This weekend’s forecast calls for near 80 degrees and you bet we’re going to soak up every minute of it. Spend time with your little ones this weekend shopping the latest and greatest baby and kid vendors at our very own NJMOM Baby Expo in Hoboken, marching to support science at New Jersey March for Science in Trenton, seeing the cherry blossoms at Essex County Family Day at Branch Brook Park, plus so many more kid-friendly things to do around New Jersey this weekend.
We love to share your adventures so be sure to tag #NJMOM and @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here’s 15 fun things to do this weekend in NJ
1. NJMOM Baby Expo 2018
Sunday, April 15, 2018 | 9:30AM to 1:30PM
Calling all NJMOMs — our NJMOM Baby Expo is returning this Sunday to the amazing W Hotel in Hoboken. Shop 60 premium baby and toddler vendors all under one roof from 9:30AM to 1:30PM and enjoy a ton of freebies and fun with girlfriends/fellow moms/future moms, hubbies, friends, and even your kids (who get free entry and can enjoy the kids play area by Urban Jungle Play!) Snag your tickets here.
W Hotel Hoboken
225 River Street, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $15 to $65 depending on ticket
2. Super Pet Expo
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 13 to 15, 2018 | Friday 3:00PM to 8:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM to 7:00PM and Sunday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
If your little one has been asking how much is that doggy in the window, you won’t want to miss out on the Super Pet Expo this weekend. Shop the best pet products from over 150 vendors and enjoy loads of kid-friendly activities including checking out a Best Dressed Pet costume contest, a luring adventure course for dogs, and a puppy playground, you’ll love spending the day with these adorable furry friends. There will be potbelly pig adoptions, reptiles from around the world, and dock diving with Ultimate Air Dogs.
New Jersey Expo Center
97 Sunfield Ave., Edison, NJ 08837
Cost: $8 day pass or $10 weekend pass for children, $13 day pass or $20 weekend pass for adults
3. Open Cockpit Weekend
Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15, 2018 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Wheels down! Get a unique experience of air travel by exploring the inside of various aircraft cockpits at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum. You’ll get to play Captain for the day inside a rare Lockheed bush plane, a “M*A*S*H” Bell-47 helicopter, the world’s last remaining Martin 202 airliner, a TWA Convair 880 jetliner circa 1959, and sit in the cab of an airport fire truck. Includes admission to the museum where you will find more aircraft, hands-on interactive exhibits, and thousands of aerospace artifacts.
The Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum
400 Fred Wehran Dr., Teterboro, NJ 07608
Cost: $12 for adults, $9 for children and seniors
4. Disney Junior Dance Party
Friday, April 13, 2018 | 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Are you ready to dance all night? That is, until bedtime, anyway. This interactive, live concert experience will get you and your kids up on your feet. Join all your favorite Disney characters like Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Sofia the First, Puppy Dog Pals, Elena of Avalor, Doc McStuffins, The Lion Guard and more for games and the biggest dance party in town. It’ll be epic, trust us. VIP tickets are also available.
Count Basie Theatre
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, NJ 07701
Cost: $22.50, $34.50 or $39.50, depending on seats
5. Kites at the Pier
Saturday, April 14, 2018 | 9:00AM to 4:00PM
It’s gone with the wind at Pier Village, literally. Head to the annual kite festival featuring expert kite flyers from all areas of the eastern seaboard flying their most incredible creations. Colorful kites of all shapes and sizes – from inflatable flying creatures to traditional kites – will be flying high over the beach between Avenue and McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch. You won’t want to miss the Candy Drop – candy will be parachuted up a kite and then released when the whistle blows – literally a kid’s dream come true. On your marks, get set, go!
Pier Village
50 Chelsea Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740
Cost: Free
6. Somerset County 4-H Science-sational Day
Saturday, April 14, 2018 | 9:30AM to 1:30PM
Can’t get enough of science? The Somerset County 4-H has you covered. This Saturday’s workshop theme is Tall Ships and Pirate Tales. You’ll go a thrilling action-packed adventure about a crew of quirky pirates marooned on a deserted island. With mutiny and high-tide looming, they must rescue their salty captain and find a way to construct a ship before all hope is lost at sea. Planks, sails, rigging, rails – what else does it take to build a pirate ship? Throughout the story, volunteers from the audience will help us explore the incredible science behind clouds, flash paper, air pressure, inertia, explosions and more. For children in grades 1 through 5.
Ted Blum 4-H Center
310 Milltown Rd., Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Cost: $25
7. Healthy Kids Day
Saturday, April 14, 2018 | 11:00AM to 2:00PM
Celebrate health and wellness at Rider University in a fun day of heart-pumping, brain-stimulating activities for the whole family. As part of a national initiative, the YMCA will celebrate Healthy Kids Day by bringing together a host of programs that will get everyone moving including a rock wall, bounce house, balloon sculptor, games, healthy snacks, and more.
