All Weekend

24th Annual Asbury Park Jazz Festival (Asbury Park, NJ)
We at Mommy Poppins NJ love Asbury Park, NJ and this Mommy Poppins NJ writer is a huge Jazz fan, so this weekend event is top on my personal to do list! Bradley Park will be hopping from 12-8pm with Jazz, Blues and Latin Music, a huge art show, beer and wine garden, local food vendors, and crafts, art and specialty gift vendors. There will also be activities for the kids, including rides, face painters and sand art. FREE.

Saturday June 30th

Play Ball (Princeton, NJ)
Travel back to the 1800s for a competitive game of old time baseball, with the Flemington Neshanock taking on the Diamond State Club of Delaware. The players wear period uniforms and play barehanded, using 1864 or 1873 rules. The event also includes a short lesson on the history of the game and a recitation of "Casey at the Bat." Rain or shine. FREE. 11am at Princeton Regional Schools Field (25 Valley Road). Call 609-921-6748 for more information.

Sensory-Friendly Movie Screening: Brave (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 Disney 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 click here.

Jump & Jive Discovery Carnival (Cherry Hill, NJ)
Kick off your summer at the Garden State Discovery Museum from 9:30am-8:30pm with their bee-boppin’ bouncin’ bash full of fun, food and frolicking with family and friends. It’s a jumpin’ and jivin’ jamboree you won’t want to miss! You will also enjoy a day at this great museum as the price includes an all day museum pass. Child $17.95, Adult $10.95. Members - Free. (856)424-1233.

Master Gardener's Butterfly House (South Brunswick, NJ)
Come out to the Earth Center from 10am-Noon to see their butterfly house filled with plants that feed and shelter butterflies and larvae native to New Jersey. The enclosed environment allows visitors to get an up-close look at the showy creatures. Children will be invited to take up nets and try to capture butterflies in the park to be added to the house.  Fun! FREE! Fantastic! If you can't make it this Saturday, no worries, this event will be running every Saturday through August 25th. 732-398-5262.

Victorian Day (Morristown, NJ)
Bring your whole 'modern' family out to Fosterfields Living Historical Farm from 11am-3pm for their Victorian Day. You'll enjoy exploring the social trends, leisure activities, and fashions of the Victorian period. There will also be a letterboxing activity, Victorian Maypole dancing, Victorian games, a sidesaddle riding demonstration, hay harvesting, a craft, and more. 6 for adults; $5 for seniors (ages 65 and over); $4 for ages 4 – 16; and Free for children under age 2. 973-631-5343.

The Seeing Eye's Training Ground (Morristown, NJ)
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the first guide dog training school, The Seeing Eye of Morris Township? Here's your chance to do just that on this unique walking tour by husband and wife, Jim and Ginger Kutsch. Jim serves as the president and CEO of The Seeing Eye and Ginger is a volunteer with the organization. During their tour you’ll learn about the history of The Seeing Eye, walk the streets where the dogs train, and see how Seeing Eye® dogs respond to their owners. Tour begins at 10am 14 Maple Avenue (their in-town training center) and they will pass sites important to the history of the organization. $12 per person. Call 973-631-5151 to register.

Sunday July 1st

Free First Sunday at Zimmerli Art Museum (New Brunswick, NJ)
The first Sunday of every month at the Zimmerli is a free day of admission, activities, tours, and fun for the whole family. It will be one of your last chances to see the entertaining Rachel Perry Welty exhibit  which ends July 8th. Free. 12-5pm. 732-932-7237.

Sea Glass Hunt (Alpine, NJ)
Join naturalist Lindsey Foschini for a guided hike at the Palisades Interstate Park to collect sea glass and other treasures. This is an easy 1 mile walk which is perfect for children and families. Meet at 1pm at the entrance to Alpine Boat Basin & Picnic Area (Palisades Interstate Parkway exit 2) and remember to bring a container to carry your collected treasures. FREE. 201-768-1360 ext. 110.

Afternoon Tea with My Doll and Me (Westfield, NJ)
Just Bead Yourself is hosting a perfect afternoon from 1:30-3:30pm for your child and their favorite doll, as your guest to Afternoon Tea. They will enjoy Tea & Cookies and create matching Jewelry for them and their doll! $35 per child will include the 2 hour tea party of iced tea, lemonade and treats and bead specialists to help with necklace designing and creating. Register in advance by calling 908 232-3411.

4th of July Parade (Avalon, NJ)
Come on out to first of many small town events celebrating Independence Day. You'll be able to get a jump start at Avalon's 4th of July Parade and festivities starting at 6pm. There will be a parade down Dune Drive that will end at Veterans Plaza, where the fun will continue with music, mummers and dancing. FREE. For more ideas for small town celebrations for the the 4th of July see the Mommy Poppins NJ articles here and here.

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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photo credit: Yogendra174 via photo pin cc