Summer can be stressful with the kids home from school, so take one thing off your plate and don’t stress about spending lots of money on fun family activities in New Jersey throughout the month of July.
via www.kids.baristanet.com
1. Zoo-vies at the Turtle Back Zoo
Wednesday July 1 from 7:00pm-10:30pm
Experience a movie like never before … in the zoo! Bring your family and your own lawn chair and watch this week’s feature film of Into The Woods.
560 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052
2. Princeton Fireworks
Thursday July 2 starting at 7:00pm
Begin your celebration of Independence Day early! Come to the Princeton University sports fields to picnic starting at 7:00pm followed by a fantastic firework show at 9:00pm. It will be a perfect night for the whole family.
Powers Field Princeton, NJ 08540
3. Full Moon Beach Camping
Thursday July 2 – Friday July 3 from 8:00pm-10:00am
This is not your ordinary camping trip! Instead of camping out in your backyard or in the woods, try camping out on the beach. Bring your own tent, sleeping bags, and pillows and relax in the moonlight with your family. There will also be a bonfire and storytelling. This will be a fun night for all (Bathrooms are available).
Hiering Ave Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
4. Free First Friday at Montclair Art Museum
Friday July 3 from 12:00pm-5:00pm
Appreciate art from all different time periods and maybe even get inspired by it, too. With more than 10 collections you and your family will be fascinated with all of the cool art this museum has to offer, and the best part is since it’s the first Friday of the month you don’t have to pay for it.
3 South Mountain Ave Montclair, NJ 07042
5. Wildwood Boardwalk Craft Show
Friday July 3 – Sunday July 5 from 9:00am-5:00pm
Take in the beautiful beach view while shopping for unique, handmade crafts on the boardwalk. There are a ton of crafts to see and a great assortment, so you can find whatever you’re looking for! Plus, when you’re done you can head straight to the beach.
Wildwood Boardwalk, south of the Convention Center
3720 Boardwalk Wildwood, NJ 08260
via www.jcpromotions.com
6. Little Falls Street Fair
Saturday July 4 from 10:00am-5:00pm
Celebrate independence day with pony rides, live music, crafts, and so much more. Your little ones will love all of the activities available at the fair. There will also be rides, food, and vendors available. This will be a fun day for all families.
87 Main Street & Stevens Ave Little Falls, NJ 07424
7. Craft Day By the Bay
Saturday July 4 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Check out the longest running craft show on Long Beach Island. With a tradition of handmade crafts and local artists this craft show is a definite must for the whole family.
Sunset Park
3 W. Salem Ave Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
via www.oceanfestnj.com
8. Oceanfest at Long Branch
Saturday July 4 from 10:00am-10:00pm
Do independence day big at NJ’s biggest independence day celebration! From food vendors to live dancing and singing as well as clowns, sand castle sculptors, and crafts from all over the northeast you will not be disappointed. Oceanfest is full of fun for everyone, and they do it big here ending with a firework show. You will not be disappointed if you check it out.
1 Ocean Blvd Long Branch, NJ 07740
9. 4th Annual Strawberry Festival
Monday July 6 from 9:00am-3:00pm
Enjoy everything strawberry! From chocolate covered strawberries to strawberry smoothies you will get your fair share of everything strawberry. There will also be live music, fun activities for kids, and church tours!
56 Main Street Helmetta, NJ 08828
10. Zoo-vies at the Turtle Back Zoo
Wednesday July 8 from 7:00pm-10:30pm
This week’s feature film is Yogi Bear. You will feel at home in the zoo while also watching a movie about animals. It will be a perfect time to relax with the kids.
560 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052
via www.homegrownfamilies.net
11. Meet and Greet Characters
Friday July 10 from 5:00pm-7:00pm
We all know our kids will watch a movie 100 times, so think about how excited they will be when they get to meet the characters! This week Snow White and Prince Charming will be available to meet your kids and take pictures with them. Your child will be smiling for days.
Hamilton Mall Hamilton Township, NJ 08330
12. NJ State BBQ Championship
Friday July 10 4:00pm -11:00pm, Saturday July 11 10:00am-11:00pm, Sunday July 12 from 10:00am-6:00pm
Come for a celebration of great food and great music. There will be live blues music throughout the entire weekend. You can also enjoy cooking demonstrations, displays, and watch the live competition. Come hungry and get ready for some fun.
2nd Ave & Old New Jersey Ave Wildwood, NJ 08260
13. Free Movies on the Beach
Friday July 10 at dark
This week’s film is Maleficent, so come hang out on the beach and bring a blanket for this thrilling film. Bring your friends and family and get out of the house for a little bit. This is a unique movie watching experience.
The Pavilion 300 Ocean Ave Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
14. South Jersey Caribbean Festival
Saturday July 11 from 12:00pm-8:00pm
Learn all about the Caribbean culture at this festival. Complete with music, dancing, and food from the Caribbean you will feel like you’re there. A fire eater will also be there to entertain and kids can make crafts by the water. It will be a fun culture day for the whole family.
2 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ 08103
15. Freehold Township Day
Saturday July 11 from 5:00pm-11:00pm
Enjoy a day filled with fun for everyone. There will be rides for the little ones, a DJ for the older ones, and a car show for the adults to enjoy. Food and merchandise will also be available. The night will also end with a fireworks show.
65 Georgia Road Freehold, NJ 07728
via www.monmouthcountyparks.com
16. Climb Time at Shark River Park
Saturday July 11 from 10:00am-2:00pm
Always wanted to rock climb? This is the event for you! Practice climbing the 25’ portable rock wall with your family and friends. It will be a fun and unique experience for everyone. Your child must be 8 or older to participate.
