Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend June 29-30: Backyard BBQ, Baby Parade, Worldly Watercolors & More

6/26/13 - By Sasha Muzzarelli

As we say goodbye to June and welcome the hot summer month of July, there’s tons of fun to be had in New Jersey, both indoors and out. Craving some sunshine? Go stream exploring at Bessie Grover Memorial Park or head to the BBQ bash at World of Wings. Need a break from the heat? Check out Once Upon a Story at the Jersey City Children’s Theater or cool off with a watercolor exhibit at the Newark Museum. Read on for our top picks and find a listing of all NJ activities in our Event Calendar.

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Once Upon a Story (Jersey City, NJ)
Join the much-loved Jersey City Children’s Theater as they spin fairy tales out of thin air! Using theater games and audience suggestions, the actors create an original show before your very eyes, making each performance a completely different experience. After the 40 minute show, a mini-workshop will be conducted with attending children and the actors. Recommended for ages 3 & up. Show times Saturday & Sunday at 2 & 4:30pm. $15/Person in advance, $18/Person at the door. 201-290-9202

Family Farm Summer Days (Washington, NJ)
Autumn days on the farm get all the attention with pumpkins and cool temps, but summer can be an awesome (and less crowded time) to visit. Horse Sleigh Farm is ready for family fun with a ton of hot weather activities like paintball shooting wagon rides (you read that right!), gem mining, a bounce house and a petting zoo for the little guys. And of course, their farm store will be overflowing with fresh strawberries, pies and jams to take home. Saturday & Sunday 10am-7pm. Cost varies based on activities. 908-267-5313

Saturday, June 29th

Great Watershed Stream Exploration (Pennington, NJ)
Looking for some summertime fun in the great outdoors? Join the nature experts at Bessie Grover Memorial Park in the beautiful Sourland Mountains for an exploration of life in and around Rock Brook. Expect to meet a variety of creatures including salamanders, frogs and aquatic insects. All ages welcome – wear clothes that can get wet & dirty! 10:30am-12pm. $5/Person.

Worldly Watercolors (Newark, NJ)
If you need a little break from our first heat wave of the summer, cool off at the Newark Museum this Saturday. Check out their temporary exhibit “The Art of Translation: The Simon Ottenberg Gift of Modern and Contemporary Nigerian Art” before you bring out your own inner artist as you paint with watercolors. You’ll learn how to create Nigerian Adinkra symbols and might even be inspired to draw some of your own! While you’re there, take a peek at some of the museum’s other current exhibits, such as emPOWERED and Generation Fit. All ages welcome. Art sessions at 1, 2 & 3pm. Free with museum admission.

All About the Bunny (Cherry Hill, NJ)
The Garden State Discovery Museum has two new residents and you’re invited to meet them this Saturday! Sasparilla and Briar Rabbit are two fluffy bunnies that call the newly renovated museum exhibit ‘Land of Sand’ home. Get to know the adorable little rodents before taking part in some bunny-themed crafts and games. While you’re there, purchase your tickets for the museum theater’s July production of Peter Rabbit. All ages welcome. 11am-3pm. Free with museum admission. 856-424-1233

Sunday, June 30th

Annual Hoboken Baby Parade (Hoboken, NJ)
Get your little one all dolled up for the annual Hoboken Baby Parade! A long standing community tradition meant to welcome new families into the neighborhood, the festivities are sure to be fun outing for all involved. The parade is free and registration begins at noon. Be prepared – some parents go all out dressing up their tots and transporting them on mini floats complete with decorations! If you’re not the creative type, you can still head to Hoboken to watch the celebration. Parents are encouraged to dress up their babies, toddlers and older siblings—and, of course, themselves and their strollers. Trophies are awarded for Best Dressed Child, Most Creative Carriage and Best Dressed Family. Registration begins at 12pm. FREE. 201-656-2240

Backyard BBQ (Teaneck, NJ)
Get in the 4th of July spirit with a Sunday BBQ at World of Wings. The children’s activity center is celebrating the grand re-opening of their 2nd floor, featuring an awesome ‘soft play’ area. Also be sure and check out the center’s popular butterfly atrium, lizard zone and reptile room. After the kids have burnt off some energy, head outside for some delicious BBQ. The festivities will include face painting, balloon animals and lots of fun in the sun. 11am-4pm. $16/Adult, $11/Child. 201-833-4650

Check out our GO NJ List, with our top picks of awesome things to do for kids in the upcoming month! GO JUNE is full of family fun!

And 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.