52 Free and Fun Things To Do in New Jersey May 2024

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Discover deep-sea secrets at Island Beach State Park's Ocean Fun Days festival. Photo courtesy of the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium

Hooray for May! Bring on the outdoor festivals, including the Creative Arts Festival in Lincroft. Hit the Shore for free fun at the Annual Seafood Festival in Belmar.  And if you're budgeting for summer vacations and camp, there's no need to skimp on the May fun, because these 52 activities and events are all FREE to attend.

Read on for this month's picks! For more free and low-cost fun, check out our Event Calendar.. 

Free Outdoor Movies in Atlanta This Summer for Kids

Elsa Simcik's picture Submitted by Elsa Simcik on

Purchase dinner from local restaurants or pack one from home for Duluth's summer movie series, Flicks on the Bricks. Photo courtesy of the event

Watching outdoor movies under the stars is an ideal summertime bucket list item for Atlanta families. Moviegoers enjoy the cooler evening weather, a family-friendly flick, and best of all, the FREE admission! These outdoor movie nights in Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs last all summer long. Even better, you don't have to scour the internet trying to find outdoor movies in Atlanta because we've already done that. Dust off the picnic blankets and lawn chairs, and enjoy the show!

Free Outdoor Movies in Los Angeles this Summer for Kids

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Enjoy summer movies with the majestic Queen Mary as the backdrop. Photo courtesy of The Queen Mary

Free outdoor movies in Los Angeles offer a unique and enjoyable way to experience cinema under the stars. From iconic parks to scenic shorelines, these screenings bring communities together for evenings of entertainment and camaraderie. 

Open-air venues provide a relaxed cinematic experience for movie buffs. With food trucks, blankets, and family in tow, attendees can revel in the magic of free outdoor movies in Los Angeles, creating memorable summer moments under the night sky. 

For more summer essentials, discover the best Los Angeles beaches for kids, visit the top splash pads in Los Angeles, and bask in summer traditions with our Ultimate Los Angeles Summer Vacation Guide.   

30 Free Outdoor Movies in Chicago This Summer for Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

Movie night with a view! Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Free outdoor movies in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs scream summertime. Where else can you enjoy treats, green spaces, and staying up past bedtime? In Chicago, you can see a movie at a landmark destination like Navy Pier or Millennium Park, or enjoy a night out under the stars in your favorite neighborhood or suburban park. 

Want to see a movie in your car? Check out one of our favorite drive-in destinations. Have kids that aren't big enough to stay up past dark on a long summer night? Try out this list of favorite toddler playgrounds or water parks for little ones that are just as good during the day.

Pack your blanket or chair, bag of popcorn, and beverage of choice, and head out to one of the more than 30 locations we've found to see an outdoor movie in Chicago this summer!

 

Ninja Warrior Gyms, Parkour, and Obstacle Courses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Your kids can practice being a ninja warrior at the Grit Ninja in Pleasantville.

Are makeshift ninja warrior gyms a common sight in your living room? If so, know that you're not alone—and then consider taking your kids to one of the many obstacle courses, ninja warrior, and parkour gyms in the area. It’s a fun indoor activity for when the weather is either too cold or too hot for outdoor play, and it helps get tons of energy out. 

Almost all the programs and gyms featured here offer classes and open gym time. Trial classes, camps, and birthday parties are also possibilities at most.  

Looking for more fun indoor activities with kids, like the area's top bowling alleys? Check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Westchester Kids.

Ultimate Family Bucket List: 100 Experiences You'll Remember Forever

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on

Bringing a fur baby, or other animal, into the family is a fantastic experience for kids and parents.

We've rounded up a whole bunch of childhood bucket list ideas here that run the gamut from baking cookies to big family trips. The bucket list ideas here are all suggestions for a whole host of fun family activities that will give your kids memories that they will remember for their entire lives.

So take some inspiration from our ultimate family bucket list of 100 fun ideas for something fun to do this weekend or a future family vacation. From little things you can do at home to adventures in bravery to Intergenerational outings, here are 100 deposits for your family memory bank!

For more family checklists, check out our Ultimate Summer Bucket List and this fun "I’m Bored, What Should I Do?" List, plus more fun family ideas in our Mommy Poppins Parenting Guide.

Best Family Festivals and Street Fairs in NYC this May

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

The Japan Day Parade marches down the west side on Saturday, May 11. Photo by Masaki Hori 2024. Photo

NYC street fairs and festivals are blooming all over this May, from glorious school fairs like Calhoun's carnival-fun filled fest to the little-kid friendly event at Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School, plus Hippo Playground hosts a Spring Fair complete with pony rides, Randall's Island's Touch-a-Truck Fest returns, there's a Mother's Day Garden Party at the NYBG, and the annual salute to service that is Fleet Week punctuates Memorial Day weekend.

You can find even more seasonal activities in our Spring Fun Guide, and don't forget to check our ever-expanding Family Activity Calendar, where you can look ahead to see all the summer has in store.

Why Rancocas Nature Center is an Awesome Family Destination

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Rancocas Nature Center sits on 210 acres of forest in a South Jersey state park.

Rancocas Nature Center has it all for outdoorsy kids and families. The center has many programs for children to learn about the environment and socialize with other kids, or you can go on a peaceful family hike away from the hustle and bustle.  

The non-profit nature center sits on 210 acres of forest in the Rancocas State Park in South Jersey. There are miles of trails where you can meander through multiple different ecosystems. The nature center also provides year-round nature programs for all ages to educate families about their environment.

Read on for tips on visiting this incredible nature center. If you're interested in visiting other nature centers in New Jersey, check out our round-up of the best nature centers in the state.

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