We’ve been sharing the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend since our beginning in 2010. If you’re looking for things to do with kids this weekend in New Jersey this list is for you! We update the listing every week with fun, cheap, and free things to do in NJ this weekend with your kids, toddlers, and teens.
With 2018, we began helping you find things to do in New Jersey this weekend BETTER by sorting our Weekend Events in New Jersey by region. Read below to find things to do in North Jersey, Central Jersey, and South Jersey this weekend.
In 2019, we updated it again to let you know the best free things to do in NJ this weekend in addition to all the other wonderful weekend events in New Jersey for families.
Now, here we are in 2021. Yes, there may be a pandemic, but that doesn’t mean there’s still not safe weekend activities for toddlers, kids, and teens in New Jersey. There are! With this year’s update not only are we sorting NJ weekend activities by age and region we are also sharing our favorite regular fun weekend activities so you’ll find there’s always something to do on weekends in New Jersey.
Fun Things to do in NJ this Weekend with Kids, Toddlers, & Teens
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Some of our favorite weekend activities in New Jersey for families
If you are looking for a little weekend adventure or day trip across New Jersey to take your kids on, take a look at these ideas. They may involve a little bit of a drive but they are totally worth it.
- Drive along New Jersey’s most scenic routes
- Hike along the best hiking trails in New Jersey with waterfalls. Some you don’t even have to hike to.
- Discover a New Jersey State Park or forest that’s new to you.
- Get building with Lowe’s DIY Kids Workshop. The kids workshops are back, but happen a little differently. Kids register in advance, but then pick up the kits to take home. Learn more here and get the date for the next event. They happen once a month.
- Check out a pass to a local open New Jersey museum with your library card. Learn which New Jersey libraries participate in the Museum Pass program.
- Is it the first weekend of the month? Bank of America card holders receive free admission at participating New Jersey museums. Find out which museums participate in our guide to Bank of America Free Museum Weekends.
- Get outdoors with one of these activities on our list of New Jersey outdoor activities.
- Get more ideas for things to do in NJ and New Jersey weekend events below and in our 100+ FREE Places to Visit in New Jersey.
Things to do This Weekend in New Jersey with Kids, Toddlers, & Teens – North Jersey
For the purposes of this guide to things to do in New Jersey this weekend North Jersey includes the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union, and Warren County.
Discount Tickets on this Weekend’s Events in North Jersey for the whole family
- Free Admission on Saturdays at The West Milford Museum.
Most North Jersey weekend events listed below are free or less than $5 to attend, but please check the links for more details. Registration for these things to do in NJ this weekend may be required.
FREE Fun Activities to do Every Weekend in Northern New Jersey with Kids, Toddlers, & Teens
FREE Northern New Jersey Weekend Events for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
FREE Northern New Jersey Weekend Events for Kids & Tweens
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
- Nature Hikes at Liberty State Park, Select Saturdays in May.
- Lowe’s DIY Kids Workshop
Every weekend
- Free Bowling for Kids – Daily and weekends at some bowling alleys until October.
FREE Northern New Jersey Weekend Events for Teens
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
- Nature Hikes at Liberty State Park, Select Saturdays in May.
Every weekend
- Free Bowling for Teens – Daily and weekends at some bowling alleys until October.
Cheap Places to visit in North Jersey this Weekend
Cheap North Jersey activities to do with toddlers and preschoolers this weekend
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
- Visit a local playground from our New Jersey Parks & Playground Series.
Cheap North Jersey activities to do with kids this weekend
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
- Go on a Family Photo Scavenger Hunt at Haggerty Education Center (Daily through the end of May)
- Explore these state parks in North Jersey
- Abram S. Hewitt State Forest is in West Milford, Passaic County
- Allamuchy Mountain State Park in Hackettstown, Warren County
- Bull’s Island Recreational Area in Hunterdon County
- Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park spans multiple western counties
- Farny State Park is in Rockaway, Morris County
- Hacklebarney State Park is in Long Valley and Chester, Morris County
- High Point State Park is in Montague, Sussex County.
