Finally, it’s getting warmish, which means your kids are probably clamoring to get out and about. Before those “what are we doing” chants set in, check out these mostly outdoors events going on this weekend around New Jersey. Whether you and your kids want to chow down, have a STEM-filled experience or jam to some cool street music, there’s an activity here that will get you totally pumped for spring and sunnier days ahead.
1. Red Bank International Beer, Wine and Food Festival
Sunday, April 22, 2018 | 12:00PM to 7:00PM
Even if you don’t live near the shore, you’ll want to check out this lively and popular festival that draws vendors from all over. You and your family can eat from celebrated food purveyors like Carlo’s Bakery, The Bistro Red Bank, Tony’s Sausage, Temple Gourmet Chinese and 26 West, among others. Along with that, the kids will get to leave with their faces painted after they had their fill of unlimited rides. Between the food, family fun and two stages playing live music, what more can you ask for from a Sunday afternoon?
Red Bank Municipal Parking Lot
White Street between Maple Avenue and Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ
Cost: $5
2. YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day
Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 11:00AM to 1:00PM
Learn what you can do to keep your family healthy, through this interactive, fun program at the Randolph YMCA and other YMCA‘s around New Jersey. Among the health-centric activities, your family can enjoy kids activities, like face painting, a bounce house, entertainment from Merry Musicians, while also climbing aboard the St. Clare’s Hospital Touch-A-Truck, putting together a first aid kit and learning about the importance of hand-washing with an ultraviolet station. Plus, the first 100 kids received a goody bag on this fun-filled day. While this is the program unique to Randolph, all YMCAs across the state will be hosting their own events, so be sure to long on to YMCA to find out what’s happening in your area.
Randolph YMCA—The Program House
14 Dover Chester Road
Randolph, NJ 07869
Cost: Free
3.Spring Festival at Bast Brothers
Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 10:00AM to 3:00PM
Celebrate the season with a musically-filled day that celebrates all things growing. Browse over 50 craft and artisan local vendors while listening to live music and munching on treats from local food trucks. While you’re perusing the vendors and seasonal plant offerings, kids can partake in a number of fun-filled activities throughout the center.
Bast Brothers Garden Center
1214 Ellis Mill Road, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Cost: Free
4. Robotics for Kids
Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 10:30AM to 12:30PM
Do you have any Lego addicts in your house? If so, sign them up for this two-hour Lego Robotics Workshop that will challenge even the most skilled Lego builder. Kids ages 5 to 11 will have the chance to create their own robot kit and compete for prizes. Along with the kit, kids will also get a bag of goodies to take home with them. It is a fun-filled day of STEM that will teach your child how to create their own robot with a motor, gears, axle and sensors.
Hadoop Express
200 Lanidex Plaza, Parsippany, NJ 07054
Cost: $15
5. 4 Paws Sake Family Fun Fest
Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 11:00AM to 4:00PM
This is one event where you don’t have to leave your four-legged furry family member at home. Stop by with your pet to learn about how to adopt other furry friends in the area (just in case your kids are begging for another) and raise money for the local shelters. While you’re there, the whole family can enjoy the entertainment, participate in games, grab food from the food trucks, shop with the various vendors and more. You can even try to win the best dressed pet contest!
Allaire State Park
4265 Atlantic Ave., Wall Township, NJ 07727
Cost: $3
6. MDA Eats and Beats Food Truck and Music Festival
Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 11:00AM to 6:00PM
Support a good cause while filling up on delicious food. Parents can take a break trying various beers while kids enjoy all the activities set up for them throughout the grounds of the Roebling Museum. The whole family can dive into the goodies from the Empanada Guy to House of Cupcakes while dancing to music throughout the day, with proceeds going to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The Roebling Museum
100 Second Ave., Roebling, NJ 08554
Cost: $5 for children, $10 for adults
7. 2nd Annual Big Kid Toy Show
Sunday, April 22, 2018 | 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Back by popular demand, this show lets you relive your favorite childhood toys again and introduce them to your kids. You’ll discover old friends and new playthings at this flea market that specializes in pop culture collection. Local and professional vendors will set up shop on the New Egypt Flea Market grounds, which is one of the only unpaved, country style markets left in the state. You can even bring your furry best friend along for the ride!
