It’s the first weekend in May, and you know what that means—a bunch of outdoor spring things to do with the fam. Slide down inflatables and sample food from over 20 gourmet trucks at the Chester Food Truck and Music Fest in Chester, make your own kite to fly at Kite Day at Terhune Orchards in Princeton, or head out for eco-friendly activities and nature trail tours at Wheaton Art’s 16th annual ECO Fair in Millville. If you’re looking for more seasonal things to try, check out everything spring on our bucket list. (Featured Photo Credit: istock/aywan88)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Alpaca Visit: Feeding & More
May 5 – 6 at 10 AM
Feed the lovable and fluffy alpacas of Morning Glori Farmette and take a tour of the farm. Your kids will enjoy Build a Bailey’s (stuffable alpacas) and other crafts available during this event.
Cost: $5-$25. Purchase one walk ticket ($25) for one person in your group and the tour tickets ($5) for the remaining group members.
Morning Glori Farmette, 131 Navy Lane, Evesham Township, NJ 08053
Brick Farmers’ Market
May 6 at 8:30 AM
Bring your family out to Windward Beach Park to connect to the sea and scoop up some genuine sea glass jewelry. You’ll also find fresh produce, coffee, mozzarella made onsite, hand-poured soy candles, homemade baked goods, soap, and more.
Cost: Free
Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Ave, Brick Township, NJ 08724
Ocean City Spring Block Party
May 6 at 9 AM
Spring is here, and it’s time to celebrate at Ocean City Spring Block Party. There will be over 350 crafters, food vendors, music, and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
5th Street to 14th Street on Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226
Buena Historical Society 2023 Spring Festival
May 6 at 9 AM
Guests at Buena Historical Society’s first annual fine crafts and artisans spring festival will discover unique works of art. Spend the day shopping and enjoying entertainment, displays, and games for the kids.
Cost: Free
Buena Historical Society, 201 Kennedy Dr, Landisville, NJ 08326
Galloway Art Festival
May 6 at 10 AM
Join in as the community comes together to celebrate the arts in the forms of jazz, choir, brass bands, theater, dance, drumming, and more. Follow a master schedule of performances led by the Absegami Performing Arts, and enjoy interactive activities as well.
Cost: Free
Village Greene, 615 E Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ 08205
Ocean Grove Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show
May 6 at 10 AM
Spring is here with an arts and crafts show perfect for the whole family. This free event features crafts, arts, music, and food. Enjoy Joy Wymer and band at 11 AM and Chuck Lambert Blues at 1 PM.
Cost: Free
Auditorium Square Park. Main Avenue to Pilgrim Pathway
ECO Fair
May 6 at 10 AM
WheatonArts presents the 16th annual ECO Fair, a free family fun event inspired by natural and artful living. This campus-wide event will feature local gardening clubs, handmade works of New Jersey artists, environmental organizations, nature trail tours, eco-friendly activities for families, and much more.
Cost: Free
WheatonArts, 1000 Village Dr, Millville, NJ 08332
Gardening & Cooking with Kids – Single Class
May 6 at 10 AM
Introduce your child to healthy and joyful eating with a gardening and cooking class at Apple Farms. Each week, you and your little one will plant a fruit or vegetable to take home and learn how to turn it into a nutritious snack.
Cost: $30
Apple Hart Farm, 238 Pleasant Valley Road, Hopewell Township, NJ 085600
Kite Day
May 6- 7 at 10 AM
Let your imagination soar at this family fun event where your kids can make and decorate their own kites. Listen to the music of local bands as your kites take flight; the bands will play from 12 PM – 4 PM. This event will also feature a pony ride, old-fashioned games, and children’s activities in the barnyard.
Cost: Prices vary
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540
Mom-A-Rama Free Festival at Monmouth Mall
May 6 at 11 AM
Shop from a mom for a mom at the 5th annual Mom-A-Roma extravaganza. This indoor, family-friendly day of fun will include local pop-up shops, 120+ local vendors, free swag bags for the first 100 moms, a Kentucky Derby hat contest, door prizes, Kid’s Zone with face paint, and much more.
Cost: Free
Monmouth Mall, 180 New Jersey 35 Eatontown, NJ 07724
Chester Food Truck and Music Fest
May 6 at 11 AM
Round up your crew for a fun day—there will be food trucks, kids’ activities, ax throwing, and inflatables.
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free; please bring an item for the food pantry too
134 Main Street, Chester, NJ 07930
2nd Annual Central NJ Empanada Fest featuring UWA Elite Wrestling
May 6 at 11 AM
Who makes the best empanada in Central NJ? You be the judge. This event will highlight local gourmet food vendors and their unique twists on empanadas and many other food trucks. Enjoy live music from Naughty Humphry and Grand Theft Audio and fun activities for kids and adults, including a bungee trampoline, bounce house, airsoft shooting gallery, face painter, and more.
Cost: Advance tickets are on sale now for $6.50 for 6 years and up. Tickets are $8 at the door. All children 5 and under are free.
755 NJ-18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Cinco de Mayo Food Truck Festival and JEEP Show
May 6 at 11 AM
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a fun-filled day at Laurita Winery. Enjoy outstanding wines with friends and family, all while trying the many delicious food offerings available from onsite food trucks. Supervised children are welcome. You can wine and dine while listening to top live musical artists all weekend.
Cost: $13 for tickets online in advance. $15 for tickets at the gate. Everyone under 21 is free.
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Makerspace Saturdays
May 6 at 11 AM
Are you looking for a kid-friendly project or something creative to do after spending time at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts? Drop by Makerspace for hands-on activities in a new collaborative workspace for kids ages 5 to 12. Your kids will build with Legos, paint, make jewelry, experiment with engineering and coding robots, and more. Children must be accompanied by guardians at all times. Registration is not required.
