Mother’s Day weekend is here, and there’s no better excuse for hitting up an event or activity for lots of family fun. Go on a GPS scavenger hunt at Geocaching for Beginners at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, find a treat for mom at the Asbury Park Spring Bazaar at Asbury Park and Long Branch, or check out the games, food, and music at Skylands Stadium Fest in Augusta. If you are looking for more Mother’s Day fun, check out our guide on things to do with mom. (feature photo credit: @asburyparkbazaar)
(Note: Since COVID-19 rules and regulations are continually changing, it’s best to check ahead for in-person events)
Movies Under The Stars
May 6 from 8 PM-10 PM
Enjoy a movie under the stars and come early to have a picnic before it starts. Bring your own blanket or chair and don’t forget your food or snacks. Inclement weather will postpone the event.
Cost: Free
Crystal Lake Park, 2401 Axe Factory Road, Mansfield, NJ 08505
Merchantville Art Walk
May 6 at 6 PM
Local businesses are teaming up with artists to show their work for the night. Enjoy live music and bring the whole family.
Cost: Free
Chestnut Avenue and Park Avenue, Merchantville, NJ 08109
Island Acres Farm Mall
May 7 at 8 AM
Come out to see 80-100 vendors all in one spot. There will be everything from handmade crafts to antiques, artwork, and bath and body products.
Cost: Free
Indian Acres Tree Farn, 111 Tuckerton Rd, Medford, NJ 08055
(609) 953-0087
Geocaching for Beginners
May 7 at 9 AM
Take a 45-minute crash course in geocaching for beginners. Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger hunt that uses your phone’s GPS technology as you search for hidden caches along established trails. Children must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered. Meet in front of the Farm Barn Orientation Center for check-in.
Cost: $10
Duke Farms, 1112 Duke Parkway West, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
Mother’s Day Parent and Me Flower Arrangement Class
May 7 at 9:15 AM
Arrange flowers with your little one with a plastic container, flowers, supplies, and flower arranging tips from the Owner of Dragonfly Flowers. There will also be open play after class and snack and juice boxes for the littles. Cost: $75 for parent and child
Princeton Playspace, 745 Alexander Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 919-9600
Sandy Hook Lighthouse 5K
May 7 at 9:30 AM
Sign up for this scenic 5K around the lighthouse to benefit New Jersey Blind Citizens Association and Camp Happiness. There will be a kids’ fun run too.
Cost: $10 and up
Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Sandy Hook, NJ US 07732
Annual Azalea Festival
May 7 at 10 AM
After 3 years, the Annual Azalea Festival is back. Spend the day among the bright blooms where there will be local craft vendors, food, and gorgeous azalea shrubs. The rain date will be on May 8.
Cost: Free
Sayen Gardens, 155 Hughes Drive, Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 890-3874
Creative Arts Festival
May 7 at 10 AM
Spend a day perusing artists at the juried arts festival. Works will be displayed in all mediums, including pottery, jewelry, photography, and painting. There will be live music and food vendors.
Cost: Admission and parking are free
Thompson Park -805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732) 842-4000, ext. 3343
Pop-Up Market
May 7 at 10 AM
Come visit Calgo Gardens and shop the pop-up market for Mother’s Day outside, featuring local artists and vendors. An animal adoption will be at the event too.
Cost: Free
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Branchburg Food Truck and Music Festival
May 7 at 11 AM
Come out to see live music, a Mother’s Day plant sale, ax throwing, kid’s activities, face painting, inflatables, knocker ball, games, sand art, and spin art. Don’t forget your lawn chair.
Cost: $5; under 5 is free. Please bring an item for the food pantry
White Oak Park – 235 Baird Road, Branchburg, NJ 08876
Bridgewater Food Truck and Music Festival
May 7 at 11 AM
Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, and Fido to experience great food and family activities. Activities include Hatchet tossing from Throw House, boardwalk-style games, bounce houses, an airsoft shooting gallery, Grand Prix racing, face painters, and Henna by Dana.
