50+ Kid-Friendly Things To Do This Weekend

Yup, it’s fall, y’all—and we’re so here for it, especially with a ton of things to do this weekend with the fam. Celebrate everything cranberry at the Cranberry Harvest at the Whitesbog Preservation Trust in Brown Mills, jump into fall at the Happy Day Farm Fall Festival in Manalapan or see over 6,000 glowing Jack O’Lanterns at the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience in Augusta. And fill up the rest of your September calendar with all of the free September things to do. (featured photo taken at Happy Day Farm)

(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)

The Wildwoods Irish Fest
September 23-25
Erin Go Bragh—everyone’s Irish at this fest with dancing, music, food, and craft vendors daily. Other festivities include a golf tournament, Irish dance lessons, a 5K run and 1-mile walk, a pipe exhibition, a food court, and a parade.
Cost: Free
Old New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood, NJ 08260

Warren County Hot Air Balloons Fun & Games Festival
September 23-25
Bring the whole family out for hot air balloon rides, children’s activities, crafts, vendors, food trucks, and music.
Cost: Free
475 Route-57 W, Washington, NJ 07882

Wildwood Crest Seafarers’ Celebration
September 24 at 9 AM
This huge bayfront street festival will kick off the new season with live music, craft vendors, food, family entertainment, children’s activities, and more. Fireworks go off at dusk.
Cost: Free
Centennial Park & Sunset Lake, New Jersey Avenue between Rambler Road & Miami Avenue, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260

NMOA: Family Saturdays
September 24 at 10 AM
Kids of all ages can be a part of MakerSPACE, the Perfect Little Planet Planetarium Show, creative play, and other kid-friendly activities at the Newark Museum of Art.
Cost: Free general admission tickets
49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102

Edison’s Fall Family Spectacular
September 24 at 11 AM
Bring the family to this festival with kiddie rides, games, face painting, sand art, a pro wrestling ring, a remote control car track, food, crafts, exhibitors, a Wine & Beer Garden, and live music.
Cost: Free
1011 Amboy Ave., Edison, NJ 08817

Donaldson Farms Fall Harvest Weekends
September 24-October 30 and October 10
Head to the farm for apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn cannons, apple cider samples, and seasonal treats.
Cost: Free to enter
358 Allen Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Alpaca Visit: Tour and Feeding
September 24, October 5, October 22, November 10, and November 12
Morning Glori Farmette will be open for group tours and walks with alpacas. Build a Bailey’s (stuffable alpacas), and other crafts will be available during this time.
Cost: 1 walk ticket ($25) for one person in your group and the tour tickets ($5) for the remaining people in your group.
131 Navy Lane, Evesham Township, NJ 08053

Chester Oktoberfest
September 24-25 at 12 PM
Live music, authentic German food, entertainers, activities, rides, games, and crafts are available for kids to enjoy.
Cost: $7 and free for children under 12
Chubb Park on Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930

Fall Festival at the Shoppes at Dragon Village
September 24-25
See vendors, food trucks, and entertainers. There will be train rides and activities for kids.
Cost: Free, parking is $2 per car
97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Hackettstown Oktoberfest
September 24-25
Kick off the fall season with a town-wide event with kids’ activities, contests, craft vendors, music, drinks, and food. This Oktoberfest is a family-friendly event.
Cost: Free
Main St., Valentine St., and Grand Ave., Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Margate Fall Funfest By the Bay
September 24-25
Visit over 125 booths and activities loaded with music, games, back-bay nature tours, live music, and educational exhibits. Check out crafts from over 65 juried artisans, and new this year will be a Cornhole Tournament, open to everyone.
Cost: Free
Amherst Avenue in Margate from Washington Avenue to Coolidge Avenues

25th Garfield Fall Family Street Fest
September 25 at 10 AM
It’s a giant block party with shopping, craft vendors, live entertainment, kiddie rides, games, food, and more. There will also be the “Kidz Traveling Shindig” with kiddie bounce rides, slides and interactive blow-ups, face painters, sand art, and games.
Cost: Free
500 Midland Avenue, Garfield, NJ 07026