Cost: Free
METC Education Annex, 23 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940
Spring Blossom Festival
May 6 at 11 AM
Celebrate spring with a scenic hayride through the blooming orchard at Riamede Farm’s inaugural Spring Blossom Festival. The Morris and Somerset County Beekeepers Association will also be
exhibiting a glass-fronted demo hive, allowing visitors to see the inner workings of a real hive. This event will feature live acoustic music, blacksmithing demonstrations, 30 artisan vendors, food trucks, and more.
Cost: $5
Riamede Farm, 122 Oakdale Rd, Chester, NJ 07930
2nd Annual Bordentown Porchfest
May 6 at 12 PM
Bordentown City’s 2nd Annual Porchfest is a family-friendly event featuring musicians of all genres and styles playing free shows on porches throughout the city. Stroll from patio to porch and relax on front lawns and sidewalks as they enjoy live, local talent. A PorchFest guide listing host porches and performance schedules will be available before the event.
Cost: Free
Bordentown, NJ 08505
Skylands Stadium Fest
May 6 at 12 PM
A day of food, fun, and family that you won’t want to miss. Spend a memorable day enjoying the outdoors, with options including 20+ food truck vendors, desserts, and specialty drinks. There will be live music, carnival games, axe throwing, and more.
Cost: $5. Kids under 38″ free.
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 0782
AUCC 5th Annual Festival
May 6 at 12 PM
Experience two days filled with carnival rides, games, a petting zoo, pony rides, entertainment, giveaways, and more at AUCC 5th Annual Festival and Eid Event. Proceeds from the event will help get clean drinking water to areas worldwide.
Cost: $25-$135
AUCC Community Center, 50 Oakdene Avenue Teaneck, NJ 07666
Family Stream Stroll
May 6 at 1 PM
Take a short exploration hike with your family and discover the wonderful life that flourishes in a freshwater ecosystem. You will use nets and magnifiers to search for aquatic life, including salamanders, dragonflies, crayfish, and frogs.
Cost: $10
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, 150 Snake Den Road Ringwood, NJ 07456
Farmingdale Fairy Faire & Fairy Trail Lighting
May 6 at 1 PM
This magical event will feature a beautifully curated array of metaphysical and fairy theme vendors for all to enjoy. A bubble show will begin at 2:00 PM on Main Street next to Connie’s. There will be kids’ crafts, games, and activities at the community center and a scavenger hunt, ending with The Fairy Trail Lighting at 7 PM. You can bring your family to admire fairy creations made and contributed by artists of all ages, near and far.
Cost: Free
11 Asbury Ave. Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Renault Winery 5 Miler and Food Truck Festival
May 7 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
Annual Azalea Festival
May 7 at 10 AM
After 4 years, the Annual Azalea Festival is back. Spend the day among the bright blooms with local craft vendors, food, and gorgeous azalea shrubs. The rain date will be on May 8.
Cost: Free
Sayen Gardens, 155 Hughes Drive, Hamilton, NJ 08690
The Monmouth Moms’ 2nd Annual Springtime Festival
May 7 at 11 AM
Enjoy a day full of fun at The Monmouth Moms’ 2nd Annual Springtime Festival. This event will feature 75+ vendors, food for sale, Mommy and Me activities, a character picture station, face painting, and lots of new activities added. Gift bags will be given out to the first 250 attendees. Registration is required.
Cost: Free
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Springfield Food Truck Festival
May 7 at 11 AM
Celebrate a day in the sun with food trucks, craft vendors, and live music at Springfield Food Truck Festival. Bring blankets and chairs; pop-up tents are permitted.
Cost: Free. $5 at the door. Kids under 5 are free.
Springfield Community Pool, 44 Morrison Rd. Springfield, NJ 07081
Cinco De Mayo Fiesta
May 7 at 11 AM
Dress in your best fiesta attire and head to Burlington County Fairgrounds for the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration. You will enjoy delicious food from local food trucks, drinks, music from DJ Infamous, and a live Mariachi.
Cost: $5 admission. 5 and under free.
Burlington County Fairgrounds, 1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Rd, Columbus, NJ 08022
Spring Fling Street Fair
May 7 at 11:30 AM
Spend the morning at the Fun Run and Kids Race, then head to this lively festival where you can celebrate spring with vendors, music, and activities for the kids.
Cost: Free
Main Street Highland Avenue, Raritan Ave. from 2nd to 5th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Garden State Plaza Food Truck and Music Fest
May 7 at 12 PM
It’s a fun family festival with food trucks, live music, games, and activities for all ages. Enjoy food vendors, live music, games, and activities for all ages, like an Airsoft shooting range, hatchet throwing, bounce house, bungee trampoline, face painters, Henna by Dana, and more.
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
Ongoing Events
Hidden Gems Exhibit
Now – May 8
Journey into a fascinating world of rock structures that underscore the wonder of nature. Enjoy freestanding sculptures inspired by rock structures created with multiple parts of cast, assembled, and carved resin.
Cost: Free
Kean University, 1003 Morris Ave Building 2, Union, NJ 07083
Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2023
Now – May 14
Get up and go! This five-week running program is for kids in Pre-K through 8th grade. Your kid will compete each week for a chance to earn points. At the end of the series, kids who accumulate the most points in their respective distances are awarded trophies. All participants will receive a medal on Week 5.
Cost: $45
LoBiondo Park, 678 Morton Ave, Bridgeton, NJ US 08302
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