During the peak blooms, you can visit the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park from April 5-13, which features a Bike Race, Cherry Blossom 10K, Essex County Family Day, and Essex County 1 Mile Fun Run. The festival culminates on April 13 with Bloomfest! featuring live music, children’s activities, a crafter’s marketplace, food, and more.
Cost: Free
Park Avenue and Lake Street, Newark, NJ 07104
Easter Egg Hunt at Newport Center
April 11-13
Grab your Easter basket and get ready to collect eggs at Newport Center. Bunny Photos and Caring Bunny will be available on select dates.
Cost: Prices vary
30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City, NJ 07310
Easter Bunny @ The Commons
April 12
Step into a colorful spring flower field at Bridgewater Commons to see the Easter Bunny. You can visit Bunny + Friends, which includes guests like Cinderella and Moana, for a meet-and-greet, photos, and autographs.
400 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Millville’s Easter Celebration
April 12
This year’s Easter egg hunt will feature crafts, vendors, games, and more. Perfect for ages 12 and under, the event is located behind Lakeside Middle School. Bring a basket or bag and be ready to hunt for eggs.
Cost: Free
2 Sharp Street, Millville, NJ 08332
Easter Celebration at Allaire Village
April 12
Enjoy the day in the park while you visit with live animals, a Bubble Magician, bonnet decorating, collecting eggs, glitter tattoos, crafts, egg games on the green, storytelling, a village scavenger hunt, historical Easter egg dying demos, and more. The Easter Bunny will be roaming the Village throughout the day, and there will be Easter selfie stations and live music, plus two food trucks on site for the event.
Cost: $10 per person
The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall, NJ 07727
COA’s 40th Annual Beach Sweeps
April 12
Everyone can join the action to help clean the beaches along the Jersey Shore coastline. Volunteers are needed between the Raritan to Delaware Bays and along the ocean to clean beaches, waterways, and underwater sites. Participants collect and record valuable data about debris, which is presented in annual reports and used to advance federal, state, and local programs to reduce litter.
Participating NJ Beaches
Cost: Free
Coffee Run! 5K – Fun Walk – Kids Obstacle Course
April 12
Join us for a 5k run or a 1-mile fun walk at RiverWinds Community Complex in West Deptford, NJ. The money raised will go to the Gloucester County Hero Fund. In addition, a kids’ obstacle course will be available for your little ones.
Riverwinds Community Complex, West Deptford, NJ
Cost: $15 – $25 for adults. Kids are free
8th Annual Dyno For Charity
April 12 at 10 AM
This family-friendly event will be full of fun, including a car/truck show, food, music, raffles, monster trucks, and power wheels races. The event will benefit the Breathe For Michael Foundation.
Cost: TBA
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
Belmar Easter Egg Hunt
April 12
Is there anything better than a fun egg hunt on the beach? Come out with the little ones and hunt for the 3,500 eggs placed in the sand and be on the lookout for a golden egg for every group to find.
Cost: Free
4th and 5th Avenues of Belmar Beach Ocean Avenue, Belmar, NJ 07719
Annual Easter Egg Hunt at The Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center
April 12
This Annual Easter Egg Hunt will feature the Easter Bunny, complimentary breakfast, and photo opportunities. Don’t forget your basket—there will also be an Easter Egg Hunt.
Cost: Free
661 Jackson Road, Newtonville, NJ 08094
Annual Kids Easter Egg Hunt
April 12
This annual Easter Egg Hunt for 12 and under includes prizes per age group. Then, on April 19, sign up for the 4th Annual Bunny Run for a fun and fit start to spring.
Cost: Free
1201 Memorial Ave., Gibbstown, NJ 08027
The Great Egg Hunt and Easter Bunny
April 12
Join The Great Egg Hunt on April 12 and 19 from 6th to 14th Street along Ocean City Boardwalk. Stop by participating stores until supplies last.
Cost: Free
Downtown Ocean City – 6th to 14th Street along the boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Duffield’s Easter Bunny Visit
April 12
Take a spring hayride to see the Easter Bunny at the Bunny House, where you can spend some time snapping photos for the gram. After, check out the bakery, where treats will be for sale.
Cost: Prices are $7.99 and up
Duffield’s Farm & Market – 280 Chapel Heights Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
Spring Into Sustainability Community Day
April 12 at 12 PM
Head to this lively, earth-friendly event with the family for games, face painting, crafts, and engaging workshops.
Cost: Free
Kean Skylands Campus, 243 Mt Paul Road, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
Easter Basket Creation
April 12 at 10 AM
Looking for something fun to do with the family for the upcoming holiday? At this event, you can design and create your own Easter basket and pack it with homemade goodies.
Cost: $50 per adult and $40 per child
Di Blu Studio, 600 Newark St., Hoboken, NJ 07030
Whippany Railway Museum’s Easter Bunny EGGspress
April 12-13
Ride the rails on the Easter Bunny Express and enjoy some Easter fun. The Easter Bunny will be on board the vintage passenger car. Don’t forget your Easter basket to visit the Easter Egg Patch.
Cost: Prices starting at $14
Whippany Railway Museum, 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ 07981
Easter Bunny Train Ride and Easter Egg Hunt With Delaware River Railroad Excursions
April 12-13
Littles will love riding the Easter Bunny train along the Delaware River. At the end of the ride, hunt for eggs and pose for a photo op and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
Cost: $20 for adults, $14 for kids, and $4 for a Lap Sitter
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 38 Market St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Black River & Western Railroad – Easter Bunny Express
April 12-13
Hop over to the annual Easter Bunny Express, where the whole family can take a train ride that stops in Ringoes, snap photos with Peter Cottontail, and then go on an egg hunt (don’t forget to bring a basket).
