This week, we’re halfway to Halloween, and there’s plenty of family-friendly things to do to celebrate the holiday and the season. Take a ride on the Trick or Treat Train at DiDonato Family Fun Center in Hammonton, get up close with barnyard animals at Grayrock N Roll Fall Festival in Clinton, or spend the day outside and Celebrate Fall at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit.
Featured image via @didonatofuncenter
Psst! We love seeing your social-distancing New Jersey adventures. Be sure to tag your photos with #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured in our round-up next week.
Virtual Dinosaurs Late Night
October 14th, 6-7:30PM
Gather the family together for a night that takes you back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth. There will be a guest presentation about Therapod dinosaurs, educational activities, and a trivia game. Kids of all ages will be sure to learn more about dinosaurs than they ever had before (and you may pick up a few cool facts yourself).
Free
Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences Geology Museum
DiDonato Family Fun Center Trick-Or-Treat Train
October 16, 4-8PM
October 17, 12-8PM
October 18, 12-6PM
“All-a-boo” the Trick-Or-Treat Train at DiDonato’s Family Fun Center this weekend, an outdoor train ride that’s fun for the whole family (and perfect for social distancing because each family has their own train car.) After you hop off the train, head into their Halloween Hay Maze, search for the perfect pumpkin in their pumpkin patch, and don’t forget to pick up a pre-wrapped treat at the snack and toy cottage.
$10-13 per ticket, children under 12 months are free
DiDonato Family Fun Center
1151 South White Horse Pike
Hammonton
Flashlight Friday Corn Maze in the Dark
October 16th and 17th, 6:30-9 PM
This spook-free corn maze will still give your kids thrills in the dark—bring your flashlight from home and navigate the 30-45 minute maze under the moonlight. After, pick up a pumpkin, and festive fall treats for the ride home.
$7 per person
Coombs Barnyard
20 Route 77 / 20 Pole Tavern Road
Elmer
Sing-Along Event and Frozen Showing
October 17th, 7-10 PM
This drive-in event is fun for the whole family. Park the car and pre-movie, sing along to all your favorite Disney songs, with characters from Mary Poppins and Aladdin. Then, grab a snack from one of the food trucks and settle in to watch Frozen 2 under the stars.
$30 per person
Cherry Hill Mall
2000 RT. 38
Cherry Hill
Fall Allaire Music Jamboree
October 17th and 18th, 11AM – 4PM
Bring the whole fam to listen to local NJ bands perform bluegrass and Americana music at this lively outdoor festival. And come hungry—there will be treats from the Allaire Bakery and plenty of food trucks to keep even the pickiest eaters satisfied. In between sets, check out the artisan vendors, and then take a tour of the Historic Village at Allaire, which will transport you back to the 19th century (otherwise known as life without smartphones).
$5-$18
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall
Grayrock N Roll Fall Festival
October 17th, 10AM – 4PM
Whether you want to hang out with horses, shop from vendors, or cheer your little ones on in a potato sack race, this festival has fun for all ages. And you’ll feel good doing good—all proceeds go to the care and feeding of the rescued Grayrock animals.
Free (with a $2 parking fee)
Grayrock Farm Sanctuary
85 Grayrock Road
Clinton
Sea Turtle Recovery’s Evening
October 17th, 5-7 PM
If you’ve been avoiding the crowds at the zoo, this night is perfect for social distancing and supporting sea turtle recovery, since only 200 people will be allowed in. You’ll get two hours to gaze at big cats, sea lions, birds, and more, as well as ride the zoo fave choo-choo over and over again.
$20 per adult, $15 per child under 18, free for children 2 or younger
Sea Turtle Recovery/Essex County Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue)
West Orange
Fall Food Truck and Music Bash
October 17th, 11AM – 6:30PM
Celebrate fall social distance style, with over 20 food trucks, two live bands, and plenty of kids’ activities, as well as a beer and sangria garden (yes, please). Plan to spend the day outside, and don’t forget to bring chairs and a non-perishable food item to fill the local Woodbridge Food Pantry shelves.
$5 + a non-perishable canned or boxed food item to support the food pantry (children 5 and under are free)
Woodbridge Center
250 Woodbridge Center Drive
Woodbridge
Celebrate Fall
October 18th, 11AM – 1PM
Bring the entire fam out to admire the golden fall foliage as well as lots of Halloween activities, like pumpkin painting and a spooky trail. As you walk along the tree-lined arboretum, check out the food, crafts, music, and spend time petting the friendly goats. There will be two time slots to attend, and pre-registration is recommended to keep crowds to a minimum.
Free for members of the Reeves-Reed Arboretum and children under 3, $8 per person for non-members
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Avenue
Summit
