47 Free Things to Do in April

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April is coming in hot and colorful, with blooms ready to burst and lots of fun free stuff for the family to do all month. Take in the beauty of the cherry blooms and family fun at Bloomfest in Newark; keep your eyes glued to the sky as you watch giant kites of all shapes and sizes soar at the 7th Annual Pier Village Annual Kite Festival in Long Branch, or bring on the Easter fun as you dress to impress for an Easter Stroll and bunny sightings at Spring Fling Family Fun Day in Sea Isle City. And if you’re looking for more fun events, check out our Spring Things To Do In NJ Bucket List.  (Featured Photo Credit: istock/andykazie)

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

Wheaton Springs 2023
April 1 at 10 AM
Celebrate the start of WheatonArts’ creative season with this family-friendly kick-off event highlighting their daily offerings and hands-on programming. Explore exhibits in the Museum of American Glass and Down Jersey Folklife Center and experience various artist demonstrations throughout the campus. You can also take part in pine-needle basket making, coffee filter butterflies, and glass-fused magnets. There will also be food vendors and live jazz music.
1510 Glasstown Road, Millville, NJ 08332

Skyline Egg Hunt 2023
April 1 at 10 AM
This Easter Egg Hunt will feature games, face painting, bunny pictures, and an egg hunt. Arrive 15 minutes before your time slot to check in and get your baskets ready. 
24 Mount Vernon Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003

Spring Beekeeping and Gardening
April 1 at 10 AM
Learn what makes a healthy hive and meet honeybees, peek inside their hive, and find out what they do for us around the farm and in the gardens.
70 Woodens Lane, Lambertville, NJ 08530

Easter Bunny Brunch
April 1 at 10 AM
Enjoy delicious bagels, donuts, games, and so much more at this Easter Bunny Brunch, with lots of treats and activities for the whole family.
Recreation Center, 80 Broadacres Dr., Clementon, NJ 08021

Easter EGGstravaganZOO at Cape May County Park Zoo
April 1 from 10 AM
The zoo is dressed in its Easter finery for this special event. Spy Easter eggs on a self-guided egg hunt, check out the educational displays, go on a scavenger hunt, make crafts, and sign up for live animal encounters.
Cape May County Park/Zoo, 
707 Route US 9 North, NJ, Cape May 08210

Eggtastic Easter Celebration
April 1 at 10 AM
You will find crafts, music, games, and more at this year’s Easter Egg Hunt. Perfect for ages 12 and under, bring a basket or bag and be ready to hunt for eggs. The event is located behind Lakeside Middle School.
2 Sharp Street, Millville, NJ 08332 

Tenafly Street Fair
April 1 at 11 AM
Celebrate spring at one of the first street fairs of the season. There will be artists, crafters, food, rides, and live music.
Cost: Free admission for spectators
Tenafly Historic Railroad Station, 1 Piermont Road, Tenafly, NJ 07670

Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm
April 1 at 11 AM

Discover recipes, cooking techniques, and kitchens from the 1890s and taste what’s cooking on the farm.
Historic Longstreet Farm – 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733

Makerspace Saturday
April 1 at 11 AM
Looking for a kid-friendly project or something creative to do after spending time at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts? Drop by Makerspace for hands-on activities in a new collaborative workspace for kids ages 5 to 12. Your kids will build with Legos, paint, make jewelry, experiment with engineering and coding robots, and more. Children must be accompanied by guardians at all times. Registration is not required.
METC Education Annex, 23 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940

Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival: Annual Challenge Bike Race
April 1 at 7 AM
Race through Branch Brook Park in the Cherry Blossom Challenge, a competitive New Jersey tradition for the whole family. Or join other eventgoers and cheer on the cyclists during the race. Keep the fun going at The Cherry Blossom 10K taking place the next day, on April 2, at 10 AM at Concert Grove, Southern Division. 
Cost: Free to enter the park and watch. 
Branch Brook Park, Lake St & Park Ave, Newark, NJ 07104

Easter Pop-Up Shop 
April 1 at 12 PM
Hop over to this Easter pop-up shop for free pictures with the Easter Bunny. This event will feature vendors, egg hunts, and games.
Cost: Free
Pop Up Next Door, 1169 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

Bradley Beach Easter Egg Hunt
April 1 at 12 PM
Leave the sand toys at home and bring your baskets for this fun egg hunt on the beach. Kids of all ages love searching through the sand for Easter eggs, and there will be prizes for all age groups. 
Bradley Beach, NJ 07720

Union Beach Recreation’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt!
April 1 at 12 PM
Bring your family out to hunt for Easter eggs, meet the Easter Bunny, enjoy bouncy houses, and much more. Sign up for a specific time to participate in the egg hunt. You must register to participate. The rain date is April 8.
Spruce St, Union Beach, NJ 07735

Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Michael Debbi Park
April 1 at 12 PM 
Look out for the Easter Bunny to arrive on a firetruck ready to take pictures. After the hunt, each child will receive a free small ice cream cone from Mr. Softee. Bring your own basket to gather all the candy-filled eggs. The rain date is April 8.
315 Cedar Ave, Richland, NJ 08350

Petting Zoo on the Midway
April 1 at 1 PM
Kick off the start of Spring opening weekends with a free petting zoo on the Midway. Your kids will love feeding the animals, taking photos, and having fun.
Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace Seaside Heights, NJ 08751

Brunswick Square’s Easter Egg Hunt and Celebration
April 1 at 1 PM and 2:15 PM 
Craft your own easter egg carton and bunny ears, enjoy cookies and cupcakes, singing and dancing, a petting zoo, and an Easter egg hunt. There are two separate times for this event. Please only register for one. The first is 1 PM-2 PM, and the second is 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM in the Center Court of Brunswick Square Mall.
Brunswick Square Mall, Brunswick Square Mall East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Spring into Easter Pop Up
April 1 at 1: 30 PM
Take pictures with the Easter bunny, enjoy crafts for the kids, face painting, an Easter egg hunt at 2:30 PM, and much more. Shop from small business vendors and enjoy free Easter baskets while supplies last with proof of purchase.
120 Chubb Ave 120 Chubb Avenue 2nd fl lounge Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

Strolling Spring Bunny
April 1 – 8 – Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM – 2 PM
While shopping the Square, watch for Palmer Square’s Spring Bunny—he plans to hop all around town. Make sure you catch him and snap some photos for the gram this Easter in New Jersey.
Palmer Square, 
40 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542

Jenkinson’s Egg Hunt
April 2 at 1 PM
Hop on down to the boardwalk for Jenkinson’s Egg Hunt. Littles will love digging away to find those special eggs. This event is open to children up to 10 years old. There are different locations for each age group.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Autism Awareness Day 2023
April 2 and 1 PM
Bring your crew to raise autism awareness during a fun family day, promoting community unity. There will be games, family activities, resources, giveaways, and much more.  
Mulberry Commons, 110 Edison Place Newark, NJ 07102

Henhouse Visits
April 8 at 10 AM
Step into a henhouse where the farm’s Barred Rock chickens are busy laying eggs and pitch in to help a farmer make their feed. You can even reach into a nest box and bring an egg home. Learn egg candling and grading and visit the farm’s 50 new baby chicks in the coop. A craft will be available for a small fee.
70 Woodens Lane, Lambertville, NJ 08530

Spring Fling Family Fun Day in Sea Isle City
April 8 at 1 PM
It’s time for some Easter fun and dresses to impress at the Easter Stroll, enjoy music, take photos with the Easter Bunny, participate in a Jelly Bean Guessing Contest, try Easter crafts, and more.
Excursion Park – JFK Blvd. & Pleasure Ave., Sea Isle CityNJ 08243

Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford
April 8 – 9
Watch the 19th-century historic Gristmill in action. Each free demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes.
62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501

Historic Smithville Easter Parade
April 9  
Put on your Easter best for this parade, and get ready for a stroll through Village Greene. This parade begins at the Smithville Inn. Awards will be given for the best outfits.
1 N New York Road, Absecon, NJ 08205

Easter Fashion Stroll
April 9 at 1 PM
Head down to Ocean City in your Easter’s best for a Fashion Stroll and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. Judging begins at 1 PM, and prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed children, teens, adults, and families.
Downtown Ocean City – 6th to 14th Street along the boardwalk, 
Ocean City, NJ 08226

Red Bank Street Fair and Craft Show
April 10 at 11 AM
Head to Red Bank for a day filled with music, dancing, food, and lots of family fun. Littles will have a ball on the children’s rides and play games.
Downtown Red Bank, NJ 07701

The Casual Birder at Freneau Woods Park
April 11 at 9 AM
Take a laid-back morning walk with a park naturalist to spot local birds at Big Brook Park, Marlboro. Meet in the pond parking lot. Binoculars will be available on a first-come basis.
360 Monastery Lane, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747    

Splendid Spring Stroll at Freneau Woods Park
April 13 at 10 AM
Join a Park System Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk through Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen. Meet in the Old Orchard Parking Lot.
360 Monastery Lane, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747    

Spring Craft Show
April 15 at 9 AM
Bring your family to this seasonal craft show at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center in Tinton Falls. This event will feature local artists and crafters. 
2566 Guam Lane, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724

Plowing, Harrowing & Wash Day
April 15 at 10 AM
Farmers will use horses to plow and harvest the ground to prepare it for planting corn. You will be able to step into the furrow and try out the plow.
70 Woodens Lane, Lambertville, NJ 08530

Sowing Seed Potatoes at Historic Longstreet Farm
April 15 – 16
Join the staff at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, as they sow this year’s crop of potatoes. 
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel 07733