Cost: $20.99 and up
Flemington Station, 80 Stangl Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach Easter Bunny and Spring Events
April 12-13
Spring is near, and Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach are hosting various events, including a Petting Zoo on April 12 and photos with the Easter Bunny on April 13.
Cost: Prices vary
800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Ort Farms Baby Animals and Easter Egg Hunt Weekends
April 12-13
Stop by Ort for their annual egg hunt, where kids can find eggs that they can redeem for their goody bag prize. There will also be lots of baby animals to see, like baby goats, bunnies, and sheep.
Cost: Starting at $15.95
25 Bartley Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853
Springtime and Easter Festival at Alstede Farms
April 12-13
Bring the kids to see the featured guest, the Easter Bunny, while seeing baby farm animals, taking wagon rides, and climbing the giant hay pyramid. You can also sign up for the Easter Bunny Breakfast on select weekends.
Cost: Starting at $19.99
Alstede Farms,1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
EGGstravaganza at Heaven Hill Farm
April 12-13
See Hopper the Bunny, participate in the Easter Egg scavenger hunt, jump on a hayride, visit the Hippity Hop Village, and see farm animals. Carnival rides, a bakery, and spring blooms are available for an additional fee. Look out for their Easter Bonnet Contest, too.
Cost: Prices vary
451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
DiDonato Family Fun Center Easter EGGspress
April 12-13
Celebrate spring with a family-fun adventure at DiDonato’s Easter EGGspress! Hop aboard the Easter-themed train and journey through a magical Spring Village filled with festive activities, perfect for all ages. Enjoy an Easter-Themed Train Ride, a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny and Mrs. Bunny, and a free photo op. Join the Egg Hunt and collect Easter surprises, explore the Spring Hedge Maze for giggles and adventure, climb and slide with endless fun on the giant slide, tackle the Inflatable 40’ Obstacle Course, play and imagine on a custom-made, interactive train, and more! Enjoy one FREE game of bowling and shoe rental per guest, delight in a complimentary snack, and receive a special Easter Prize from DiDonato’s. Visit the Toy Market’s Pop-up Snack & Toy Cottage too.
Cost: $16.95 per person in advance and $20.95 at the door (if available)
1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Easter Village at the Shoppes at Dragon Village
April 12-13
At the Shoppes at Dragon Village, you can take photos with the Easter Bunny on the deck chair. There will also be merchants and vendors.
Cost: $5 per car
97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Egg & Veggie Hunt at Coombs Barnyard
April 12-13
Have some Easter fun with barrel train rides, egg decorating stations, barnyard animals, an egg and veggie hunt, and, of course, the Easter Bunny.
Cost: $10 and up
20 Route 77, Elmer, NJ 08318
Seashore Lines and The Easter Bunny Express
April 12-13
Ride Coach or First Class on The Easter Bunny Express, a 60-minute climate-controlled train ride for the whole family. See the Easter Bunny and take photos with him as live musicians play for the passengers. Leave from the Tuckahoe Train Station on April 12, and the train departs from the Richland Station on April 13.
Cost: $23.95 and up
Tuckahoe Station: Mill Road and Railroad Avenue, Tuckahoe, NJ 08250 or Richland Station: 1272 Harding Highway, Richland, NJ 08350
Latin Food Fiesta
April 13 at 12 PM
It’s a fun family festival that takes you on a culinary journey featuring the flavors of Latin cuisine. The event will include delicious food, live Latin music, food contests, culinary demonstrations, and fun activities for the entire family to enjoy.
Cost: $6 for everyone over 5. Tickets are $5 in advance(plus a service charge
Westfield Garden State Plaza, 501 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
Bloomfest
April 13 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
Daffodil Day Festival
April 13 at 11 AM
Head to this festival, which features one of the largest daffodil collections in New Jersey. Over 50,000 bulbs are in bloom in the glacially carved Daffodil Bowl. Spring-themed games, crafts, a story trail, music, food, and the Green Goats will be included.
Cost: $15 per person, children under 3 are free
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, 165 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ 07901
Easter Egg Hunt in Waretown
April 13
Come out to the lake and enjoy this fun hunt. After your kids find their eggs, take a walk around the lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Children 6 years and younger join at 1 PM. Ages 7 – 12 join at 2 PM.
Cost: Free
Corliss Park, 182 Wells Mills Road, Waretown, NJ 08758
Jenkinson’s Easter Activities
April 13
Hop on down to the boardwalk for Jenkinson’s Egg Hunt. Known as one of the best egg hunts at the Jersey Shore, prizes include games, ride & food coupons, and so much more for kids 10 and under.
Cost: Free
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
4-H Egg Hunt
April 13
Experience the thrill of the egg hunt for children of all ages on the 4-H Fairgrounds. There will be various hunts for different ages.
Cost: TBA
3210 NJ-50, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
ONGOING EVENT
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown
Every Thursday at 10 AM
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown is back! Join us every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 AM for fun and socializing. Children and caregivers love the padded play area and heated pool. Homeschooler groups are welcome. The pool is open from 10 to 11 AM, and a lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child, and parents/caregivers are free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
