We’re getting ready to spring ahead to warmer temps this month. With Daylight Savings Time just around the corner, we’re eagerly awaiting longer days with more sunshine and sprinkled chances of getting outside. From a sugar maple celebration and farm work horse rides to a multicultural Lunar New Year festival and nature adventures, you’ll love our list of 30 Free Things to Do in March.
Be sure to tag #NJMOM and @njmom for the chance to have your kids featured in one of our articles.
30 Free Events in NJ This March
1. Karaoke and Pizza
Friday, March 2, 2018 | 4:30PM to 5:30PM
Do your kids love to belt out songs by Laurie Berkner (and maybe a little I Will Survive encore by mom and dad)? If so, then Warren County Library is the place to be – all ages are invited to come together for an afternoon of social singing, then enjoy a slice or two of pizza. Although the event is free, pre-registration is required on their website.
Warren County Library, Northeast Branch
40 US-46, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
2. Sugar Maple Celebration
Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, 2018 | 10:00AM
Come celebrate the Sugar Maple and the magic it brings to your table. Tap a tree and enjoy the maple sugaring process with Duke Farms Executive Director Michael Catania. Participate in activities and nature hikes focused on wildlife, tree identification, best forestry practices, and climate change as it relates to the Sugar Maple and our native forests. Experience the flavor of New Jersey maple syrup, visit live demonstrations, and have fun!
Dukes Farm
1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Bright Horizons at Maxwell Place. Via
3. STEMulate Your Brain
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 10:00AM to 12:00PM
Come celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with STEM activities including Stack the Cat’s Hat, Fish in the River Snack, Lorax Sensory Bottles and more. There will also be refreshments and raffles.
Bright Horizons at Maxwell Place
1102 Maxwell Lane, Hoboken, NJ 07030
4. Open Gym Family Day
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Gym days can be fun, especially when it’s really more of a party at a gym! Come to Powerhouse Mahwah’s Open Gym Family Day and you can experience 30,000 square feet of fitness, DJ entertainment, and a magic clown. Meet with personal trainers and sports training coaches, and perhaps you’ll even feel jazzed enough to try out one of the running classes happening during the event.
Powerhouse Mahwah
95 Mckee Dr., Mahwah, NJ 07430
5. South Jersey Book Expo
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM
The South Jersey Book Expo hosted by Broken Bars Publishing brings together local artists and authors under one roof. This book lovers’ dream of an event will also have an indoor art show, book signings, raffles for prizes, spoken word poetry, and a live band. Artists will also be displaying their latest artworks along with plenty of giveaways.
Cherry Hill Mall
2000 New Jersey 38, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002
6. Ellis Island: Gateway to America
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM
The land of the free and the home of the brave. This charming musical is a spirited salute to America in song and dance. Your family will enjoy this story about a small group of immigrants who came to America in the early 1900’s, the immigrant experience, and the legacy of freedom in the United States.
Little Egg Harbor Branch | Ocean County Library
290 Mathistown Rd., Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08087
7. Art for Families: Play Ball
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 10:30AM to 1:00PM
We love Saturday mornings at the Princeton University Art Museum – for two and a half hours, drop in anytime and enjoy an engaging gallery activity followed by a related art project. This Saturday, learn about the world’s first team sports and then make a headdress inspired by ancient Mayan examples. All ages are welcome and no tickets or reservations are required.
Princeton University Art Museum
Elm Drive, Princeton, NJ 08544
Belleville Public Library. Via
8. Crafty Kids Create
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 11:00AM
Calling all crafters! Kids between the ages of 5 and 11 are invited to craft and create to their hearts’ content. All
materials provided.
Belleville Public Library
221 Washington Ave., Belleville, NJ 07109
9. Animal Hours
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 2:00PM to 3:00PM
Get up close and personal with Huber Woods Park’s snakes, turtles, frogs, and bugs. While the Reptile House is undergoing renovations, this meet and green animal event will be held at the Huber Woods Lodge.