Monarch Festival
September 25 at 10 AM
Learn about monarchs, their migration, and their habitats at this lively festival dedicated to butterflies. There will be music, food, and monarch tagging demonstrations. Make a craft to take home, get your face painted, practice monarch yoga, and join the migration parade.
Cost: Donations are always appreciated
1600 Delaware Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204

Railroad Museum (for a day) 2022
September 25 at 10 AM
See antique trains and vehicles, exhibits, and experience live music. There will also be a shuttle to the Boonton Day Street Fair, where you can have fun enjoying vendors, food trucks, and inflatables.
Cost: $5
United Railroad Historical Society of NJ, 104 Morris Ave, Boonton, NJ 07005

Harvest Home Festival
September 25 at 11 AM
It’s an old-fashioned fair reminiscent of the 1890s at the Historic Longstreet Farm. Visitors can enjoy games and live entertainment.
Cost: Free
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733

Nutley Fall Fest In The Park
September 25 at 11 AM
There will be vendors, food trucks, activities, and events for the entire family at the Nutley Fall Fest. Children’s activities include face painting and more. DJ MC will provide live music. The rain date for this event is October 2.
Cost: Free
Memorial Park I (the Mud Hole) is located at the corner of Vreeland Ave and Passaic Ave, Nutley, NJ 07110

Open House at Muddy Paws Farm Rescue
September 25 at 1 PM
Meet the residents of Muddy Paws Farm Rescue and take a tour of the property to visit with friendly farm animals and learn about the farm. Muddy Paws Farm is home to over 35 rescued farm animals, including donkeys, goats, cows, and horses.
Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated
17 Retreat Road, Southhampton, NJ 08088

Zeppelin Hall Oktoberfest 
September 25-October 24
During this almost-a-full-month-long celebration, they’re serving Oktoberfest beer, Bavarian dishes, and pretzels – with kid-friendly options like burgers and mac and cheese. On weekends, your whole family can relax and enjoy the live German bands that play from 2 PM to 7 PM (on both days) on stage.
88 Liberty View Dr., Jersey City, NJ 07302

RWJBarnabas Health Events

Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen
September 20, 27
Come in person or join virtually for this hands-on cooking for ages 8-12. Your child will learn how to cook with nutritious ingredients, how to read a recipe, kitchen safety tips, measuring techniques, and learn knife skills.
Cost: Free
Online or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112

Family & Friends Adult, Child, and Infant CPR with RWJBarnabas Health
September 21 at 6 PM
The AHA’s Family & Friends® CPR Course is a video-based, classroom course intended for anyone who wants to learn CPR and prefers to learn in an Instructor-led or facilitated group environment.* This is not a certification course.* A book for reference with a completion card will be given in class. Individuals 10 and up are welcome to attend. Registration is required.
Cost: Free
Virtual or LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Rd. Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724

Family-Feud Cook-Off (hybrid)
September 21 at 6:30 PM
Celebrate family meals month with a little friendly competition. Each family team will receive a basket filled with “special ingredients” and work together to create a simple meal. A virtual option is also available. Registration is required.
Cost: Free
Virtual or LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Rd. Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724

National Seat Check Saturday – Jersey City Medical Center
September 24 at 10 AM
RWJBarnabas Health is helping you make sure your child is in the proper seat for their age and size with a vehicle inspection and car seat check.
Cost: Free
Target Parking Lot, 100 14th Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Cardiac and Concussion Screenings for Young Athletes
September 24 at 8 AM
The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes is providing free cardiac and concussion screenings for young athletes. Cardiac Screenings are open to the first 75 athletes aged 6-18; Concussion Screenings are available to the first 75 athletes aged 5-18. An appointment is required in advance.
Cost: Free
South Mountain Recreation Complex at Codey Arena, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052

