It’s the last weekend of April, and we’re making the most of it, with plenty of things to do this weekend with the fam. See police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, dump trucks, and more at Touch-a-Truck in Wall, celebrate Earth Day at one of the fun events happening around the state, or enjoy kayak tours, seining, live animal talks, crafts, and games at Cattus Island Nature Festival in Toms River. And for more family-friendly fun, find one of the free things to do near you. (featured photo: NJMOM taken at Touch-a-Truck)
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iPlay America
Celebrate your child’s big day with an unforgettable party at iPlay America—New Jersey’s premier indoor birthday destination. With exciting party packages that include rides, arcade games, laser tag, and go-karts, kids can enjoy nonstop fun while parents relax and enjoy the celebration stress-free. Every party includes a private party room and a dedicated party host who manages the activities, setup, and cleanup, so families can focus on making memories instead of managing logistics. From action-packed Freedom and Mega Parties to VIP experiences with unlimited attractions, there’s a customizable option for every age and interest. Parents love the convenience of a fully hosted experience, complete with décor, optional add-ons like cakes and goody bags, and expert planners who help coordinate every detail. Kids love the adventure of celebrating with friends inside a massive indoor amusement park filled with games, attractions, and endless excitement. Rain or shine, iPlay America makes birthday parties easy, memorable, and packed with fun for the whole family.
110 Schanck Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Forward to the Moon
April 24 at 9 PM
The County College of Morris will highlight NASA’s Artemis mission to the Moon in a full-dome planetarium show. This 45-minute show blends cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling and will be presented beneath the 33-foot-diameter dome to reveal the beauty, science, and wonder of the cosmos.
Cost: $10 per person
Longo Planetarium, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
Earth Day Green Market
April 24 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
Somerville’s Earth Day Events
April 24-26
Participate in a Town Clean-Up and Free Tree Seedling Giveaway on April 25; gloves, bags, free tree seedlings, and other giveaways will be provided. The Earth Day Green Fair will take place on April 25 on Division Street, featuring educational booths, kid-friendly activities, and home energy-efficiency lessons. A Town Swap takes place throughout Somerville on April 24-26.
Cost: Free
Locations around Somerville
Holland Ridge Farms Spring Spectacular
April 24-26
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 24-26
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
The Northeast Coalition Earth Day Celebration
April 24-26
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
Earth Day 2026
April 25
Stop by the Essex County Environmental Center on Earth Day for crafts, games, canoeing, and hiking. This event also features demonstrations and a sale by local eco-vendors. Environmental Center staff and partner groups will be on hand to guide you throughout the day.
Cost: Free
Essex County Environmental Center, 621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068
Go Green with Hope
April 25 at 10 AM
The 13th annual festival, with an environmental theme, has something for everyone, including free seedlings, crafts, vendors, free raffles, a meet-and-greet with the Antler Ridge Mascot, over 40 tables of old favorites, a painted rock treasure hunt, and giveaways.
Cost: Free
Hope Township School, 20 Johnsonburg Road, Hope, NJ 07844
Cattus Island Nature Festival
April 25
Join the Cattus Island Nature Festival in its 46th year, an event connecting the community with nature. At this event, you can experience kayak tours, seining, live animal talks, crafts, nature games, and more.
Cost: Free
Cooper Environmental Center, 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard, Toms River, NJ 08753
Point Pleasant Environmental Commission Earth Day Celebration
April 25
Get out and about to celebrate Earth Day with the family at this fun event. There will be activities for kids and families, and vendors will be available for you to check out as you walk around.
Cost: Free
Riverfront Park, 2201 River Road, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Rutgers Day
April 25 at 10 AM
Bring the whole family to New Jersey’s State University, where everyone can 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
Touch-A-Truck
April 25 at 10 AM
Round up the family and bring them to this fun event featuring police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, dump trucks, and more. There will also be delicious food and a DJ.
Cost: Free
Wall Community Park, 1900 Bailey’s Corner Road, Wall, NJ 07719
Randolph Food Truck & Music Festival
April 25 at 11 AM
Grab the family and head to this fun event benefiting the Randolph Rescue Squad. There will be food trucks, music, kids’ activities, and a beer garden for the over-21 crowd.
Cost: $5 per person, kids under 5 are free
County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
2026 Monmouth County SPCA Dog Walk + Pet Fair
April 25 at 11 AM
Families, friends, and animal lovers can attend this event and enjoy a tour of the park, shop with local vendors, learn about the MCSPCA, make crafts, and more. All proceeds from this event will feed and care for the many animals that come to the Monmouth County SPCA.