Huber Woods Lodge at Huber Woods
25 Brown’s Dock Rd., Locust, NJ 07760
10. Seussology
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 3:00PM to 4:00PM
Oh, the places you’ll go when you watch the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss be lifted from the page in a lively performance at the Morris County Library! Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday in musical style.
Morris County Library
30 East Hanover Ave., Whippany, NJ 07981
11. Lunar Fest NJ – Celebrates The Year of the Dog
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 12:00PM to 6:00PM
Gung hay fat choy! Lunar Fest NJ 2018 is a multicultural celebration ringing in The Year of the Dog; rhythmic lion dances, Korean sword dancing, Vietnamese fan dancing, and Chinese ribbon dancing will captivate your family with its colorful and vibrant display of Asian cultures. There will also be traditional cuisines, vendors, crafts and themed activities for children.
The Woodland
60 Woodland Rd, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040
12. Little Ninjas Class
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 | 4:15PM to 4:45PM
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That’s one of the basic concepts of martial arts that your child will learn in this free introductory class. Not to mention, other life skills like coordination, social and sharing, and self-control – we think this is a black belt for the books. Register for your free class here. Only for ages 4 and 5.
Art Hinkelbein Martial Arts Academy
121 S. Main St., Forked River, NJ 08731
13. Austin the Unstoppable
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 | 10:00AM
Treat your family to an upbeat musical performance about learning how to make healthy lifestyle choices. Reigning master of the X-box and junk food junkie, 11-year-old Austin must face the long-term consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle when he learns his mother has been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. It’s funny while covering a serious topic, and we think this will be one of the best spent 60 minutes of your life this week!
Middle Township Performing Arts Center
212 Bayberry Dr., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Rutgers Geology Museum. Via
14. Ice Age Late Night
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 | 4:00PM to 8:00PM
Sabertooth cats, mastodons, and mammoths, oh my! Learn all about the different creatures that roamed the planet during the Ice Age at this unique event hosted by the Rutgers University Geology Museum. Demonstrations, arts and crafts, and educational activities will be set up.
Rutgers University Geology Museum
85 Somerset St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
15. Family Game Night
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 | 6:00PM to 7:00PM
For an old-fashioned night with the family, try a game night! Trenton Public Library will provide the games, you bring the fam! Gather around over classic board games like checkers and chess or newer games like Connect 4, Operation, Uno, and The Diary of a Wimpy Kid game.
Trenton Free Public Library
120 Academy St., Trenton, NJ 08608
16. Arts and Crafts for Kids
Thursday, March 8, 2018 | 3:45PM
Children 5 and up can create their own masterpieces in the large meeting room at the library. Children under 7 years old need to be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required.
New Milford Public Library
200 Dahlia Ave., New Milford, NJ 07646
17. A Cinderella Tale… Happily Ever After
Thursday, March 8, 2018 | 6:00PM
New Jersey Theatre Alliance presents this free production at the Vineland Public Library based on the classic tale “Cinderella.” Children will take away positive messages about inner beauty, courage, and kindness as these triumph over greed, arrogance and bully behavior. Register online here.
Vineland Public Library
1058 E. Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360
18. Recreation Fair
Saturday, March 10, 2018 | 10:00AM to 12:00PM
Come meet with the program directors of West Windsor Parks and Recreation for what’s new in spring and summer programs. You can ask questions, register for programs, and find out what West Windsor has to offer.
West Windsor Senior Center
271 Clarksville Rd., Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
Mercer County Park Commission. Via
19. Work Horse Rides
Saturday, March 10, 2018 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM
No pain, no gain. The Work Horse Ride program at Howell Living History Farm will give children a taste of early 20th-century farm life. In order to get a ride, children must first do their farm chores! From helping farmers sweep out horse stalls and cleaning harnesses to filling water troughs and making repairs to pasture fences, the farm life list will have your kids breaking a sweat. Rides will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information please call (609) 737-3299.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
20. Schoolhouse Rock Live!
Saturday, March 10, 2018 | 2:00PM
Schoolhouse Rock Live! Is coming to Point Pleasant! This pop culture phenomenon is now a musical based on the 1970s cartoon series that taught history, grammar, and math through clever songs. Schoolhouse Rock Live! Is about Tom, a teacher who is nervous about his first day of teaching. Parents can reminisce about songs like “Just a Bill,” “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly,” and “Conjunction Junction” while their kids hear them for the first time. Call 732-295-1555 to reserve your spot.
