All Weekend

NJ Seafood Festival (Belmar, NJ)
It's a big seafood party at Silver Lake Park in Belmar from 11am-7pm on Saturday and Sunday for their free fun festival celebrating all things from the sea (and other bodies of water, apparently). Food offerings extend from the traditional shrimp, lobster and calamari, to the more exotic alligator sausage (who knew?!), sushi, conch fritters, and seafood paella. While sampling all this wonderful food, visitors are treated to an impressive line-up of musical performances both days. The “Children’s Fun Tent” is a huge favorite for families where kids can participate in arts and crafts and demonstrations or be entertained by storytellers and musicians. FREE admission and shuttles. 732-681-3700 Ext. 214.

StrawBEARy Surprise & Nature in Art Day Family Festival (Camden, NJ)
This event at the Camden Children's Garden will be a perfect addition to your outdoor weekend activities! This is a celebration of one of summer’s sweetest fruits with a special twist to honor Mum Bear, the Garden’s mascot, on her 7th birthday. This event will also include nature crafts and a planting activity. Families can cool off at the Very Berry Strawberry concession stand. 1-4pm Saturday and Sunday. $6 per person and free for children two and younger. 856-365-8733.

Saturday June 9th

2nd Annual Privateers and Pirates Festival (Tuckerton, NJ)
This festival at the Tuckerton Seaport from 10am-5pm is filled with fun for the entire family. You'll get to live the life of a privateer or pirate and learn the difference between the two (good thing, since I'm sure not sure I'm up on all the pirate lingo). Activities include a pirate meet & greet plus photo opportunity, tools of the Bloody Trade Workshop, and a pirate storytime. Performances throughout the day will include Scurvy Mutineers Fight Show, Whip Show, Cannon Demonstration, and Pirate Pistol Duel Show. Round out the afternoon with Pirate’s Pub Sing-a-Long with the Sea Shanties and get your inner pirate on at the Pirate’s Market, where you can purchase eye patches, swords, and other pirate paraphernalia. $8 for adults; $6 seniors; $3 ages 6 to 12; age 5 and under free. 609-296-8868.

Victorian Fair  (Cape May, NJ)
Head on down to the historic Emlen Physick Estate for a traditional outdoor fair on the grounds of this acclaimed Victorian house museum. Your kids will enjoy the old-fashioned fun and games such as, old-fashioned midway-style games of skill like a balloon toss and darts, pony rides, music, food, the stilt walker and the strong man. There will also be vendor with crafts & collectibles. FREE.

Fossil Discovery Center (Ogdensburg, NJ)
For all the wanna-be paleontologists out there, this is a great event to check out at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum. The Fossil Discovery Center is based on the museum’s popular Rock Discovery Center. Working alongside a real paleontologist you can 'dig' for fossils starting at 10:00 AM through 12:30 PM; each dig will last a little less than 30 minutes. Each fossil collector will get 6 fossils and a general ID chart and fact sheet. $4.50 per person. Get there early as digs are limited to 25 people and are on a first-come, first-served basis. For groups of three of call 973-209-7212 for advanced reservations. For additional information about the Sterling Hill Mining Museum check out the MP article here.

Rubber Ducky Festival and Car Show (Berkeley Heights, NJ)
Wanna see thousands of small rubber ducks launched in the Passaic River and “race” to the finish line at the Passaic River Park? Thought so! Starting at 12pm participants can "adopt" a duck for $5 and launch it into the river. “Parents” of the ducks first crossing the finish line receive prizes donated by local businesses. Following the river littering (just kidding, all the ducks are collected at the end) is the official The Rubber Ducky Festival, which is a family-oriented afternoon of fun, food and music featuring a selection of local kids' bands, car show, games for kids, water balloons, moonwalks, and even more family fun! 12pm-4pm.

Get Outdoors Day - Free Admission to National Parks (US)
Have you always wanted to visit one of the US National Parks, but never got around to going (like me)? Head over on during Get Outdoors Day (yup, June 9th - who knew?) for free admission with the family and explore one of the nine NJ National Parks (I'm still trying to get over to the Thomas Edison National Historic Park in West Orange so hopefully today will be my lucky day!), or venture out of state to see one of the  other amazing and beautiful parks.

Sunday June 10th

Spring Festival of Children (Jersey City, NJ)
Bring your whole family to the 4th Annual Spring Festival of Children  at Van Vorst Park from 10am-5pm for a full day of fun. This FREE festival includes music, art workshops, dance, theater performances and kids class demos. There is also a chance to meet local businesses that offer children's classes for arts, sports, wellness, chess and science as well as summer camps to get more information about their services.

Family Fun Day (Hoboken, NJ)
Head on over to the Hoboken Historical Museum from 12-4pm for their annual springtime family fun event. This event offers several all-ages, hands-on activities including a performance by Puppet Heap, museum scavenger hunt, free hot-dogs from Tony and Neil's Hotdog Cart, and a hand-puppet making activity for kids and their parents. FREE. 201-656-2240.

Wedding of Maria Allaire (Farmingdale, NJ)
Here's your official invitation to this historic event at Allaire Village where you can celebrate with the re-enactors as James Allaire's daughter, Maria marries Thomas Andrews at 1:30pm. Following the ceremony, join the Villagers for a Village Frolic on the Charcoal Depot with dancing, music, and of course, wedding cake for all. FREE. 732.919.3500.

Once Upon a Mattress Preview (Hamilton, NJ)
Today's visit to the Grounds for Sculpture will contain a fun preview performance at 2pm of the Once Upon a Mattress play which is based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Princess and The Pea. It's about a brash and unrefined princess who has to prove her sensitivity in order to marry the prince. The cast will perform delightful excerpts in song and dance in this preview of The Princeton Festival’s upcoming production. Afterward, the director and cast members will mingle with the audience to chat about the show and its zany characters. FREE with admission price of Adults $12/Children 6-12 $8/Children under 6 FREE. 609-586-0616.

Tom Chapin & Friends in Concert - Sensory Friendly Theatre Event (Rahway, NJ)
Contemporary folk musician Tom Chapin will be performing at the Union County Performing Arts Center at 2pm. This sensory friendly event will provide a comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. Children will be allowed out of their seats and will be free to talk and vocalize as they wish. Lights will be left dim and audio will be lowered and at a consistent level. The show will be 60 minutes with an intermission and a private lounge area will be available where children and their families can relax. Fidget and stress sensory toys will be available for children to borrow as needed. $8 per ticket. 732-499-8226.
 

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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