Take a dip at Raging Waters or one of New Jersey's other terrific water parks. Photo by David Howarth
40 Things To Do in New Jersey Before School Starts
Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do
Help your kids develop their creative side with art classes
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for New Jersey Kids
Cascade down the lazy river at Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers. Photo by Kip Dawkins
41 Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer: Summer Fun Guide
An area of Hooks Creek Lake is sectioned off for swimming. Photo courtesy of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Best Swimming Lakes in New Jersey You Need To Discover
Visit Crystal Springs Family Water Resort and spend the day swimming and splashing. Photo courtesy of the resort
Best Swimming Pools with Day Passes in New Jersey
The Funplex's rides will please little thrill-seekers.
The Funplex Amusement Park and Water Park Guide: Family Fun in East Hanover and Mt. Laurel
Ocean Oasis water park is among New Jersey's best outdoor water parks.
Best Outdoor Water Parks in New Jersey for Family Fun
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Get ready for beach treasure hunts this summer in Lavallette. Photo courtesy of Enjoy Lavallette
105 Free Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer with Kids
The Wildwoods boasts 5 miles of beautiful, free beaches. Photo courtesy of Wildwoods
Best Free Beaches on the Jersey Shore for Families
GUIDE
Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide
All aboard for family fun at A Day Out With Thomas. Photo courtesy of Delaware River Railroad Excursions
21 Best Things To Do in New Jersey August 2023 with Kids
Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
100 Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids Before They Grow Up
Floating through the water at Morey's Piers is a great way to beat the heat this summer. Photo by David Howarth
Heat Wave Hot List: 27 Cool Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids
Totally Tubular Aqua Park offers 5,000 square feet of wet-and-wild fun in Ocean City.
Inflatable Water Parks in New Jersey
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for New Jersey Kids
Make a splash at a Jersey Shore waterpark, like Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers.. Photo by Kip Dawkins
70 Things To Do at the Jersey Shore with Kids
GUIDE
New Jersey Amusement Parks and Water Parks Guide
Hop on a ride at Morey's Piers. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Great Amusement Parks in New Jersey for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Long Branch Beach, NJ. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Best Jersey Shore Beaches for Families: Sandy Hook to Cape May
Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
Great Day Trips to New Jersey State Parks and Forests
Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
40 Indoor Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids
The Steel Pier Amusement Park is a family-friendly destination in Atlantic City.
Visiting the Steel Pier with Kids: Guide to this Jersey Shore Amusement Park
The accessible playground at Watsessing Park is a dream come true for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
Best Playgrounds in New Jersey: 12 That Are Worth the Drive
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Free Indoor Play Spots in New Jersey for Kids
Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
  VIDEO
Visiting American Dream Mall in New Jersey: 16 Fun Things To Do and Tips For Your Visit
New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Free Fun Things to Do with NJ Kids
At Tenafly Nature Center Camp, kids experience the natural world. Photo courtesy of the nature center
Most Affordable Summer Camps in New Jersey for Kids
The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
Themed Restaurants in New Jersey for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
Free Admission for Kids at 50+ Top New Jersey Family Attractions
Allow yourself to get drawn into the mesmerizing art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
Indoor Activities for Kids: 40 Ways to Spend a Rainy Day in NJ
Guests experience the safari at Six Flags Great Adventure from the privacy and safety of their own vehicles. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
The Best New Jersey Zoos and Aquariums to Visit with Kids
Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
Top Attractions in New Jersey: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

Mother's Day Weekend 2023 in New Jersey: Brunches and More Things To Do with Kids

Head to the Shore with mom to walk on the boardwalk or race on the go-karts at Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach. Photo courtesy of Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach
Head to the Shore with mom to walk on the boardwalk or race on the go-karts at Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach. Photo courtesy of Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach
5/10/23 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Mother's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's all fun and games this Mother's Day weekend as moms score free admission to amusement parks on Sunday, including Jenkinson's, iPlay America, Castaway Cove, and Casino Pier. Plus, treat Mom to a weekend of food, music, and shopping at springtime festivals like the Creative Arts Festival, Branchburg Food Truck & Music Festival, and Spring Bazaar 2023. 

