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Free in April: 40 Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey

Kites of all shapes and sizes soar over the beach in Long Branch at Kites at the Pier Festival. Photo courtesy of Pier Village
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4/2/23 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for FREE things to do this April in New Jersey? Check out dozens of great options below. 

Get out your calendars because April hosts 40 fun free things to do in New Jersey. Bring on the great outdoors with complimentary seasonal favorites, like Annual Kites at the Pier Festival and Essex Cherry Blossom Festival.

S​treet fairs make their debut in April with FREE events in Red Bank, Stirling, and Millburn. And Earth Day rounds out the month with no-cost events like Cape May Earth Day Celebration and Earth Day 2023.

Mark your calendars with these 40 FREE April events that take place nearly every day of the month. For more FREE fun, check out our Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with NJ Kids, and find more spring happenings in our Family Activity Calendar and Spring Activities Guide. 

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Take a family stroll through the beautiful cherry blossoms at Branch Brook Park. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Take a family stroll through the beautiful cherry blossoms at Branch Brook Park. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Ongoing Free Things To Do in April 2023

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Bridgewater

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Bring the little ones to Barnes & Noble in Bridgewater every Monday morning for stories and fun. READ MORE

Preschool Storytime at Bridgewater Library

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Swing by the library on Mondays with the little ones for books, songs, and activities. READ MORE

CATSS: Take & Make Tuesdays

Summit
Every Tuesday
Grab a craft every Tuesday from Summit Free Public Library. Create the craft at the library or take it home. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Livingston

Livingston
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Enjoy childhood classics and new favorites at Barnes & Noble in Livingston on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  READ MORE

Bookscape Babies

Princeton
Every Tuesday
Cotsen’s youngest patrons get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in the Bookscape gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await. READ MORE

KIDS! Atlantic Highlands Indoor Baby Storytime

Atlantic Highlands
Every Wednesday
Bring the babies to Atlantic Highlands library for stories, rhymes, songs and fingerplay. No registration required. READ MORE

Tiger Tales

Princeton
Every Friday
Join the staff at Cotsen Library for a special interactive weekly storytime. Tiger Tales begins with a story and ends with a hands-on project to take home. READ MORE

Terhune Orchards Winery Weekend Music Series

Princeton
Every Saturday and Sunday
Gather with friends and family at the winery for wine, relaxing music and light fare. Fire pits are available all weekend. Kids can enjoy light fare like chips and salsa, while adults can sample a variety of wines. READ MORE

Drop in and Discover

Beechwood
Every Saturday
Stop by Jakes Branch Nature Center on Saturdays for nature lessons and crafts. A new topic is explored each session. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River
Every Saturday and Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks

Beechwood
Every Saturday and Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE
Branch Brook Park hosts its annual Essex County Family Day in April. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Branch Brook Park hosts its annual Essex County Family Day in April. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Free Things To Do in New Jersey in April 2023

Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival

Newark
Daily through Sunday, April 16, 2023
Enjoy thousands of flowering cherry trees, plus tons of family fun, as Essex County presents this two-weekend festival in Branch Brook Park. The fun includes Bloomfest, Essex County Family Day, 10K and 1-mile family fun runs, bike races, and a community fair.  READ MORE

Easter Egg Hunt

Ridgewood
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Bring the kids to hunt for eggs and take pictures with the Easter Bunny. The hunt begins in the church parking lot, where children are directed to an area appropriate for their age. Bring a basket and invite your friends to join in the fun.  READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Various locations
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Stop by New Jersey JCPenney stores on the second Saturday of every month for free and fun crafts. Children receive a lanyard and collector's pin. Six pins earn a Project Master Medallion. READ MORE

Petting Zoo on the Midway

Seaside Heights
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Come enjoy this free petting zoo. Bring the kids to feed the animals, take photos, and have fun. READ MORE

Springtime Magic Show

Seaside Heights
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Bring the kids for a free Springtime Magic Show. Enjoy the magic of Steve Woyce on Easter weekend. READ MORE

Isabella & Maribel Sing-A-Long

Seaside Heights
Sunday, April 9, 2023
Bring your little ones for a sing-a-long on the Pier with Isabella and Maribel. A meet-and-greet for photos follows each show. READ MORE

Spring Break Activities at the NJ State Museum

Newark
Daily, from Tuesday, April 11-Friday, April 14, 2023
Visit the New Jersey State Museum during spring break and enjoy free activities like storytime and crafts. READ MORE

Essex County Family Day

Newark
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Stop by the concert grove in Branch Brook Park to enjoy an afternoon outdoors with your family. Enjoy live performances, children's activities, a fishing derby, food vendors and more. READ MORE

