Happy hump day! To get you through the mid-week blues, look ahead to the first weekend in April which is packed with exciting, one-of-a-kind family events all around New Jersey. Spend time with your little ones this weekend taking selfies with famous felines at Catsbury Park Cat Convention in Asbury Park, searching for the perfect sparkly stone at the Mineral, Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show at NJ Expo Center in Edison, and rocking out at the Punk Rock Flea Market in Trenton, 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. Catsbury Park Cat Convention
Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8, 2018 | 11:00AM to 7:00PM
Do you love watching angry cat videos on YouTube? If so, you need to be at the East Coast’s premier cat convention at Asbury Park Boardwalk. This first-ever, one-of-a-kind convention will showcase social media’s most famous felines including Kitten Lady, Nala Cat, Lil’ Bub and more. There will also be information sessions and seminars presented by respected advocates and speakers on behalf of cat rescue, health and behavior, and cat-related products.
Asbury Park Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Cost: $20 for adults, $12 for children under 12 years old
2. Glow at Sky Zone
Friday, April 6, 2018 | 7:00PM to 9:00PM or 9:00PM to 11:00PM
It’s Friday night lit at Sky Zone! The lights go out, leaving you with your bright GLOW shirt to light up your Friday night. Lasers, music and black lights will transform the Sky Zone you’re used to and turn it into the ultimate Friday night destination. It’s two-hours of heart-pumping fun!
Sky Zone-South Plainfield
600 Hadley Rd., South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Cost: $24 per session
3. NJ Mineral, Fossil, Gem and Jewelry Show
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 6, 7 and 8, 2018 | Friday 12:00PM to 9:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but check out the New Jersey Expo Center this weekend for over 400 booths of rare stones, gems, minerals, and artifacts. At this show, there will be a special exhibit called “Titanoboa: Monster Snake,” which is a 48-foot mega-snake (that’s longer than a school bus!) from the Smithsonian Institute. Families will also enjoy a multitude of other exhibits, especially the Dinosaurs Rock Kids Corner, where kids can dig for fossils, build a dinosaur, mine for gemstones, and more.
New Jersey Convention and Expo Center
97 Sunfield Ave., Edison, NJ 08837
Cost: $10 for kids between 4 and 11, $15 for people 12 and older
4. Camp Riverbend “Ninja Training” Open House
Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 10:00AM to 12:00PM
Still trying to decide on a summer camp? Or maybe your kid just wants some ninja training? Get the best of both worlds at Camp Riverbend’s open house featuring ninja games, crafts, and cooking demos for kids and parents. You can also take a tour of the camp site and meet with the directors and counselors. This family-owned camp has been serving kids for over two generations and is a #NJMOMapproved summer camp. The event is free, but pre-registration is required by emailing RSVP@campriverbend.com.
Camp Riverbend
116 Hillcrest Rd., Warren, NJ 07059
5. 4th Annual Restore the Village Family Fun Day
Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 11:00AM to 3:00PM
Spend the day in one of the state’s biggest cities! Jersey City will have its annual Restore the Village Family Fun Day. There will be wholesome family activities for a fun day at the park, including frisbee toss, fishing, sports clinics, bean bag toss, ring toss, tug of war, chalk art, and potato sack races. And just in case you didn’t get your fill of Easter eggs last weekend, there will also be an egg hunt.
Bayside Park
Garfield Avenue and Bayside Terrace, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Cost: Free
6. Opening Day at The Historic Village of Allaire
Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 11:00AM to 4:00PM
This outdoor living history museum is celebrating its 60th anniversary and is ringing it in with house tours, craft demonstrations in carpentry, tinsmith, blacksmith and fibre arts, storytelling, children’s games and much more. This museum showcases life in the early 19th-century industrial village and will feature a special history and science scavenger hunt for all families to participate in. A fun food and baking program will showcase the Allaire Bakery, the first building to open at the Historic Village at Allaire, along with specialty cookies and baked goods for all guests.
Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Ave., Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for children between 6 and 12 years old and free for children under 5
7. 9th Annual Holi Festival
Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 1:00PM to 3:00PM
Get ready for an explosion of colors celebrating the arrival of spring. The 9th annual Holi Festival at New Brunswick Public Library will include cultural dance performances, regional dress, Mehndi (henna tattoo), and Indian food. Following the indoor festivities, head to the lawn for the Holi Color Festivity using dry and wet colors – don’t forget to wear old clothes.
New Brunswick Free Public Library
60 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Cost: Free
8. 7th Annual Spring Model Train Show
Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8, 2018 | 1:00PM to 5:00PM
Really useful engines, all aboard at the 7th Annual Spring Model Train Show! Thomas the Tank Engine lovers and general train fans alike won’t want to miss this show featuring trains old and new to passenger and freight. Of course, a train show wouldn’t be complete without a special appearance from Thomas the Tank Engine, too.
