With Earth Day here and warmer weather, there’s plenty to do with the family in nature and out this week. Help restore the shoreline at Earth Day Dune Planting in Port Monmouth, dance to a band at Live Music Weekends at Terhune Orchards in Princeton, or head into space when you catch The Supermoon Virtual Show with Liberty Science Center.
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Restore The Earth: A Kids Earth Day Celebration
Wednesday, April 21 from 3:30 PM – 5 PM
Grade school kids can learn about the earth (and count this towards a science class) during these activities that focus on constructing a shelter for wildlife, going on an invasive species scavenger hunt, and participating in a litter clean-up challenge. This program is a drop-off activity for ages 5-9 years old. Capacity is limited, and there is a fee to participate. Registration is required.
Cost: $15 per child
Schiff Natural Lands Trust & Schiff Nature Preserve
339 Pleasant Valley Road, Mendham, NJ 07945
(973) 543-6004
Historic Smithville Earth Day Event
Thursday, April 22 from 4 PM – 7 PM
This special Earth Day market has plenty to help you reduce your carbon footprint. With plants, baked goods, and crafters to buy from, you can deck out your home with healthy treats and environmentally-friendly things.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville
615 E Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
(609) 748-8999
Earth Day Dune Planting at Bayshore Waterfront Park
Thursday, April 22 from 4 PM – 6 PM
Come ready to 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.
Cost: Free
719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
(732) 787-3033
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 24 from 7 AM – 3 PM
The options are endless with how you can celebrate Earth Day in Monmouth County. Whether you want to go on a bird walk, a pond walk or discover freshwater creatures, spend the day appreciating the beauty of Earth’s wildlife and nature.
Cost: Free
Monmouth County Park Systems
Locations will vary depending on activity
(732) 842-4000
Grayrock N’ Roll Spring Festival
Saturday, April 24 from 9 AM – 4 PM
More than 60 vendors will be here, selling handmade home decor, clothing, art, food, and so much more! If you get your fill of shopping, you can also hang out with the cats, kittens, and other friendly farm animals at Grayrock Farm Sanctuary.
Cost: Free (with a $5 parking fee)
Grayrock Farm Sanctuary
85 Grayrock Road, Clinton, NJ 08809
(908) 343-9624
Garden Stories
Saturday, April 24 from 10 AM – 11 AM
Kids will love listening to a story read out loud in the beautiful gardens of Grounds for Sculpture. During the lively presentation inspired by the surroundings, you can sit back and relax in the beauty of nature.
Cost: $20 per adult non-members, $10 per adult members, $5 per child
Grounds for Sculpture
80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619
(609) 586-0616
Allaire Music Jamboree
Saturday, April 24 from 11 AM – 4 PM (with a rain date of April 25)
Listen to local NJ bands perform bluegrass and folk music, and get to know the musicians during their downtime. You can also tour the Historic Village at Allaire, where you’ll see early 18th and 19th-century homes, craft shops, retail buildings, and historical demonstrations and activities.
Cost: $5 per child, $10 per adult, $15 per person for an all-access pass
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall, NJ 07727
(732) 919-3500
Make Your Own Walking Stick Workshop
Saturday, April 24 at 1 PM
The whole family will make walking sticks with the help of Brad Koller, a vendor at the Saturday Markets at Whitesbog. Kids will love making and having their very own walking stick to take along on their adventures.
Cost: $30
Whitesbog Preservation Trust
120 West Whites Bogs Road #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
(609) 893-4646
Potato Planting at the Howell Living History Farm
Saturday, April 24 from 10 AM – 4 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.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Wool Days/Sheep Shearing at Historic Longstreet Farm
Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 from 12 PM – 3 PM
Learn how staff uses traditional shearing practices to remove the fleece from sheep. There will even be a sheep herding demonstration.
Cost: Free
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Live Music Weekends at Terhune
Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 from 1 PM – 4 PM
Celebrate spring and warm temps and a return to feeling more normal with this outdoor spring music series. Grown-ups can enjoy a glass or tasting flights of wine with light fare, while kids can dance to live music, and the whole family will have a ball closing out the week with music, food, and fun.
Cost: Free
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 924-2310
Howell Spring Farmer’s Market
Sunday, April 25 from 10 AM – 3 PM
Enjoy the fresh produce, skilled artists, and one-of-a-kind crafts that you can’t find anywhere else. This event features live music, as well as plentiful food (for people and dogs), candles and soaps, and so much more for you to grab.
Cost: Free
Howell Farmer’s Market
4567 Route 9 North, Howell, NJ 07731
(732) 938-4500
Splendid Spring Stroll
Monday, April 26 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM
Say “farewell” to winter and “hello” to spring as a park naturalist guides you through some Monmouth County trails. Wear sturdy shoes since some of the areas are on an incline or have tree roots to step over.
Cost: Free
Freneau Woods Park
360 Monastary Lane, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747
(732) 842-4000
The Supermoon Virtual Show
Monday, April 26 from 5 PM – 6 PM
Join the Liberty Science Center’s planetarium presenter for a preview of Tuesday night’s supermoon. You’ll find out what to look for and what time it will appear, and all the details on this epic event.
Cost: Free
Liberty Science Center, Virtual
(201) 200-1000
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