Search for long-lost treasure at Oasis Pirate Adventures, bite into your new favorite dish at the Surf & Turf Festival, paint a masterpiece at NJMOM’s Family Paint Day, or get your fix of aquatic activities at Hoboken’s City of Water Day. Each event is family-friendly and bound to be a great time for kids and adults of all ages.
Here’s our top picks of things to do this weekend with your family:
1. NJMOM #PLAYTIMENJ Family Paint {FEATURED}
July 16, 2016 | 10:30AM – 12:30PM
Join NJMOM for a morning of artistic fun at Pinot’s Palette, Hoboken. Kids and parents will have a blast painting together while enjoying healthy refreshments. Each family will leave with a goody bag, and their very own completed painting. Snacks provided by Whole Foods Edgewater.
Pinot’s Palette Hoboken
258 Newark Street Suite 300, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $25 per painter
2. Summer Blast 2016
July 15, 2016 | 7:00PM – 10:00PM
Tons of activities will keep your little one entertained this Friday evening, including live music, bouncy inflatables, games, free snacks and drinks. At dusk, cozy up on a blanket with your family and relax while you enjoy a film screening of Inside Out.
Morris Davidson Park
780 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro, NJ
Cost: Free
3. Mt. Carmel Feast & Fireworks
July 15 – 16, 2016 | 6:00PM – 11:00PM
The 141st Annual Mt. Carmel Feast & Fireworks is a New Jersey event that families look forward to every year. Enjoy the thrills of a classic carnival with your favorite rides, food, and live music. Pack a blanket and relax while you enjoy the award-winning fireworks show that has become a favorite for locals and visitors alike.
Mt. Carmel Field
56 River Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ
Cost: Friday Free, Saturday $10
4. Ocean County Fair
July 15 – 17, 2016 | Friday & Saturday 11:00AM – 11:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM – 5:00PM
In addition to fair favorites including a variety of musical acts, and carnival rides, kids will love meeting animals raised by local youth. Food vendors will be serving up all kinds of delectable treats that the whole family can enjoy, and plenty of fun games and activities will keep you entertained all day long.
Robert J. Miller Air Park
Route 530, Berkeley Township, NJ
Cost: $7, Kids under 10 are free
5. Freedom Fest State Fair
July 15 – 17, 2016 | Friday & Saturday 12:00PM – 11:00PM, Sunday 12:00PM – 10:00PM
Freedom Fest brings the State Fair to New Jersey with their classic activities and entertainment. Be wowed by the magic show, say “hello” to the live animals, and cheer on your favorite piggie at the pig race. Games, food vendors, and a picnic area complete the State Fair experience.
Horse Park of New Jersey
626 Route 524, Allentown, NJ
Cost: Presale $10 at participating Walgreens, $15 Admission at Gate
6. Natural History Hall Grand Opening
July 16, 2016 | 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Celebrate the brand new dinosaur exhibit, “Written In the Rocks” at Natural History Hall at Trenton’s New Jersey State Museum. Visit the life-size reconstruction of New Jersey’s native Dryptosaurus, discover interactive timelines, say cheese in the dino-themed photo booth, and participate in a Paleo-themed craft. The first 100 kids to arrive will receive dinosaur glasses.
New Jersey State Museum
205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ
Cost: General Admission $5, Children under 12 are free.
7. City of Water Day
July 16, 2016| 10:00AM – 4:00PM
This free festival allows families to discover what the Hoboken waterfront has to offer. Sign up for a free boat tour, paddle boarding, and kayaking. Walk along the Waterfront Activity Fair and learn more from many vendors, or have the kids participate in Disney Children’s Activities.
Maxwell Place Park
10 Sinatra Drive North, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: Free
8. Kids Create: Build!
July 16, 2016 | 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Celebreate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Architecture, and Math) with buildling activites at The Roebling Museum. Engineer your own miniature catapult and create your own structure in the Bridge-Builder Laboratory.
The Roebling Museum
100 Second Avenue, Roebling, NJ
Cost: $5 per participant, Children 5 and under are free.
9. Garden Party at Colonial Park Gardens
July 16, 2016 | 11:00AM – 3:00PM
Get excited about the green world of gardening with the 17th Annual Garden Party. Take a guided tour of the Perennial Garden, enjoy live classical music from The New Jersey Youth Symphony Quartet, and learn gardening tips from award-winning garden designers.
Perennial Garden
Colonial Park, Parking Lot F
156 Mettlers Road, Somerset, NJ
Cost: Free, Suggested Donation
10. Summer in the Street
July 16, 2016 | 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Take your family to the ultimate New Jersey street fair! Family un activities include inflatable rides, face painting, sand art, and team games for kids. Adults will enjoy the live music, quality merchants and handcrafts, and a variety of food and beverage vendors.
Downtown Toms River
Washington Street, Toms River, NJ
Cost: Free
11. XRootsFest Multicultural Festival
July 16, 2016 | 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Music, dancing, activities, merchants, and food vendors are just some of the ways for your family to have a multi-cultural experience this weekend. This family event features live music, ethnic dancing, and fantastic food for all.
Flood’s Hill
300 Meadowbrook Lane, South Orange, NJ
Cost: Free
12. Oasis Pirate Adventures
July 16 – 17, 2016 | 10:00AM, 12:00PM, 2:00PM
Put on your best pirate costume and batten down the hatches! Join Captain Treasure to recover hidden items around Oasis Family Farm. All participants receive entry into the FunZone, a treasure chest, pirate eye patch, and temporary tattoos.
Oasis Family Farm
3 Circle Drive, Robbinsville, NJ
Cost: $14.95 per participant (Adults and non-participants are free)
13. Surf & Turf Seafood Festival
July 16 – 17, 2016 | 11:30AM – 5:00PM
Fresh lobster roll, clam chowder, and coconut shrimp – need we say more? Spend the weekend with friends and family at this two-day event. Mom and dad can sip on some beer or wine while the kids can have fun with games and activities for all ages. Sunday is Family Fun Day – free pony rides, face painting, and bouncy houses will keep the kids smiling all day long.
Monmouth Park Racetrack
175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, NJ
Cost: General Parking $5, General Admission $5, Children under 12 are free.
14. Festival of the Dogs
July 17, 2016 | 11:00AM – 3:00PM
Pack up the pups and bring your family dogs to this festival just for your fur babies. Over 50 vendors, gift baskets, bounce houses, and games for children make it a perfect family event. Kids won’t forget the opportunity to see so many dogs in one happy event.
Union Hose Fire Company No. 1
1224 Florence Avenue, Union Beach, NJ
Cost: Free
15. Jersey Shore Comic Book Show
July 17, 2016 | 11:00AM – 5:00PM
Spend a day of family fun meeting the authors and artists of your favorite comic books and graphic novels. Visit the vendors and see a large collection of classic comics, memorabilia, and more. Dress up as your favorite character and participate in the Cosplay Contest.
Toms River Elks Club
600 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ
Cost: $5, Senior Citizens $3, Children under 12 are free.
