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Best Free Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids March 2024

Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center hosts an up-close look at the park's inhabitants each Sunday. Photo courtesy of the center
Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center hosts an up-close look at the park's inhabitants each Sunday. Photo courtesy of the center
3/1/24 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for FREE things to do this March in New Jersey? Check out dozens of great options below. 

As the season transitions from winter to spring, March is filled with events that don't cost a thing! It's a lucky month for freebies, with St. Patrick's Day events that include Kids' St. Patrick's Celebration and parades in Morris County and Union County, among many others. 

March is also hoping with Easter festivities with complimentary events like Strolling Spring Bunny and Belmar Easter Egg Hunt.

Mark your calendars with these 40+ no-cost March events that take place nearly every day of the month. For more free fun, check out our Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with NJ Kids, and find more spring happenings in our Family Activity Calendar and Spring Activities Guide. 

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Ongoing Free Things To Do in March 2024

Electric Dandelions in Hoboken

Hoboken
Daily
Beautiful flower sculptures light up the Hoboken waterfront as part of the Electric Dandelions display. These magnificent sculptures are crafted from sturdy steel, with translucent and brilliant LEDs that dazzle when the sun goes down. READ MORE

Maker Mondays Kids Craft Hour at Jake Branch County Park Nature Center

Beechwood
Every Monday
Drop by the nature center on select Mondays for nature-inspired crafts. Registration is not required. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Bridgewater

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Bring the little ones to Barnes & Noble in Bridgewater every Monday morning for stories and fun. READ MORE

Preschool Storytime at Bridgewater Library

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Swing by the library on Mondays with the little ones for books, songs, and activities. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Livingston

Livingston
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Enjoy childhood classics and new favorites at Barnes & Noble in Livingston on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  READ MORE

Bookscape Babies at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Tuesday
Cotsen’s youngest patrons get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in the Bookscape gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await. READ MORE

Storytime at Barnes & Noble East Brunswick

East Brunswick
Every Tuesday
Give the kids a storytime break every Tuesday morning at Barnes & Noble in Brunswick Square Mall. Participants will hear a story and take part in a coloring activity. READ MORE

Playtime at Ramsey Free Public Library

Ramsey
Every Wednesday
Pop in for playtime with lots of toys and fun guaranteed. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Brick

Brick
Every Wednesday
Head over to Barnes & Noble every Wednesday for children's stories and fun. READ MORE

Baby Lap Time at Johnson Public Library

Hackensack
Every Thursday
Johnson Public Library welcomes babies, and their caretakers, for songs, stories and rhymes. Registration is not required. READ MORE

Tiger Tales at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Friday
Join the staff at Cotsen Library for a special interactive weekly storytime. Tiger Tales begins with a story and ends with a hands-on project to take home. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River
Every Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jake Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE
Take in the free Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade in Morristown. Photo courtesy of the parade organizers
Take in the free Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade in Morristown. Photo courtesy of the parade organizers

Free Things To Do in New Jersey in March 2024

St. James EGGstravaganza

Woodbridge
Saturday, March 2, 2024
This fun-filled Easter EGGstravaganza features Bunny photos, a children's egg hunt, shamrock search, sweet treats, vendors, crafters and more.  READ MORE

Stained Glass Stories at Cotsen Children’s Library

Princeton
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Come celebrate the fairy tales featured in the Cotsen Children’s Library’s current exhibit Once Upon New Times: Reimagining Children’s Classics. Shedding some light on those old tales, participants can create their own stained glass window of their favorite story. READ MORE

Family First Fun Day in Midland Park

Midland Park
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Mama Meet Ups is excited to announce the Family First Fun Day, featuring a great lineup of entertainment, vendors and resources for the families. Don't miss a music and dance session, soft play, crafts, character appearances and more. READ MORE

Makerspace at METC

Madison
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Stop by METC's Makerspace on the first Saturday every month. Whether you are looking for a kid-friendly project or for something creative to do after spending time at the Museum, drop by Makerspace for hands-on activities in the collaborative work space. READ MORE

