Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend April 13-14: Cherry Blossom Festival, Bug Bonanza, Daffodil Day & More!

4/10/13 - By Sasha Muzzarelli

With the arrival of some warm weather, it’s pretty safe to say that spring is (finally!) upon us. If you haven’t ventured outside yet, this weekend is the perfect time to head over to the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival or check out Daffodil Day at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum. Indoor fun includes Pinkalicious the Musical or the latest performance from the Milk & Cookies Children’s Theatre. Read on for our top picks and find a listing of all NJ activities in our Event Calendar.

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Pinkalicious the Musical (Netcong, NJ)
Based on the popular children’s book by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann, Pinkalicious the Musical is about a girl who can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of the pink predicament. Pinkalicious the Musical is all about learning the power of self-control and the importance of moderation. Recommended for ages 3 & up. Show times Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday & Sunday at 4pm. All tickets $15/Person on Friday, Weekend tickets $20/Adult, $15/Children & Seniors. 973-347-4946

Dino Day & Bug Bonanza Family Festival (Camden, NJ)
Celebrate spring and head to the much-loved Camden Children’s Garden for Dino Day & Bug Bonanza! Celebrate dinosaurs and insects while digging for fossils in the popular Dino Garden. The festival includes educational activities, a fun planting activity and themed crafts. All ages welcome. Saturday & Sunday 1-4pm. $6/Person, Children under 2 are free. 856-365-9741

Saturday, April 13th

Family Fun Day (Madison, NJ)
Join the staff at the family-friendly Museum of Early Trades for lots of fun and a hat making craft activity this Saturday. Family Fun Day is held every 2nd Saturday of the month, each time with a different craft or activity to keep young kids engaged. If you’ve got some little history buffs, stick around after craft time and check out the museum’s current exhibit ‘The Toys and Games of America.’  Learn all about the history of gaming from dice and card games to mass-manufactured board games and how popular culture and even religion have influenced family leisure time through the years. Free with museum admission. 1-3pm.  973-377-2982 x14

Cherry Blossom Trolley Tours (Newark, NJ)
What better way to welcome in the spring than to take in the beautiful cherry blossoms popping up all over New Jersey? Sit back on a trolley and listen as nature guides take your family on a 45 minute journey through Essex County's Branch Brook Park. Check out the beautiful pink cherry blossoms everyone loves this time of year and get a little learning in too – your guide will fill you in on interesting facts about the park’s 118 year history. Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis. Tours run 12-4pm. $5/Person. 973-239-2495

Milk & Cookies: Children’s Performance Theatre (New Brunswick, NJ)
Milk & Cookies is an interactive and free series featuring storytelling, music and puppetry that encourages kids to discover the joys of theater and the arts. This Saturday’s performance is ‘Animal Stories from Around the World.’ Join storyteller/musician Lisa Garwood and help her tell her tales about some beloved animal friends: what kids can learn from their wisdom...and their mistakes! Recommended for ages 3-8. Advanced registration required. Show times at 10am & 12pm. FREE. 732-246-7469 ext. 545

Sunday, April 14th

Daffodil Day (Summit, NJ)
Enjoy a fun-filled day of revelry to celebrate the arrival of spring at Reeves-Reed Arboretum. Daffodil Day will feature activities that the entire family can enjoy including spring-themed games, nature crafts and Flower Fairy and Woodland Elf parade through the Daffodil Bowl. Kids can also create original haikus set to music and performed by Rose and the Nightingale. An open air market featuring farm to table specialties will keep everyone refreshed and well-fed. 11am-4pm. Free for members, $10/Non-members. 908-273-8787

Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival (Newark, NJ)
If the weather stays this warm and breezy, Sunday is the perfect afternoon to head to the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival. Branch Brook Park is often called New Jersey’s pinkest park – and with one look at the trees, it’s pretty easy to see why! A full schedule of events includes Japanese cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace and food & refreshments. 11am-5pm. FREE. 973-268-3500

Check out our brand-new GO NJ List, with our top ten picks of fun things to do for kids in the upcoming month! GO April is hot off the presses!

And don't forget: We have additional activity listings in our Event Calendar. And if you are heading into NYC for the weekend make sure you visit the New York City Mommy Poppins events calendar to get the latest on all the fun to be had NYC-style.