Spring is finally here, and with it, a bunch of free things to do in April at home or out. Watch a virtual puppet show with Mystery Max with the Millburn Public Library, see baby chicks during Henhouse Visiting Day at Howell Living History Farm, or celebrate Earth Day by helping restore dunes or taking a conservation education trail walk with the Monmouth County Park System. Ready to make a plan? Scroll down to find lots of free fun this April. And for more ideas on what to do this spring, make sure you check out our NJMOM spring bucket list.
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Here are free things to do in NJ in April
Virtual Things To Do
Musical Story Time with Miss Michelle
April 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 10:30 AM and April 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 4:00 PM
Join Miss Michelle on Facebook Live for some storytime fun with the West Caldwell Public Library.
(973) 226-5441
Online (or Outdoor) Crafternoon at the Johnson Public Library
April 5, 12, 19, 26 from 3:30 PM – 3:45 PM
The Johnson Public Library in Hackensack is hosting a virtual craft time. Supplies for the craft will be available for pick-up in activity kits every Monday on a first-come, first-serve basis.
(201) 343-4169
Virtual Barking Book Buddies
April 5 from 6:45 PM – 7:15 PM
Take a turn reading to a therapy dog. This event is through the Cherry Hill Public Library, and it’s in partnership with the Tri-State K-9 Crisis Response Team. Registration required.
(856) 667-0300
Virtual Story Time at the Cherry Hill Public Library
April 6 from 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
One of the Cherry Hill librarians will share a story during this storytime. For ages 0-5.
(856) 667-0300
Story Time with Miss Linda
April 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Enjoy a virtual storytime with Miss Linda and the Avalon Free Public Library. The program link will be available the morning of the storytime.
(609) 967-7155
Duke Farms Virtual Webinar: NJ Environmental “Rock Stars” – A Reflection
April 13 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Learn all about New Jersey environmental “Rock Stars” with Duke Farms.
(908) 722-3700
Duke Farms Virtual Webinar: Bald Eagle Basics for Families
April 17 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Learn all about the behavior, adaptations, food chains, and ecological importance of the lives of a nesting pair of bald eagles with Duke Farms.
(908) 722-3700
Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast Book Club
April 19 from 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Read any Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast book, create a drawing of your favorite character and participate in a scavenger hunt with the Cape May Public Library. This event is recommended for ages 5-10, and registration is required.
(609) 884-9568
Duke Farms Virtual Webinar: Behind the Scenes – Rare Plants of NJ
April 22 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Join Ecological Research Manager Charles Barreca as he reviews the NJ Natural Heritage Program and the role that Duke Farms is playing in establishing populations of rare plants.
(908) 722-3700
Mayo Performing Arts Center Virtual Earth Day National Geographic Live Lecture with Andy Mann
April 22 at 7:00 PM
Dive in and celebrate the ocean with award-winning photographer and filmmaker Andy Mann. He will detail the rapidly changing planet from the top of the mountains to the bottom of the sea. Reservations for this public event begin on April 1 at 10 AM.
(973) 539-8008
Raptor Adaptations
April 23 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Do your kids want to learn all about raptors? Join the Nature Conservancy virtually as The Raptor Trust takes an in-depth look at the biological adaptations of raptors (hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and vultures) and what makes each group unique. Please RSVP for this event.
(973) 326-7600
Wonderspark Puppets: Who took the cookies from the cookie jar?
April 23 from 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM
The well-known children’s song “Who took the cookies from the cookie jar” will come to life in a mystery show with the Millburn Public Library. Join Mystery Max as he searches to find out whodunit. Registration opens on April 2.
(973) 376-1006
Barnes and Noble Virtual Saturday Story Time
April 1-30
Click on the link every Saturday to hear a featured picture book read aloud.
1-800-843-2665
Free April events in NJ in-person
(Note: Since COVID-19 rules and regulations are continually changing, it best to check ahead for in-person events)
Morristown’s Egg-cellent Adventure
April 1 – 12
Take a scavenger hunt around Morristown to historical sites, business locations, and points of interest. Clues are available on the Town of Morristown, Morristown Partnership websites, and social media. Prizes are available.
Morristown, NJ
(973) 455-1133
Princeton Farmers Market
April 1, 15, and 29 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Shop the Farmer’s Market in Princeton on select Thursdays in February; check the website for updates.
