Spring Bucket List: Best Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids This Spring – msnNOW
Spring has sprung, so it’s time to trade in those clunky boots, mittens, and winter coats for fresh air, parks and playgrounds, spring getaways, and New Jersey farm fun. Get outside to take advantage of all of the seasonal fun the Garden State offers.
Read on for 45 fantastic spring activities to enjoy with your family. Looking for more? Check out our Spring Fun Guide, where new events, activities, and outings are added throughout the season.
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1. Go to Diggerland
If your kids love construction vehicles, check out Diggerland, which opened for the season Saturday, March 12. Drive, ride, and operate heavy machinery at this construction-themed adventure park.
2. Ride an Easter Train
Hop aboard the train in Flemington or Phillipsburg to ride the rails with the Easter Bunny.
3. Play Outside
Frolic outdoors at some of our favorite parks and playgrounds.
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Welcome the lambs at Alstede Farm’s Easter and Springtime Family Festival. Photo courtesy of the farm
4. Visit Alstede Farm’s Easter and Springtime Family Festival
See baby animals, visit the Easter Bunny, and try the scavenger hunt at Alstede Farm’s Easter and Springtime Family Festival from Saturday, April 2-Tuesday, April 19.
5. Visit a Farm
Visit lambs, chicks, calves, and other baby animals and barnyard residents at one of NJ’s family-friendly farms at petting zoos.
6. PYO Berries
Strawberry season starts at the end of May, so grab a basket and pick your own berries—and more—at a host of local farms.
7. Enjoy EGGstravaganZOO
Spy oversized eggs in the walking paths, try the HOPstacle Course Follow, and participate in the Easter Scavenger Hunt during the Easter EGGstravaganzoo at the Cape May Zoo on Saturday, April 9.
RELATED: Top Things To Do in New Jersey This March
Branch Brook Park is home to more than 5,000 cherry trees. Photo by Barry Solow
8. See Cherry Blossoms
Check out the beautiful cherry blossoms in Branch Brook Park. Its popular annual festival returns from Saturday, April 2-Sunday, April 10.
9. Explore Duke Farms
Break out the bicycles and take the family for a scenic ride through the gorgeous grounds of Duke Farms. Note that this private park limits weekend visitors, so guests must sign up for a parking pass in advance online.
10. Visit the Stirling Street Fair
Hit the pavement and enjoy this year’s entertainment at the Stirling Street Fair on Sunday, April 24.
11. Go Stargazing
Find the best places to go stargazing in NJ to celebrate National Astronomy Day on Saturday, May 7.
12. Visit a Nature Center
Visit one of NJ’s awesome nature centers to learn about local flora and fauna and head outside to look for signs of spring.
13. Go to Cape May’s Spring Festival
Head to Cape May for the family-friendly Spring Festival, from Thursday, May 19-Sunday, May 22.
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The hills come alive with daffodils at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in April. Photo courtesy of the arboretum
14. Experience Daffodil Day
Experience the splendor of spring at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum’s Daffodil Day on Sunday, April 10.
15. Enjoy Rutgers Day
Head to New Brunswick on Saturday, April 30, for Rutgers Day 2022 and enjoy farm animals, food vendors, and special activities for kids. FREE
16. Observe Earth Day
The whole family can head outdoors and stretch their legs as the Monmouth County Park System celebrates Earth Day with a variety of events in its parks Saturday, April 23.
17. Explore a New Town
Be a tourist in our own state with a day trip to one of NJ’s charming towns, including Montclair and Princeton.
18. Go to a Renaissance Fair
Travel back in time at the Smithville Renaissance Faire on Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10. The historic village is transformed into an English Renaissance town, complete with dukes and duchesses, sword fights, and knights. Or, get tickets to the NJ Renaissance Faire, which runs weekends from May 28-June 5.
19. See Kip’s Castle
Take your little prince or princess on a real-life adventure to Kip’s Castle Park in Verona. Built in 1905, the replica of a medieval castle is a whopping 9,000-square-feet and has amazing views of the NYC skyline.
