March may have come in like a lamb, but that doesn’t mean the first full weekend this month isn’t exciting and filled with lots of family-friendly things to do. Check out how artists and crafters make their masterpieces at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Edison, celebrate the birthday of everyone’s beloved children’s book author at the Dr. Seuss Family Day in Morristown or proudly wear your green at any of the St. Patrick’s Day parades down by the shore.
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are 8 family-friendly things to do this weekend in New Jersey:
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Edison, NJ
Friday, March 6, 10AM – 6PM
Saturday, March 7, 10AM – 6PM
Sunday, March 8, 10AM – 5PM
Bring the whole fam to this lively festival that celebrates makers with a day filled with creativity, artistic ability and fun with displays from over 250 emerging and established artists and crafters. Your family will love the artist demonstrations such as metal spinning or pottery making, live jazz music and yummy food vendors. Littles won’t want to miss the Middle Earth storytelling sessions (back by popular demand).
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center
Edison, NJ
Cost: $8 online, $10 at door, kids 12 and under free
Dr. Seuss Family Day/Seussology
March 7, 11AM – 4PM
Celebrate the 115th birthday of one of the most beloved children’s authors – Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel. Spend the day doing Dr. Seuss inspired crafts and get a chance to meet the Cat and the Hat in person. And what’s more, there’s a show—”Seussoloy”, a fun, lively and interactive program in the adjoining Bickford Theatre, run by a silly and very funny Cat who causes all types of mischief.
Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ
Cost: Cost of Museum Admission, $15 for Seussology at Bickford Children’s Theatre
Ocean County/Seaside Heights St Patrick’s Day Parade
March 7, 12PM
Erin Go Bragh at this popular parade that draws tens of thousands—especially at the end with the “massed” band, which is when all the pipe bands in the parade gather to salute the American Flag. Line the streets early: You won’t want to miss Irish-themed floats, bands and Irish Woman of the Year. After, meet up at the Hershey Hotel where everyone will be dancing a jig to live Irish music.
Seaside Heights, NJ
Annual Cranbury Craft Show
March 7 & 8, 10AM – 4PM
Bring the whole fam to Main Street in Cranbury for a fun day of arts and crafts that will feature over 100 vendors selling quality, handmade items. While you peruse the unique creations of jewelry, silks, ceramics, wood crafts, furniture and more, kids can keep busy by making their mark on the mural, which will be open to all wanting to create. Stick around for lunch at the garden cafe, and make sure you enter the raffles—winners are announced hourly.
23 N Main St.
Cranbury, NJ
Cost: Adults $5, 12 and under free
Artwork Trenton’s Art-Making Days
Saturdays, March 7, 12PM – 4PM
Come celebrate imagination and creativity at this event, which spans two Saturdays in the month (it’s the following weekend too) where all you have to do is show up ready to create. You can bring littles and bigs to the skylit space for mural painting, studio activities and interactive projects—no artistic skills required.
Artworks Trenton
19 Everett Alley, Trenton
Cost: Free
Laurita Winery Shamrock Festival
Saturday, March 7, 12PM – 9PM & Sunday, March 8, 12PM – 8 PM
Whether you’re Irish or just look good in green, grab the kiddos to celebrate the Emerald Isle. Listen to authentic Irish music from live bands, load up on corned beef and soda bread (sold during the festival) and dance the afternoon away—sláinte!
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ
Cost: Free
Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 8, 1PM – 4PM
Line up along the boardwalk to cheer on this lively parade, that will feature local groups of veterans, scouts, dancers, marching bands, classic cars, regional pipe and drum groups, and first responders. Adding to the local fun will be award-winning mummers, clowns, roller girls, live bands on floats, Asbury Park’s beloved zombies and much more. Once the parade ends, stick around for the award ceremony to see if your favorites win.
1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park
Cost: Free
Woodbridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 8, 1:30PM
Even if you’re not Irish, you can still celebrate: This popular parade kicks off with a flag-raising and Irish American ceremony, and then the main event features more than 80 marching bands, including traditional Irish Pipe Bands and Step Dancers, Irish-themed parade floats and community groups. After, follow the parade to the Woodbridge Community Center, where a free post-party celebrating all things Irish will keep the festive mood going until 8PM.
Flag Ceremony at Woodbridge Town Hall at 9AM.
The parade starts at Woodbridge High School and ends at Town Hall, Woodbridge, NJ