46-80 Franklin Avenue, parking lot, Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 924-8431
Easter EGGstravaganZOO at Cape May County Park Zoo
April 2 – 11 from 10:00 AM- 3:30 PM
Spy Easter eggs on a self-guided egg hunt, try out a HOPstacle course, use your sleuth skills on a scavenger hunt, or create a personalized zoo shoutout video made with the animal of your choice this Easter. The zoo will also be decorated, providing many photo ops.
Cape May County Park/Zoo
707 Route US 9 North, Cape May, NJ 08210
(609) 465-5271
Ocean City Great Egg Hunt
April 3 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The traditional beach event has moved to the boardwalk. Stores will invite children up to 7 years old to hunt collect eggs. A flyer will be available to map out the participating stores.
Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 399-1412
Henhouse Visits at the Howell Living History Farm
April 3 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Kids will be able to step inside a working henhouse, and they can even bring an egg home if they find one in the nest box. Participants can also learn candling and grading while visiting the farm’s 50 new baby chicks in the brooder coop. A children’s craft is available for a small fee.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Seaside Heights High Tech Easter Egg Hunt
April 3 and 4 from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Use your smartphone for hunting for eggs this year at the Seaside Heights egg hunt. Win prizes like a slice of Maruca’s Tomato Pie or a 2021 daily beach badge.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
West Windsor Community Farmers Market
April 3 and 17 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Meander through this open-air market to find winter produce, pastured meats and poultry, fresh seafood, jams, chocolates, wine, and much more. Masks are required, and pre-ordering options are available with certain vendors.
MarketFair Parking Lot 3535 Rt 1 South (in front of AMC Theaters), West Windsor, NJ 08540
(609) 933-4452
Walking Tour of the Battlefield
April 4 at 1:30 PM
Meet at the Visitor’s Center Auditorium to take a Monmouth Battlefield tour with the Friends of the Monmouth County Battlefield.
16 Highway 33-BR, Manalapan, NJ 07726
(609) 448-6355
Spring Beekeeping and Gardening at the Howell Living History Farm
April 10 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Beekeeper, John Hughes, will open the beehives to see queen, drones, and worker bees. A 45-minute presentation of “Life in a Bee Colony” is included.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Draft Animal (Plowing) Demonstration
April 10 and 11 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
See the horses in action as they plow, which is the first traditional step in field preparation. Visitors can also experience turning a farrow with the guidance of our farmers.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford
April 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Watch the 19th-century historic Gristmill in action.
62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501
(609) 259-6275
Splendid Spring Stroll
April 12 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at Clayton Park, and April April 26 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at Freneau Woods Park
Say “farewell” to winter and “hello” to spring as a park naturalist guides you through some Monmouth County trails.
Clayton Woods – 161 Emley’s Hill Road, (Imlaystown) Upper Freehold, NJ 08526 – (609) 259-5794
Freneau Woods Park – 360 Monastary Lane, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747 – (732) 842-4000
The Casual Birder
April 13 at 9:00 AM at Freneau Woods Park, and April 27 at 9:00 AM at Shark River Park
Take a laid-back morning walk with a park naturalist to spot local birds in the area.
Freneau Woods Park – 360 Monastary Lane, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747 – (732) 842-4000
Shark River Park – 1101 Schoolhouse Road, Wall, NJ 07753 – (732) 922-4080
Nature Lecture Series: American Oystercatchers of the Jersey Shore
April 15 from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Meet at the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center to discover why the American Oystercatcher bird is on the decline. Learn about its nesting activities, diet, and where it travels to in the winter.
719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
(732) 787-3033
Plowing, Harrowing, and Wash Day at the Howell Living History Farm
April 17 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Horses will plow and harrow the ground to prepare the fields for planting corn. Visitors will be able to step into the field and try out the plow for themselves, which could be good practice for the farm’s plowing match in the fall.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Accordion Melodies of the 1890s at Historic Longstreet Farm
April 17 from 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM
Visit Historic Longstreet Farm and listen to melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Hunterdon Land Trust’s Winter Farmers Market
April 18 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
This popular market has picked up many great vendors, including Aquasprouts Farm, an aquaponics farm with lettuce and kale, and Will’s Amazing Vegan Burgers. There are also local coffee roasters, homemade dog biscuits, and goat’s milk products.