Bloomfest
April 16 at 11 AM
It’s a family day in New Jersey’s pinkest park with Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. Experience everything from Japanese cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, a crafter’s marketplace, and food. 
Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Mill Street Entrance, Belleville + Prudential Concert Grove, Clifton Avenue Entrance, Newark 07104

Earth Day Shore Planting at Swimming River Park
April 21 at 4 PM
Join a new restoration project at Swimming River Park, Red Bank. You will plant native plants and help provide valuable food and shelter for local wildlife. 
483 West Front Street, Red Bank (Middletown), NJ, 07701 (for GPS)  

7th Annual Pier Village Annual Kite Festival
April 22 at 9 AM
Watch giant kites of all shapes and sizes in amazement as they soar over the beach in Pier Village. This event will feature kite flyers from all areas of the eastern seaboard flying their most incredible creations for miles and miles.
50 Chelsea Ave Ste 137, Long Branch, NJ 07740

Earth Day Celebration
April 22 at 10 AM
Join the largest Earth Day event in Cape May County. You will enjoy hands-on educational exhibits, children’s amusements, live entertainment, various environmental eco-shops, a scavenger hunt, and much more.
Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 U.S. 9 Middle Township, NJ 08210

Potato Planting
April 22 at 10 AM
Help plant a field of potatoes yielding over 2,000 pounds of food for local soup kitchens. While farmers drive the horses and steer the plow, you will follow behind with baskets of seeds and place them in the furrows.
70 Woodens Ln, Lambertville, NJ 08530

Shadfest
April 22-23 at 11 AM
Celebrate 40 years of family, fun, and fish in Lambertville. This year’s Shad Fest will feature the region’s finest artists and crafters, children’s activities, and a farmer’s market. Local’s Lane will feature artists from the Lambertville and New Hope areas.
Lambertville, NJ 08530

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s at Historic Longstreet Farm
April 22 at 1 PM
Come to the farm for the day and enjoy accordion music with 1890s tunes.
Historic Longstreet Farm – 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733

ACUA’s 30th Annual Earth Day
April 23 at 10 AM
Earth Day Festival is back, and there will be lots of free, fun, and educational activities for everyone. The celebration has many exciting events and entertainment throughout the day, and more than 150 vendors, crafters, food vendors, and exhibitors will participate.
ACUA Environmental Park – 6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Millburn Street and Craft Fair
April 23 at 11 AM
Take it to the streets to enjoy live music, a DJ, dancing, delicious foods, performances, and more. There will be rides, games, and lots of fun for the kids.
Downtown Millburn, NJ 07041

Climb Time at Shark River Park
April 27 at 10 AM
Head to Shark River Park Wall and try the Park System’s 25’ portable climbing wall. This event is open to ages 8 and up and under 18 with an adult. 
Shark River Park, 1101 Schoolhouse Road, Wall, NJ 07753

Grayrock N Roll Spring Festival
April 29 at 9 AM
Over 60 vendors, food trucks, face painting, a DJ, and an acapella group will be at this lively festival. Rescue groups with dogs, cats, and kittens up for adoption will be there. There will also be sanctuary horses, goats, pigs, and chickens.
Cost: Admission is Free ($5 parking fee to help us care for and feed the animals)
Grayrock Farm Sanctuary, 85 Grayrock Road, Clinton, NJ 08809

Go Green with Hope
April 29 at 10 AM
The 10th Annual festival with an environment theme has something for every age, including free seedlings, crafts, vendors, free raffles, and a meet and greet with the Antler Ridge Mascot.
Cost: Free
Hope Township School, 20 Johnsonburg Road, Hope, NJ 07844

Howell Farm Fashion Show
April 29 at 10 AM
Step back into the history of American fashion from 1776 to 1976 at Howell Farm. This event will feature models walking down the runway and giving a brief history of the materials, time period, and people who wore their outfits. Antique garments from the farm’s collection will also be displayed in the barn.
70 Woodens Ln, Lambertville, NJ 08530

Rutgers Day
April 29 at 10 AM
Bring the whole family to New Jersey’s State University, where everyone will enjoy exhibits, interactive activities, demonstrations, and performances offered by faculty, staff, and students, along with kids’ activities.
Cost: Free
Busch Campus in Piscataway and the Cook/Douglass Campuses in New Brunswick

Hawthorne Art in the Park
April 29-30
Visit nearly 50 vendors selling their artwork and handcrafted goods. Food vendors, desserts, drink vendors, local musicians, live demonstrations, kids’ activities, and much more will also be there.
Cost: Free
Passaic County Arts Center-Goffle Brook Park, 675 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ 07506

SatARTdays: Free Kids’ Art Classes
Now – April 29 at 12 PM
Sign up for free art lessons—this series of six free children’s art classes will occur every Saturday with a professional artist at the Noyes Arts Garage. These classes will begin on March 25 and run until April 29.
Cost: Free
2200 Fairmount Ave. Atlantic City, NJ 08401

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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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