Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend March 15-16: St. Patrick's Day, Gardening Workshop, Story Walk & More!

3/12/14 - By Sasha Muzzarelli

We’re beginning to thaw out and it sure does feel good! St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, so don your green outfits and get festive with parades in Morris County, Atlantic City and more. And for a dose of spring, sign the kids up for a Science of Gardening workshop at Newark Museum or take an outside Story Walk for beginner readers at Tenafly Nature Center. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

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The Science of Gardening (Newark, NJ)
Visit the Newark Museum this weekend for a kids class all about the science behind gardening and healthy living. Children will get their hands dirty as they examine soil to discover worms and other creepy critters that are vital for improving soil quality.  Everyone will build their own compost bin and container garden to take home to grow fresh tomatoes and herbs!

Retro Science: The Great Take Apart (Jersey City, NJ)
Ever wonder what the inside of a TV looks like? Or how to take apart a radio or game console? Here’s your chance at Liberty Science Center’s Great Take Apart! Disassemble electronics and learn about resistors, capacitors, springs and more.

Saturday, March 15th

Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Morristown, NJ)
Head to Morristown for a day of music, dancing and floats! This family-oriented St. Paddy’s Day Parade is one of the biggest in Jersey with close to 70,000 participants and spectators. Twenty different bands will be performing, as well as Irish Step troupes. Wear your green themed outfits and get ready for a good time.

Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Atlantic City, NJ)
If you’re planning to venture down the shore this weekend, definitely check out the 29th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Atlantic City. This year’s parade line up includes The Emerald Society of Dance, The Pleasantville Marching Band and plenty of police cars and motorcycles. After the festivities, head to one of the awesome local AC restaurants, such as Harry’s Oyster Bar or The Irish Pub.

Milk & Cookies Theater: Animal Tales (New Brunswick, NJ)
Milk & Cookies is an interactive and free series featuring storytelling, music and puppetry for children and their families. Kids can discover the joys of performance and enjoy a milk & cookies snack at the end! This Saturday’s theme is all about animal tales starring some favorite furry (and not so furry) friends.

Story Walk (Tenafly, NJ)
Calling all nature lovers who love books! Story Walk is an interactive outdoor exhibit that turns reading into an adventure along the trails, where small hikers can read a nature-themed story while they walk in the woods. The program is designed for beginner readers but all ages are welcome!

Sunday, March 16th

Luck O’ The Farm (Morristown, NJ)
Join alongside the Irish farm workers at Fosterfield Historical Farm and roll up your sleeves to assist with brushing cows, weighing eggs, sacking wood and cleaning harnesses for the horses. Then discover what traditional Irish foods are being prepared on the wood-burning stove in the farmhouse as you enjoy Irish food, music and crafts.

St. Patrick’s Magic Breakfast Bounce (Piscataway, NJ)
Jump-N-Jackpot! Wear green and head to Pump It Up of Piscataway for a fantastic play event in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day – featuring a hilarious performance by Eliot the Super Magic Man! Kids can enjoy an hour of play on the giant inflatables, breakfast with bagels & donuts, a make-n-take craft project and a 30-mintue magic show.

Celebrate Purim (West Orange, NJ)
Celebrate Purim at JCC MetroWest with Katie’s Big Balloon show. Katie will delight the whole family as she makes awesome balloon sculptures, tells jokes and even puts herself inside a balloon! Kids can come dressed in their favorite costume for a community parade at the end of the show.

NJ Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty (Rahway, NJ)
NJ Ballet will perform the quintessential classical ballet, Sleeping Beauty, live on stage at the beautiful Union County Performing Arts Center. The performance is filled with familiar characters including Princess Aurora, the Handsome Prince, the King and Queen and the Lilac Fairy all in a magical, fairytale castle.

Check out our GO NJ List, with our top picks of awesome things to do for kids in the upcoming month; GO MARCH 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.

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