32 Kid-Friendly Things To Do in NJ This Weekend

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It’s Mother’s Day weekend, and we’re celebrating with lots of spring-themed family fun. Kick off the weekend with shopping, photo stations, face painting, and more at Asbury Park Spring Bazaar in Asbury Park, enjoy live music, a petting zoo, and all things strawberries at Stella Farms Strawberry Festival in Berlin, or stroll through a beautiful botanical garden full of blooming azalea shrubs at the Annual Azalea Festival in Hamilton. If you’re looking for more seasonal things to try, check out everything spring on our bucket list. (Featured Photo Credit: istock/Lisa5201)

(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)

Brick Farmers’ Market
May 13 at 8:30 AM
Bring your family out to Windward Beach Park to connect to the sea and scoop up some genuine sea glass jewelry. You’ll also find fresh produce, coffee, mozzarella made onsite, hand-poured soy candles, homemade baked goods, soap, and more.
Cost: Free
Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Ave, Brick Township, NJ 08724

Stella Farms Strawberry Festival
May 13 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.
Stella Farms, 459 Berlin New Freedom Rd, Berlin, NJ 08009

Annual Azalea Festival
May 13 at 10 AM
It’s a Mother’s Day weekend of fun with local craft vendors and food as you stroll through our renowned botanical gardens overflowing with blooming azalea shrubs. The rain date is May 14.
Cost: Free
Sayen Gardens, 155 Hughes Drive, Hamilton, NJ 08690

National Public Gardens Day at Macculloch Hall
May 13 at 10 AM
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day in MHHM’s historic garden. The garden will have special presentations, nature scavenger hunts, and art activities. Then at 11:00 AM, see The Raptor Trust’s Bringing Up Birdie. This event is rain or shine.
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960

Creative Arts Festival
May 13 at 10 AM
Spend a day perusing artists at the juried arts festival. Works will be displayed in all mediums, including pottery, jewelry, photography, and painting. There will be live music and food vendors.
Cost: Admission and parking are free
Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738

Born to be Shorn
May 13 at 10 AM
Watch master shearer Margaret Quinn demonstrate how to properly shear a sheep the old-fashioned way at Forestfields Living Historical Farm. You will learn how wool is used for crafts such as spinning, felting, and dyeing demonstrations.
Cost: $10
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960

Bloom Maker’s Market and Mother’s Day Brunch
May 13 – 14 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Spend Mother’s Day weekend at Renault Winery during a special event—the Bloom Makers Market—where curated makers share their handmade goods, such as jewelry, accessories, home decor, and more. As you explore the market, you can listen to live music, snap family selfies at the photo wall, and participate in mommy and me activities (Saturday only). On Sunday, shop the market and then indulge in a special Mother’s Day Brunch with family and friends. 
Renault Winery & Resort, 72 Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215

Branchburg Food Truck and Music Festival
May 13 at 11 AM
Bring the whole family out for live music, a Mother’s Day plant sale, ax throwing, kid’s activities, face painting, inflatables, knocker ball, games, sand art, and spin art. Don’t forget your lawn chair.
Cost: $5; under 5 is free. Please bring an item for the food pantry
White Oak Park, 235 Baird Road, Branchburg, NJ 08876

Holland Ridge Farms Mother’s Day Pop-Up Market
May 13 at 11 am
Pick up gifts for all of the special moms in your life, from one-of-a-kind handmade items to treats from local food purveyors. This event will feature plenty of fun for the whole family, including a petting zoo, kid’s activities, food trucks, and more.
Cost: Free
Holland Ridge Farms, 86 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 

Manville PBA Food & Music Festival
May 13 at 12 PM
The Manville PBA Food & Music Festival is a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend. Enjoy 12+ food vendors, live music from Naughty Humphry and Grand Theft Audio NJ, and craft vendors. This event features Bounce House Village, a bungee trampoline, an air shot shooting range, henna tattoos, and much more.
Cost: Food and music fest admission will be $6 for everyone Over 6 years old. Tickets are $5 in advance (plus a service charge)
Rustic Mall, Manville, NJ 08835