Point Pleasant Borough Branch | Ocean County Library
834 Beaver Dam Rd., Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
21. Zumbini Class
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 | 9:30AM to 10:15AM
First-time families can try out this class that combines Zumba and BabyFirst for kids ages 0 to 4. It combines music, dance, and education tools to create a bond with your child while also helping them socially, cognitively and emotionally. Although the class is free, pre-registration is required here.
Little Dreamers Play Cafe
2153 Highway 35, Sea Girt, NJ 08750
22. Whole Kids at Whole Foods
Friday, March 16, 2018 | 9:30AM to 10:30AM
Hosted by the Paramus Public Library, children between the ages of two and a half to 5 years can participate in food, fun, and stories at Whole Foods Market at the Bergen Town Center. Register in advance here.
Whole Foods Market in Paramus
300 Bergen Town Center, Paramus, NJ 07652
23. The Wizard of Oz
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | 6:00PM
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to West Cape May Elementary School, where you will be treated to a production by local fifth and sixth graders of L. Frank Baum’s classic musical “The Wizard of Oz.” Complete with costumes, props, and sets that they will bring Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and more to life, this production is sure to enchant your little ones.
West Cape May Elementary School
30 Moore St., West Cape May, NJ 08204
24. Peter and the Wolf
Thursday, March 22, 2018 | 2:00PM
This traditional Russian folktale, “Peter and the Wolf,” will bring daring, defiance, confidence and courage together in one colorful production at Stafford Branch Ocean County Library. The whole family will enjoy this performance filled with laughter, love, and friendship.
Stafford Branch | Ocean County Library
129 North Main St., Manahawkin, NJ 08050
25. Nature Adventures for Preschoolers
Friday, March 23, 2018 | 10:30AM to 11:30AM
Get your little ones in tune with nature at a young age. Kids between the ages of 3 and 5 can head to Rancocas Nature Center for a free learning experience about the wonders of nature; a storytime reading of a nature-themed picture book is followed by a short weather-dependent hike. Pre-register by calling (609) 261-2495. Parents must accompany all children.
Rancocas Nature Center
794 Rancocas Rd., Westampton Township, NJ 08060
Shore Good Donuts. Via
26. Free Donut Day
Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 7:00AM to 2:00PM
Shore Good Donuts will be giving away free donuts for the day at both of their locations in Ship Bottom and Manahawkin. Each guest receives one free donut.
Shore Good Donuts
1211 Long Beach Blvd., Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
27. Spring Children’s Festival
Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM
Welcome in spring with a spring children’s festival at Washington Kid Care and Learning Center.
Washington Kid Care & Learning Center
70-72 E. Washington Ave., Washington, NJ 07882
28. Cape May Stage Workshop
Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 1:00PM
This musical theater camp will introduce your kids to the ins and outs of performing on stage. Please register your child in advance by emailing education@capemaystage.org or by calling (609) 884-1341.
The Robert Shackleton Playhouse
Bank and Lafayette streets, Cape May, NJ 08204
Gateway National Recreation Area. Via
29. Junior Ranger Animal Tracking
Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 10:00AM to 11:30AM
Identify animal tracks from the beach to the forest. A park ranger will teach children between ages 7 to 12 the skills of tracking wildlife by discovering tracks or remains that are left behind. Please call 732- 872-5970 to make reservations.
Gateway National Recreation Area
26 Hudson Rd., Highlands, NJ 07732
30. Stone Soup and Other Stories
Wednesday, March 28, 2018 | 6:00PM
The Stages Festival puts on a well-seasoned blend of familiar folktales from around the world, including “Stone Soup.” This is the perfect production for children to get a taste of many classic stories in a zesty theatre style.
Warren H. Wolfe Elementary School
224 Chambers Bridge Rd., Brick Township, NJ 08723
