May is reaching its stride, and we’re here for it, with all the fun, kid-friendly things to do this weekend. Spend the day cuddling all the animals at Family Farm Day in Washington Township, enjoy delicious food and family fun at the 37th Annual New Jersey Seafood Fest in Belmar, or celebrate the start of the sweet picking season at the Stella Farms Strawberry Festival in Berlin. And check out our guide for more Mother’s Day brunches and activities. (featured photo credit: istock/Jasonfang)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Mental Health Awareness Night
May 19
RWJBarnabas Health, the official health care provider of Gotham FC, will be presenting Mental Health Awareness Night when Gotham FC take on the Chicago Red Stars at Red Bull Arena. As a special offer to our followers, RWJBarnabas Health is extending its friends and family ticket discount.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Red Bull Arena, 600 Cape May Street, Harrison, NJ 07029
Bloomfield Food Truck and Music Fest
May 17 at 4 PM
Visit 16 food trucks, live music, face painting, hatchet throwing, a petting zoo, sand art, kids’ activities, and vendors. Parking is free.
Cost: $5; kids under 5 are free. Please bring a nonperishable canned or boxed item to help support the food pantry.
St Thomas the Apostle Parking Lot – 50 Byrd Ave., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
New Jersey Seafood Fest Belmar
May 17-19
It’s the 37th year of seafood and family fun in Belmar. Spend the day listening to live music and perusing vendors, where you can try everything from conch fritters to crab legs.
Cost: Free
Downtown Belmar, NJ 07719
Five Star Swim School Open House
May 18 at 3 PM
Come out to experience the Five Star Swim School East Hanover—Open House. This is a fun event for kids and families and a great time to see the facility and try a swim lesson. They will have FREE Trial Swim Lessons, FREE Open Swim from 3-4 PM, and FREE snacks as well.
Cost: Free
Five Star Swim School, 182 NJ-10, East Hanover, NJ 07936
Captain Kidd Pirate Day
May 18 at 11 AM
Ahoy, mates—kids can dress in their pirate best for the Annual Captain Kidd Pirate Day parade and a treasure hunt at 20th Avenue. Kids can walk in the parade, receive a treasure chest, and enter a raffle and costume contest.
Cost: Free
Parade, 26th, and the Boardwalk., Wildwood, NJ 08260
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day 2024
May 18 at 5 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. The rain date is May 19.
Cost: Free
Allaire Community Farm, 1923 Baileys Corner Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719
Keansburg 6th Annual Food Truck Festival
May 18 at 2 PM
Bring the whole family to Keansburg’s 6th Annual Food Truck Festival. Your kids will enjoy face painting, a bounce house, and more. Listen to live bands, including No Limit Entertainment from 2 PM to 5 PM and the Aftermath from 5 PM to 7 PM.
Cost: Free
1 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Woodbridge Street Fair & Craft Show
May 18 at 11 AM
Bring your family to enjoy artists, crafters, vendors, food, rides, and live music. Kids will love the rides, games, and more just for them.
Cost: Free admission for Spectators
Downtown Woodbridge, NJ Main St and Amboy Ave Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Stella Farms Strawberry Festival
May 18 at 9 AM
Celebrate the start of the growing season and enjoy all things strawberries at the Stella Farms Strawberry Festival. This event will also feature live music, food and drinks, pony rides, a petting zoo, and other fun activities for your children.
Cost: Free admission
Stella Farms, 459 Berlin New Freedom Rd, Berlin, NJ 08009
Mayfest
May 18-19 at 10 AM
Head to Historic Smithville for Mayfest, which features an international food court, crafters, and live music. There will also be plenty of activities for the kids, such as face painting and carousel rides, and free shuttles will leave from the parking lot.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, NJ 08060
15th Annual Fairy and Pirate Festival
May 18 at 10 AM
Do you have a pirate or a fairy in your family? Come in your best costume and enjoy a day of food, live performances, vendors, pony rides, inflatables, and more.