Vendor & Food Truck Festival
May 13 at 12 PM
Come check out this all-inclusive park for a day full of fun, food, and vendors for the whole family. The rain date is May 14.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas Field Of Dreams, 1505 N Bay Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753

Play with Baby Goats
May 13 at 12 PM
Bring your family out to cuddle, play and relax with baby goats. Feed the goats while you tour the farm and snap the perfect photos.
Cost: $30
Angels in the Pines Goat Farm, LLC 135 South Genoa Avenue Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215

Touch a Truck Event
May 13 at 12 PM
This event is perfect for your little one who loves trucks! Head out to the Touch a Truck event in the outer parking lot adjacent to P.F. Chang’s. See trucks and vehicles from local organizations. Morris Knolls Performing Arts Academy will also join with performances throughout the day.
Cost: Free
Rockaway Townsquare, 301 Mt Hope Ave, Rockaway, NJ 07866

Mother’s Day Expo: Indoor Shopping Experience
May 13 at 1 PM
This indoor shopping experience includes 20 + vendors, kids’ crafts, freebies for moms, and more.
Cost: Free
267 Madison Avenue, New Milford, 07646

Career Carnival for Kids
May 13 at 2 PM
Kids in elementary and middle school can explore exciting careers with hands-on activities, demos, games, and giveaways. Meet professionals from Business and Finance, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Law and Public Safety, Technology, and more.
Rockaway Townsquare Mall, Outside Macy’s – Lower Level, Mount Hope Ave, Rockaway, NJ 07866

Monmouth County’s Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
May 13 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 20.
Allaire Community Farm, 1923 Baileys Corner Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719

Mother’s Day Weekend Arts Retreat at Appel Farm
May 13-14
Spend Mother’s Day Weekend at an overnight at Appel Farm. This two-day experience includes four art workshops, Saturday lunch and dinner, a campfire and special snack, late-night fun time, early morning activities, and a special Mother’s Day Brunch. All activities are geared toward ages 5 and up.
Cost: $100 for adult/child day pass or $250 for adult/child overnight (private bunking available for additional cost)
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, 457 Shirley Rd, Elmer, NJ 08318

Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise
May 14 at 10 AM
Take Mom on a scenic brunch cruise with a buffet breakfast, salads, chicken, fish, beef, pasta, and international desserts. There will also be a DJ at this event.
Cost: $67.95 for adults and $50.96 for children
401 Riverview Drive, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

Mother’s Day Grand Brunch Buffet at Tomasello Winery
May 14 at 10 AM
Make those Mother’s Day reservations for a Grand Brunch Buffet at Tomasello Winery. Sample the carving station, try the Bananas Foster French Toast, or indulge in the Chocolate Mousse Shooters for dessert.
Cost: $49.95 for adults and $19.95 for children 12 and under
225 North White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037

Monmouth Park Racetrack Mother’s Day
May 14 at 10 AM
Spend the day at the races with free admission to the track for all women, which includes giveaways and raffle drawings. Live racing begins at 12:40 PM, and there will be free Family Fun Day activities, including clowns, face painters, pony rides, and a bounce house in the picnic area.
Cost: Free for moms and $6; children under 12 are free
175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, NJ 07757

Asbury Fresh 2023 Farmers and Makers Market
May 14 at 10 AM
Returning for the 11th year, head out to Asbury Fresh 2023 Farmers and Makers Market in a new location, Liberty Square Park. Shop from vendors, picnic for the day, and enjoy specialty markets and activities all season long.
Cost: Free
Library Square Park, Grand Ave. & Asbury Ave. Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Mother’s Day
May 14th
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, where you and your kids can take advantage of all the Boardwalk attractions, including Amusement Park, Aquarium, Adventure Lookout Ropes Course, Castaway Cove Mini Golf, Lighthouse Point Mini Golf, and the Fun House. And the best part? Moms are FREE with paying child on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14th. Weather permitting
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Ave N, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Mother’s Day Brunch
May 14 at 11 AM
Try delicious selections with the special women in your life at Brook Hollow Winery Mother’s Day Brunch. Enjoy live music, complimentary flowers to all mothers, an open all-you-can-eat buffet, and a Build-Your-Own Sangria Bar.
Cost: $25. Pricing is different for children under 12.
Brook Hollow Winery, 594 NJ-94, Columbia, NJ 07832