Rider University
2083 Lawrenceville Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Cost: Free
8. Essex County Family Day
Saturday, April 14, 2018 | 11:00AM to 3:00PM
Spend a day at Branch Brook Park, which is home to more cherry blossoms than Washington, D.C. The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is coming to an end, and there’s no better way to close out the festival than with a day geared towards family. Ride in a paddle boat, make a craft, get your face painted, or grab some food while watching magician Matt Burham on the Main Stage.
Branch Brook Park
Lake Street and Park Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104
Cost: Free
9. Kids Fit Mile
Saturday, April 14, 2018 | 11:30AM to 12:30PM
Healthy bodies for healthy minds – and what’s better than taking part in a one-mile kids’ fun run? Fun activities and treats will be at the start/finish line, and every child who participates in the run get a free t-shirt and a finisher medal. Funds benefit the charitable organization, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) or CASA for Children, which recruits, trains and supports citizen-volunteers who advocate for children in the community and in the courtroom.
Resorts Casino Hotel
1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Cost: $15
10. Dino Day and Bug Bonanza Family Festival
Saturday, April 14, 2018 | 1:00PM to 4:00PM
Dig into the adventures at the Camden Children’s Garden this Saturday. Children who come dressed as their fave dinosaur or bug will receive $1 off their admission. Make crafts, explore the Butterfly House, ride the train and carousel, decorate your own dinosaur or bug, and so much more.
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ 08103
Cost: $9
11. Michael Grandinetti Magic
Saturday, April 14, 2018 | 7:00PM
Michael Grandinetti, one of the stars of the show Masters of Illusion, will take to the stage at iPlay America. He is more than just your average magician; he’s an illusionist. His claim to fame was levitating for four hours about 15 feet above the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and now you can witness this feat in person, among many more magical moments.
iPlay America
110 Schanck Rd., Freehold, NJ 07728
Cost: $20
12. Kinda! Con Artist Expo
Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, 2018 | Saturday 11:00AM to 8:00PM and Sunday 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Long live dorks, and long live the Con! Kinda!Con is an artist showcase that was created by an NJ illustrator and her sisters that wanted to make a change in their community and bring the dork along with it. This event will showcase local artists, plus your family will have the chance to collect games and comics, dress up in awesome cosplay, and dance awkwardly with friends in a poorly lit room.
Hyatt Regency Morristown
3 Speedwell Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960
Cost: $30 for 2-day pass, $28 for Saturday pass and $15 for Sunday pass, vets and children under 10 are free
13. New Jersey March for Science
Saturday, April 14, 2018 | 10:00AM to 1:00PM
Keep calm and carry on – this time it’s time to march for science and evidence-based policy. As Thomas Edison’s home state and a refuge for Albert Einstein, New Jersey stands in solidarity with the March for Science rallies around the world. Join 6,000 people in New Jersey – and over a million people worldwide – at this year’s event in Trenton. It will open with a speakers program, followed by a short march, a science education festival with panel discussions, activities and demonstrations for all ages, plus live music, face painting, and a children’s March for Science sign design contest.
Trenton War Memorial
1 Memorial Dr., Trenton, NJ 08611
Cost: Free
14. Red Bank Street Fair
Sunday, April 15, 2018 | 11:00AM to 5:00PM
Get outside and enjoy a lovely spring day in Red Bank strolling around the Red Bank Street Fair. With crafters, food vendors, rides, and shopping, there will be plenty of fun for everyone in the family. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Red Bank Police Benevolent Association. The Street Fair takes place on Broad Street (between Peters Place and Front Street) and on Monmouth Street (between Broad Street & Maple Avenue).
Broad and Monmouth streets
Red Bank, NJ
Cost: Free
15. Scout Days: Earth Rocks
Sunday, April 15, 2018 | 1:00PM to 4:00PM
Be prepared – calling all cub scouts! Cub Scouts do fun things with other kids – they get to wear a cool uniform, go places, and see things. Join in on an afternoon of fun, hands-on activities for a featured Badge or Adventure each month – this month is all about rocks! Scouts attending the full Scout Day program will meet all requirements for the badge. (Patch not included). Bring a snack. Registration is required here.
Tulpehaking Nature Center
157 Westcott Ave., Hamilton, NJ 08610
Cost: $8 for county residents, $10 for non-residents
Be sure to tag #NJMOM and @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- Top 12 Ice Skating Rinks in New Jersey
- Best Ski Resorts in NJ
- 25 {Must Know} Kid-Friendly Landmarks in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
