It’s May which means we’re getting closer to summer, and while you’re counting down the days, we’ve got lots of free things to do with the fam at home or out. Sketch out a tree and listen in during A “Treemendous” Draw-Along & Story Time Virtual Class With Duke Farms, take a horse-drawn carriage ride during the Ort Farms Spring Craft Fair and Plant Sale in Long Valley, or watch amazing kites fly by all Memorial Day weekend at the Wildwoods International Kite Festival on the beach in Wildwood. Ready to plan out your May? Scroll down to find lots of free fun to make this month fly by. And for more ideas on what to do this spring, make sure you check out our NJMOM Spring Bucket List and Our Mother’s Day Things To Do.
featured image via Sky Festival Productions
Become an NJMOM Insider! For all the best things to do with your family around New Jersey, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter delivered right to your inbox each week, and don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Here are 45 free things to do in NJ in May
Virtual Things To Do
Virtual Author Visit with Josh Funk, the author of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast Book Club
May 1 from 11 AM – 11:40 AM
Meet the author of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast with the Cape May County Library. Registration is required for this event.
(609) 884-9568
Virtual Barking Book Buddies
May 3 from 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
Take a turn reading to a therapy dog. This event is through the Cherry Hill Public Library, and it’s in partnership with the Tri-State K-9 Crisis Response Team. Registration required.
(856) 667-0300
Channing Tatum and “The One and Only Sparkella”
May 4 at 7 PM
Join Channing Tatum as he reads “The One and Only Sparkella” with this live Barnes and Noble event.
1-800-843-2665
Michelangelo the Miniature Horse and Friends with the Millburn Free Public Library
May 7 from 4 PM – 4:30 PM
Learn all about what miniature horses eat, where they live, and what kind of jobs they have with the Millburn Free Public Library. Registration is required.
(973) 376-1006
A “Treemendous” Draw-Along & Story Time Virtual Class With Duke Farms
May 8 at 10 AM – 10:45 AM
Join author-illustrator Mike Ciccotello with a draw-along and storytime event with his book “Treemendous: Diary of a Not Yet Mighty Oak.” Registration is required.
(908) 722-3700
Raptor Adaptations
May 23 from 2 PM – 3 PM
Do your kids want to learn all about raptors? Join the Nature Conservancy virtually as The Raptor Trust takes an in-depth look at the biological adaptations of raptors (hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and vultures) and what makes each group unique. Please RSVP for this event.
(973) 326-7600
Kids Parrot Palooza
May 28 from 10 AM – 11 AM
You can kick off this year’s reading program all about animals by “meeting” a parrot and learning about these intelligent birds with the Avalon Public Library.
(609) 967-7155
Barnes and Noble Virtual Saturday Story Time
May 1-31
Click on the link every Saturday to hear a featured picture book read aloud.
1-800-843-2665
Free May events in NJ in-person
(Note: Since COVID-19 rules and regulations are continually changing, it best to check ahead for in-person events)
Spring Fling Arts & Crafts Show
May 1 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Crafters, artisans, and live music will be available throughout the day in Ocean Grove. Jo Wymer & Band and Chuck Lambert Blues will be playing at different times during the event.
Main Street- Pilgrim Pathway- Auditorium Square Park, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
(732) 774-1391
Opening Day of the West Windsor Community Farmers Market
May 1 from 9 AM – 1 PM
Meander through this open-air market to find produce, pastured meats and poultry, fresh seafood, jams, chocolates, wine, and much more.
877 Alexander Road, West Windsor, NJ 08540
(609) 933-4452
Creative Arts and Music Festival at Thompson Park
May 1 from 10 AM – 4 PM
See the work of fine artists, including photography, painting, jewelry, and pottery, at this festival. There will also be live music at the event.
805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732) 842-4000
Spring Food Truck and Craft Festival
May 1 from 11 AM – 5 PM
Check out local craft vendors and get ready to try some delicious food at the food trucks at Duffield’s
280 Chapel Heights Road #9355, Sewell, NJ 08080
(856) 589-7090
Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford
May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 from 1 PM – 4 PM
Watch the 19th-century historic Gristmill in action.
62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501
(609) 259-6275
Bird Walk on the Battlefield
May 1 at 1:30 PM
Meet at the Visitor’s Center Auditorium to take a tour to identify birds in the area for the spring with the Friends of the Monmouth County Battlefield.
16 Highway 33-BR, Manalapan, NJ 07726
(609) 448-6355
Spring Family Fun Day
May 2 from 10 AM – 3 PM
Stroll aisles of flowers and find the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Plus, there is a free Antique Car Show and free face painting.
