It’s the last weekend of April (how’d that happen?), and with it, plenty of kid-friendly things to do to celebrate the spring weather and bright blooms. Take part in Historic Garden tours, native seed crafting, and yoga at the Party Like It’s Your Earth Day in Princeton, bring your crew and enjoy multiple live musical acts, kid’s activities, and vendors at the Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair 2025 in Washington, or enjoy empanada trucks, live music, and craft vendors at the The Original NJ Empanada Fest in Manville. And for more April fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo: @sustainableprinceton)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Earth Day Green Market
April 25 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
Opening Weekend of Peony’s Envy Display Garden
April 25-27
Bring the whole family to this 7-acre peony garden, where you will admire the gorgeous blooms and stroll through the flowers.
Cost: $10 per person
35 Autumn Hill Drive, Bernardsville, NJ 07924
Go Green with Hope
April 26 at 10 AM
This environmental-themed festival has something for every age. It includes 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
Rutgers Day
April 26 at 10 AM
Bring the whole family to 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
The Original NJ Empanada Fest
April 26 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, and much more.
Cost: Food and music fest admission will be $6 for everyone over 6 years old.
Rustic Mall, Manville, NJ 08835
Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair 2025
April 26 at 10 AM
Bring your crew to this festival filled with activities that everyone can enjoy. Don’t miss out on the multiple live musical acts, kid’s activities, and plenty of vendors throughout the day.
Cost: Free
44 E. Washington Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882
2025 Monmouth County SPCA Dog Walk + Pet Fair
April 26 at 11 AM
Families, friends, and animal lovers can attend this event and enjoy a park tour, shop local vendors, explore information about the MCSPCA, do 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
2025 Walk & Roll For Wishes
April 26 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 in Cape May
April 26 at 10 AM
At the Cape May County Park & Zoo Earth Day Celebration, the whole family can experience hands-on educational exhibits, children’s amusements, live entertainment, environmental eco-shops, and a scavenger hunt.
Cost: Free
Cape May County Park and Zoo, 700 US 9, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Earth Day Celebration 2025
April 26 at 9 AM
Kick off your Earth Day celebration with a pollinator garden tour, native plant planting, and park cleanup. This celebration is part of a week of events focused on restoring the planet.
Cost: Free
Crane Park, Glenridge Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042
The Northeast Coalition Earth Day Celebration
April 26 at 9 AM
Join the Official Earth Day Celebration at Crane Park in Montclair. Volunteers will gather for cleanups on Pine Street, Erie Park, Brookdale Park, and Glenridge Avenue (behind the Bay Street Train Station). The celebration will continue in and around Crane Park until 3 PM with tabling, music, and other family-friendly activities.
Cost: Free
Montclair, NJ 07042
Earth Day Celebration
April 26 at 10 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 more.
Cost: Free
Rifle Camp Park, 387 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Cattus Island Nature Festival
April 26 at 10 AM
Join the Cattus Island Nature Festival in its 45th year, an event connecting the community with nature. At this event, you can experience kayak tours, seining, live animal talks, The Great Bug Race, crafts, nature games, and more.
Cost: Free
Cooper Environmental Center, 1170 Cattus Island Blvd, Toms River, NJ 08753
Point Pleasant Environmental Commission Earth Day Celebration
April 26 at 12 PM
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 to check out while you walk around.
Cost: Free
Riverfront Park, 2201 River Rd, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Earth Day 2025
April 26 at 10 AM
Honor the Earth at this event, including a park clean-up, family activities and games, eco exhibitors, bird watching, giveaways, food trucks, and more.
Cost: Free
Liberty State Park, 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Shadfest
April 26-27 at 11 AM
Celebrate 41 years of family, fun, and fish in Lambertville. This year’s Shad Fest will feature the region’s finest artists and crafters, a kid’s 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
Earth Day Activities in Monmouth County
April 26-27, times vary
The whole family can partake in outdoor Earth Day events, including an open house at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, planting along the shore, or Beachcombing and cleanup at Seven President’s Park and Bayshore Waterfront Park.
Various locations in Monmouth County
Hawthorne Art in the Park
April 26-27
Visit nearly 50 vendors selling their artwork and handcrafted goods. There will also be 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
Red Bank Street Fair and Craft Show
April 27 at 11 AM
Head to Red Bank for a day filled with music, dancing, food, and tons 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
United For Impact Food Truck Festival
April 27 at 12 PM
Bring your appetites and head to this food truck festival hosted by the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Food, beer, live music, and lots of fun for the whole family will be there. This event is being held to support and raise awareness to the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Cost: Free to attend
West Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Mosaic 15th Annual 5K Run Walk & Family Fun Run
April 27 at 9 AM
Give back and get your heart rate going at the 15th Annual Mosaic (formerly Seashore Gardens Foundation) 5K Run Walk and Family Fun Run. Net proceeds from this event will benefit Alzheimer’s and Dementia outreach and programs.
Cost: Registration cost varies
Albany Avenue Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Spring Festival and Earth Day Celebration
April 27 at 11 AM
Step into a day of history and family fun at the annual Red Bank Battlefield Spring Festival. The festival features games and crafts for children, a petting zoo, sheepshearing demonstrations, and a magic show.
Cost: Free
Red Bank Battlefield, 100 Hessian Ave, National Park, NJ 08063
Earth Day 2025
April 27 at 11 AM
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 Ave, Roseland, NJ 07068
Party Like It’s Your Earth Day
April 27 at 11 AM
Head out to Marven Museum and Garden for a festive day of community action for the whole family. Activities include Historic Garden tours, native seed crafting, free bike repairs, yoga provided by Gemma from Gratitude Yoga, and much more.
Cost: Free; registration is required.
Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ 08540
Earth Day Celebration
April 27 at 11 AM
All ages are welcome to this free Earth Day celebration full of activities for the whole family. This event will feature guided nature walks and hikes, educational displays, tree sapling giveaways, volunteer opportunities, nature crafts and games, a scavenger hunt, and more. The rain date is Sunday, May 4.
Cost: Free
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, 150 Snake Den Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Earth Day Celebration & Music Festival
April 27 at 11 AM
Celebrate Earth Day in Hoboken with family fun, a green market, live music from local bands, and more. The whole family will love the fun nature-inspired art activities for all ages, a green artisan market, fitness class demos, face painting, and animal encounters.
Cost: Free
70 Jackson Plaza, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Daffodil Festival and Earth Day Fair
April 27 at 11 AM
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 at 12:30 PM.
Cost: Free
Van Neste Square Memorial Park, S Walnut St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
33rd Annual Earth Day Festival
April 27 at 10 AM
Come out for a day of free, fun, and educational activities for all ages, rain or shine. The celebration features more than 150 vendors, crafters, food vendors, and exhibitors.
Cost: Free
Atlantic County Utilities Authority, 6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
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