Cost: $35 per person
Leon Smock 80 Acre Park, Wall St, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Pickle Palooza
April 25 at 12 PM
Head to the first-ever pickle festival, where you will find pickle vendors, pickle-themed foods, a beer garden with pickle cocktails, live music, and local artisans. For the youngest family members, visit the family fun zone for games and contests.
Cost: $10 at the door, $8 for seniors and veterans, and kids under 5 are free
Teaneck Armory, 1799 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666
2026 Walk & Roll For Wishes
April 25 at 8 AM
Spend some time with the family walking at this nationwide fundraising event. Funds raised from walkers will help bring the life-changing impact of a wish to kids battling critical illnesses.
American Dream, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ, 07073
Earth Day Celebration
April 25
Gather the fam for this fun-filled, educational Earth Day celebration. This event will feature environmental vendors, guided hikes, kids’ activities, workshops, and the annual tree planting ceremony hosted by the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners.
Cost: Free
Rifle Camp Park, 387 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Touch-A-Tractor Weekend at Needle Creek Farm Brewery
April 25-26 at 12 PM
Got a tractor‑loving kid? This event is their dream weekend! Touch‑A‑Tractor Weekend returns to Needle Creek Farm Brewery for two full days of hands‑on farm fun, live music, great food, and relaxed country vibes. Families can climb on real tractors, explore farm equipment, visit the cow barn during feedings, and play in the country play area. Enjoy shaded picnic seating, Adirondack chairs, and plenty of photo ops around the farm. Plus, face painting will be available throughout the weekend. While the kids explore, grown‑ups can enjoy small‑batch craft beer in the historic 1700s barn taproom or relax in the outdoor beer garden.
Cost: Free
91 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington, NJ 08534
Shadfest
April 25-26 at 11 AM
Celebrate 43 years of family, fun, and fish in Lambertville. This year’s Shad Fest will feature the region’s finest artists and crafters, a kids’ zone with games, face painting, entertainment, and a farmer’s market. Local’s Lane will showcase artists from the Lambertville and New Hope areas.
Cost: Free
Lambertville, NJ 08530
Hawthorne Art in the Park
April 25-26
Visit nearly 50 vendors selling their artwork and handcrafted goods. There will also be food, desserts, drinks, local musicians, live demonstrations, children’s activities, and more.
Cost: Free
Passaic County Arts Center-Goffle Brook Park, 675 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ 07506
Red Bank Street Fair and Craft Show
April 26 at 11 AM
Head to Red Bank for a day filled with music, dancing, food, and lots of family fun. Littles will have a ball on the children’s rides and get a chance to play games.
Cost: Free
Downtown Red Bank, NJ 07701
ACUA’s 34th Annual Earth Day
April 26 at 10 AM
It’s the annual Earth Day Festival, full of free, fun games and educational activities for everyone. The celebration features a full day of exciting events and entertainment, with more than 150 vendors, crafters, and food vendors participating.
Cost: Free
ACUA Environmental Park – 6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Paramus Food Truck Festival
April 26 at 11 AM
Kick off the season with food, music, and fun. There will be over 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, music, pony rides, a petting zoo, knockball, hatchet tossing, inflatables, face painting, sand art, mini golf, and vendors with a beer and margarita tent for adults. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets.
Cost: Please bring a canned or boxed nonperishable item to support the Paramus Food Pantry. Tickets are $5 for admission, and those 5 and under are free.
Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, NJ 07652
United For Impact Food Truck Festival
April 26 at 12 PM
Bring your appetites and head to this food truck festival hosted by the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. There will be food, beer, live music, and lots of fun for the whole family. This event is being held to support and raise awareness of the mission of the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Cost: Free to attend
West Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Earth Day Hike
April 26
Celebrate the Earth at this event with a 3-mile hike on the Mt. Misery and Batona trails, and learn all about the area’s wildlife.
Cost: Free
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, 103 Shinns Road, Vincetown, NJ 08015
Earth Day Celebration & Music Festival
April 26
Celebrate Earth Day in Hoboken with family fun, green vendors, live music from local bands, and more. The whole family will love the family fun, fitness class demos, and eats and treats.
Cost: Free
70 Jackson Plaza, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Daffodil Festival and Earth Day Fair
April 26
The Daffodil Festival and Earth Day Fair will feature a petting zoo, green educational programs and displays, a recycling magician, and musical entertainment. Bring Fido for the annual costumed daffy dog parade.
Cost: Free
Van Neste Square Memorial Park, S Walnut Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
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