Check out our full listing of Mother's Day events, and find more things to do on this list of the best things to do in New Jersey this May. Our Family Activity Calendar offers a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

More Things To Do in New Jersey this Week with Kids:​

Be sure to click through to each listing for all the details, including recommended ages and times.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Celebrate National Public Gardens Day at Macculloch Hall's historic garden. Photo courtesy of the museum
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day at Macculloch Hall's historic garden. Photo courtesy of the museum

Things To Do in New Jersey This Mother's Day Weekend With Kids

Mother’s Day Celebration in Jersey City

Jersey City–FREE
Friday, May 12
It's a pre-Mother's Day celebration at Hamilton Park, boasting activities for moms and their kids. Enjoy a picture corner, arts & crafts, music for kids, cookie decorating, delicious food vendors, performances, and more. READ MORE

L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival at Brunswick Square

East Brunswick
Select dates from Friday, May 12-Monday, May 29
Bring the whole family invited to the L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival at Brunswick Square Mall, featuring 14 days of food, rides and entertainment. READ MORE

Creative Arts Festival

Lincroft–FREE
Saturday, May 13
The annual Creative Arts Festival features artists selling offerings such as mixed-media pieces, paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, and more. READ MORE

Azalea Festival

Hamilton–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Sayen Botanical Gardens welcome you to this magnificent display of more than 250,000 flowering bulbs, dogwoods, azaleas, and rhododendron. Enjoy the landscaped walking paths, fountains, bridges, lakes, gazebos, and breathtaking scenery. READ MORE

National Public Gardens Day at Macculloch Hall

Morristown–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day in the historic gardens on Macculloch Hall's grounds. Enjoy special presentations, scavenger hunts, and art activities. READ MORE

Spring Festival at Garretson Forge and Farm

Fair Lawn–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Experience Colonial life at this spring festival, featuring open hearth cooking, Maypole dancing, Colonial games for children, heirloom and native plant sale, homestead tours and Revolutionary War reenactors. READ MORE

Born to be Shorn - Sheep Shearing Day

Morristown
Saturday, May 13
Visit Fosterfields Living Historical Farm for Sheep Shearing Day, and watch master shearer Margaret Quinn demonstrate how to shear a sheep using old-fashioned tools and knowhow. See demonstrations of wool combing and spinning, needle felting, wool dyeing, knitting, and weaving. READ MORE

Chow Down in Maywood Food Truck Fest

Maywood
Saturday, May 13
Indulge in food trucks, 30+ vendors, music, crafts and a kid zone at Myron Parking Lot. Children's activities include a bounce house, face painting and games. READ MORE

Branchburg Food Truck & Music Festival

Branchburg
Saturday, May 13
The food trucks are rolling into Branchburg. Enjoy gourmet food trucks, beer, margaritas & sangria, live music, kid activities, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, knockerball, miniature golf, games, sand art, spin art, and more. READ MORE

Spring Bazaar 2023

Asbury Park–FREE
Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 14
Celebrate Mother's Day weekend at the Spring Bazaar, featuring a shopping, arts & crafts, and music experience in two beautiful locations by the beach. Shop for fresh flower bouquets, Mother's Day photos and photo stations, music, entertainment, kids workshops, food, and more. READ MORE

Touch-a-Truck at Rockaway Townsquare

Rockaway–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Join the fun at this Touch a Truck event in the outer parking lot, featuring trucks and vehicles from local organizations like Roxbury Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Department Hope One, New Jersey State Police and more. READ MORE

Manville PBA Food & Music Festival

Manville
Saturday, May 13
MegaBite Events has joined forces with the Manville PBA for a big food and music fest at the Rustic Mall on Mother's Day weekend. The fun includes 12+ food vendors, live music from Naughty Humphrey and Grand Theft Audio NJ and more. READ MORE

Mother's Day at Jenkinson's

Point Pleasant
Sunday, May 14
Head to the Shore with mom on Sunday for free admission to the fun at Jenkinson's Boardwalk, including mini golf, aquarium, rope course, fun house and rides with a paying child. READ MORE

Mother's Day at iPlay America

Freehold
Sunday, May 14
Join iPlay America for Mother’s Day where moms ride for free all day long. Download a free Unlimited iRide Band and Mom can enjoy unlimited rides on Go-Karts, Freedom Rider Spinning Coaster and more. READ MORE

Mother's Day at Playland’s Castaway Cove

Ocean City
Sunday, May 14
Give mom a day of thrills with free rides at Playland's Castaway Cove. Moms ride free all day on the Wild Waves Coaster, Alien Abduction, and more. READ MORE

Mother's Day at the Track

Oceanport
Sunday, May 14
Treat Mom to a fun-filled day at Monmouth Park, featuring live racing, plus clowns, face painting, pony rides and a bounce house. Moms get free admission with drawings and more. READ MORE

Mother's Day at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Sunday, May 14
Come enjoy Mother's Day with your kids on the Pier. On this special day, moms ride free on the rides with their paying child (under 16 years old) on the same ride. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

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
Recent Articles By Laurie R:
Read more articles by Laurie Rein.