Top 15 {kid-friendly} Things To Do in NJ, July 7-9

Events this weekend across New Jersey are all about festivals, fairs, and even free family fun. Keep the fireworks party going at Lambertville’s First Friday Fireworks, view spectacular sand sculptures at the Fifth Annual Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival, get your thrills at Cumberland County Fair, celebrate the arts and outdoors at Maplewoodstock Music & Art Festival, plus many more family-friendly events happening throughout New Jersey on this holiday weekend.

Here are 15 Things To Do This Weekend in NJ:

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

Cumberland County Fair. via

1. Cumberland County Fair
Tuesday, July 4 – Saturday, July 8, 2017 | Wednesday 1:00PM, Thursday & Friday 4:00PM, Saturday at 11:00AM
The Cumberland County Fair invites your family to a fun filled day of pig racing, monster truck rides, great food, a magician and comedian team, great farm and garden exhibits, some home and arts exhibits, and live music. As if they could not add anymore events to this jam packed lineup, there will also be an array of egg Russian roulette, Brain Wash Game show’s version of Family Feud, cracked walnuts strolling music, contests and games, and plenty of family friends rides. Your family will not want to miss all the fun on the farm.
Cumberland County Fairgrounds
3301 Carmel Road, Millville, NJ 08332
Cost: Free for Kids 3 and under, $3 for Kids ages between 4 and 9, $5 General Admission

2. Califon Fire Company 97th Annual Carnival
Wednesday, July 5 – Saturday, July 88, 2017 at 6:00PM
The highly anticipated Califon Fire Company’s 97th Annual Carnival in Califon is finally here, and is looking to put on quite the show. Plenty of kid-friendly carnival rides plus fireworks on July 5th and 7th make this event extremely popular year after year. Make sure you bring your family down and take in all the amazing food, rides, and atmosphere while it is still here.
Firemen’s Field
39 Academy Street, Califon, NJ 07830
Cost: Free, Rides vary by price

3. Essex County Summer Music 2017
Friday, July 7, 2017 from 7:30PM to 9:30PM
The Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series offers a diverse lineup of performers who will take center stage throughout their historic Parks System. Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze, and dance to the sounds of summer. This weekend features The Duprees, who are known the world over for their romantic interpretations of some of the most beautiful love songs ever written. They have made a career out of giving new life to old hits. There is nothing better than summer nights with the perfect music to go along with it.
Brookdale Park
Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Cost: Free

Lambertville/ New Hope Friday Night Lights on the River. via

4. First Friday Fireworks in Lambertville/ New Hope
Friday, July 7, 2017 from 9:30PM to 9:50PM
The Delaware River Towns Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is sponsoring the Summer 2017 Fireworks program to celebrate their communities and support their downtown businesses. These hugely popular displays are returning to their River Towns once again this year, so make sure your family makes an appearance out to Lambertville and New Hope to support their many fine stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Lambertville, NJ 08530
Cost: Free

5. New Jersey State Barbecue Championship
Friday, July 7 – Sunday, July 9, 2017 | Friday 4:00PM – 11:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM – 11:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM – 6:00PM
The New Jersey State Barbecue Championship crowns those who demonstrate their skill and hard work for these lovely food competitions, and also crowns all of us that attend who get the amazing opportunity to feast on these delicious items. This three-day open-air festival features championship barbecue competition, live cooking demonstrations, special displays, and food and beverage vendors to take care of every taste bud your family has. The Anglesea Blues Festival features both national and regional blues musicians, and is held in conjunction with the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship. Throughout the weekend, there will be live entertainment on the outdoor main stage, as well as additional acts in neighboring venues.
2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Cost: Free

6. 2017 Beachfest Arts and Crafts Festival
Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The 2017 Beachfest Arts and Crafts Festival features other worldly decorating and gift items including: handcrafted furniture, fabulous florals, jewelry, wearable art, handmade soaps, candles, traditional and fine art, gourmet delights, and lots more.
Veteran’s Park
129 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Cost: Free

7. FamilyCon 2017 – The Most Fun Annual Family Event in America
Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
NJ FamilyCon is your one stop shop for all things happy and family. Your family will get a chance to experience over 100 companies with products and services for all of your family’s needs. This family-style convention will include activities by popular sponsors such as: building activities with Home Depot, Robotics, craft’s with Michael’s, building with Legos, Tech & Computer stations with Microsoft, and plenty more. Of course, you cannot forget about the Magical Baby Wonderland Sponsored by Babies ‘R’ US with plenty of stuff just for your baby. Not to mention, also the fan favorite iPlay America Indoor boardwalk section includes exciting activities like: Go-Karts, indoor bowling, video games, and laser tag. This jam packed event is guaranteed great family fun for all ages, and is the perfect combination of education and fun.
iPlay America
110 Schanck Road, Freehold 07728
Cost: $7 Kids between 5 &12, $15 Adult, $28 Family 4 Pack

Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival. via

8. Fifth Annual Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival
Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 9:00AM to 2:00PM
For the fifth time, the Annual Wildwood Crest Sand and Sculpting Festival is offering FREE amateur sand sculpting contests that also includes live music, beach games and more; all this will be taking place at the Heather Road beach in the shadows of the Wildwood Crest Beach Pier. This glorious event is open to all ages, and the whole family is encouraged to participate as a contestant or simply come by and check out all the interesting designs and sculptures while enjoying the great live music and more. The contest directed by world renowned sand sculptor Matt Long. There is nothing better than a great day at the beach, music, and the art of sand sculpting.
Wildwood Crest Beach Pier
Heather Road and Ocean Avenue, Wildwood, NJ
Cost: Free

