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Free in March: Best Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey

Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center hosts an up-close look at the park's inhabitants each Sunday. Photo courtesy of the center
Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center hosts an up-close look at the park's inhabitants each Sunday. Photo courtesy of the center
3/3/23 - By Laurie Rein

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

As the season transitions from winter to spring, March is filled with events that don't cost a thing! It's a lucky month for freebies, with St. Patrick's Day events that include Kids' St. Patrick's Celebration and parades in Morris County and Union County among many others. 

Get a jump, or hop, on Easter festivities with complimentary events like Strolling Spring Bunny and Belmar Easter Egg Hunt.

Mark your calendars with these 30+ no-cost March 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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Saddle up at Howell Living History Farm for a historical program about workhorses. Photo courtesy of the farm
Saddle up at Howell Living History Farm for a historical program about workhorses. Photo courtesy of the farm

Ongoing Free Things To Do in March 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
Take in the free Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade in Morristown. Photo courtesy of the parade organizers
Take in the free Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade in Morristown. Photo courtesy of the parade organizers

Free Things To Do in New Jersey in March 2023

Kids Workshops at Home Depot

Multiple Locations
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Kids can get creative at these monthly Home Depot in-store DIY events. Projects take place the first Saturday of each month at participating stores.  READ MORE

Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade

Belmar
Sunday, March 5, 2023
Head down to the shore for Belmar's 50th annual parade featuring thousands of marchers, several bands, and festive floats. The parade takes place on Main Street.  READ MORE

2023 Millburn Lunar New Year Festival

Millburn
Sunday, March 5, 2023
The Millburn Short Hills Chinese Association (MSHCA) and the Millburn Institute of Talent (MIOT) invite you to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at a lively street fair in downtown Millburn. READ MORE

Nature Nurtures

Oxford
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Each month, Pequest staff shares a nature-based book. After the story is done, participants create a craft to take home. READ MORE

Hamilton St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Hamilton
Saturday, March 11, 2023
The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Hamilton begins at the Nottingham Firehouse and stretches for 1 1/2 miles.   READ MORE

Kids' St. Patrick's Celebration

Clifton and Ramsey
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Bring the kids to either location of The Shannon Rose for St. Patrick's Day festivities. Bagpipers, step dancers, and a treasure hunt are on tap, plus live music and a costume contest.  READ MORE

Workhorse Rides

Lambertville
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Saddle up at Howell Living History Farm for a historical program about workhorses. Participants learn the differences between draft, saddle, and carriage horses when they climb aboard a fully harnessed workhorse for a ride down the lane. READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Multiple Locations
Saturday, March 11, 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

Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Morristown
Saturday, March 11, 2023
The parade starts at noon at the Morristown Municipal Building. It proceeds up South Street, around the Morristown Green, and ends at Atno Avenue. Ryan G. Dawson serves as the grand marshal. READ MORE

Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Union
Saturday, March 11, 2023
The fun of the Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at noon with festivities in front of the reviewing stand at Morris and Stuyvesant Avenues. A kids' zone offers all-ages fun nearby. At 1pm sharp, the parade begins marching. READ MORE

Career Carnival for Kids

Atlantic City
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Career Carnival for Kids offers career discovery events to introduce elementary and middle school students to professionals in a variety of fields such as health care, STEM, public safety, marketing, business, finance, and more. READ MORE

Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade

Rumson
Saturday, March 11, 2023
The 10th annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade features bagpipe bands, floats, marching bands, Irish step dancers, classic cars, veteran groups, scouting organizations, non-profit clubs and organizations, schools, novelty acts, and local business and civic groups. READ MORE

Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Bergenfield
Saturday, March 11, 2023
The 41st Annual Bergen County St. Patrick's Day Parade begins with a flag-raising ceremony before marching up Washington Avenue. Irish step dancers and bagpipers add to the festive atmosphere. READ MORE

Hunterdon County Eighth Annual St Patrick's Day Parade

Clinton
Sunday, March 12, 2023
This annual St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off on Main Street in beautiful downtown Clinton, home of the historic Red Mill. The parade has over 40 marching units, including five pipe and drum bands featuring the NJ State Police Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring Living History Program

Flemington
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Kids are invited for a first-hand demonstration of the North American tradition of maple sugaring. Take a trip through time to experience the art of the sugaring process. READ MORE

Deptford Mall Kid's Mini Theater Show

Deptford
Thursday, March 23, 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

Maker's Day: Chain Reaction Challenge

Madison
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Get ready for the METC Makers Day Chain Reaction Challenge. Learn about chain reactions, and build a simple machine to drop a bottle into a box, pop a balloon, or ring a bell by building your own Rube Goldberg style chain reaction machine. READ MORE

Strolling Spring Bunny

Princeton
Saturdays and Sundays, from Saturday, March 25-Sunday, April 8, 2023
Catch the Spring Bunny as he hops throughout the Square. Photo-ops are encouraged.  READ MORE

Belmar Easter Egg Hunt

Belmar
Saturday, March 25, 2023
More than 3,500 eggs await in the sand for young hunters to find. Groups are divided by age. Don't miss an appearance by the Easter Bunny.  READ MORE

St. James EGGstravaganza

Woodbridge
Saturday, March 25, 2023
(Moved indoors for rain) The St. James Market EGGstravaganza features an egg hunt at 12pm. Before and after, visitors can shop from vendors set up in the parking lot. Treats are available for purchase. 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
Various Home Depot stores
Millburn Avenue between Main St and Spring St
Pequest Natural Resource Education Center
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts Education Annex
Belmar Beach

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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