SATURDAY ONLY

Fairy Tale Fun at Garden State Discovery Museum (Cherry Hill)

Get your glitter on and go to the Garden State Discovery Museum for a fairy fest Saturday! Throughout the day, there’ll be fairy tale-themed crafts, stories, and songs; AND kids who arrive dressed as fairy tale characters receive FREE admission.  As for you, you’ll have to wear your Wicked Witch costume just for fun! Saturday, July 30. 9:30am-5:30pm. Admission $10.95/adults and children 12 months-and-over NOT in costume. For more information, call 856-424-1233.

Family Pizza Picnic Open Play at Tiger Hall (Princeton)

The kids are tugging at your elbow, you’re attempting to answer emails, and the thought of what-the-heck you’re going to do for lunch looms in your mind.  Answer? Head to Tiger Hall!  There’s a morning full of bouncing, dancing, tumbling, music, imaginative play, arts and crafts, board games, interactive video games, bikes, scooters, a friendly Chinese Water Dragon and more! You can duck into the TV lounge, or head to the coffee nook for free WiFI and caffeine.  Need to run errands? There’s also a “Sitter Service” for drop-in childcare.  Brown bag and bring your own family lunch, order in, or purchase pizza and drinks. There’s designated indoor eating areas or enjoy a picnic lunch in the sunny outdoor courtyard. Appropriate for ages 0-8 years. Registration required. Saturday, July 30. 10:30am-1:30pm. $6./child. FREE/adults and siblings 18 months-and-under. Pizza Slice: $1.; Juice: $1. For more information, to arrange a sitter, and to register, call 609-356-0018.

New Voices 2011: I'll Take Manhattan at Papermill Playhouse (Millburn)

Have an aspiring Justin Bieber or Selena Gomez in the abode? Hit this concert for inspiration! The New Voices concert, "I'll Take Manhattan: Celebrating Broadway's Love Affair with Its Hometown!" features 120 of New Jersey’s most talented young performers in a musical-review tribute to New York, NY. Saturday, July 30.  3pm and 7:30pm. Tickets $25.-$45./person.  For more information, call 973-376-4343.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

The Music of Grease on the Hoboken Waterfront (Hoboken)

“Summer lovin’, had me a blast...” C’mon, you know the rest! Get your kids into “Grease” at this free show featuring the music from the movie.  Eleven singers rock the stage at Frank Sinatra Park as you sit back on your blanket and enjoy the summer night–or get up and dust off your “Go Greased Lightning” moves, much to your kids’ chagrin.  Surprise guests at each performance.  Please note: in case of rain, performances will be canceled.  Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31. 7pm. FREE.  For more information, call 201-248-2788.

The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning (Whitehouse Station)

This is the mac daddy of Balloon Fests in North America, and it’s HERE in your NJ backyard! From twice daily mass ascensions of 125 special shape and sport hot air balloons, to rockin’ concerts, family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks, a balloon glow, a 5k run and more, the festival is the place to be this weekend. You can even purchase a balloon ride and ascend with the skyful of hot air balloons–now that’s a view.  (Saturday balloon rides sold out, Sunday available at 6:30am for $200./person and 6:30pm for $225./person. Check site for more details and purchase.)  Or take a 5 minute tethered ride for $15./person until noon, $20./person after noon. Want to see your tweens swoon? Mitchel Musso performs Saturday at 1pm. For mom and dad, there’s the Barenaked Ladies Saturday at 8pm and Meatloaf Sunday at 4pm. Free entertainment includes Mr. Scott the Music Man; Al Grout- juggler, magician, comedian; Jennifer Smith "The Cannon Lady"; Belmont's Festival of Magic; Red Bull Air Force Skydive and Wingsuit Team; The Paisley Pickles; and the Saturday Evening Balloon Glow. Saturday, July 30. 6am-10pm. Sunday, July 31. 6am-8pm at Solberg Airport. (Balloon ascensions are at 6:30am and 6:30pm.) For more information and tickets, call 973-882-5464 or 800-468-2479.

93rd Annual Mercer County 4-H Fair at Howell Living History Farm (Lambertville)

Haven’t tried a visit to a living history farm yet? Now’s the time! This weekend, Howell Living History Farm hosts a 4-H fair, amplifying the amount of activities usually offered and amping up the family fun.  The fair includes 4-H animal shows and exhibits; food and homemade ice cream; hay rides; pony rides; music; farm tours and demonstrations; milking demonstrations; spinning, felting, and fiber demonstrations; egg grading demonstrations; children’s crafts and activities; and displays by the Master Gardeners of Mercer County and the Mercer County Equestrian Center.  Saturday, July 30. 10am-8pm.  Sunday, July 31. 10am-4 pm.  FREE.  For more information, call 609-989-6833.

Railroad Days at Historic Cold Spring Village (Cape May)

If your tykes can’t get enough of Thomas the Tank Engine, chug down to Railroad Days in Cape May this weekend. The Village will be lined with model railroads, garden displays, vendors and more–if it’s locomotive, it’s here! After checking out the model train displays they can even ride around the Village in a small locomotive.  All aboard!  Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31. 10am-4:30pm.  Admission: $10./adults;  $8./children. For more information, call 609-898-2300.

SUNDAY ONLY

74th Annual Warren County Farmers Fair and 11th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival (Warren)

Love hot air balloons, but looking for a smaller venue? Check out this event, which mixes balloons with farm events, exhibits, racetrack happenings and a full fairgrounds experience. Sunday’s the opening day of the fair, and offers a wristband carnival ride special, horse show, pony rides, a lawnmower race, a “Dirt Track Heroes” exhibit, 4-H/FFA exhibits, stock cars, and a FREE  “Kids Corral”, replete with farm animal pets, clown shows, contests, arts-and-crafts, Rizzo’s Reptiles and environmental education workshops. Check website for specific schedules and pricing.  Sunday, July 31. 8am-10pm.  For more information, call 908-859-6563.