13 Kid-Friendly Things to Do: April 26-28

This weekend, get out and active at the beach with RWJBarnabas Health’s Family Day in Long Branch, stroll through gorgeous gardens at the NJ Flower & Garden Show in Edison, and get a dose of cuddly cuteness and give back at the 25th Anniversary Dog Walk + Pet Fair in Lincroft. It’s a prime spring weekend for family fun in New Jersey.

featured image via RWJBarnabas Health

Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.

Here are 13 kid-friendly things to do this weekend around New Jersey:

RWJBH Family Day
April 27, 9AM – 12PM
It’s time for the New Jersey Marathon and Half Marathon , and even if you’re not running, you and your family can enjoy a fun day along the beach in Long Branch at RWJBarnabas Health’s Family Day. Kids races are open to different ages at different distances, cost $15 per child, and start at 10AM. How much fun will it be to see your little athletes-in-training cross that finish line and receive a medal? In addition, the kiddos will love the inflatables, face painting, and festival games – all out on the Great Lawn at Ocean Promenade, just minutes from Pier Village.
Great Lawn, Ocean Promenade
Long Branch, NJ
Cost: free, $15 per kids race

JoJo Maman Bébé Clothing Recycling Program
Now – May 12
You can give back this weekend by donating your gently loved kids’ clothes, and in return get a $10 voucher for JoJo Maman Bebe. Did you know the average American throws away about 81 pounds of clothing every year? JoJo Maman Bébé’s From a Mother to Another campaign aims to reduce clothing waste while helping families across North New Jersey. Donations are being collected now through May 12th at both NJ store locations. Before donating, JoJo asks customers to put together outfits, sizes 0-6 years, and pack in a see-through plastic bag, labeled by size and season.
JoJo Mama Bebe
Hoboken & Montclair locations

NJ Flower & Garden Show
April 25 – 28
As the weather warms up in New Jersey, it’s time to celebrate the reason we are called the Garden State! This is New Jersey’s largest flower and garden show and a chance for you to stroll through breathtaking blooms and landscapes. There will be competitions, presentations, demos, and more. And this weekend, something special for the kids to test out their own green thumbs- the Youth Program hosts special activities like planting sunflower seeds in decorated cups and creating floral arrangements in fun containers. This year’s theme is “Artists of the Past.”
NJ Convention & Expo Center
Edison, NJ
Cost: Adults $10 online, $20 in person, Kids $4 online, $8 in person, Kids 6 and under free

Monster Energy AMA Supercross
April 27, 4:30PM
Check out the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship in the world – right here in New Jersey! Your littles will love the heart-stopping races and aerial excitement that this show brings. The course includes tight corners, fast straightaways, rhythm sections, and triple jumps. The energy and thrills from the motorcycles will mesmerize the whole family.
Metlife Stadium
East Rutherford, NJ
Cost: $20, parking $30 per car

Mud Hen Brewing Co. Half Marathon, 8K, 5K, and Kids Race
April 26 – 28
South Jersey has its own big running event this weekend in Wildwood. This race gives you options to run a half marathon, 8K, 5K, and there’s a kids race. On Saturday at 12PM, kids 12 and under can race to the finish line and receive a 1-day complimentary amusement ride wristband to Morey’s Piers, valid that weekend. As mommas, we call that a win-win!
Wildwood Convention Center
Wildwood, NJ
Cost: 8K $45, 5K $40, Kids $30

Wizards & Witches Festival
April 27, 11AM – 6PM
Come in costume, cast a spell, and learn all about magic at the Wizards & Witches Festival. Visit readers and healers, shop vendors, and get involved in fun activities like the photo booth, wizarding hat show, arts and crafts, and quidditch. The best wizards and witches costumes will be awarded prizes!
The Shoppes at Lafayette
Lafayette, NJ
Cost: $10

Rutgers Day in Camden, New Brunswick, and Newark
April 27
Rutgers Day is a spring tradition that allows the public to explore the state university at all 3 campus locations. The event is perfect for families, featuring hands on activities, demonstrations and exhibits – think yoga, mini-forensics, cultural activities, slime-making and much more! It’s all free, and hosted by professors, students and staff who are ready to showcase their Scarlet Pride. Check out the event here for more information on each location’s activities.
Rutgers University
Camden, New Brunswick, Newark campuses
Cost: free

Point Pleasant Earth Day Celebration
April 27, 12PM – 4PM
Celebrate Earth Day at the beautiful Riverfront Park in Point Pleasant. You can show your little one how to celebrate Mother Earth with music, rides, a petting zoo and education displays. The event features local businesses and vendors working to keep the environment clean, all making for a day of learning and fun for the fam.
Riverfront Park
Point Pleasant, NJ
Cost: free

Arts, Sweets, & Crafts Festival
April 27, 10AM-5PM
Spring is perfect for a stroll in downtown Washington, and this weekend you can shop dozens of artists and vendors, listen to live music all day long, and check out lots of cool activities along the way. Don’t miss the blacksmith demo, glass blowing, and kids crafts at this free event happening all day Saturday.
Downtown Washington, NJ
Cost: free

25th Anniversary Dog Walk + Pet Fair
April 27, 10AM-3PM
Adorable doggies dressed in capes, ready to save the day? Yes please! This year’s theme at the Dog Walk and Pet Fair in Lincroft is superheroes, so the kids will get a real kick out of all the pooches in super cute costumes. Enjoy live music, shop local vendors, participate in contests, and meet animals up for adoption. Mom, can we please get one?! Proceeds from the event will benefit the Monmouth County SPCA.
Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 day of with dogs, $5 entrance fee without a furry friend!

Feis at the Beach
April 27, 10AM-5:30PM
Celebrate some Irish pride at Feis at the Beach! It’s an annual competition of over 1300 Irish dancers of all ages and skill levels. Enjoy the skill and tradition of Irish step-dancing as you watch the choreographed routines and see which performers dance away with a prize. Check out the vendors selling Irish products and goods too.
Wildwood Convention Center
Wildwood, NJ
Cost: free

Paramus Food Truck Festival
April 28, 11AM-7PM
Your favorite food truck fest is back in Paramus this April. Foodies go crazy for this festival, which features dozens of fan favorites like Bacon Me Crazy, The Guac Spot, Mac Truck, and so many more. Enjoy the beer and sangria garden, live music, and kids activities like face painting. You can bring lawn chairs, blankets, and your pups – along with your appetite of course!
Garden State Plaza – Nordstrom Lot
Paramus, NJ
Cost: $5, Kids under 10 free

Maywood’s 11th Annual Street Fair
April 28, 10AM – 5PM
Eat, shop, listen, and play at Maywood’s 11th Annual Street Fair. Enjoy local vendors, live music, and chow down on some festival food faves like cheesesteaks, sausage & peppers, shish kabobs, gyros, bbq, ice cream, zeppoles, and more. The Kids Zone offers tons to do for the little ones, including rides, ponies, a petting zoo, face painting, and temporary tattoos.
101 West Pleasant Ave.
Maywood, NJ
Cost: free

Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.