Kids Workshops at Home Depot

Multiple Locations
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Kids can get creative at these monthly Home Depot in-store DIY events. Projects take place the first Saturday of each month at participating stores.  READ MORE

Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade

Belmar
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Head down to the shore for Belmar's 51st annual parade featuring thousands of marchers, several bands, and festive floats. The parade takes place on Main Street.  READ MORE

Hamilton St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Hamilton
Saturday, March 9, 2024
The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Hamilton begins at the Nottingham Firehouse and makes its way down Nottingham Way.   READ MORE

Kids' St. Patrick's Celebration at The Shannon Rose

Clifton and Ramsey
Saturday, March 9-Sunday, March 10, 2024
Bring the kids to either location of The Shannon Rose for St. Patrick's Day festivities. Bagpipers, step dancers, and cookie decorating are on tap, plus live music and a costume contest.  READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Multiple Locations
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Stop by New Jersey JCPenney stores on the second Saturday of every month for free and fun crafts. Children receive a lanyard and collector's pin. Six pins earn a Project Master Medallion. READ MORE

Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Morristown
Saturday, March 9, 2024
The parade starts at noon at the Morristown Municipal Building. It proceeds up South Street, around Morristown Green, and ends at Atno Avenue.  READ MORE

Family Friendly Irish Fest at The Red Mill Museum and Village

Clinton
Saturday, March 9, 2024
This family-friendly Irish Fest features Irish dance lessons for children, crafts, food, and more.  READ MORE

Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Union
Saturday, March 9, 2024
The parade's festivities begin at noon with festivities in front of the reviewing stand at Morris and Stuyvesant avenues. A kids' zone offers all-ages fun nearby. At 1pm sharp, the parade begins marching. READ MORE

Spring Craft Celebration at St. Francis of Assisi

Metuchen
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Food trucks, crafts and photos with the Easter Bunny are all part of the excitement at this downtown Metuchen festival, hosted by Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. Plus, check out local exhibitors. READ MORE

Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade

Rumson
Sunday, March 10, 2024
The 11th annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade features bagpipe bands, floats, marching bands, Irish step dancers, classic cars, veteran groups, scouting organizations, non-profit clubs and organizations, schools, novelty acts, and local business and civic groups. READ MORE

Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Bergenfield
Sunday, March 10, 2024
The 42nd Annual Bergen County St. Patrick's Day Parade begins with a flag-raising ceremony before marching up Washington Avenue. Irish step dancers and bagpipers add to the festive atmosphere. READ MORE

Art Together at Zimmerli

New Brunswick
Sunday, March 10, 2024
On select Sundays throughout the year, families can work side-by-side on arts and crafts projects at Rutgers' Zimmerli Art Museum. Each session includes a brief, instructor-led tour through one of the galleries. READ MORE

Hunterdon County Eighth Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

Clinton
Sunday, March 10, 2024
This annual St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off on Main Street in beautiful downtown Clinton, home of the historic Red Mill. The parade has over 40 marching units, including five pipe and drum bands featuring the NJ State Police Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold. READ MORE

Workhorse Rides at Howell Living History Farm

Lambertville
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Saddle up at Howell Living History Farm for a historical program about workhorses. Participants learn the differences between draft, saddle, and carriage horses when they climb aboard a fully harnessed workhorse for a ride down the lane. READ MORE

Strolling Spring Bunny in Palmer Square

Princeton
Saturdays and Sundays, from Saturday, March 16-Saturday, March 30, 2024
Catch the Spring Bunny as he hops throughout the Square. Photo-ops are encouraged.  READ MORE

Sussex County St. Patrick's Day Parade

Newton
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Enjoy floats, bands, animals, fire trucks and more at this festive parade which begins on Lower Spring Street. READ MORE

