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Top Things To Do in New Jersey This Weekend With Kids

Enjoy the Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
Enjoy the Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
6/23/21 - By Laurie Rein

This last weekend of June looks to be a berry good one with the debut of the Blueberry Summer Fest Markets at Whitesbog and the annual Red, White, and Blueberry Festival in Hammonton. Celebrate the end of the school year with fun for the whole family at State Fair Meadowlands, Keansburg Family Fun Fest, and Terhune's Firefly Festival.

If you need a night off—or a night out—Boonton's All Children's Arts Center has a too-good-to-pass-up deal for you: Book the kids into a Friday night arts, crafts, and open mic session, and enjoy your evening guilt-free knowing they're having a rocking good time.  

More seasonal fun includes taking in drive-in and outdoor movies statewide or embarking on a summer day trip to our favorite beaches or nearby water parks.

If you still want more, our Summer Fun Guide is packed with picks, and our Activity Calendar gets constant updates; plus, we've compiled a list of 85+ FREE things to do in New Jersey this summer with kids. 

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

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Celebrate summer at State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford. Photo courtesy of the fair
Celebrate summer at State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford. Photo courtesy of the fair

Fun Events for Kids All Weekend in New Jersey

Summer Flower Walk

Edison–FREE
Edison is full of flower power this weekend. Check out over 10,000 beautiful blooms on Amboy Avenue, plus enjoy food trucks, live music, and local vendors. READ MORE

Demarest Farms Drive-In Movies

Hillsdale
Friday, June 25 | Dolittle
Saturday, June 26 | The Outsiders
Sunday, June 27 | The Land Before Time
This New Jersey farm and garden center transforms into a drive-in theater for alfresco flicks all summer long. Reservations must be made online in advance. READ MORE

Summer Reopening Model Train Show

North Haledon
The Garden State Model Railway Club reopens its doors to the public for one weekend only. Visitors are invited inside to see steam and diesel trains running on a 1,200-square-foot track layout, which depicts cities, towns, and sights of the Garden State.  READ MORE

State Fair Meadowlands

East Rutherford
The jam-packed State Fair Meadowlands returns for 18 days with more than 100 rides and attractions, including Jurassic Kingdom, plus plenty of food and entertainment. Fireworks take place July 3-4. READ MORE

Lavender Viewing at Happy Day Farm

Manalapan
Immerse yourself in the beautiful, fragrant lavender garden at Happy Day Farm. Take spectacular photos in the lavender display. Lemonade and shaved ice are available for purchase.  READ MORE
Head to Keansburg's beach for a family-friendly fete celebrating summer. Photo courtesy of the fest
Head to Keansburg's beach for a family-friendly fete celebrating summer. Photo courtesy of the fest

Cool Things To Do in New Jersey on Saturday, June 26

5th Annual Keansburg Family Fun Fest

Keansburg–FREE
Head to the beach in Keansburg for a fun, family-friendly celebration of summer. Enjoy live and DJ music, and frolic in the sand. Food and beach vendors sell snacks and more. Stick around after dark for the fireworks. READ MORE

Blueberry Summer Fest

Browns Mill–FREE
Have a very blueberry summer at Whitesbog Preservation Trust. Every Saturday features live music, crafts, and blueberry picking on a smaller scale in the historic farm and village.  READ MORE

Passaic County Food Truck Festival

Clifton
Bring the family to Weasel Brook Park for a festive day of food trucks, live music and games, face painting, and more. READ MORE

Great Fair of Saint Mary's

Middletown
Food, rides, and games are all part of the excitement at the Saint Mary's Great Fair. Stop by the Kiddie Zone, which opens daily at 5:30pm.  READ MORE

Dave Jay and Blippi Perform at Imagine That

Florham Park
Dave Jay is a critically acclaimed children's show comprised of fun and character-driven original music. This upbeat, engaging show is followed by Blippi performing his favorite songs. READ MORE

Top New Jersey Family Events for Sunday, June 27

Red, White, and Blueberry Festival

Hammonton–FREE
Hammonton, which calls itself the Blueberry Capital of the World, hosts this 37th annual event, with fair food, kiddie rides, crafters, children's craft activities, and entertainment throughout the day. See a blueberry pie-eating contest, and explore the classic car show. READ MORE

Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards

Princeton–FREE
Light up the summer with a free evening of nature, music, wagon rides, and outdoor activities. Children can decorate firefly wings and make antennas in the craft area. There is a kids' play area, plus farm animals to visit. READ MORE

Family Ag Day

Wayne–FREE
Have a Sunday fun day at Van Riper Hopper House, with family-friendly activities that include music, a petting zoo, children's activities, museum tours, and produce for sale. READ MORE

Pier Village Family Fun Night

Long Branch–FREE
Pier Village is brimming with activities every Sunday. Check out mini golf, a rock-climbing wall, trampoline bungee, games, rides, and more.  READ MORE

Drag Bingo Family Fun

South Orange–FREE
Try your luck at a game of bingo with the fabulous Harmonica Sunbeam. Step and repeat to the beat of DJ Redline, and enjoy a fun-filled day of activities for the whole family. READ MORE

Virtual Camps and Classes To Book Now on Mommy Poppins

Minecraft Super Modding Adventures

Create your own Minecraft modifications and mini-games while learning fundamental coding concepts. Enjoy four, 90-minute live online coding sessions. Courses are led by former IBM and Microsoft engineers. Learn powerful, real-world coding skills. READ MORE

Preschool Science Through the Alphabet On Demand Video Classes

Preschoolers learn science and literacy in this custom program developed by a former NYC public school teacher. Each program focuses on a letter and a fun science topic. The prerecorded video lessons can be watched at home and enjoyed at any time.   READ MORE
Climb the ropes at KidStreet Playground. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
Climb the ropes at KidStreet Playground. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

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105 Free Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer with Kids

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Skip the ocean and go for a dip in one of these family-friendly lakes. READ MORE

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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
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