Mother’s Day Walk
May 14 at 11 AM
Take the special woman in your life on a guided walk with a TNC Environmental Educator. This is the perfect opportunity for a pretty photo op with the family. All ages are welcome.
Cost: Free
Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave, Tenafly, NJ 07670

Mother’s Day Bazaar and Brunch
May 14 at 12 PM
Take mom shopping for the perfect gifts from a curated market of makers from the Jersey Shore and beyond. Kids can make their own jean jackets, have their faces painted, stop by for a selfie at the flower wall, and make a bouquet for mom. After, the brunch will have a family-style selection of appetizers for the table, a choice of entrees, and a chef’s selection of desserts. 
Cost: Mother’s Day brunch tickets: $20 – $48. Kids 12 and under $20
The Whitechapel Projects, 15 2nd Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740

Asbury Park Spring Bazaar
May 14 at 12 PM
There is no better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with some shopping—Mother’s Day weekend will feature makers, local vendors, arts and crafts, and music experiences in both locations. There will be Mother’s Day photos and photo stations, fresh flower bouquets, kids’ workshops, and face painting.
Cost: Free
Whitechapel Projects, 15 2nd Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740 
Grand Arcade at Asbury Park Convention Hall, Grand Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Mother’s Day Extravaganza 2023
May 14 at 12 PM
Dress to Impress for this Mother’s Day extravaganza featuring a gourmet luncheon, live music concert, dance affair, and fabulous hat contest. The live music concert will feature Soul/R&B/Jazz vocalist Stephanie Jeannot, Caribbean/Island Music, P&H Band, and “Blue Magic” Group Lead Singer Robert “Buddy” Williams. Lunch will be served at 1 PM sharp.
Cost: $80
Galloping Hill Inn, 325 Chestnut Street Union, NJ 07083

Mother’s Day Screening – Mamma Mia!
May 14 at 1 PM
Come out for this screening of Mamma Mia! at the Princeton Garden Theatre. Experience this unforgettable musical, showcasing the best songs from ABBA, with the special woman in your life.
Cost: General (Garden) $13.50
The Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Mother’s Day Mommy and Me Events at Rewax & Unwine
May 13-14 at various times
It’s Mother’s Day at this DIY candle workshop, where you can attend events like a tea party, charcuterie brunch, candles, chair massages, mom’s night out, or mommy and me candle making.
Cost: Prices vary per event
Rewax & Unwine 2 Division Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Mother’s Day at Terhune Orchards
May 14 at 2 PM
Create a memorable Mother’s Day experience at Terhune Orchards. Enjoy the general store, cafe, fire pits, strolling the vineyard, and Just Jeff in The Winery.
Cost: Free
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540

Mother’s Day Dinner Cruise
May 14 at 4:00 PM
Take a cruise in the calm inland waters of the Manasquan River, Point Pleasant Canal, and Barnegat Bay. Enjoy a variety of dinner choices while on the water.
Cost: $75 for adults, $35 for ages 4-12, and free for 3 and under
800 Ashley Ave., Brielle, NJ 08730

Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2023
 Now – May 14
Get up and go! This five-week running program is for kids in Pre-K through 8th grade. Your kid will compete each week for a chance to earn points. At the end of the series, kids who accumulate the most points in their respective distances are awarded trophies. All participants will receive a medal on Week 5.
Cost: $45
LoBiondo Park, 678 Morton Ave, Bridgeton, NJ US 08302

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About Author

Venessa is a first-time mom to a baby boy and a writer who loves to document her journey through journaling scrapbooking, and make-shift baby photoshoots. Before writing for NJMOM, she worked passionately as an English language arts teacher for over seven years. At NJMOM, she's searching for the best places to have fun with her family in New Jersey and loves giving other moms the scoop on what's happening in the Garden State. When she’s not writing or reading literary fiction, she enjoys vacationing with her family, jogging, and cooking up new recipes.

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