All Weekend

Fall Family Fun (Princeton, NJ)
If you didn't have a chance to make it to Terhune Orchards last weekend for their Apple Day celebration, you can still experience fall fun at their farm from 10am-5pm each weekend now through October 30th. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, live music, visiting the animals in the barn, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making for the kids, stories and farm fun in the adventure barn, as well as a corn maze. You can also enjoy picking your own apples and pumpkins. Free Parking at the farm. $5 per person admission/ Children under 3 are free. Rain or Shine.

Crystal Springs Oktoberfest  (Vernon, NJ)
Yes it's still September, but it's never too early to celebrate at this popular festival that offers family fun for all including kids activities, live entertainment, pony rides, petting zoo, reptile & bird shows, clowns, trampoline, magician, face painting, sand art, carnival rides and much more.  For the adults, a lumberjack contest, tug of war, hay bale toss, log jousting & pie eating contest sumo wrestling, scenic gondola rides & of course beer and German food! Saturday 11am-9pm. Sunday 11am-6pm. $5 per person for one day or $7.50 per person for both days.

Saturday September 22nd

Jumpstart Fall (Summit, NJ)
Celebrate the first day of fall at Reeves Reed Arboretum with an exciting day filled with FREE family-friendly activities! Families will enjoy participating in a health hike interactive nature walk, exploring the recently renovated woodland trails and discovering the secrets of following trail markers,  family exercise classes, environmental games and crafts, and relaxing to live music by the alumni from NJPAC Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens. There will also be wholesome snacks and information about how to eat healthier. (I'm pretty sure that reducing the pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin lattes is part of that strategy! Drats!)
 
5th Annual Crane Park Festival  (Montclair, NJ)
Head on over to Montclair from 10am-4pm for this FREE family event that features all my favorite festival fun such as food, shopping and live music and performances.  The kids will certainly enjoy the Taekwondo performance, live music by Parents Who Rock, and of course, the demonstration by Rizzo the Lizard Guy (another MP favorite!).  
 
Bedminster Fall Fest (Bedminster, NJ)
This great family event at River Road Park from 10am-5pm has all the fall festival fun in addition to being a fundraiser to benefit seven local charities.  You are sure to find something for everyone (adults and children!) with contests, delicious food, demonstrations, and live entertainment. $5 admission fee (3 yrs and under free).

Fall Family Day (Morris Plains, NJ)
Spend a beautiful fall day with your family at the Stickley Museum/Craftsman Farms at their biggest family program of the year from 12-4pm and enjoy a ton of fall fun such as:  hayrides, pumpkin painting, and “Square Dancing with Sue". Children of all ages are invited to try old-fashioned cider pressing and handcrafts such as woodworking, pottery, knitting, and embroidery. Activities like a scavenger hunt around the grounds, the popular Cow Balloon craft, and old-fashioned carnival-style games and races will round out the fall festivities. Bring a picnic lunch to eat on the grounds or purchase food from local vendors. $5 Member Children, $7 Non Member Children, $7 Adults (maximum cost per family $25). 973-540-0311.

Pajama Night: Storytelling Under the Stars  (Toms River, NJ)
It's a night out for the kids at the Novins Planetarium at Ocean County Community College with their great event that bring storybooks to life. Giant-sized pictures float among the stars to accompany the tales. Children will enjoy the stories and learn a bit about the stars and other objects visible in the night time sky. Feel free to wear comfy pajamas, bring a pillow or blanket and spend a fun and relaxing hour under the planetarium stars. $8 per person. Showtimes at 6:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets sell quickly & advance purchase is highly recommended. Call 732-255-0400 ext. 2111.
 
Sunday September 23rd
  
Nature Explorers: September is for Service  (Hillsborough, NJ)
From 1-3pm you can help Duke Farms to restore native habitat by planting native seedlings and explore the interdependence of native wildlife with native plants.  For families with children ages 6 to 10.  $5 per child; accompanying adult is free. Space is limited and advance registration is required by calling 908-722-3700.
 
KAPOW! Comic Con  (Manalapan, NJ)
The Monmouth County Library kicks off its month-long celebration of Comic-Con with a tribute to comic books and superheroes from 1-4:30pm. Come out for a day filled with activities for kids of all ages. Events include: keynote address by noted author Jonathan Maberry, an interactive portrayal by actor David Engel as the Jedi Master, and an old-time radio play performed by the actors of Raconteur Radio. The day will end with a costume contest that all ages are invited to join. Special surprise guests, Mike and Ming of AMC TV's Comic Book Men, will be here as judges of the Costume Contest. Come dressed like your favorite superhero or anime character! 732-431-7220 X7222.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival  (Morristown, NJ)
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival began centuries ago as a harvest festival, celebrating the end of the gathering of crops. This FREE event at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum from 1-4pm focuses on giving thanks and will feature traditional storytelling, crafts, and foods. Preregistration is required by emailing pgeigermorrisparks@gmail.com

Open Day at Greenwood Gardens   (Short Hills, NJ)
This family-friendly event from 1-5pm is a special opportunity for visitors to experience Greenwood Gardens. You'll enjoy exploring their gardens, teahouse, formal terraces, and meet some Tennessee Fainting Goats (really?!) grazing in the meadow. Refreshments will be served on the newly restored terrace with its magnificent vista of South Mountain Reservation. Free for members; $5 for non-members. 973-258-4026.

20th Annual New Jersey Storytelling Festival (Hamilton, NJ)
Enjoy a fun-filled day at the wonderful Grounds for Sculpture and get to hear stories from your favorite storytellers at this popular event. There will be performances for adults and families too.  Rain or Shine as there will be both indoor and outdoor storytelling location sites. 12  – 6pm. Festival is free with park admission  of $12 Adult • $10 Senior • $8 Child (under 5 Free). (973) 625-8548.

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.

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