Cost: Free
Turkey Brook Park, 30 Flanders Rd, Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Glen Ridge Art and Eco Fair
May 18 at 10 AM
Celebrate the arts and the environment at this eco-friendly fair. This event will include arts and crafts, wellness vendors, live performances, eco demonstrations, and children’s activities.
Cost: Free
200 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Pitman Spring Craft Show
May 18 at 9 AM
This is one craft show you won’t want to miss with the family. Over 250 vendors, local businesses, food trucks, and non-profits will be on display. Free parking and a shuttle are available. The rain date is May 19.
Cost: Free
Uptown Pitman, Pitman, NJ 08071
Asbury Park Vegan Food Fest
May 18-19 at 11 AM
It’s a two-day celebration featuring vegan and plant-based meals from local chefs, vegan products, plant-based fashion, and live music. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: $15-$30
Bradley Park – 101-199 5th Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Renaissance Faire NJ
May 18-19
Take a step back into the 16th century, and the kids can explore Nipper’s Nook, where there will be plenty of things to do to fire the imagination, including pinatas, water balloon games, building your own magic wands, and the new gaming cart of wonder.
Cost: $25 and up. $10 for Child Flex Day Pass (Ages 5 to 12).
1195 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505
21st Annual Ocean Fun Days
May 19 at 11 AM
Learn all about the environment at this fun and educational event. There will be lots of hands-on experiences to enjoy, including a youth scavenger hunt, searching for natural treasures on a guided tour, or taking in the dozens of exhibits and children’s activities.
Cost: Free
Education Program At The Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732
Verona Food Truck & Music Festival
May 19 at 11 AM
This fun-filled family day features 17 gourmet food trucks, drinks, live music, and kid activities. Your kids will enjoy pony rides, the petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, knockerball, sand art, spin art, and more.
Cost: $5; Children under 5 are free. Please bring an item for the food pantry.
Bundt Park, 8 Red School House Rd, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Flower Power & Garden Festival
May 19 at 8 AM
Come ready to groove at this fun flower power festival. There will be flower child threads, cosmic eats, far-out photo ops, vendors, groovy music, and so much more. The rain date is June 2.
Cost: Free
New Egypt Flea Market Village, 933 Monmouth County Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
Cranford Street Fest
May 19 at 11 AM
Bring the whole family to this street fair for lots of fun. You will find crafters, delicious food, entertainment, and much more.
Cost: Free
Downtown Cranford, Cranford, NJ 07016
Family Farm Day
May 19 at 10 AM
Spend a day on the farm with a full tour and personal encounters with all the adorable animals. Any guest age 14 and under can create their own Alpaca Bird Nesting Ball to take home.
Cost: $25 per child and $15 per adult
Hidden Hill Farm, 690 Woodbury Glassboro Road, Washington Township, NJ 08080
Kids Day On The Farm
May 19 at 10 AM
In celebration of children, this day will feature face painting, games, a bounce house, character appearances, and a visit with the animals. Kids can also choose from cotton candy, popcorn, and a snow cone.
Cost: $30 per child
Three Miracles Farm, 265 Jacobstown New Egypt Road, Wrightstown, NJ 08562
ONGOING EVENT
Five Star Swim School Play and Swim Moms Group
Now-May 30
Moms, Dads, Caregivers, Babies, and Kids are welcome to the Play & Swim Moms Group at Five Star Swim School, where parents/caregivers can bring their children to have fun and socialize. Homeschooler groups are welcome. Thursdays – from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The pool is open for swimming from 10 AM to 11 AM, and a lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child, and parents/caregivers swim for free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Five Star Swim School Play and Swim Moms Group
Now-May 30
Moms, Dads, Caregivers, Babies, and Kids are welcome to the Play & Swim Moms Group at Five Star Swim School. A place where parents/caregivers can bring their children to have fun and socialize. Homeschooler groups are welcome. Tuesdays – from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The pool is open for swimming from 10 AM to 11 AM, and a lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child, and parents/caregivers swim for free
Five Star Swim School, 5 Esterbrook Ln, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
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