Cost: Free
350 Woodside L, Bridgewater, NJ 08807-3074
National Public Gardens Day at Macculloch Hall
May 7 at 11 AM
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day in MHHM’s historic garden. There will be special presentations, nature scavenger hunts, and art activities in the garden. Then at 1:30 PM, see The Raptor Trust’s Fantastic Falcons. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: Free
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
Mothers Day Celebration
May 7 at 12 PM
Shop for Mother’s Day with over 20 local businesses. This family-friendly event also has free card crafting, and you can also take photos in the studio.
Cost: Free
Pop Up Next Door, 1169 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Skylands Stadium Fest
May 7 at 12 PM
A day of food, fun, and family that you won’t want to miss. Spend a memorable day enjoying the outdoors, with options including 20+ food truck vendors, desserts, and specialty drinks. NJPLAY will provide live music and games.
Cost: $5
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
(973) 383-7644
Career Carnival for Kids
May 7 at 2 PM
Explore exciting careers with hands-on activities, demos, games, and giveaways. This event is open to everyone, and the first 100 registered kids will get a special bag at the event.
Cost: Free
Rockaway Townsquare Mall, Outside Macy’s – Lower Level, Mount Hope Ave, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
May 7 at 4 PM
Learn about local health agencies that help youth around Monmouth County while interacting with various animals at the Allaire Community Farm petting zoo. There will also be giveaways, food, and beverages.
Cost: Free
Allaire Community Farm, 1923 Baileys Corner Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719
(732) 796-3298
Mother’s Day Weekend Boat Tours at The Tuckerton Seaport
May 7-8 at 10 AM
The Seaport Captain and Tour guide will take the whole family out for a scenic one-hour tour of the Tuckerton Creek. During the tour, learn all about local women who helped shape Tuckerton’s history. All moms will receive a special gift on board.
Cost: $15 per person, $10 Seaport Member with promo code Member2022
120 W. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
(609) 296-8868
Asbury Park Spring Bazaar
May 7-8 at 12 PM
There is no better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with a little shopping—Mother’s Day weekend will feature makers, local vendors, arts and crafts, and music experiences in both locations. There will be Mother’s Day photos and photo stations, fresh flowers bouquets, kids workshops, and face painting.
Cost: Free
Whitechapel Projects, 15 2nd Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740 – (732) 963-9218
Grand Arcade at Asbury Park Convention Hall, Grand Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Mommy and Me Events at Rewax & Unwine
May 7-8 at various times
It’s Mother’s Day at this DIY candle workshop, where you can attend events like a tea party, charcuterie brunch, candles and chair massages, mom’s night out, or mommy and me candle making.
Cost: Prices vary per event
Rewax & Unwine 2 Division Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
1-800-WAX-WINE
Atlantic City Royal Princess Ball
May 8 at 9 AM
It’s a day of magical fun for the whole family. Meet and greet your favorite princesses, stage performances, dancing, stories, picture opportunities, games, and even learn some ballroom dance moves.
Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, Two Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Farm To Table Mother’s Day Brunch
May 8 at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM
Take a tractor-drawn wagon ride around the farm, see friendly farm animals, take a self-guided museum tour, and visit the farm store and try some homemade ice cream. Then sit down for a tasty Mother’s Day Brunch with the whole family. The Tomasello Winery Outdoor Patio will be open for tasting and purchases, and there will be live music and entertainment. The kids have add-on activities, including a pony ride, wagon train ride, and bounce house.
Cost: Starting at $199.99 for a table of 4
Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
(908) 879-7189
Monmouth Park Racetrack Opening Day Weekend
May 7 at 12 PM and May 8 at 11 AM
It’s opening day at the track on May 7. Then on May 8, the Mother’s Day tradition continues with free admission to the track for all women, giveaways, and drawings. There will be dining options such as the Lady’s Secret Café, the NEW Summer Wind outdoor dining destination, and the picnic area. The first 1,000 women will receive a free flower. There will also be family-friendly activities and live racing.
Cost: $6, children under 12 are free
175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, NJ 07757
(732) 222-5100
Run the Hook 5k/10k 2022
May 8 at 10 AM
The 7th Annual Run The Hook is a 5K/10K race at Sandy Hook National Park, NJ, supporting local non-profit Clean Ocean Action. A portion of proceeds from the race goes directly to the organization so they can continue to work to improve the quality of our local bodies of water.
