This weekend, kick off the holiday season by hopping on a spectacular train ride through twinkling Christmas light displays at DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express in Hammonton, enjoy the last of fall apples at the 54th Annual Apple Festival in Old Bridge or celebrate World Kindness Day at Dance for Kindness in Red Bank.
featured image via @lorin_whw
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 kid-friendly things to do this weekend around New Jersey:
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
November 8 – 10
All aboard: DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express returns with their spectacular train ride through millions of glowing Christmas lights. Named one the Most Dazzling Light Displays in NJ, you’ll be awe of the twinkling scenes that delight both kids and adults. Off the train, meet Santa and his elves in their workshop, feast on cookies and walk through the classic holiday village. Bonus: Tickets include a round of indoor, 3D glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, as well as a game of bowling (shoe rental included).
DiDonato Family Fun Center
Hammonton, NJ
Cost: $14.95
OLV Christmas Bazaar
November 9, 10AM – 4PM
The holidays will be here before you know it, and this Christmas Bazaar and Craft Show will surely put you in the giving spirit. Pick up gifts for everyone on your list from local New Jersey vendors, while your littles snap photos with Santa, create their own crafts and enjoy yummy home-baked treats. Don’t forget to take a chance to win at the raffles, including the Mystery Gift Card Wheel and Tricky Tray.
Our Lady of Victories Church
Sayerville, NJ
Cost: Free
54th Annual Apple Festival
November 9, 12PM – 4PM
Celebrate the end of fall with the whole fam at this half-century old event, presented by the Madison-Old Bridge Township Historical Society. Sample delicious apple pies and desserts, along with a variety of snacks and refreshments that feature the season’s favorite fruit. You can shop for holiday gifts from vendors, while kids will love watching historical reenactments and making their own crafts.
Old Bridge Civic Center
Old Bridge, NJ
Cost: Free
ToyCon
November 9 – 10
Introduce your kids to the toys of your childhood when you visit this expo, jam-packed with thousands of current and vintage hard-to-find toys, comics, movie memorabilia, books, magazines and collectible toy vendors.While there, head to the game area, and have a ball showing the kids what life like was before an Iphone: Play with classic arcade games, retro video games, pinball machines, board games and slot car racing, as well as many other amusements, all included in the admission.
Parsippany P.A.L. Building
Parsippany, NJ
Cost: $15, Kids 10 and under are free
Saint Peter’s Craft Festival
November 9, 10AM – 4PM
Jump start your holiday gift giving at this festival: Enjoy lunch and baked goods and shopping, while your littles have fun making their own crafts in the kid zone. Browse the gift auction and enter to win raffle prizes, including a 50/50. Be sure to say hello to Santa before you leave!
Saint Peter School
Point Pleasant, NJ
Cost: Free
Greyhound Friends Craft & Pet Expo
November 9 – 10, 10AM-4PM
Spend the day making new furry friends and bring your own ones (leashed pets are welcome) at this fair, sponsored by the Greyhound Friends of NJ. While you peruse the pet-centric and craft vendors, your kids can enter into the coloring contest or visit with rescued greyhounds available for adoption. There’s also a Grey Cafe bake table, informational presentations about pet adoptions and Santa photos (for pets and people).
Westfield Armory
Westfield, NJ
Cost: free, donations encouraged
MAM Family Day: Shadow Play
November 10, 1PM-4PM
Got a budding artist or just want to expose your kids to modern art concepts? Check out this fun and creative day inspired by the playfulness of the current exhibition Impossible Shadows: The Art of Larry Kagan. Take a family tour in the gallery to learn about the artist and his works, then watch a spectacular shadow puppet performance and magic show. In the Family Learning Lab, kids can explore the light and shadow concepts in a self-portrait and participate in art activities like shadow puppets and optical illusions.
Montclair Art Museum
Montclair, NJ
Cost: $10 per family(up to six people)
Dance for Kindness
November 10
Show your kids that kindness is what makes the world a better place, and have a blast doing it. Life Vest Inside (LVI) inspires, empowers and educates people of all backgrounds to lead a life of kindness, and organizes a worldwide freezemob/flashmob to spread awareness. For every dancer that participates, LVI will donate to a local nonprofit in the community. When you register, you’ll receive an email link to the dance tutorial and song, but don’t worry about it if you’ve got two left feet—no dance experience required.
Broad Street between White Street & Mechanic Street
Red Bank, NJ
Cost: free, Please register here
