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Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend in New Jersey: Best Things To Do with Kids

There's fun indoors and out during the Liberty Science Center's Fall Fest, including the return of the Spider Maze. Photo courtesy of LSC
There's fun indoors and out during the Liberty Science Center's Fall Fest, including the return of the Spider Maze. Photo courtesy of LSC
10/5/22 - By Laurie Rein

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

Indigenous Peoples Day, Monday, October 10, marks the holiday formerly known as Columbus Day for NJ school kids, and luckily our calendar is jam-packed with three days of fall fun activities. Get immersed in the fall season at outdoor festivals, including LBI Fly International Kite Festival, Holland Ridge Farm's Family Fun Columbus Day Weekend, and local harvest festivals in Dunellen and Newton. Plus, get a taste of Halloween with the kickoff of Track or Treat at Meadowlands Racetrack and Halloween Party at Liberty Science Center. 

Be sure to bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for more great things to do.

And don't miss your chance to win! Mommy Poppins is sponsoring a pretty amazing giveaway: The grand-prize winner will get a 2 night all-inclusive trip for 2 adults and 2 children (including airfare from the continental US, food, & beverages) to Velas Vallarta family resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Enter to win our Family Fun Resort Getaway. 

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. Check with each venue for its COVID guidelines before heading out to any event.

 

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A crew of colorful scarecrows will be cropping up across the Adventure Aquarium for a limited time. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
A crew of colorful scarecrows will be cropping up across the Adventure Aquarium for a limited time. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

Things To Do in New Jersey this Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend with Kids

Halloween Party at Liberty Science Center

Jersey City
Select dates through Sunday, October 30
Liberty Science Center is home to a month-long Halloween celebration, featuring an outdoor Spider Maze, a giant indoor pumpkin patch, a 3D movie about a haunted house, and some creepy, crawly animals. READ MORE

Scarecrows Of The Sea

Camden
Daily from Wednesday, October 5-Sunday, November 13
A crew of colorful scarecrows crop up across the aquarium for a limited time, inviting everyone to explore life underwater with fun fall flair. Look out for scarecrows dressed as pirates, penguins, mermaids and more, posing alongside the 15,000 amazing animals. READ MORE

LBI Fly International Kite Festival

Long Beach Island–FREE
Friday, October 7-Sunday, October 9
Don't miss a sky full of spectacular kites on Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day weekend. This eighth annual festival features brilliant, colorful, artist-designed kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites, and the amazing show of sport kiting on the beautiful island. READ MORE

East Rutherford Civic Pride Fall Festival

East Rutherford–FREE
Friday, October 7-Sunday, October 9
Celebrate the season at this three day street festival, featuring live music, classic car show, children's village with rides and a pumpkin patch, food vendors and a beer garden. READ MORE

Morristown Festival of Books & Kidfest

Morristown–FREE
Friday, October 7-Saturday, October 8
Morristown's popular all-day literary festival is back! Meet over 30 fiction, nonfiction, young adult, and children’s authors, plus enjoy book sales and signing, and outdoor entertainment. READ MORE

Track Or Treat at Meadowlands Racetrack

East Rutherford
Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Saturday, October 29
Track Or Treat at Meadowlands Racetrack is New Jersey’s fall entertainment destination, featuring live entertainment and side shows, carnival-style games, hayride on the racetrack, Oktoberfest with traditional favorites, and a pumpkin patch full of Halloween activities. READ MORE

Allentown Annual Fall Festival

Allentown–FREE
Saturday, October 8-Sunday, October 9
This annual festival takes place in the charming and historic village of Allentown. Highlights include local artisans, food trucks, children's activities, petting zoo, live music and a classic car show.  READ MORE

Pumpkin Festival & Share the Harvest Food Drive

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, October 8
The 30th Annual Pumpkin Festival provides family-friendly entertainment and fun throughout the day, including craft and food vendors, face painting, pumpkin painting, a haunted barn, games, activities, and more. READ MORE

Princeton Children's Book Festival

Princeton–FREE
Saturday, October 8
Returning in-person and outdoors, the annual Children's Book Festival welcomes children's book authors and illustrators to Hinds Plaza. Families can meet the people behind some of their favorite stories, get books signed and chat about literary inspiration.  READ MORE

Family Fun Columbus Day Weekend

Cream Ridge
Saturday, October 8-Monday, October 10
Bring your little ones to Holland Ridge Farm to enjoy face painting, balloon animals, airbrush tattoos, caricatures, plus an impressive bubble show. READ MORE

28th Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree

Waretown–FREE
Saturday, October 8
Enjoy music, cultural demonstrations, nature and history programs, food vendors and more at this celebratory event.  READ MORE

Irish Festival at Historic Smithville

Galloway–FREE
Saturday, October 8-Sunday, October 9
The annual Irish Festival at Historic Smithville is a well-attended festival, with two stages and live music throughout the entire day. An Irish market, children’s activities, and a food court are also part of this amazing festival sponsored by Cape Atlantic Irish Association. READ MORE

Asbury Park Fall Bazaar 2022

Asbury Park–FREE
Saturday, October 8-Sunday, October 9
Celebrate local makers, music, and art in Asbury Park. Bazaar features shopping, music photo station, kids' activities and more. READ MORE

World Diversity Day Children's Festival

Freehold–FREE
Saturday, October 8
Exciting performances and engaging activities await children as World Diversity Day Children’s Festival comes to Lake Topanemus Park. This outdoor event celebrates diverse cultures and acceptance of others with live entertainment and hands-on activities. READ MORE

Masters of Illusion

Morristown
Saturday, October 8
Cutting-edge illusionists perform sleight-of-hand, perplexing interactive mind magic, hilarious comedy, dangerous escapes and large scale illusions that baffle and astound audience members of all ages. READ MORE

South Jersey Pumpkin Show

Woodstown
Saturday, October 8-Sunday, October 9
The 19th annual South Jersey Pumpkin festival returns to the Salem County Fairgrounds. Festivalgoers enjoy pumpkin desserts, vendor booths, a fall home show, contests, giveaways, wine sampling, a food court, amusement rides, a haunted barn, pony rides, and hayrides. READ MORE

Laurie Berkner Band

Princeton
Saturday, October 8
The Laurie Berkner Band rocks the stage at McCarter Theatre Center, performing greatest hits in her hometown of Princeton.  READ MORE

Dunellen HarvestFest

Dunellen–FREE
Sunday, October 9
The 10th annual Dunellen HarvestFest features artists and crafters from around the Garden State, local nonprofits, activities for kids, food, music, dancing, and more. READ MORE

Newton Fall Festival

Newton–FREE
Sunday, October 9
The town of Newton and the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce team up for this annual family-friendly fall festival along Spring Street. Enjoy live music, classic cars, a 1950's costume contest and food during the festivities. READ MORE

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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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