9. Port Imperial Food Truck & Music Festival
Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 11:00AM to 7:00PM
Is there anything better than food, beer, music, and fun? Well, if they were combined with the superb Manhattan skyline visible from West New York, than this is the event you and your family have been waiting for. All New Jersey food lovers will get a chance to eat your hearts out with over 25 gourmet food trucks, get a chance to dance the day away with live bands, and bask in the presence of your fellow event goers as you enjoy the fulfilling Summer day. Along with the good eats and even better drinks, there will be face painting, sand art, balloons, and rock wall climbing. All members of the family are encouraged to come, even the furry members of your family.
Port Imperial
21 Avenue at Port Imperial, West New York, NJ 07093
Cost: Free for Kids under 10, $5 General Admission, Guests are also asked to bring a non-perishable canned or boxed item to help support the food pantry

10. Blueberry Festival
Saturday, July 8 – Sunday, July 9, 2017 from 11:00AM to 5:00PM
Alstede Farms invites your family to celebrate the New Jersey Blueberry, a staple of the summer. For your family’s sweet tooth, there will be a plenty of blueberry treats ranging from Blueberry Shortcake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Blueberry Tart, Blueberry Cake Pops, Blueberry Ice Cream, Blueberry Peach Ice Cream, Blueberry Pie, Blueberry Lemon Pie, and No Sugar Blueberry Pie all on display for your family’s liking. This event is not just about the food, there will also be family fun activities such as: pony rides, tractor train rides, moon bounce, hay wagon rides, the corn kingdom, and much more.
Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
Cost: $6.99 Pick Your Own Admission, $17.99 Children’s All Day Activity Pass (Unlimited access to pony rides, moon bounce, wagon train rides, corn kingdom, also includes admission to pick your own areas, hayrides, and live entertainment)

Maplewoodstock. via

11. Maplewoodstock Music & Art Festival
Saturday, July 8 – Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 12:00PM
The Maplewoodstock is a fantastic two-day festival of local music and arts; this incredible event is also put on by community friends and neighbors. Since 2004, this popular event has grown and flourished over the years. Maplewoodstock as also evolved to two days, with food and arts vendors, a KidsZone, and some headline regional and national music acts.
Memorial Park
Valley Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Cost: Free

12. Garden State Comic Fest
Saturday, July 8 – Sunday, 9, 2017 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM
The invitation has finally arrived for you and your family to come out and meet some of your favorite artists and creators as well as the best comic and toy vendors around. This exciting event also will be host to contests, games, and fun for the whole family. Make sure to come out and celebrate your favorite Super Heroes, and don’t forget about those Villains, as well. All will be there for the Heroic Garden State Comic Fest.
Mennen Arena
161 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
Cost: Free for kids 11 & under with Paying Adult, $25+ Adult

13. Classic Car Show & Oldies Day
Sunday, July 9, 2017 from 11:30:AM to 5:30PM (First Race is at 12:50PM)
Monmouth Park invites your family to experience a day from the past, and it will give you a truly classic feel; as old-school entertainment and the mix of 150 retro cars will be on display to provide entertainment for the whole family. New Jersey’s biggest disc jockey, Big Joe Henry will be broadcasting his NJ 101.5 FM’s #1 Jersey Favorite Hits Show live with some slammin’ oldies from your favorite groups, The Cameos. This classic car show and old school music event is for all ages, so make sure to bring the whole family out for a full day of fun. Also, while you enjoy the cars, music, and of course the racing, the kids can remember their day full of FREE pony rides, face painting, a bounce house, and more.
Monmouth Park Racetrack
175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Cost: Free for Kids 12 and under, $5 General Admission, $5 Parking

14. 25th Haddonfield Crafts & Fine Art Festival
July 8-9, 2017 (Rain or Shine) | Saturday from 11:00AM to 7:00PM, Sunday from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
The Haddonfield Crafts & Fine Art Festival draws more than 100,000 attendees each year, for plenty of reasons. Your family can take part in celebrating the 25th year of this fantastic festival while enjoying a wonderful day in Haddonfield. There will be artist’s booths with gifts for your whole family, so make sure to stop on by.
Along Kings Highway and Tanner Street, Haddonfield, NJ
Cost: Free

15. Country Day at Kirby’s Mill
Sunday, July 9, 2017 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM
The combination of black powder rifle demonstrations and presentation of Civil War camp life by members of the 12th NJ Volunteer Infantry is an experience your family cannot miss out on. Event go-ers will have the chance to tour the historic Kirby’s Mill housing the society’s museum collection, and witness crafters at work in their natural habitats. Crafters at work will include: broommaker, Sam Moyer of Mount Laurel; basketmaker, Inger Bullock of Westhampton; deco carver, Ray Nyman of Marlton, along with others.The Blacksmith Shop will be open for demonstrations, and the animal treadmill will be operating as well. The society’s collection of historic wagons and buggies will be available for photo ops. Lastly, the antique hand printing press in the print shop exhibit will be demonstrated, while members of the South Jersey Guild of Spinners and Weavers will apply their craft on an antique loom. Other exhibits on display include a working demonstration of the big wheel lathe in the Cabinet-maker’s shop. Do not forget that the amazing museum gift shop will be open as well.
Kirby’s Mill
275 Church Rd, Medford NJ 08055
Cost: Free