Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do with NJ Kids This Labor Day Weekend

8/28/12 - By

Although we still have three weeks left of official summer, this weekend is our "unofficial" last hurrah. Thankfully, there's lots of fun family events like Summer Nights at Donaldson's Farm, Asbury Park's Community BBQ, and a Labor Day BBQ at Grounds for Sculpture. If BBQ isn't your thing there's also apple cider making or a Scandinavian Fest to keep you busy. Read on for all our top weekend picks and remember you can find a listing of all NJ activities for kids in our Event Calendar.

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Friday August 31st

Summer Nights on the Farm (Hackettstown, NJ)
For a perfect way to start your long weekend, head on over to Donaldson's Farm anytime from 4-8pm for (mostly) free and relaxing family fun. Enjoy a farm fresh dinner from their kitchen, live music, pony rides, hayrides, duck races, lawn games and sprinklers for the kids. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs. 908-852-9122 for more information.

All Weekend

Asbury Park Labor Day Weekend Community BBQ (Asbury Park, NJ)
Why fire up your grill when you can go to Bradley Park for a huge community BBQ this weekend with your family and friends?!? You'll enjoy all things BBQ, like briskit, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, scallops, sausage, plus all festival favorites like crab cakes, funnel cakes, and gyros too.  While you digest there's a lots of family entertainment with over 20 live bands throughout the weekend, including Country, Classic Rock, pop, jazz, blues and reggae! There's also a large children's area with mechanical rides & inflatables, face painters and balloon artists! FREE admission.

Disney's Cinderella Kids (Titusville, NJ)
Bring your princesses and princes out to Washington Crossing Outdoor theater on Saturday (11am) or Sunday (4pm) to see this classic tale of Cinderella, who is endlessly mistreated by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters and denied a chance to go to the Royal Ball. $5 per person and $5 parking fee. 267-885-9857.

FunFest Weekend (Cape May, NJ)
Historic Cold Spring Village hosts their annual Funfest weekend where you can try your hand at crafts and trades from the 1800s like blacksmithing, basketweaving, woodworking and more. Step inside the Village's 26 restored historic buildings and interact with historical interpreters to learn and create the way our ancestors did! Children can get their 'Pastport' stamped for each hands-on activity they complete, and redeem it for a free treat in the Country Store! 10am-4:30pm. Admission: $10./adults;  $8./children. For more information, contact 609-898-2300.

Saturday September 1st

Explore the Farm: Horse Drawn Carriage Ride (Morristown, NJ)
Enjoy an interpretive horse-drawn wagon ride at Fosterfields Historic Farm and discover the importance of sustainable farming. You will learn about the methods, equipment, crops, and enterprises of Charles Foster’s farm in the early 1900s. Noon. Call 973-631-5343 to preregister.$6 for adults; $5 for seniors (ages 65 and over); $4 for ages 4 – 16; and Free for children under age 2.

Sunday September 2nd

27th Annual Scandinavian Festival: ScanFest (Budd Lake, NJ)
Budd Lake brings the best of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to you this weekend! This outdoors fest features music (the nyckelharpa, accordion, piano, violins, singing); dance (Swedish dancers, folk dancers, Danish dancers); renactments (battles, encampments, Viking artifacts); artisans (woodcarving, weaving, embroidery, bobbin lacing); food (fried apples, potatis korv, waffle cones, Swedish Meat Balls, Wienerbröd, almond kringle, Rugbrød, Norwegian Santas); and kids’ activities (Clarence the Clown, face painting, storytelling, an all-day kids’ activities area with Viking dress-up, paper Viking ships, flag coloring, and a playground) and much, much more. Sunday, Sept. 4. 10am-6pm. $14./Adults; $13./Seniors: $13.; FREE for children (12 and under) FREE entry with authentic folk dress, so grab those clogs from the closet!  For more information, call 610-417-1483.

Apple Cider Making (Tenafly, NJ)
Can you believe it's THAT time of year already?! Bring your kids out to Tenafly Nature Center to experience the taste of fresh crisp apple cider and even get to help make some using their apple press. You will also learn about the history of apple cultivation and cider making. Apples for cider making are provided however, it is requested that each participant brings three or more apples to make even more cider. Programs at 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Preregister by calling 201-568-6093. Member: $5/Non-members: $10 Children under 2: FREE.

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, scavenger hunts and fun for the whole family. Make sure to check out the Studio Z learning center throughout the day for self-guided learning and creativity. Free. 12-5pm. 732-932-7237.

Wildwood Block Party and Music Festival  (Willdwood, NJ)
It's a huge celebration down in Wildwood from noon until 11pm with games, crafts, food, merchandise vendors and FREE live music! Entertainment line-up includes Chubby Checker, The Trammps, Charlie Gracie, Jeremiah Hunter Band, and The Blue Notes. Also a fireworks display will conclude the festivities, on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue.

Monday September 3rd

Labor Day BBQ (Hamilton, NJ)
Let's face it, parents it's been a long summer! Here's your chance to kick back, relax and still have family fun! From 12-4pm you can celebrate this a summertime tradition at the Grounds for Sculpture. Enjoy a delicious BBQ menu featuring American favorites all made to order along with other Labor Day treats. Admission:Adults$12/Children 6-12 $8/Children under 6 FREE. 609-586-0616.

 

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.

Planning an event? Submit it to our calendar.

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