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Work with a dino expert to find fossils at Liberty Science Center. Photo courtesy of Liberty Science Center

Grand Reopening of Jack Horner's Dino Dig at Liberty Science Center – Jersey City
Friday, June 28 – July 7, 2019
LSC's popular Dino Dig exhibit returns for Summer 2019! Budding paleontologists can dig through 35 tons of sand to uncover massive dinosaur bones, including a six-foot-long Triceratops skull and T. rex bones and teeth. Through July 7, catch opening-week festivities like dino dance party, prehistoric touch tank, and more. The exhibit will remain open through early September.

There are 18 days of action-packed fun at the huge New Jersey State Fair. Photo by Jackie via Flickr

New Jersey State Fair – East Rutherford
Daily through Sunday, July 7, 2019
Catch this enormous fair before it closes on July 7. It features more than 150 rides and attractions, including classic carnival games, fair food (funnel cake, anyone?), and daily circus shows. Don't miss Jurassic Kingdom and Extreme Illusions & Escapes Show.

Take a ride with Thomas on the Delaware River Railroad. Photo courtesy of Day Out With Thomas

Day Out With Thomas – Phillipsburg
Friday, June 5 – Sunday, July 14, 2019 
All aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine invites little engineers to team up with him for a day of family fun at Day Out with Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019. The event includes a 25-minute ride with a talking Thomas the Tank Engine, a meet-and-greet with Sir Topham Hatt, an Imagination Station featuring a variety of activities, and live entertainment including a juggler and ventriloquist. 

Fireworks – various locations
Wednesday, July 4, 2019
See the July 4th fireworks in Jersey City with Lady Liberty in the background, watch them light up the sky over the ocean in Wildwood, or check out another one of the many awesome displays happening throughout the state. In addition to the main attraction, most celebrations also include parades, road races, kiddie rides, and live entertainment. 

Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival – Wildwood
Friday July 12, 2019
Serious sand lovers can grab a pail, shovel and other tools and head to the beach at Wildwood Crest for the town's annual sand sculpture festival. This ultimate summer event is worth checking out even if you don't want to compete. Kid-friendly activities include a corn hole bean bag toss and other games, a children’s magic show, and live music. FREE

Enjoy delicious treats at the Blueberry Bash Bake-off at Terhune Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard

Blueberry Bash at Terhune Orchards – Princeton
Saturday, July 6 – Sunday, July 7, 2019
Pick blueberries, relax on a wagon ride around the farm, and enjoy a variety of kids' activities, including pony rides, games, and face painting. There will be live music and puppet shows on both days, as well as lots of tasty blueberry treats—cobbler, muffins, pie, and even blueberry salsa.

Ice Cream Day Excursion Train – Whippany
Sunday, July 7, 2019
All aboard a 45-minute round-trip ride from the Whippany Railway Museum, followed by a scoop of ice cream in honor of National Ice Cream Month.

City of Water Day – Hoboken, New Brunswick, NYC
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Get out and celebrate the New York Harbor and surrounding waterways with paddling, sailing, kayaking, and more. This waterfront festival is held at various locations in New York and New Jersey, though the main event takes place in the Seaport District, Pier 17, in Lower Manhattan. Highlights include free historic boat tours, live music, ferry rides, and delectable food from local vendors. FREE, but some activities require a fee and/or advance registration.

Surf and Turf Festival – Oceanport
Saturday, July 13 – Sunday, July 14, 2019
It's a delicious meal and live entertainment in one. Chow down on steak and seafood while cheering on the races at this Monmouth Park Racetrack festival. Stick around for the weekly Family Fun Day on Sunday.

Maplewoodstock – Maplewood
Saturday, July 13 – Sunday, July 14, 2019
Antibalas and Sister Sparrow are the headliners of this year's Maplewoodstock, a two-day festival featuring regional and national music and arts in Memorial Park. Bring a blanket or chairs and relax to the tunes, or take the kids over to the Kid Zone for bouncy rides, face painting, arts and crafts, and ice cream. FREE 

Compete for a trophy at the New Jersey Sandcastle Contest in Belmar. Photo courtesy of www.vacationinbelmar.com

33rd Annual New Jersey Sandcastle Contest – Belmar
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Head to Belmar's 18th Avenue beach to gawk at the incredible sand creations, or jump in and join the competition! This beloved Jersey Shore tradition is free and open to participants of all ages, with three prize places awarded in six different categories. Spend a fun day at the beach and enjoy free giveaways, drinks, snacks, music, and more. FREE

Go up, up, and away at the Festival of Ballooning. Photo by Garrett Heath/CC BY 2.0

The Wooden Boat Festival – Toms River
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Spend a beautiful summer day on the waterfront admiring crafted boats, along with live entertainment, food and children's activities. While in town, stop by the Summer in the Street fair. Both events are FREE.

QuikChek Festival of Ballooning – Readington
Friday, July 26 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
The 37th annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning is a truly awesome event. It offers a wide variety of entertainment, including colorful hot-air balloons ascending twice daily, three headline concerts, world-class children's entertainment, hundreds of arts & crafters, food vendors from around the world, fireworks, balloon glows, and more.