Garden State Model Railway Club
575 High Mountain Rd., North Haledon, NJ 07508
Cost: $6 per person, free for children 12 and under
9. Treasure Island
Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 2:00PM to 3:00PM
Go on a storybook adventure on the high seas with Treasure Island, the newest play at SOPAC. This fun tale of piracy and buried treasure will captivate your little ones as it takes you on the adventures of Jim Hawkins, cabin boy on an old sailing ship. You’ll encounter unsavory characters like the infamous Long John SIlver who leads the hunt for buried treasure, greedy mutineers, and see how good ultimately triumphs. Recommended for ages 3 to 7.
South Orange Performing Arts Center
1 Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ 07079
Cost: $20
10. Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market
Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8, 2018 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM
If your kids were born to be wild, you won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind flea market featuring punk rock, vintage clothing and toys, and unique curiosities. Over 260 vendors and a dozen food trucks will be serving up different tastes. Hunt for your favorite vinyl records, vintage gear, original art, memorabilia, handmade jewelry and more. Our fave highlights from this semi-annual event: the first 250 visitors each day get a free Black Swag Bag; take old-fashioned portraits from a 100+ year-old camera rig and buy a real tintype print for a minimal cost; watch live shows with Adam Realman and the One Man Coney Island Circus Sideshow as well as Trenton’s own City Garden Punk Cabaret.
Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market
675 South Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ 08611
Cost: $5 for general admission, children 10 and under are free
11. Garden State Comic Fest: AC Edition
Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8, 2018 |Saturday 10:00AM to 6:00PM and Sunday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Dress up as your favorite comic book characters and come to the illustrious Garden State Comic Fest. Kids will love the Kids Comic Club area which includes free drawing and coloring, an obstacle course while wearing Yoda on your back, and guided workshops like basic cartooning, puppeteering, and creating your own superhero. While your kids are meeting with special guests like Noel MacNeal (Disney’s Bear in the Big Blue House) and Marty Grabstein (voice of Courage the Cowardly Dog), parents will love Kevin Eastman (co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), actress Summer Glau, and so many more amazing guests.
Showboat Hotel Atlantic City
801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Cost: $19.99 day pass; children 13 and under are free with a paying adult
12. PAWS for Art
Sunday, April 8, 2018 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Come out and support your favorite four-legged friends. The South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter is hosting its annual dog show that invites dogs and humans to compete in quirky categories like “Crazy Hair Day” and “Best Six Legs.” Do what you will with this information. Pet-themed crafts for kids, a nature trail with painted rock hunt, animal-themed glassmaking demos, and free clay paw prints are included. All pet food donations will go to the shelter.
WheatonArts
1000 Village Dr., Millville, NJ 08332
Cost: Free; pet food donations are welcome
13. Spring Salamander Search
Sunday, April 8, 2018 | 1:00PM to 3:00PM
Turn over a new leaf and get outside to explore the forest as it awakens from winter months. Naturalists from Mercer County Park Commission will lead a family-friendly hike in search of little salamanders. Poking around under leaf litter and logs is encouraged! You’ll also be provided with magnifiers to get up close and personal as you learn about the life cycle, habitat, and adaptations of these amazing critters.
Rosedale Park
424 Federal City Rd., Pennington, NJ 08534
Cost: $5 per person or $20 per family
14. Astronomy and Flight Day
Sunday, April 8, 2018 | 1:00PM to 4:00PM
Launch it like it’s hot! Astronomer lovers won’t want to miss this special day all about kites, rockets, and paper airplanes, including a demonstration by world-class boomerang expert Peter Hansch. Hosted by The Children’s Museum of Somerset County, there will be lots of interactive activities for children ages 3 to 9 (and beyond). Registration is recommended by emailing somersetcminfo@gmail.com or calling 908-725-4677.
The PeopleCare Center
120 Finderne Ave., Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Cost: $3/child suggested donation
15. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: King For A Day
Sunday, April 8, 2018 | 2:00PM and 5:30PM
Clean up, pick up, put away. Clean up every day. If you and your littles love singing this tune, then you’ll love seeing a performance of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: King for a Day at Mayo Performing Arts Center. Join this lovable tiger on a brand-new adventure filled with tigertastic fun that teaches valuable lessons of kindness, helping others, and being a friend. This show based on the hit PBS KIDS TV series will have the whole family leaving with a smile on their faces.
Mayo Performing Arts Center
100 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960
Cost: Prices range from $20 to $50
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
