The summer is flying by—make the most of this weekend by trying out activities the whole family will love. Take a ride on the Dragon Wagon at the Fireman’s Fair in Keyport, play boardwalk-style games, listen to live music at the Family Fest and Market in Shamong, or hear the roar of the monster truck engines at Monster Jam in East Rutherford. And for more things to do this month, don’t miss our FREE Things to do in July Guide.
Featured Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
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Don’t miss the one and only Dino Safari in Freehold and Paramus.
July 16 in Paramus
Grab your prehistoric passport and join over 40 giant moving dinosaurs on a globetrotting expedition at Dino Safari, a drive-thru dino adventure for the whole family! Get up-close-and-personal with fascinating prehistoric creatures from the mighty T. Rex of North America to the giant amphibious Spinosaurus from Africa. At the same time, you learn how dinosaurs evolved, where on earth they lived, and the discoveries paleontologists have made about how they ate, moved, and behaved. Beware: Along the journey, earthquakes might erupt, dinosaurs could battle, and your family might have to help save a baby dinosaur’s life! So, buckle up for the adventure of a lifetime in this completely COVID-safe experience.
Cost: $49.95 regular vehicle and $59.95 for large-capacity vehicles
Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 US 9, Freehold, NJ 07728
Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
(855) 372-3274
July 12-16 at 3 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM
Be entertained and educated at the same time at the Wild World of Animals Show on the beach. See sea turtles and other ocean life, all while learning about animal conservation. The show is for all ages, and it’s about 30 minutes long.
Cost: Free
On the beach, by Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 295-4334
July 12-17
Get ready to ride the Berry Go Round, Dragon Wagon, or the Frog Hopper—Campy’s Amusement will be providing plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
Cost: Presale 25 tickets for $18
American Legion Drive and W. Front Street, Keyport, NJ 07735
(973) 256-4190
July 14 from 9 AM-2 PM
Crafts and collectibles featuring vendors and crafters from the northeast will fill Cape May in July and August.
Cost: Free
Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Lighthouse Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 224-6066
July 15
Check out the bands and fireworks of this popular festival, with SuperTransAM, The Amish Outlaws, The Nerds, and ’80s and ’90s theme music night. All events are free to attend and take place at Windward Beach Park. Beer & Wine Garden at Concerts and Car Show. An adult must accompany all children 17 years old or under.
Cost: Free
265 Princeton Ave., Brick, NJ 08724
(732) 262-1000
July 15
Watch kites take flight while building a sandcastle masterpiece. This week’s them is the circus, and there’s a grand prize winner every week and prizes for participants.
Cost: Free
Philadelphia Avenue, Lavallette, NJ 08735
(732) 793-7477
July 16 at 10:30 AM
Your kiddos can enjoy a special pop-up storytime from the Recreation Department and Cherry Hill Public Library. Then stick around for Food Truck Friday at Croft Farm.
Cost: Free
Croft Farm, 100 Bortons Mill Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
(856) 488-7868
July 17 and 18 from 9 AM-3 PM
Get out on the water—-the whole family can paddle a canoe or hop in a kayak this weekend for free. First come, first serve, and all children 14 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. They provide life jackets and paddles, but you must print out a waiver and fill it out before your visit.
Cost: Free
980 E. Academy St., Clayton, NJ 08312
(856) 251-6710
July 17 from 10 AM-2 PM
Enjoy a different theme every week at this lively blueberry picking festival which runs all month long. This week, the Plants of the Pines will be the theme, with kids’ activities every week, including arts and crafts, outdoor fun, games, photo ops, music, instruments, and more. Rain dates will be on Sundays.
Cost: Free, wagon rides are $5, and blueberry picking is $5
120 W. Whites Bogs Road #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
(609) 893-4646
July 17 from 10 AM-3 PM
Fun for the whole family, prizes, live music, and more. Please bring canned food to support the local food bank.
Cost: Pre-registered vehicle $10 and 5 cans of food or on the day of $15 for vehicle entry plus five cans of food
The Artisan House LLC 200 Creek Rd, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Theartisanhouse200@gmail.com
July 17 from 10 AM-4 PM and July 18 from 1 PM-3 PM
Come and tour the newly restored Historic Battery Lewis in the Rocky Point section of Hartshorne Wood Park. Learn all about the history of this former coastal defense site.
Cost: Free
1402 Portland Road, Highlands, NJ 07732
(732) 872-0336
July 17 and 18
If your family eats only vegan or wants to try some delicious healthy food, head down to AC for the Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival, brought to you by The Vegan Local. Rain or shine, no refunds, and under 13 are free.
Cost: $15-$25
Atlantic City Boardwalk, Showboat Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(973) 520-6560
July 17 from 11 AM-7 PM
Get ready to enjoy everything taco while helping the local food pantry. There will be a bunch of kids’ activities, vendors, taco contests, and live music to keep the party going. Oh, and did we mention there will be sangria and margaritas?
