Spend this weekend with your kids experiencing fun and interactive events throughout New Jersey. Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday at the Dr. Seuss Family Festival, St. Patrick’s Day at the 2017 Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade, or the season opening of the Franklin Mineral Museum. Eat maple sugar at the Maple Sugar Festival, learn what colonial children played with at Kid’s Fun Back in the Day, or volunteer for the community at Kids for Kids.
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are our top picks for family events in NJ this weekend:
Dr. Seuss Family Festival, Photo via Morris Museum
1. Dr. Seuss Family Festival
Saturday, March 4 from 12:30PM – 4:00PM (Early Access at 10AM for children and adults with special needs)
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
The Morris Museum is celebrating the birthday of one of the best childrens’ books authors our country has ever seen, Dr. Seuss! Come join the whimsical celebration that features: Ooblek making, Cat in the Hat Story Time, crafts in the gallery, and a performance of Seussology.
Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Cost: $10 for Museum Members, $12 for Non-Members
2. 18th Annual Family Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 12:30AM to 4:00PM (Early Access for Special Needs Children and Adults at 11:30AM)
The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center is hosting a spectacular family friendly carnival with activities for those of all ages! The day of fun includes: arts & crafts, face painting, and games for children, wacky and delightful inflatable toys, and amazing pony rides; just to name a few. Free Shuttle Bus provided from 685 route 202/206 in Bridgewater – right around the corner from the JCC! Bring a non-perishable item for the local food bank. Presented by the JCC, Temple Sholom and Congregation Knesseth Israel and is open to the entire community.
Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center
775 Talamini Road, Bridgewater, NJ
Cost: $20 Child, Free Adults
3. The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey
Thursday, March 2, 2017 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Friday, March 3, 2017 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Saturday, March 4, 2017 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Sunday, March 5, 2017 10:00AM – 4:00PM
The annual Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey is coming back to you for its 13th year! Come and gaze at collections of the finest quilts, garments, and fibers that the Tri-State has to offer; the items available to festival go-ers are of such quality they have even been entered in Quilt Competitions! The day will be filled with dazzling demonstrations, appraisals, workshops, and lectures from various instructors. The Merchants Mall will also feature everything for quilt, fiber, wearable and textile artists, home sewers and needle crafters.
Garden State Exhibit Center
50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ 08873
Cost: $13
Maple Sugar Festival, Photo via MorrisParks.net
4. Maple Sugar Festival
Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM
Is there really a better combination than Maple and Sugar? The Maple Sugar Festival at the Great Swamp Morris Trails brings together Hundreds of people to indulge themselves with so many SWEET activities that include: eating maple syrup snow cones, participating in a syrup taste-test, and so much more. This event is surely to bring joy to all families who attend and will go on rain or shine!
Great Swamp OEC
247 Southern Blvd., Chatham Township
Cost: $4 per person age 3 & up
5. Paramus High School Craft Show
Sunday, March 5, 2017, 9:30AM – 5:00PM
Young Artists from Paramus High School welcome you to join their craft show this year, that features one hundred & twenty five exhibitors with arts & crafts set up throughout the school! Various booths will be set up that will include apparel, florals, hand crafted jewelry, candles, soaps, photography, doll clothing, painted slates, chocolates, prints, and so much more will be displayed for your viewing pleasure. On top of the great young art that is available, there will also be a breakfast & lunch menu for those attending the craft show. Make sure you come by to show support to these young artists on the rise!
Paramus High School
99 East Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652
Cost: $3
6. WBGO Kids Jazz Concert
Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 1:30PM – 2:30PM
WBGO Kids Jazz Concert is a beautiful way for kids and their parents to become connected to an incredible jazz experience. WBGO and the Montclair Art Museum gifts local youth an opportunity to hear some of the jazz community’s most respected musicians and vocalists. Alongside the great listening experiences, guest artists will hold an interactive discussion about jazz and rhythms; as well as holding a Q&A Session. This is one of the grooviest events around that is sure to be quite the time, so bring the whole family on down for a wonderful experience!
Montclair Art Museum
3 S Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
Cost: Free
Kids Fun Fair & Traveling Zoo, Photo via Facebook @KidsFunFairZoo
7. Kids Fun Fair & Traveling Zoo
Saturday & Sunday, March 4 & 5, 2017
Saturday 10:00AM – 7:00PM
Sunday 10:00AM – 6:00PM
The Kids Fun Fair & Traveling Zoo brings together a dream combination of activities for your kids! The Fun Fair will include: a petting zoo, animal rides, mechanical rides, face painting, games, popcorn, and cotton candy! If all of that does not sound like a good time, then I don’t know what is. Make sure to bring your children down to the New Jersey Expo Center for all these events and more!