Kids Workshops at Lowes

Various locations
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Kids can get creative and learn to build at Lowes' mini-DIYers workshops. Reserve a spot online. Some walk-ins may be permitted. READ MORE

NJ Makers Day: The Potato

Madison
Saturday, March 16, 2024
METC presents The Potato in honor of NJ Makers Day. Dive into everyone's favorite vegetable, the potato. Participants create potato stamps, make potato batteries to power a lightbulb, and use potatoes to create oobleck and Play-Doh. READ MORE

Science Under the Stars: Supermassive Black Holes Across the Universe

Trenton
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Guest speaker Dr. Charlotte Ward of Princeton University hosts a free astronomy talk in the museum’s Planetarium. Take a tour of the supermassive black holes across the cosmos, from our own Milky Way to the farthest reaches of the visible universe. READ MORE

Bubble Zone with OMG Bubbles at Casino Pier Arcade

Seaside Heights
Sundays, March 16 and March 24, 2024
Come out and be a part of the Bubble Zone. Kids will love the interactive bubbles to admire, chase and pop.  OMG Bubbles make big blobs of foam with their signature Foaminator 5000, and the kids are even put inside a giant bubble. READ MORE

Belmar Easter Egg Hunt

Belmar
Saturday, March 16, 2024
More than 3,500 eggs are waiting in the sand for young hunters to find. Groups are divided by age. Don't miss an appearance by the Easter Bunny.  READ MORE

Purim Carnival at JCC

Edison
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Games, prizes, and a bounce house are all part of the fun at this community Purim Carnival.  READ MORE

Backyard Buddies Petting Zoo at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Saturdays, March 23 and March 30, 2024
Come out and enjoy the kick off to the season at Casino Pier. The kids can enjoy a petting zoo with Backyard Buddies. READ MORE

CANCELED-20th Annual Highlands St. Patrick's Day Parade

Highlands
Saturday, March 23, 2024
(Postponed from March) This fun and festive afternoon parade features 100 marching units that include bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, and beautifully decorated floats. READ MORE

Jenkinson's Egg Hunt

Point Pleasant
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Head to the beach, but leave your sand toys at home for this free Easter celebration. Each child is welcome to find three eggs. Groups are divided by age. READ MORE

Seaside Heights Egg Hunt

Seaside Heights
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Stroll the Seaside Heights Boardwalk on the hunt for Easter eggs. Entrance locations are grouped by age.  Plus, meet the Easter Bunny, and enjoy music, games and activities. READ MORE

Spring Break Drop-In Activities at New Jersey State Museum

Trenton
Tuesday, March 26, Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28, 2024
Visit the New Jersey State Museum during Spring Break, and make a free craft. Drop into the Imagination Studio between 1 and 3pm to get creative. READ MORE

Deptford Mall Kid's Mini Theater Show

Deptford
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Beloved story characters take the stage at Deptford Mall for FREE monthly shows. Enjoy singing, dancing, story time, fun giveaways, and a meet-and-greet with the character. Registration is required.  READ MORE

Kids Magic Show at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Enjoy a day on the Pier with a Magic Show for the kids. Steve Woyce performs his magical talents on the Pier stage. READ MORE

Jenkinson's Easter Parade

Point Pleasant
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Jenkinson's annual Easter Parade is back, featuring floats and other attractions. Prizes are awarded in several categories, including the best bonnet and best float in three age groups. READ MORE

Easter Parade at Historic Smithville

Galloway
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Put on your Easter best and stroll the Village in style. The parade begins at the Smithville Inn at 1pm, and awards are given for best outfits.  READ MORE

Princess Sing-A-Long at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Enjoy Easter Sunday on the boardwalk with your little prince and princesses. The Princess Sing-A-Long show takes place on the Pier Stage. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Hackensack 's Johnson Public Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts Education Annex
Various Home Depot stores
St. Francis of Assisi
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University
Sussex County St. Patrick's Day Parade
various Lowes stores
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts Education Annex
Belmar Beach
Seaside Heights Boardwalk