Morey's Piers WildwoodStock – Wildwood 
Friday–Sunday, May 3–5, 2019
Rock out at this three-day festival that honors the 50th anniversary of Morey's Piers. The excitement includes live entertainment, children's activities, food, and much more.

It's more than just kite flying at Terhune Orchards—there are many activities for the whole family to enjoy. Photo courtesy of the orchard

Kite Days at Terhune Orchards – Princeton
Saturday–Sunday, May 4–5, 2019
Go fly a kite at Terhune Orchards! Bring your own, buy one in the shop, or make and decorate one onsite. There will be live music and tons of food to purchase, as well as barnyard games and tractor-drawn wagon rides. Come Sunday for the sheep-shearing demonstration, and take home a piece of fleece on a sheep-shaped card. 

Ride 'em, cowboy! Wild West City reopens for the season on Saturday, May 4. Photo courtesy of Wild West City

Wild West City Season Opening – Stanhope
Saturday–Sunday, May 4–5, 2019
Wild West City celebrates the start of its 63rd season this weekend, so mosey on over to experience life in a frontier town circa 1880. Attractions include live-action shows; stagecoach, pony, and train rides; mini-golf; and a barnyard zoo. 

Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival – Hoboken
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Hoboken celebrates spring at this lively street fair with more than 300 artists, crafters, food vendors, and more. Live entertainment and children's activities add to the fun. FREE

Touch-A-Truck – Paramus
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Kids can climb aboard all kinds of vehicles at the Garden State Plaza parking lot at this 15th annual event sponsored by the Junior League of Bergen County. Bounce houses, face painting, and other activities round out the festivities.

Charlotte's Web – Morristown
Monday, May 6, 2019
Zuckerman's famous pig and his spider companion, Charlotte, take the stage at Mayo Performing Arts Center.

The sensory-friendly event of the century returns to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Six Flags

Second Annual Autism Day at Six Flags Great Adventure – Jackson 
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Custom Education Foundation and Gersh Academy are transforming Six Flags Great Adventure into a sensory-friendly environment for individuals on the autism spectrum. The sights and sounds of the theme park will be adjusted for children on the spectrum, and their families, to enjoy.

Lake Hopatcong Block Party – Landing
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Celebrate New Jersey's largest lake with an action-packed day filled with boat rides, music, food trucks, a children's area, family train ride, a park-wide scavenger hunt, and more. FREE

The Children's Festival in Historic Smithville features inflatables, a traveling zoo, crafts, and more.

Children's Festival – Smithville
Saturday, May 11, 2019
A festival especially for kids? Don't mind if we do. This popular fair in Historic Smithville features the Cape May Zoo's traveling zoo, along with face painting, inflatables, balloon animals, and games. While you're there, check out Smithville's carousel, train ride, arcade, and paddle boats. Admission is free; some activities have a small fee.

Celebrate Mother's Day at Morey's Piers with tea and a special craft. Photo courtesy of Morey's Piers

Mother's Day Weekend – Various locations
Saturday–Sunday, May 11–12, 2019
May 12 is Mother's Day (in case anyone in your family needs reminding), and there are lots of special events happening around NJ this weekend. Just a few include: Mother's Day at Morey's Piers, where all moms ride free from noon – 5pm; a Mother's Day Tea at Reeves-Reed Arboretum; and perhaps best of all, Mother's Day Wine Trail Weekend at Terhune Orchards. We've also got the scoop on the best brunch spots in Northern NJ and the Jersey Shore. 

33rd Annual New Jersey Seafood Festival – Belmar
Friday–Sunday, May 17–19, 2019
Crab cakes, lobster rolls, shrimp, and more are on tap at this huge, and delicious, three-day festival, which also includes live music and children's activities. 

10th Annual Fairy and Pirate Festival – Budd Lake
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Come dressed in costume to do a fairy dance at Turkey Brook Park during a fun-filled day of all things magical, including face painting, a giant slide, pirate challenges, bouncy castle, pony rides, food, vendors, and a treasure hunt. Rain date: Sunday, May 19.

Train as a new squire at Knight School at the NJ Renaissance Faire. Photo by Jesse C Photography

New Jersey Renaissance Faire – Bordentown
Saturdays and Sundays, May 18 – June 2, 2019
The New Jersey Renaissance Faire is an event of epic proportions. Located on the beautiful 60 acres of Liberty Lake, the Faire is the largest festival of its kind in the state of NJ and has made a name for itself as the most interactive Renaissance Faire in the country.

Ocean Fun Days – Island Beach State Park and Sandy Hook
Saturday–Sunday, May 18–19, 2019
This two-day festival celebrates the ocean and coastal environment with exhibits, classes, nature tours, and kids' activities. The fun includes fishing clinics for kids, touch tanks, fiddler crab races, a scavenger hunt, and more. FREE

Wildwood hosts North America's largest kite festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Wildwoods International Kite Festival – Wildwood
Friday–Monday, May 24–27, 2019
The 33rd Annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival, the largest kite festival in North America, features kite makers from around the world flying their most incredible colorful creations. FREE

Land of Make Believe celebrates its season reopening on May 26. Photo courtesy of the park

Land of Make Believe Opening Day – Hope
Saturday, May 25, 2019
This popular amusement park for little ones reopens for the season this weekend. Splash around in the water park if the weather's warm, or stay dry on rides like Jump Around Frog and T-Rex. The park will be open on weekends only through the third weekend in June, after which it will be open daily through Labor Day.

See prehistoric creatures at Field Station: Dinosaurs. Photo by Janet Bloom

Field Station: Dinosaurs Re-Opens – Leonia
Saturday, May 25, 2019
The dinos are back! Head to Overpeck Park to visit a T-rex, triceratops, and 30 other life-sized prehistoric creatures. Kids can also dig for fossils, see a movie, catch a live show, play games, and take part in workshops. 

Bradley Beach Memorial Day Festival– Bradley Beach
Saturday–Monday, May 25–27, 2019
Kick off the almost-summer with food, vendors, rides, bounce houses, live music, and more down the shore. FREE

Raging Waters is right on the beach! Photo courtesy of the water park

Water Parks Open for the Season – Various Locations
Memorial Day weekend marks the opening of most water parks in NJ! Get your swimsuits ready, and check websites for more info.

Originally published 2013, and updated annually. 

Photos courtesy of the events/venues.