All Weekend

QuickChek Festival of Ballooning (Readington, NJ)
Bring your family out to Solberg Airport this weekend for the largest hot air balloon festival around.  You are sure to find something fun for everyone! From twice-daily mass ascensions (6:30am and 6:30pm) of over 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, to headlining concerts, non-stop family entertainment , hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks (Friday night), a balloon glow (Saturday night), a 5k run (Sunday morning) and more, the festival is jam-packed with stuff to do. Friday 1pm - 10pm. Saturday 6am - 10pm. Sunday 6am - 8pm. $5 parking fee - $30 adults/$15 children/ under three free.

Warren County Farmers' Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival (Phillipsburg, NJ)
This county fair in Phillipsburg includes a Hot Air Balloon Festival with a mass hot air balloon inflation each evening that is included in the admission price. Besides the usual fair fun, there's also Kids Corral for the young ones to enjoy craft making, clown shows, and contests.  Make sure to check out the Bale Rolling competition and other free Main Arena events on Sunday such as Lawnmower Races (yes, really!) The Fair's Main Arena attractions also include two demolition derbies, an ATV and Truck Mud Bog, along with Truck and Tractor Pulls. Main Arena events range from $5 to $11 per person. Opening day Saturday July 28th - August 4th. Admission - $6 adult, $4 ages 5-12, 4 & under free. 908-859-6563.

Family Fun Days (Belvidere, NJ)
FREE family fun at a winery in beautiful northwestern New Jersey? Sign. Me. Up. Yes, indeed, it's a weekend of fun at Four Sisters Winery where you can enjoy their 250 acre farm with tractor drawn hayride journeys through the farm past apple orchards, soybean fields and the vineyards, of course. There will be free wine tastings of over 20 of their award-winning wines, and wine by the glass or bottle and food for purchase. Wine cellar tours featuring an educational experience on vines to wines. Bring your lawn chairs and sit back and relax while listening to live music. Super fun! 12-5pm. 908-475-3671.

Mercer County 4H Fair (Lambertville, NJ)
Stop by Howell Living History Farm this weekend for fabulous FREE fun at the Mercer County 4H fair. 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; children’s crafts and activities and displays by local organizations. Saturday 10am-8pm. Sunday 10am-4pm. Free admission and free parking, although there is a suggested donation of canned goods to support a local charity.

All About Construction Weekend (Jersey City, NJ)
Come out to Liberty Science Center from 10am-4pm this weekend to explore massive machinery, enormous earthmovers and fantastic front loaders. Your kids will have a blast climbing on these construction vehicles and they can even talk to the  professional construction workers about their super cool jobs. Free with paid admission to the museum. 201-200-1000.

Saturday July 28th

Luna Fusion Fest (West Orange, NJ)
Bring the kids over to the Luna Stage on Saturday at 3pm for a FREE children’s workshop with internationally acclaimed percussionist and educator Gregg Bendian designed to educate, entertain, and inspire. This is part of their two-day music festival which includes ticketed evening performances by some electrifying fusion bands. For additional information call 973-395-5551.

A Night in Venice (Ocean City, NJ)
Next year, I am definitely timing our family vacation with this fantastic event where thousands watch as boaters make their way from Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue in a parade. To make the event even more exciting, cash prizes are awarded to boaters for best decorated, best lighted, most original and more. Boat Parade starts at 6pm, however there's live entertainment that begins at 4:30pm as well as children's activities including crafts, games and face painting. Bring a picnic dinner (sans alcohol, as OC is a dry town) and have a blast at this unique event. FREE.

Tots on Tour (Hamilton, NJ)
Your little ones will have a blast at this Grounds for Sculpture program just for them! Kids ages 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult can listen to a story, become park explorers, and make original works of art, exploring their creative instincts. Programs at 11am and 1pm. FREE with park admission of Adults $12/Children 6-12 $8/Children under 6 Free. First come, first serve registration at the park. For more information call 609-586-0616.

Discovery Center Saturdays  (Summit, NJ)
Get close to nature this summer at the Reeves Reed Arboretum's weekly nature program from 9am-1pm every Saturday. This weekend event comes highly recommended by my OWN kids who attended in the spring and are begging to go back! Stop by for hands-on exploration of a variety of nature topics; this week you will discover some fascinating facts about their famous Tulip Tree. Activities include stories, crafts and experiments. You can also borrow one of their backpacks, which has binoculars, field guides, a magnifying glass and everything else you will need to explore the Arboretum. Free for members, $5 per person for non-members. (908) 273-8787.

Sunday July 29th

Old Fashioned Family Fun Day  (Morristown, NJ)
Come out to at historic Acorn Hall from 1:00-4:00 p.m. for some real "old skool" family fun with special tours for kids of Acorn Hall, lawn games, Victorian dress-up, tea and cookies, and more. Adults $6 Seniors $5 Students $3 Children under twelve and members are admitted free.

Concert in the Garden (Morristown, NJ)
Another family friendly event in Morristown is at historic Macculloch Hall from 4:30 - 6pm. Hub Hollow will perform their bluegrass, Americana and acoustic music in the gorgeous gardens. Bring your own dinner or purchase food onsite.  Adults $8, Seniors $6, Students (over 12) $6, Children 6-12 $4. Children under 6 free. (973) 538-2404.

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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