Chocolate and Vanilla Festival at Camden Children’s Garden (Camden)

The wonderful Camden Children’s Garden dedicates their day to two of nature’s most flavorful plants. Lots of fun activites, crafts, a tropical smell test, and lots of chocolate and vanilla treats. Saturday August 27 and Sunday August 28 from 1pm to 4pm. Free with admission of $6/person. Call 856-365-8733 for more information.

Historic Speedwell’s 3rd Annual Fashion Show: Fashion in the Family
(Morristown)

My kids are always intrigued by what kids “in the old days” wore and ate and did for fun (“they didn’t have Spongebob?!!”) At Historic Speedwell you can explore the world of children’s fashion and upbringing in the 19th century on Sunday, August 28 from 1pm to 4:30pm. $6/Adults, $5/Seniors, $4/Kids, children under 4 are free. Call 973-285-6550 for more info.

Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival

The second leg of the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival takes place in Long Branch on Saturday, August 27 from noon to 9:30pm with lots o’ bands, kids activities, fireworks and of course, the beach. The JSJBF Youth Project Band will be playing and trust us, you haven’t lived until you’ve heard a 14-year old belting out the blues. But if you’re hoping to have a little nip while you sway to the music, no coolers will be allowed on the Great Lawn. Just sayin’. FREE.

Kid Fondo 2011 (Morristown)

Fondo Fever transforms Morristown for three days of fun and mayhem and kids get their own part in the festivities. On Saturday, August 27 from 10am to noon, kids can gather on the Morristown Green, decorate their bikes to look like “creatures”, and then participate in a bike parade on Pioneer Plaza. FREE.

EDITOR'S UPDATE: Due to the impending hurricane, KidFondo has been rescheduled for September 18. Find more information here

The County Caper (Basking Ridge)

We love all the activities at the Environmental Education Center, and this one sounds like a blast. The County Caper takes families and friends on a 2-day interactive tour of Somerset County Parks in a sort of local version of “The Amazing Race” as they find clues, perform tasks and record their findings. And it’s FREE. Register at www.somersetcountyparks.org or call 908-766-2489.

Arthur Ashe Kids Day (Queens, NY)

You know that we don’t usually list New York events, but this one is kinda special. Sure, it has tons of your standard kid fest items like face painting and hair braiding, but the tennis-themed events and activities, performances by Diggy Simmons and Cody Simpson, and general awesome spirit of the legendary Ashe make this an event worthy of the drive to Queens. Saturday, August 27 from 9:30am to 3pm. Tickets range from $10 to $44.

EDITOR UPDATE: The concert portion of Arthur Ashe Kids Day is sold out, but all grounds activities are still FREE and available.