- Hopatcong State Park is in Landing, Morris County
- Jenny Jump State Forest is in Hope, Warren County
- Kittatinny Valley State Park is in Andover, Sussex County
- Liberty State Park
- Long Pond Ironworks State Park is in West Milford, Passaic County is in Jersey City, Hudson County
- Norvin Green State Forest is in Bloomingdale, Passaic County
- Ramapo Mountain State Forest is in Ringwood, Bergen and Passaic Counties
- Ringwood State Park is in Ringwood, Passaic County
- Skylands
- Shepherd Lake Recreation Area
- Six Mile Run Reservoir Site
- Spruce Run Recreation Area
- Stephen’s State Park is in Hackettstown, Morris County
- Stokes State Forest is in Branchville, Sussex County
- Swartswood State Park is in Stillwater Township, Sussex County
- Wawayanda State Park is in Vernon and West Milford, Sussex and Passaic Counties
- Read about Climbing the Stairway to Heaven at Wawayanda State Park.
- Worthington State Forest is in Columbia, Warren County
Cheap North Jersey activities to do with teens this weekend
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
More Fun Things to do in North Jersey this Weekend for the Family
- Find more great family-friendly Northern New Jersey events happening this weekend on our full New Jersey Calendar of Events.
Things to do This Weekend in Central New Jersey with Kids, Toddlers, & Teens
For the purposes of this guide to things to do in New Jersey this weekend Central Jersey includes the counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset County.
Discount Tickets on this Weekend’s Events in Central Jersey for the whole family
- Nothing as of right now.
Most Central New Jersey weekend events listed below are free or less than $5 to attend, but please check the links for more details. Registration for these things to do in NJ this weekend may be required.
FREE Fun Activities to do Every Weekend in Central New Jersey with Kids, Toddlers, & Teens
FREE Central New Jersey Weekend Events for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
FREE Central Jersey Weekend Events for Kids & Tweens
Only happening this weekend.
- Walnford Day in Upper Freehold
- Fishing For Kids in Hamilton Township
- Community Clean Up in Wall Township
- Climb Time at Freneau Woods Park
- Seashell Sunday at Bayshore Waterfront Park
Take a Walking Tour of Monmouth Battlefield State Park – Manalapan. Walking tours happen on the first Sunday of every month through December.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
- Lowe’s DIY Kids Workshop
- Learn about life as it would be in the 1890s at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel. Happening select Saturdays through May.
Every weekend
- Free Bowling for Kids – Daily and weekends at some bowling alleys until October.
- Red Bank Farmers Market – Sundays until November 21, 2021
FREE Central New Jersey Weekend Events for Teens
Only happening this weekend.
- Community Clean Up in Wall Township
- Climb Time at Freneau Woods Park
Take a Walking Tour of Monmouth Battlefield State Park – Manalapan. Walking tours happen on the first Sunday of every month through December.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
- Learn about life as it would be in the 1890s at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel. Happening select Saturdays through May.
Every weekend
- Free Bowling for Teens – Daily and weekends at some bowling alleys until October.
- Red Bank Farmers Market – Sundays until November 21, 2021
Cheap Places to visit in Central Jersey this Weekend
Cheap Central Jersey activities to do with toddlers and preschoolers this weekend
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
- Boat and Kayak Rentals at Manasquan Reservoir – Weekends until the end of August
- Visit a local playground from our New Jersey Parks & Playground Series.
Cheap Central New Jersey activities to do with kids and tweens this weekend
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
- Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours – Weekends until Labor Day
- Boat and Kayak Rentals at Manasquan Reservoir – Weekends until the end of August
- Explore these state parks in Central Jersey
- The Historic Village at Allaire at Allaire State Park is in Wall, Monmouth County
- Cheesequake State Park is in Old Bridge, Middlesex County
- Monmouth Battlefield State Park is in Manalapan and Freehold, Monmouth County
- Princeton Battlefield State Park is in Princeton, Mercer County
- Voorhees State Park is in Glen Gardner, Hunterdon County
- Washington Crossing State Park is in Hopewell, Mercer County
- Washington Rock State Park is in Green Brook, Somerset County
Cheap Central Jersey activities to do with teens this weekend
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
- Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours – Weekends until Labor Day
- Visit iPlay America in Freehold. Admission is free. You can either purchase a wristband for games and rides or pay as you go.
More Fun Things to do in Central New Jersey this Weekend for the Family
- Find more great family-friendly Central New Jersey events happening this weekend on our full New Jersey Calendar of Events.
Things to do This Weekend in Southern New Jersey with Kids, Toddlers, & Teens
For the purposes of this guide to things to do in New Jersey this weekend South Jersey includes the counties of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, and Ocean County.
Discount Tickets on this Weekend’s Events in South Jersey for the whole family
- Nothing currently for this weekend.