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Explore the Watchung Reservation Sensory Trail in Union County. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
20. Hike the Watchung Reservation
Walk the Watchung Reservation Sensory Trail, the first of its kind in Union County, and according to park officials, the most extensive sensory trail in the U.S.
21. Experience Nature at Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
Ring in the season by signing up for an educational program at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum.
22. Learn About Animals
Learn about all the inhabitants of Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center in a 20-minute live animal talk every Sunday.
23. Head to the Boardwalk
Visit Jenkinson’s Boardwalk before the summer crowds arrive. The rides and most amusements open in late March/early April.
24. Rock it Out
Dance at the Grayrock N Roll Spring Festival, where kids can meet farm animals and everyone can nosh on food truck fare.
25. Watch Sheep Shearing
Experience the Sheep Shearing event at the Historic Longstreet Farm on Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25.
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Hit the surf at one of New Jersey’s fabulous beaches. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
26. Visit a Water Park
Cool down at one of NJ’s best water parks. If you’re looking for something more low-key, check out our favorite water playgrounds and splash pads.
27. Fly a Kite
See kites of all shapes and sizes soaring over the beach in Long Branch on Saturday, April 23.
28. Take a Nature Walk
Take a lovely stroll during a Cattus Island nature walk.
29. Embark on a Bunny Chase
Hunt for clues to find a surprise at the end of Terhune Orchard’s Bunny Chase during Easter weekend. Afterward, little ones can make a bunny craft to take home and munch on a bunny cookie.
30. Learn about Trees
Explore the grounds of Liberty Hall on Arbor(etum) Day! on Saturday, April 23, at this family-friendly event featuring activities, games, and crafts for kids.
31. Spring Fling
Bounce around the fun KidZone, rock out to live music, and sample delicious treats from food vendors during Westfield’s Spring Fling on Sunday, May 1.
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NJ theme parks, like Storybook Land, reopen for the season in the springtime.
32. Get Spring Thrills
Get your springtime thrills at Storybook Land when the new season kicks off on Saturday, April 9, or Six Flags Great Adventure, which opens Saturday, April 2. Also opening Memorial Day weekend, right in time for the unofficial start of summer: the Land of Make Believe!
33. Enjoy Ocean Fun Day
See even more of what the Jersey Shore offers during Ocean Fun Days on Saturday, May 21, at Island Beach State Park or on Sunday, May 22, at Sandy Hook.
34. Take a Beach Trip
Plan a beach getaway to visit one of many family-friendly shores right here in New Jersey, from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
35. Enjoy South Mountain Reservation
Head to South Mountain Reservation for a full day of family fun, including a fairy trail, paddle boats, mini golf, the Turtle Back Zoo, and the popular pirate playground.
36. See Dinosaurs
See giant, animatronic dinosaurs come to life when Field Station: Dinosaurs reopens Saturday, May 28, to kick off Memorial Day weekend.
37. Visit LSC
If you visit soon, you can step into the world of Paw Patrol in an interactive exhibit at the Liberty Science Center. Based on the popular Nickelodeon TV show, it closes on Sunday, May 1.
38. Celebrate Pi Day
Bake a pie with the kids on Pi Day, Monday, March 14, or try one of these 30 fun celebrations.
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Gaze into the City Under the Sea at Sea Life Aquarium. Photo by Jody Mercier
39. Experience American Dream
Get combo tickets to American Dream’s Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center for a full day of fun (or enjoy the venues separately up to two weeks apart)
40. Get a Sweet Treat
Grab a sweet treat at your favorite local ice cream joint.
41. See Model Trains
Watch Thomas and other trains chug around miniature tracks at the Garden State Annual Spring Model Railroad Show on weekends in late March and early April.
42. Bowl for Free
Kids Bowl Free starting Monday, April 25, at Oakwood Lanes, one of NJ’s most family-friendly bowling alleys.
43. The Montclair Literary Festival
The Montclair Literary Festival on Saturday, May 7, features a full day of free events for children and young adults, including author and illustrator visits, stories, and workshops.
44. See Stars Indoors
Catch a show at one of NJ’s amazing planetariums.
45. Try a New Rainy Day Activity
Try a new activity that’s perfect for a rainy spring day.
This post, originally published in March 2015, is updated annually.