111 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 237-4582
Driving Tour of the battle area east of Freehold
April 18 at 1:30 PM
Meet at the Visitor’s Center Auditorium to take a Monmouth Battlefield tour with the Friends of the Monmouth County Battlefield. This tour will include the seldom-seen East Morass and Briar Hill battle locations.
16 Highway 33-BR, Manalapan, NJ 07726
(609) 448-6355
Earth Day Dune Planting at Bayshore Waterfront Park
April 22 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Plant native grasses and perennials to help with the dune restoration project at Bayshore Waterfront Park. Plants are in limited supply, so the event is first-come, first-serve.
719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
(732) 787-3033
Earth Day Nature Activities
April 24 at various time and locations within the Monmouth County Park System
Get involved this Earth Day with many activities around Monmouth County. Learn about saltwater fish at the Bayshore Park Activity Center, take a nature walk at Freneau Woods or Manasquan Reservoir, take a pond walk at the Holmdel Park Pond View Shelter, take a bird walk at Shark River Park, or discover freshwater creatures at Huber Woods.
(732) 842-4000
Potato Planting at the Howell Living History Farm
April 24 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Join Bill and Jesse to help plant a potato field that will yield over 2,000 pounds of food for local soup kitchens. While farmers plow the field, helpers can follow behind and add seeds in the furrows, and They will harvest the crop in mid-August.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Wool Days/Sheep Shearing at Historic Longstreet Farm
April 24 and 25 from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Learn how staff uses traditional shearing practices to remove the fleece from sheep. There will even be a sheep herding demonstration.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Climb Time at Clayton Park
April 25 from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Try out the park system’s 25′ portable climbing wall for anyone 42′ and taller. This is open to ages 8 and up, and anyone under 18 must be with an adult.
161 Emley’s Hill Road, (Imlaystown) Upper Freehold, NJ 08526
(609) 259-5794
Columbus Farmers Market Complex
Days and hours vary for each market.
There’s more than produce at this huge market—it’s filled with retail shops, like antique stores, a garden center, an Amish market, and a flea market. Head to the produce row area to find local offerings, including fish, fruit, and eggs.
2919 Route 206, Columbus, NJ 08022
(609) 267-0400
Trenton Farmers Market
Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
This permanent market has been the center of local shopping since 1948. You’ll find 40 different businesses highlighting local fresh produce, Amish baked goods, fresh meat and seafood, candy, snacks, and much more. Be sure to check back with them at the end of April, as the hours change for summer in May.
960 Spruce Street, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
(609) 695-2998
Stockton Market
Fridays 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Saturdays 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sundays 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
This isn’t your typical farmers market: Besides buying the usual local produce, you can have a meal here (there are a cafe and eat-in food stands) and enjoy the river views. Pop-up vendors are available, offering the best from area makers.
19 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ 08559
(609) 608-2824
Montclair Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
At this year-round market, you’ll find treats like gluten-free baked goods, micro-greens, fresh-cut bouquets and herbs, spices, soups, and many other locally-made specialty items.
Walnut Street Train Station, 86 Walnut St, Montclair, NJ 07042
Stangl Factory Market
Saturdays from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Housed in the original Stangl pottery factory, this unique atmosphere makes it fun to browse through purveyors offering locally-sourced vegetables, grass-fed meats, artisan bread and cheeses, pastured eggs, specialty prepared foods, and desserts. The market also has plenty of beautiful artisan goods, including handmade baskets, turned wood, soaps and bath products, and handspun yarn.
Mine Street & Stangl Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 963-8832
Ramsey Farmers Market
Sunday through April, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
This outdoor market boasts various specialty food purveyors—check out the empanadas, sea salt, kimchi, fermented veggies, and more on the alternating schedule. There are also many non-food vendors as well, including knife-sharpening, jewelry, and other crafts.
Main Street Train Station, Ramsey, NJ 07446
(201) 675-6866
Winter Farmers Market
Sundays through April 25 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
This Sunday morning market is a partnership with Grow It Green Morristown. Each week, you’ll find a revolving list of local vendors who offer a great assortment of cheeses, produce prepared foods, and baked goods.
6 Normandy Heights Road (Morris Museum Parking Deck), Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 206-4177
What’s your family doing this April for fun? Tell us—we’d love to hear about more things to do.
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