New Jersey Expo Center
97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ, 08837
Cost: $10 Adult & one child, $15 at the door
8. Atlantic City Boat Show
Wednesday, March 1, 2017 11:00AM – 8:00PM
Thursday, March 2, 2017 11:00AM – 8:00PM
Friday, March 3, 2017 11:00AM – 8:00PM
Saturday, March 4, 2017 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Sunday, March 5, 2017 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Introduce your kids to the world of boats! The Atlantic City Boat Show features 440 booths showcasing all the latest in marine technology, engines, accessories, nautical gifts, and more. The Atlantic City Convention Center is hosting one of New Jersey’s best collection of premiere boats and unbeatable collection of marine gear! There is a chance you will find the boat of your dreams, which could be: luxury motor, yachts, sport fishers, performance boats, inflatables, and even a personal watercraft. There will be boats for every lifestyle, activity, and budget so don’t be shy! The Marine Marketplace and its 93,000 square feet will be displaying EVERYTHING boating related, it is almost a show within the show. The 5-day event is also your once-a-year chance to witness marine technology, engines, accessories, nautical gifts, and possibly a boat for the whole family. You might not have considered yourself a boating lover, but after attending the Atlantic City Boat show you might just be the captain of your own ship by the time you leave!
Atlantic City Convention Center
1 Convention Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Cost: $16.00
9. Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 1:00PM
The Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade features floats and live bands that will surely bring together your whole family. For more fun, after gazing at many colorful floats and at the live entertainment, there will be a Post-Parade Party at Franklin Steakhouse (238 N Franklin Avenue, Nutley, NJ 07110). This will be showcased on the upper level from 3–6 pm with entertainment from The Captain and O’Neill.
Starts at Holy Family Church at 28 Brookline Avenue, Nutley, NJ 07110
Ends at John Walker Middle School, 325 N Franklin Avenue, Nutley, NJ 07110
Nutley, NJ
Cost: Free
Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Photo via BelmarParade.com
10. 2017 Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 12:30PM
Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade will host more than 5,500 marchers and 40 bands, which is surely a sight that is must-see! Along with marchers and bands, the parade will feature bagpipers are that will be dressed in the traditional kilted attire. This enormous event will definitely keep your young ones entertained, and will surely be one to remember!
Parade starts on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Monroe Avenue
Belmar, NJ 07719
Cost: Free
11. Kid’s Fun Back in the Day
Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 1:00PM – 4:00PM
There’s nothing better than a family friendly cabin-fever-fixing day of fun! Have your family join in on this interesting and historic look at the toys and games that colonial children played with. These toys may be familiar as well as brand new to those who attend.There will also be plenty of hands-on fun is open to everyone, but most appropriate for children 5-9. Play time will commence following engaging talks held by staff of the Van Liew-Suydam House. Each attendee will also have a chance to make a game and a toy to take back home with them!
Van Liew-Suydam House
280 S Middlebush Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
Cost: $10, Please email Sue Ann Derkach at SueAnnDVought@aol.com to make a reservation
12. Art for Families: Go Van Gogh
Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 10:30AM to 1:00PM
The Princeton University Art Museums hosts a marvelous expose on of one our most famous artists of our time. Children will have the chance to get a closer look at Van Gogh’s vivid colors and swirling brushstrokes as well as create their very own masterpiece at Art for Families event. All ages are welcome to this event has hosts gallery spectating and related art projects during the expose, so do the whole family a favor and Go Van Gogh!
Princeton University Art Museum
Elm Drive, Princeton, NJ 08544
Cost: Free
Kids for Kids, Photo via Facebook @JeffersonElemPTA
13. Kids for Kids
Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Kids for Kids is a great event to help kids learn about volunteering and gratitude. The 5th installment of this annual event includes volunteer activities helping Essex County kids in need. There will be plenty of hands-on activities for everyone, and there is no limit to the amount of help we can give those around us. The event shares the joys of volunteerism and instill in kids at an early age what they can do to impact their community and others around them.
Bauer Community Center
100 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
Cost: Free
14. A Year with Frog and Toad
Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 3:00PM – 4:30PM
A Year with Frog and Toad is a wonderful kid friendly vaudeville musical display that follows two great friends in their various journeys together as they find out the true meaning of friendship, and how it withstands all seasons. This great show features the beloved Frog who is always cheerful, and his grump companion Toad. This great portrayal of friendship takes us through their times throughout all four seasons with activities such as: planting seeds for the garden, swimming, raking leaves, sledding in the snow, and many more! The award winning A Year with Frog and Toad is an inventive, exuberant, and enchanting experience for the whole family to witness!
McCarter Theatre Center
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Cost: $25-$35
15. Franklin Mineral Museum Season Opening
Saturday & Sunday, March 4-5, 2017
Saturday: 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sunday: 11:00AM to 5:00PM
The Franklin Mineral Museum will having its grand opening for the season this weekend, and it is a can’t miss event for the whole family! Rock lovers or those curious about the all things rocks can take a peek in the fossil room, which displays preserved fish, worms, and even occasional dinosaur egg. Afterwards, you will be amaze by the bright colors in the fluorescent mineral room. Lastly, there’s also a real-life mine that children can explore, so bring down your little explorers and discover what our Earth’s natural rocks have to offer!
The Franklin Mineral Museum
32 Evans Street, Franklin, NJ 07416
Cost: $8.00 Children, $12.00 Adult
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 30 FREE NJ Events in March
- 10 Must Know (Kid Friendly) Events in February
- 10 Outdoor Activities To Do in February
- Best Ski Resorts for NJ Families
- Must Know Winter Classes in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- 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)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