Cost: $34.95 and up
Field 102 Kilpatrick RD/s Bragg Dr. Highlands, NJ 07732
Mother’s Day at Playlands Castaway Cove
May 8 at 1 PM
Take the kids on some rides at Playlands Castaway Cove, and moms can ride free for a Mother’s Day treat.
Cost: moms are free
Playlands Castaway Cove, 1020 Boardwalk, Ocean City, 08226
Plant a Sunflower at Historic Longstreet Farm
May 8 at 12 PM
Help the Longstreet farmers plant this year’s sunflower field. Then visit the farm throughout the summer to watch the Mammoth Russian sunflowers grow to over 10 feet tall. Participants are invited to return in the fall and harvest their own sunflowers. Take your flower home and roast the seeds as a snack or save them as a winter treat for local birds and squirrels, or even plant the seeds in your garden.
Cost: Free
Historic Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Mother’s Day at Casino Pier
May 8 at 12 PM
Moms can ride free on most rides at Casino Pier on Mother’s Day. The mom must be with a paying child and on the same ride.
Cost: Free with paying child
Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
(732) 793-6488
Mothers Day at iPlay America
May 8 at 12 PM
Moms ride free on Sunday with the download of a free Unlimited Ride Band (value of $37.99). All moms will enjoy unlimited rides all day on Go-Karts, Freedom Rider Spinning Coaster, and more. All guests must be registered and redeemed at the Welcome Center.
Cost: Moms are free
IPlay America, 110 Schanck Rd, Freehold Township, NJ 07728
The Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience
May 8 at 1 PM
The Perondis and their cast of human performers and dogs will perform for all ages. The event will guarantee high-energy excitement with this “Stunt Dog Experience.” There will be tricks, big air stunts, comedy antics, dancing dogs, and athletic feats with two-dozen talented pound pups. This event is sensory-inclusive with ASL interpretation.
Cost: $18
Wilkins Theatre, 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083
Enchanted Dance Party
May 8 at 2:30 PM
It’s an Enchanted Dance Party with autographs, meet and greet and picture opportunities, storytime, sing-alongs, theatrical style performances, games, and dancing.
Cost: $15-$25
Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, Two Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Ongoing Events
SatARTdays art classes
Now-May 7 at 12 PM
Take a free children’s art class with a professional artist at the Noyes Arts Garage for children ages 5 to 12. Please register t12 PMure a spot since seats are limited.
Cost: Free
Noyes Arts Garage, 2200 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 626-3805
Mathis House Mother’s Day Weekends
Weekends in May at 11 AM and 3 PM
Tea service, champagne, live music, and a complimentary flower—what better way to spend Mother’s Day at this historic inn with Victorian charm. Look out for their Mommy and Me tea too.
Cost: $50
600 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 818-7580
Family Fun Night at Riv’s
Sundays in May at 1 PM
Dine with your favorite characters, including Minnie, Rapunzel, and Buzz Lightyear.
Cost: Cost of dinner
Riv’s Toms River Hub, 1850 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753
Broadway at the Garden State Plaza
Now-June 25 at 11 AM and 1 PM
See the best of Broadway for kids every Saturday, featuring songs and scenes from hit Broadway shows. This event is free for everyone and will highlight memorable scenes from your favorite Broadway shows like Aladdin, Wicked and Lion King, performed in a partnership with Bergen Performing Arts Center.
Cost: Free, a limited number of VIP tickets will be sold for each event for $10 and include an AMC kids movie theater ticket, a kids meal at Chick Fil A, a LEGO toy, and more.
Level 2, Macy’s Court Area, nearest Shake Shack, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 843-2121
XC Summer Series
April 27-August 31 on Wednesdays at 6 PM
Learn how to run cross country with a weekly series of 5K events on Wednesday nights from April 27 until August 31, 2022. There are a total of 15 races in the series. The course is open to all ages and abilities, and walkers are welcome.
Cost: $8-$10 per race or $50-$85 per series
Central Ave and North Cottage Road, Parsippany, NJ US 07954
Delaware and Raritan Canal Park Run
Every Saturday at 9 AM
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5K community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer, or cheer on participants at this fun event. This run is free, but make sure to register before attending.
Cost: Free
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, 156 Mettlers Rd, Somerset, NJ 08873
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