1101 Schoolhouse Road Wall, NJ 07753
17. Zoo-vies at the Turtle Back Zoo
Wednesday July 15 from 7:00pm-10:30pm
This week watch the famous and funny film, The Lorax. This is a Dr. Seuss must see especially since you will be in the zoo while viewing it.
560 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052
18. Meet and Greet Characters
Friday July 17 from 5:00pm-7:00pm
Bring your kids to the mall, but don’t go shopping. Instead, meet your favorite characters. Your kids will be delighted to meet Tiana and Pocahontas and pose for pictures with them, too! You don’t have to travel to Disney World to meet your Disney favorites.
Hamilton Mall Hamilton Township, NJ 08330
19. Free Movies on the Beach
Friday July 17 at dark
Chill out for the start of the weekend by watching Planes Fire and Rescue on the beach. Your kids won’t mind settling down for a little while since they’ll be watching a movie and even better it will be on the beach.
The Pavilion 300 Ocean Ave Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
via www.cityofwaterday.org
20. City of Water Day
Saturday July 18 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Learn about ways to keep water safe while participating in fun eco-friendly activities. There will be boat tours, a Kayak race, food, and a bunch of water front activities. Stay cool by the water and also learn how to better our environment on this fun day.
Sinatra Drive Hoboken, NJ 07030
21. Summer in the Street
Saturday July 18 from 3:00pm-8:30pm
Spend the day making sand art, jumping in bouncy houses, and getting your face painted at this summer festival. You will truly feel the summer vibe here with the live music and tons of great food. Your children will also play games and enjoy watching the awesome street performers. This is a great way to kick off summer.
Washington Street Toms River, NJ 08753
via www.facebook.com/burgermania
22. Burger Mania
Saturday July 18 at 3:00pm
If you love burgers this is the place for you. Take part in deciding who wins the best burger in Central Jersey. Also enjoy kids activities, live music, and much more. It will be a good time with even better burgers.
2419 Kuser Road Trenton, NJ 08690
23. Zoo-vies at the Turtle Back Zoo
Wednesday July 22 from 7:00pm-10:30pm
Watch the classic film ET from inside the zoo. Experience the great outdoors and a great movie with your whole family.
560 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052
24. Free Movies on the Beach
Friday July 24 at dark
Come and watch the sensational movie Frozen on the comfort of the beach. Sit under the moonlight and take in this wonderful film. This is a perfect family event.
The Pavilion 300 Ocean Ave Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
via www.livepositivelytoday.com
25. Soulsational Festival
Saturday July 25 from 11:00am-8:00pm
This will be a festival full of feeling good about your health and wellness. There will be live music all day along with free classes and demonstrations including yoga, zumba, and painting. There will also be a magic show, hula hooping, singing, and more for kids as well. Also enjoy organic food and beer complete with vegetarian options. This will be a great day that will have you feeling good as well.
Veterans Park
Forest Hills Parkway & Tilton Blvd Bayville, NJ 08721
26. Wildwood Boardwalk Craft Show
Saturday July 25 – Sunday July 26 from 9:00am-5:00pm
Take in the beautiful beach view while shopping for unique, handmade crafts on the boardwalk. There are a ton of crafts to see and a great assortment, so you can find whatever you’re looking for! Plus, when you’re done you can head straight to the beach.
Wildwood Boardwalk, south of the Convention Center
3720 Boardwalk Wildwood, NJ 08260
27. Zoo-vies at the Turtle Back Zoo
Wednesday July 29 from 7:00pm-10:30pm
Come and watch the classic Disney movie of 101 Dalmatians. Everyone will love this movie and they’ll love the fact that they’re watching it in a zoo!
560 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052
28. Thursday Night Movie on the Beach
Thursday July 30 from 8:00pm-10:30pm
This is the first of the Thursday night movies on the beach. Kick back and relax on the sand while watching this week’s feature film of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Don’t forget to bring a blanket and snacks for a night the whole family will love.
1000 Ocean Ave Asbury Park, NJ 07712
via www.trtnj.com
29. Clam Festival
Thursday July 30 from 6:00pm-10:00pm & Friday July 31 from 6:00pm-11:00pm
A clam festival is the perfect event for a summer night. Come with your family and enjoy delicious seafood. If your little ones aren’t fans of clams, they can still have hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, smoothies, and more.
Huddy Park 301 Shore Drive Highlands, NJ 07732
30. Free Movies on the Beach
Friday July 31 at dark
This week’s feature film is Big Hero 6. It’s perfect for all ages and will be a great way to get the kids to settle down for a bit.
The Pavilion 300 Ocean Ave Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
31. Full Moon Beach Camping
Friday July 31 – August 1 from 8:00pm-10:00am
This is not your ordinary camping trip! Instead of camping out in your backyard or in the woods, try camping out on the beach. Bring your own tent, sleeping bags, and pillows and relax in the moonlight with your family. There will also be a bonfire and storytelling. This will be a fun night for all (Bathrooms are available).
Hiering Ave Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Did we miss a FREE event in NJ that you know about? Share it in the comments below!
MORE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS SUMMER
[list line=”no” style=”style2″]
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
- 20+ Best Splash Water Parks
- Head to your local NJ Farmer’s Market for the day
- Plan your trip to the beach
- Explore the top 50 books your child will want to read this summer
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 20 NJ Summer Camps you need to know about
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
[/list]