Most South Jersey weekend events listed below are free or less than $5 to attend, but please check the links for more details. Registration for these things to do in NJ this weekend may be required.
FREE Fun Activities to do Every Weekend in Southern New Jersey with Kids, Toddlers, & Teens
FREE Southern New Jersey Weekend Events for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
FREE South Jersey Weekend Events for Kids & Tweens
Only happening this weekend.
- Drive In Movies in Mt. Holly at Historic Smithville Park – Saturday, May 15, 2021
- Kids to Parks Day – Ocean County
- Captain Kidd Pirate Day in Wildwood
- Garden Club at Rancocas Nature Center
2nd Saturdays in Collingswood – Once a month through December.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
- Lowe’s DIY Kids Workshop
- Cedar Bridge Historical Nature Walks in Barnegat – Select Saturdays in May and June
Every weekend
- Bird Walks in Galloway at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge – Saturday mornings in May
- Jakes Branch Live Animal Talks – Sundays through June
- Discovery Nature Walks at Jakes Branch in Beachwood – Sundays through June
- Nature Walks at Historic Smithville Park – Smith’s Woods
- Take a walk along one of the boardwalks at the Jersey Shore such as the Ocean City Boardwalk or Wildwood Boardwalk.
- Head to Cattus Island for a Nature Walk with a naturalist, every Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM through June.
- Enjoy a nature hike with the Double Trouble State Park Weekday Walks and Sunday Saunters every Sunday through June.
- Free Bowling for Kids – Daily and weekends at some bowling alleys until October.
- Farmers Market in Brick Township Saturdays until October.
- Farmers Market in Petersburg Sundays in May
FREE Southern New Jersey Weekend Events for Teens
Only happening this weekend.
- Drive In Movies in Mt. Holly at Historic Smithville Park – Saturday, May 15, 2021
- Garden Club at Rancocas Nature Center
2nd Saturdays in Collingswood – Once a month through December.Do some community service together during a Volunteer Service Day at Whitesbog Preservation Trust. A monthly event until December.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
- Free Bowling for Teens – Daily and weekends at some bowling alleys until October.
- Appreciate art with a visit to one of the free Noyes Museums in Atlantic County. Read more in our Noyes Museum of Art – Explore Art with Your Kids.
Cheap Places to visit in South Jersey this Weekend
Cheap South Jersey activities to do with toddlers and preschoolers this weekend
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
- Visit a local playground from our New Jersey Parks & Playground Series.
Cheap Southern New Jersey activities to do with kids this weekend
Only happening this weekend.
The first Saturday of the month there’s a History Hike at Whitesbog Preservation Trust. The suggested donation is $10 per person.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
- Plan an animal safari at the Cape May County Zoo or Cohanzick Zoo. Learn more about both in our guide to New Jersey zoos.
- Go back in time with the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey where admission is always free. Read our African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey museum review in this article, Eye Opening Exhibits at the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey. Current hours are Wednesday – Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm.
- Explore these state parks in South Jersey
- Parvin State Park is in Pittsgrove Township, Salem County
- Cape May Point State Park is in Cape May, Cape May County
- Corson’s Inlet State Park is in Ocean City, Cape May County
- Barnegat Lighthouse State Park in Long Beach Island, Ocean County
- Bass River State Forest is in Tuckerton, Ocean and Burlington Counties.
- Belleplain State Forest is in Woodbine, Cape May and Cumberland Counties.
- Brendan T. Byrne State Forest is in New Lisbon, Burlington County
- Double Trouble State Park is in Lacey and Berkeley Township, Ocean County
- Fort Mott State Park is in Pennsville, Salem County
- Island Beach State Park is in Berkeley, Ocean County
- Penn State Forest is in Jenkin’s Neck, Burlington County
- Rancocas State Park is in Hainesport, Burlington County
- Wharton State Forest is in Hammonton, Atlantic, Burlington and Camden Counties.
- Wharton State Forest – Atsion Recreation Area
- Wharton State Forest – Historic Batsto Village
Cheap South Jersey activities to do with teens this weekend
Only happening this weekend.
You have a few weekends to enjoy
Every weekend
More Fun Things to do in South Jersey this Weekend for the Family
- Take our self-guided tour of Atlantic City murals.
- Learn more about Black History in New Jersey through the eye opening exhibits at the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey.
- Find more great family-friendly South Jersey events happening this weekend on our full New Jersey Calendar of Events.