2022 Steeplechase Distance Run
September 25 at 7:30 AM in-person or virtually
Bring the whole fam out to support the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset with the 14th annual Steeplechase Distance Run. This event raises money to create free supportive services for patients, including educational programs, and proceeds also benefit the patient assistance fund.
Register for the event.
Registration Fee: $33 for adults, $15 for kids 15 and under, The 100 Mile Challenge entry fee is $45 and includes complimentary registration for the 10K or 5K runs or the 2-mile walk. Children age 15 and under participate in the 100 Mile Challenge for $30.
Amsterdam Elementary School, 301 Amsterdam Drive, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Ongoing Events

Ort Farms Fall Festival
Now-October 23
It’s opening weekend to pick your own apples, take the sunflower trail, wander through the corn maze, and don’t miss the apple cannon.
Cost: $10 per person; 2 and under are free
25 Bartley Rd, Long Valley, NJ 07853

Terhune Orchards Fall Family Fun Weekends
Now-October 29-30
Get all the fall feels at Terhune with their adventure barn, live music, pony rides, pumpkin picking, duck races, and pick-your-own opportunities.
Cost: A variety of packages are available
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540

Argos Farm Festival
Now-October 30
Visit the pumpkin patch, Double Hay Slide, Bee Zip Line, Jumbo Jumper Air Pillow, Gauntlet Obstacle Course, Cow Train Rides, Peddle Carts, Ball Zone, Wall Ball, Checkers, Corn Hole, and so much more.
Cost: $13.95 and up during the week and $16.95 and up on weekends
1250 Lacey Rd, Forked River, NJ 08731

Happy Day Farm Fall Festival
Now-October 30
Spend the day at Happy Day going from giant checkers to an inflatable corn maze, horse swings to petal carts, and all of the fall fun you can imagine in one place during their annual fall festival.
Cost: $24 per person
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726

Fall Festival Weekends at Von Thun Farms
Now-October 30
Two locations are full of fall fun for the whole family, with pumpkin picking, corn mazes, hayrides, corn cannons, and apple blasters. Events may vary by location.
Cost: $16.99-$17.99 and up, depending on location and package
505 Ridge Road, Dayton, NJ 08810
438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882

Sunflower September & Fall Festivals at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm
Now-October 30
Sunflowers and fall fun will fill the weekends at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm until the end of October.
Cost: $12.95
2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown, NJ 08041

Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers
September 23-25, 30-October 2, October 7-9
Get ready for four consecutive weekends of German-themed goodness with “Oktober das Oktopus,” live entertainment, kids’ activities, and more at the lively Oktoberfest on Morey’s Piers. 
3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
(609) 729-3700

Cranberry Harvest at the Whitesbog Preservation Trust
September 20, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 30 and October 1
Take staff-guided hikes to see New Jersey cranberries, learn about cranberry history, and taste cranberry products and there will be a harvest activity too.
Cost: Free
120 West Whites Bog Road #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015

Live Outdoor Jazz! 4th Annual Jersey City Pier Fest
September 23 and 30 at 6 PM
It’s the 4th annual Pierfest on Friday nights on the water. There will be live music, classic Latin Jazz, Salsa dancing, and food.
Cost: Free
Exchange Place, 10 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Diggerfest Fall Festival
Weekends in September-October
Pumpkins are starting to pop up all over Diggerland USA. Enjoy hayrides, live music, carnival games, pumpkin decorating, fall parades, and more.
Cost: $45.95
100 Pineadge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091

Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure
Now-October 31
Haunted Houses, Scare Zones, and Rides in the Dark can only mean one thing—Fright Fest is back. This spooky event will keep older kids and adults on their toes (recommended for ages 13 and over). Enter if you dare!
Cost: Starting at $34.99
1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527

Great Pumpkin Festival
Now-November 6
Head to Heaven Hill Farm for this fall-themed festival featuring the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, hayrides, farm animals, pedal carts, a 40th anniversary-themed corn maze, gem mining, apple cannons, and more fall fun.
Cost: $14.99-$22.99
451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462

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