Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend July 6-7: Blueberry Bash, Thomas the Tank, Bluegrass Festival & More!

7/3/13 - By Sasha Muzzarelli

If you’ve decided to stick around Jersey for 4th of July weekend, you’ll find plenty of summer fun! Family-friendly festivals are a great way to keep the whole gang entertained, so check out the annual Blueberry Bash at Terhune Orchards or the Front Porch Bluegrass Festival in Chester. If you’re craving some adventure, hop aboard Thomas the Tank Engine on the Delaware River Railroad with your little train lover or take a hike through Maggie’s Point Trail at Plainsboro Preserve. Read on for our top picks and find a listing of all NJ activities in our Event Calendar.

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Blueberry Bash (Princeton, NJ)
When you mix fresh summer produce with the family-friendly (and Mommy Poppins favorite) Terhune Orchards, you’ve got yourself an awesome weekend outing! Join Terhune Orchards as they celebrate "everything blueberry." Wander through ‘Pick-Your-Own’ blueberry bushes and then relax on a wagon ride around the farm. Enjoy pony rides, children's games, face painting, music and lots of tasty blueberry treats - blueberry muffins, blueberry cobbler, blueberry tea and even blueberry salsa! And the Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre will be on hand to keep the kids entertained with lively music and stories. Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm. FREE admission.

Jack and the Giant (Titusville, NJ)
Head to the Open Air Theater at Washington Crossing for a family-friendly performance Jack and the Giant. Kids (and adults too!) will be enchanted as they watch Jack sell his beloved dancing cow for a handful of magic beans. When those beans are planted, look out! A beanstalk reaching through the clouds leads Jack to a magical land where a giant named Gogmagog lives. Recommended for ages 4 & up. Show times Friday & Saturday at 11am and Sunday at 4pm. $5/NJ residents, $7/non-residents. 267-885-9857

The GO GO Thomas Tour (Phillipsburg, NJ)
If you’ve got a little train lover in your house, the GO GO Thomas the Tank Engine Tour is a must do this weekend. Hop aboard a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine on the Delaware River Railroad Excursions for an awesome ride! Your gang will also enjoy plenty of Thomas the Tank Engine themed entertainment, including storytelling, an ‘Imagination Station’ with arts & crafts and an opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor. Recommended for ages 5 & up. The train pulled by Thomas leaves every hour on the hour, 10am to 5pm this Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Ticket prices vary ($15-36/Person) depending on activities. 866-468-7630

Saturday, July 6th

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Party (Lambertville, NJ)
When it comes to ice cream, you can never have too much of a good thing! The Howell Living History Farm hosts their Old Fashioned Ice Cream Party on the Farm this Saturday. Ice cream making will begin at 11am when visitors are invited to help draw and grind ice from the farm's ice house. The first batch of homemade ice cream will be ready for dipping at noon and ice cream sodas and sundaes will be served until 3:30pm. Yum! Other fun activities include music, wagon rides and children’s crafts and contests. 10am-4pm. FREE ($4/Child for craft). 609-737-3299

Front Porch Bluegrass Festival (Chester, NJ)
Drive out west to the picturesque town of Chester for their open air Bluegrass Festival. 13 different bands will take the stage throughout the day and guests can come and go and listen as they please. Plenty of activities are planned to keep the kids entertained from face painting to a Pirate & Princess party to fun carnival-style games. Home-style southern eats like mac & cheese and hush puppies will keep everyone full and happy. All ages welcome. 10am-8pm. FREE admission.

Family Adventure Hike (Cranbury, NJ)
Had one too many lazy days by the pool lately? You might be craving a little exercise to get the family moving! Go explore the beautiful Plainsboro Preserve this Saturday for a Family Adventure Hike. Naturalist Shari-Beth Nadell will lead your group out to one of the gems of Preserve, Maggie’s Point Trail, where you’ll hike right through a pristine shallow lake, observing all different types of wildlife. Binoculars will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Wear comfy shoes and sunscreen and bring water! Recommended for families with children ages 6 & up. 3:30-5pm. $3/Member, $5/Non-members.

Sunday, July 7th

Family-Friendly Hike (Englewood, NJ)
If you’re looking to spend some time in the great outdoors but have wee ones in tow, check out the more slow-paced Family Hike at the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center on Sunday. Start with a leisurely hike along the babbling brook, taking in beautiful trees and all sorts of wildlife. Your nature guide will then lead your group in fun family games before making the short trek back. All ages welcome. 2-3:30pm. $5/Member, $10/Non-members (Per family). 201-567-1265

Check out our GO NJ List, with our top picks of awesome things to do for kids in the upcoming month! GO JULY 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.