Art Walk

Galloways
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Stop by the Village to see over 75 local artists display their work.  READ MORE

Bloomfest

Newark
Sunday, April 16, 2023
Enjoy a family day in Branch Brook Park beneath thousands of flowering cherry trees. Scheduled events include cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace, food, and more. READ MORE

Red Bank Street Fair

Red Bank
Sunday, April 16, 2023
Celebrate the season in downtown Red Bank, with vendors, food, rides, crafts, and plenty of springtime fun. READ MORE

Sunday Makebreak at Michaels

Various locations
Sundays, April 16 and 23, 2023
Stop by Michaels every Sunday for a free and fun craft. No registration is necessary. READ MORE

Earth Day at Galloway Green Market

Galloway
Friday, April 21, 2023
Celebrate the shared Earth and help the environment at this event, featuring a native plant sale from local growers as well as baked goods, natural foods, and favorite crafters. READ MORE

Annual Kites at the Pier Festival

Long Branch
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Kites of all shapes and sizes soar over the beach in Long Branch. A dazzling display of giant kites is visible for miles. The fun includes inflatable rides, shopping, dining, and a Running of the Bols competition. READ MORE

Cape May Earth Day Celebration

Cape May
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Head over to the Cape May County Park and Zoo for a day of Earth-friendly fun, featuring educational exhibits, children’s amusements, live entertainment, environmental eco-shops, and a scavenger hunt. READ MORE

Earth Day Outdoor Walks & Activities

Various locations
Saturday, April 22, 2023
The parks of Monmouth County honor Earth Day with nature programs throughout the day. Most activities are first-come, first-serve with the exception of fishing. READ MORE

Elmwood Park Street Fair

Elmwood
Saturday, April 22, 2023
The Elmwood Park Recreation Department sponsors this street fair on Market Street. Expect dozens of exciting vendors and family-focused activities. READ MORE

Earth Day 2023

Pitman
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Calling citizen scientists and nature lovers of all ages. This Earth Day, head to Chestnut Branch Creek, downstream of Alcyon Lake, to find out how healthy it is for fish and people using hands-on testing methods.  READ MORE

Shad Fest 2023

Lambertville
Saturday, April 22-Sunday, April 23, 2023
Shad Fest showcases the region’s finest artists and crafters, featuring jewelry, ceramics, furniture, apparel, accessories, home décor, and more. A children’s activity section includes games and face painting. There is also a home and garden section and farmers market. READ MORE

Earth Day Celebration and Folk & Bluegrass Festival

Hoboken
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Celebrate Earth Day at this family friendly, open air event, featuring green local businesses, artisans and engaging green and nature-themed activities for all ages. Talented musicians perform as well. READ MORE

Stirling Street Fair & Craft Show

Stirling
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Swing by this annual event for festival food, live music, arts and crafts, kiddie rides, and local performers.  READ MORE

Millburn Annual Street Fair

Millburn
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Artisans and crafters take to the streets of Millburn for this annual spring festival. Enjoy live entertainment, activities for the kids, yummy street fair food, and more. READ MORE

Family Game Night

Red Bank
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Bring your family and friends and play board, card, and video games at the Red Bank Public Library. No registration is required. READ MORE

Deptford Mall Kid's Mini Theater Show

Deptford
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Beloved story characters take the stage at Deptford Mall for FREE monthly shows. Enjoy singing, dancing, story time, fun giveaways, and a meet-and-greet with the character. Registration is required.  READ MORE

Rutgers Day

New Brunswick
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Rutgers University’s show-and-tell event for all ages offers free performances by musicians and dancers, health and wellness tips, science demonstrations, and hands-on learning activities in the sciences, arts, and humanities.  READ MORE

Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair

Washington
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Steampunk is coming to Washington Borough. Victoriana meets the Industrial Revolution at a day filled with live music, artisan vendors, street performers, and general steampunk shenanigans. READ MORE

Maker Madness 2023

Maplewood
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Everyone is invited to Achieve’s popular, family-friendly STEAM fair, with free hands-on activities for kids of all ages. This fun day includes 25 maker stations and hands-on learning experiences.   READ MORE

Renaissance Faire

Galloway
Saturday, April 29-Sunday, April 30, 2023
Join the players of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire, and travel back to the days of yore and merry Olde England. The Historic Village of Smithville is transformed into the Shire of Smithville in the heart of the English Renaissance.  READ MORE

Rock the Block Clark Street Fair

Clark
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Rock the Block debuts in Clark with a street fair and classic car show. Enjoy exhibitors, crafts, food trucks, a kid zone, classic cars, live music and more.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Summit Free Public Library
Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Monmouth County Parks

About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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