New Egypt Flea Market
933 Monmouth County Rd., Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
Cost: Free
8. 5th Annual Historic Downtown Somerville Arts and Crafts Festival
Sunday, April 22, 2018 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Gaze at beautiful art while bringing a few pieces home with you. Over 70 crafters and artists will show off their masterpieces for all to see. There will be a little something for everyone including jewelry, clay pots, wood signs, pet items, baby clothes, soy candles, natural skincare products and more. There will also be numerous food trucks and a kids’ craft corner so that no one in the family will be bored!
Downtown Somerville
Somerville, NJ
Cost: Free
9. Earth Day in the Rainforest
Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 10:00AM to 3:00PM
Ever wonder what it’s like to be in a rainforest? Take a journey to the jungle without a passport in a special exploration canopy outside at The Peoplecare Center located in the Children’s Museum. This hands-on experience will give your kids plenty to ponder about the environment and the earth, all while presenting it in fun-filled activities. After, relax, and enjoy the sounds of live music before checking out the museum.
The Children’s Museum (of Somerset County)
120 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Cost: $3 (suggested donation)
10. Millburn Short Hills Street Fair
Sunday, April 22, 2018 | 11:00AM to 5:00PM
The kids will have the time of their lives playing games and hopping on all the rides, while you browse the jewelry, craft and clothing vendors and local boutiques. You can also grab a bite to eat and enjoy the live entertainment as you spend a great day in Millburn with your family.
Downtown Millburn
Millburn, NJ 07041
Cost: Free
11. Pinocchio by Puppetworks
Sunday, April 22, 2018 | 1:00PM
See the story of Pinocchio like you’ve never seen it before. Puppetworks will perform the marionette version of this classic tale at Merseles Studio in Jersey City. The script is an adaptation made by The Mercury Theater in 1938 to fit the Suzari Marionettes used by Puppetworks. This classic children’s story will come to the stage in a unique way that will keep your children entertained.
Merseles Studio
339 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07302
Cost: $11 for children, $12 for adults
12. Family Science Sunday
Sunday, April 22, 2018 | 1:00PM to 3:00PM
With the help of The Franklin Institute, Rowan University will host a day full of STEM-related activities with a little bit of art mixed in. Learn all about body movement and sports, numbers that constantly surround you, and tons of hands-on activities that will get you involved with science and the world around you. Don’t miss out on the planetarium show either!
Rowan University
201 Mullica Hill Rd., Glassboro, NJ 08028
Cost: Free
13. Kids Photography Nature Walk and Picnic
Sunday, April 22, 2018 | 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Have a kid obsessed with your camera on your iphone? Photographer Tammy Cedar is hosting an exclusive kids’ workshop to teach them all about photography. They will walk around the Deep Cut Gardens Botanical Park and take pictures with their iPhone camera (you can lend them yours), point and shoot or DSLR. Following the walk, there will be a picnic where kids can enjoy a light lunch or snack, where they can participate in a Q&A about their day.
Deep Cut Gardens
152 Red Hill Rd., Middletown, NJ 07748
Cost: $15
14. Spring Fling
Sunday, April 22, 2018 | 3:00PM to 5:00PM
This kid-centric event let’s your littles do just about whatever they want, from crafts and face painting to jumping on the inflatables to playing a ton of different games, including an egg hunt. While they are having fun, you can munch on a donut and partake in the one-day sale. Don’t miss out on a great day for the family!
Legacy Life Center
1 Kimberly Rd., Suite 105, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Cost: Free
15. International Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival
Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22, 2018 | 12:00PM to 7:00PM
You know you’re going to Six Flags Great Adventure sometime in 2018 anyway, so why not head there this weekend where the food and beer offerings will be way better than fast food from a kiosk. Entry into the 5th annual festival is included in the cost of admission to the park (sign up early to get discounts) where everyone can have what they want or even try something new. Twelve trucks will be featured with delicious treats from every corner of the world, including Korean, Italian, Hungarian and Mexican, to name a few. After a spin on the coaster, you’ll probably need a beer, so check out the craft brews available to taste from breweries like Flying Fish Red Fish, Kona Longboard Island Lager, Aloha Traveler Pineapple Shandy and more.
Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527
Cost: $51.99 if purchased online
