All Weekend

Passaic County Fair (Woodland Park, NJ)
It's Passaic County's turn to get in on the summer fair action, and this one will keep your family happy with their delicious fair food, rides, games, crafters and merchants. In addition, you'll find some unique offerings such as police and fire fighter demos, circus acts, dance performances, scavenger hunts, kids' races, pony rides and even a Clown dunk tank, perfect for those who aren't fans of clowns (like me!) There's even daily eating contests where your kids (and maybe you) can participate in some timed watermelon, jello and pudding eating!  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 5:00pm to 11:00pm. Saturday: 4:00pm to 11:00pm; Sunday: 4:00pm to 10:00pm. Free admission. $5 parking.

Cat Expo and Adopt a Cat (Somerset, NJ)
Join fellow cat lovers and head on over to the Garden State Exhibit Center this weekend for some felines, fur and fun at one of the top five cat shows in the nation and the largest in the Northeast. Your kids will have a blast seeing all kinds of cats, making cat crafts, getting some cat face painting and all things cat related. Perhaps, you'll even leave with a new feline friend at the cat adoption area staffed by local animal shelters! 10am-4pm. $10/adults, $8/seniors
, $5/children ages 12 and under, $25/family of 4.

Saturday July 21st

3rd Annual Fairy Festival (Pennington, NJ)
Come out to celebrate the return of Rainbow Fairies, Woodland Fairies and Forest Elves to the Watershed Reserve in Pennington from 10:30am - 1pm. Family fun includes maypole dancing, creating magical crafts, constructing villages along the Fairy Trail and playing in the stream with the Water Sprites! Come out in your finest fairy frocks. $5 per person or $15 per family.

Sensory-Friendly Movie Screening: Ice Age - Continental Drift (See website for participating NJ AMC theater locations)
This is the perfect opportunity for parents of children with sensory challenges to see this great new movie. Each month AMC offers this program which provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing! 10am showing only. Theater matinee pricing. For additional information.

Nature Story Time (Tenafly, NJ)
From 11:30 - 12:15 you can enjoy nature-themed story and a visit from one of the Tenafly Nature Center's  animals. Families with children ages 3-7 will learn about the characteristics of the animal as well as their story and how they became part of the Nature Center. Meet on the visitor center porch. In case of inclement weather the program will be moved indoors. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Members FREE/ Non-members $5.00. 201-568-6093.

New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival (Toms River, NJ)
Brain freeze alert! From 11:30am-5pm, Washington Street will be turned into a big ice cream party! There will be inflatable rides, face painting, free entertainment, balloon artists and ice cream tasting of all kinds. There's even a kids only ice cream eating contest! Free admission, free parking, $6 per tasting kit.

Lost Ladybugs - Family Nature Photography (Hillsborough, NJ)
Grab your digital camera (with macro mode) and join New Jersey Audubon naturalists to search for and document the presence of ladybugs and pollinators in the meadows of Duke Farms. You will learn how to find insects and to photograph them both in their natural setting and “posed” for the camera. All data on any ladybugs found will be submitted to the Lost Ladybug Project. 1:30-3:30pm. $8 per person; $5 for members of N.J. Audubon; maximum charge per family will not exceed $20. Space is limited and advance registration is required by calling (908) 722-3700.

Evening Hayrides on the Farm (Lambertville, NJ)
Stop by Howell Living History Farm from 5-8pm for this FREE fun nighttime family event.  Hay rides will leave the barnyard area every 25 minutes, with tickets distributed on a “first come, first serve” basis to the first 200 visitors. The horse-drawn rides last 20 minutes, carrying visitors over the lanes of the 130 acre working farm. During the program, visitors can also take self-guided tours, picnic in the picnic area and join a marshmallow roast.609-737-3299.

Sunday July 22nd

Watchung Stables 3rd Annual Open House (Mountainside, NJ)
Bring your whole family out to this FREE event at the Watchung Stables from 1-4pm. You will enjoy hay rides, lead-line rides, riding demonstrations, kids crafts, barn tours and other free activities for families of all ages as they experience all that Watchung Stable has to offer.

Fun on the Farm (Basking Ridge, NJ)
Come on out to the Environmental Center from 4-5:30pm to learn the fascinating history of the nearby Ross Family homestead and farm, which is not currently open to the public. Families will enjoy lots of traditional farm fun such as a scavenger hunt, as well as other classic pastimes on the estate. FREE; however, pre-registration is required by calling 908-766-2489.
 

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.

Planning an event? Submit it to our calendar.

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