636 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 431-5271
Hunterdon Land Trust’s Farmers Market
May 2 from 11 AM – 1 PM
This popular market has picked up many great vendors, including Aquasprouts Farm, an aquaponics farm with lettuce and kale, and Will’s Amazing Vegan Burgers. There are also local coffee roasters, homemade dog biscuits, and goat’s milk products.
111 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 237-4582
Walking Tour of the Battlefield
May 2 at 1:30 PM
Meet at the Visitor’s Center Auditorium to take a Monmouth Battlefield tour with the Friends of the Monmouth County Battlefield.
16 Highway 33-BR, Manalapan, NJ 07726
(609) 448-6355
The Casual Birder
May 4 at 9 AM at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, May 18 at 9 AM at Manasquan Reservoir, and May 25 at 9 AM at Thompson Park
Take a laid-back morning walk with a park naturalist to spot local birds in the area.
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center- 311 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731 – (732) 751-9453 Manasquan Reservoir – 311 Windeler Road, Howell, NJ 07731 – 732-919-0996
Thompson Park – 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738 – (732) 842-4000
Martin Z. Mollusk Day
May 8 from 11 AM – 12 PM
Take part in Ocean City’s version of Groundhog Day to see if their crustacean mascot Martin Z. Mollusk sees his shadow to find out if summer will come a week early.
Ninth Street Beach, Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 399-1412
Sheep Shearing at the Howell Living History Farm
May 8 from 11 AM – 3 PM
Have some “shear fun” with sheep shearing and herding, wool spinning, and weaving demonstrations. Learn about fleece cleaning, sheep care, and wool use. Shearing and herding demonstrations will take place throughout the day. A children’s craft is available for a small fee.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Plant a Sunflower at Historic Longstreet Farm
May 8 from 12 PM – 2:30 PM
Be a part of planting a sunflower in the field of Longstreet Farm and then return in the fall to harvest your own sunflower.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Vintage Baseball with the Monmouth Furnace Baseball Club
May 8 from 1 PM- 3 PM
Watch one of America’s favorite pastimes played by the rules from the 19th century.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Embroidery Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm
May 8 from 1 PM- 3 PM
You can watch embroiders as they practice the lost art of applying decorative designs with a needle and thread at Longstreet Farms.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Walking Tour of “The Fight at the Point of Woods”
May 9 at 1:30 PM
Meet at the Visitor’s Center Auditorium to take a tour with the Friends of the Monmouth County Battlefield to visit the location of the fight of Point of Woods.
16 Highway 33-BR, Manalapan, NJ 07726
(609) 448-6355
Splendid Spring Stroll
May 10 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM at Manasquan Reservoir, and May 24 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM at Thompson Park
Say “hello” to spring as a park naturalist guides you through some Monmouth County trails dotted with budding trees and lively birds.
Manasquan Reservoir – 311 Windeler Road, Howell, NJ 07731 – (732) 919-0996
Thompson Park – 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738 – (732) 842-4000
Princeton Farmers Market
May 13, 20, 27 from 10 AM – 2 PM
Shop the Farmer’s Market in Princeton on select Thursdays; check the website for updates.
46-80 Franklin Avenue, parking lot, Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 924-8431
Corn Planting at the Howell Living History Farm
May 15 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Observe workhorses and a circa-1900 planter in action on corn planting day. Then help shell and grind some corn for the barnyard animals. Then, learn all about how corn is processed for baking. A children’s craft is available for a small fee.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Ort Farms Spring Craft Fair and Flower Sale
May 15 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Enjoy a day of shopping from unique vendors offering everything from custom crayons to stained glass and wooden cheese boards. You’ll find wine tastings from Unionville Vineyards, horse-drawn carriage rides, a flower-planting table, and bites from Joe’s Top Dog.
25 Bartley Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853
(908) 876-3351
Accordion Melodies of the 1890s at Historic Longstreet Farm
May 15 from 1 PM – 3 PM
Visit Longstreet Farm and listen to the melodies of the 1890s played on an accordion.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Walnford Day
May 16 from 11 AM – 5 PM
Listen to Waln’s Mill as corn is ground into meal, take a tour of the Waln family home, and enjoy a ride on a horse-drawn wagon. There will be a variety of demonstrations all day.
62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501
(609) 259-6275
Climb Time at Freneau Woods Park
May 16 from 12 PM – 3 PM and May 18 from 3 PM – 6 PM
Try out the park system’s 25′ portable climbing wall for anyone 42′ and taller. This is open to ages 8 and up, and anyone under 18 must be with an adult.