Cost: Adults $5 per person, 5 and under are free, and please bring a non-perishable canned or boxed item to support the local food pantry
Washington Lake Park, 626 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
(856) 589-6427
Family Summer Fest & Market in Shamong
July 17 from 11 AM-5 PM
Bring the whole family to enjoy backyard games, water balloons, live music, a kids’ fitness course, yoga workshops, and over 40 local vendors. Kids will also love the hippity-hop corral, spider web climber, rubber ducky races, two large playgrounds, and more.
Cost: $5 adults and $10 for children, cash only
V & V Adventure Farm, 1339 Old Indian Mills Road, Shamong, NJ 08088
(609) 801-2495
Waterford Car Show and Family Fun Day
July 17 from 3 PM-7 PM (Raindate: July 24)
Crafters, vendors, food trucks, and family activities will keep everyone busy. And don’t miss the car show with categories like new cars, a judged show for all makes and years, and Best of Show.
Cost: $20 to register to be in the car show
Waterford Township Municipal Complex, 2131 Auburn Avenue, Atco, NJ 08004
(856) 768-2300
Borough of Glass ArtWalk and Night Market 2021
July 17 from 5 PM-10 PM
Watch glassblowers, sculptors, painters, metal-smiths, woodworkers, and hand-crafters demonstrate their skills right before your eyes. While you are there, don’t miss the free concert, food trucks, and more.
Cost: Free
Glassboro Town Square, 1 High St. W., Glassboro, NJ 08028
(856) 881-0500
Evening Share the Harvest Tours at the Howell Living History Farm
July 17 from 5 PM-8 PM
Take a behind-the-scenes tour through Howell Farm’s “Share the Harvest” program to discover the farm’s 2021 gardens, crop fields, and barnyard. Visitors receive a trivia game board and crossword puzzle with answers posted throughout the farm. Farmers are throughout the barnyard to introduce the animals and answer questions about the program. Receive a bag of freshly ground wheat flour for completing the puzzle.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Monster Jam at MetLife Stadium
July 17 at 7 PM (Gates open at 5 PM)
It’s back—see legendary monster trucks such as Grave Digger and Max-D battle it out with some intense competitions at MetLife Stadium. There is a Pit Party pass available to add on to your ticket, starting at 2:30 PM if your littles want to see the gigantic monster trucks up close.
Cost: Prices starting at $25
One MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(201) 559-1500
Bradley Beach Summer Concert
July 17 from 7 PM-9 PM
Get the whole family dancing at one of these weekly free concerts in Riley Park presented by the Bradley Beach Department of Tourism. The Jay Sweet Trio will play on July 17 and don’t forget your chairs and blankets.
Cost: Free
615 Main Street, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
(732) 776-2999
Harvey Cedars Arts Festival
July 18 from 10 AM- 4 PM
It’s the 33rd annual Harvey Cedars Arts Festival. Peruse the artists and makers displaying their works of mixed media, photography, and fine crafts.
Cost: Free
Harvey Cedars Sunset Park, 1 West Salem Ave., Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
(609) 361-7990
Family Woodland Hike at New Jersey Botanical Garden
July 18 (every third Sunday of the month) from 1 PM-2 PM
Join the New Jersey Botanical Garden hike leaders for a child-friendly hike of the Garden’s woodlands. Learn about the plants, animals, and geology of the area. Meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center.
Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated.
Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
(973) 962-9534
Free Family Family Fun Night in Sea Isle City
July 19 from 7:30 PM-9 PM
Get the family together and have a family fun night at the shore. This event will be weekly through August.
Excursion Park JFK Blvd. and Pleasure Ave., Sea Isle City, 08243
(609) 263-8687
Every Thursday-Sunday from 11 AM – 6 PM through September 5
Kick off the summer at this lively market where you can check out various local makers, artists, and designers selling handcrafted goods, clothing, jewelry & accessories, beauty products, art, photography, home goods, and so much more. The kids can also enjoy rides on the Carousel and don’t forget to visit the beach, restaurants, shops, and the boardwalk.
Cost: Free
52 Centennial Drive, Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-0100
RWJBarnabas Health: Cooking Classes for Kids
Dates and times vary depending on the program
Kids of all ages will love cooking up healthy treats in these virtual hands-on cooking classes (adult supervision required during class): Try Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen for kids 8-12, where they’ll learn to use a recipe, cook with nutritious ingredients, and utilize kitchen basics or try Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen, and My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas, Virtual
(973) 926-7371
Somerville Summer Stage
Every Saturday until October 2 from 6 PM-9 PM
Bring chairs to this concert series, with a new performance every Saturday. Bob Lanza will play on July 3, Nick Ryan and The Mess on July 10, John Busse on July 17 on July 24, The Bryan Hansen Band will perform, and The Broadcasters will perform on July 31.
Cost: Free
Division Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 524-0104
Super American Circus Atlantic City
July 1 – August 29
Performers from all over the world will perform in a 2-hour show. Acts, thrills, and laughs will keep the whole family entertained. Watch The All American Motorcycle thrill team in the Globe of Death or the circus performers from America’s Got Talent.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Showboat Atlantic City, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 487-4600
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