360 Monastery Lane, Aberdeen, NJ 07747
(732) 264-7277
Seashell Sunday at Bayshore Waterfront Park
May 16 from 1 PM – 2 PM
Find out everything you need to know about seashells at Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center and discover how to collect them without harming the environment. There will also be an assortment of crustaceans, mollusks, and other beach artifacts to see.
719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
(732) 787-3033
Nature Lecture Series: Horseshoe Crabs Trying To Survive In a Modern World
May 20 from 7 PM – 8 PM
Learn why the horseshoe crab population is declining and learn what you can do to help Bayshore Waterfront Park.
719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
(732) 787-3033
Hog Slopping and Weighing at the Howell Living History Farm
May 22 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Can you guess the weight of the hogs before they step on the scale for their summer weigh-in? Get to know about pigs, how to keep them, the history of pigs, and more. Finish off with grinding the corn, filling the wallow, and slopping the hogs.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Food Truck, Live Music, and Craft Festival
May 22 from 11 AM – 6 PM
The Music Barn will have a festival with local food trucks, live music, activities, craft vendors, and more.
275 NJ-77 Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
info@themusicbarn.org
19th Century Woodworking Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm
May 22 from 12 PM – 3 PM
Visit Longstreet Farm and learn about 19th-century woodworking and carving tools in a carpenter-run demonstration.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
Wildwoods International Kite Festival
May 28 – May 31
Festivities begin with a Friday night social with the local kite club and an illuminated night kite flight. Saturday includes auctions, and both Saturday and Sunday will have giant inflatable kites, sport kite demos, team flying, and family games.
On the beach at Rio Grande Avenue
(732) 822-4884
Haying at the Howell Living History Farm
May 29 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Learn how to make hay the old-fashioned way. Watch the farmers cutting, tedding, and raking loose hay to store in the barn for the horses. A children’s craft program will be available for a small material fee.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Columbus Farmers Market Complex
Days and hours vary for each market.
There’s more than produce at this huge market—it’s filled with retail shops, like antique stores, a garden center, an Amish market, and a flea market. Head to the produce row area to find local offerings, including fish, fruit, and eggs.
2919 Route 206, Columbus, NJ 08022
(609) 267-0400
Trenton Farmers Market
Thursday through Saturday from 9 AM – 6 PM
This permanent market has been the center of local shopping since 1948. You’ll find 40 different businesses highlighting local fresh produce, Amish baked goods, fresh meat and seafood, candy, snacks, and much more. Be sure to check before you go, as the hours change for summer in May.
960 Spruce Street, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
(609) 695-2998
Stockton Market
Fridays 3 PM – 8 PM, Saturdays 9 AM – 4 PM, Sundays 10 AM – 4 PM
This isn’t your typical farmers market: Besides buying the usual local produce, you can have a meal here (there are a cafe and eat-in food stands) and enjoy the river views. Pop-up vendors are available, offering the best from area makers.
19 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ 08559
(609) 608-2824
Montclair Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 8 AM – 1 PM
At this year-round market, you’ll find treats like gluten-free baked goods, micro-greens, fresh-cut bouquets and herbs, spices, soups, and many other locally-made specialty items.
Walnut Street Train Station, 86 Walnut St, Montclair, NJ 07042
Stangl Factory Market
Saturdays from 9 AM – 3 PM
Housed in the original Stangl pottery factory, this unique atmosphere makes it fun to browse through purveyors offering locally sourced vegetables, grass-fed meats, artisan bread and cheeses, pastured eggs, specialty prepared foods, and desserts. The market also has plenty of beautiful artisan goods, including handmade baskets, turned wood, soaps and bath products, and handspun yarn.
Mine Street & Stangl Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 963-8832
Ramsey Farmers Market
Sundays, 9 AM – 2 PM
This outdoor market boasts various specialty food purveyors—check out the empanadas, sea salt, kimchi, fermented veggies, and more on the alternating schedule. There are also many non-food vendors as well, including knife-sharpening, jewelry, and other crafts.
Main Street Train Station, Ramsey, NJ 07446
(201) 675-6866
Little Falls Farmers Market
Starting May 30, Sundays from 9 AM – 2 PM
More than 20 vendors with fresh produce from local farmers, bread, pickles, jams, olive oils, spices, prepared meals, empanadas, and more.
225 Main Street (Municipal Parking Lot) Little Falls, NJ 07424
(973) 256-0170
What’s your family doing this May for fun? Tell us—we’d love to hear about more things to do.
Psst—want to read more posts like this? Sign up for NJMOM’s weekly newsletter, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and use #NJMOM on all your adventures around New Jersey.
