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Best Free Fun Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids April 2024

Beautiful flower sculptures light up the Hoboken waterfront as part of the Electric Dandelions display. Photo by Lauren Anzevino, LLC
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4/5/24 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for FREE things to do this April in New Jersey? Check out dozens of great options below. 

Get out your calendars because April hosts 40+ fun, free things to do in New Jersey. Bring on the great outdoors with complimentary seasonal favorites, like Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival. Earth Day rounds out the month with no-cost events like Earth Day Open House in Howell.

Mark your calendars with these FREE April events that take place nearly every day of the month. Find more spring happenings in our Family Activity Calendar and Spring Activities Guide. 

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Ongoing Free Things To Do in April 2024

Electric Dandelions in Hoboken

Hoboken
Daily
Beautiful flower sculptures light up the Hoboken waterfront as part of the Electric Dandelions display. These magnificent sculptures are crafted from sturdy steel, with translucent and brilliant LEDs that dazzle when the sun goes down. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Bridgewater

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Bring the little ones to Barnes & Noble in Bridgewater every Monday morning for stories and fun. READ MORE

Maker Mondays Kids Craft Hour at Jake Branch County Park Nature Center

Beechwood
Every Monday
Drop by the nature center on select Mondays for nature-inspired crafts. Registration is not required. READ MORE

Preschool Storytime at Bridgewater Library

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Swing by the library on Mondays with the little ones for books, songs, and activities. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Livingston

Livingston
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Enjoy childhood classics and new favorites at Barnes & Noble in Livingston on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  READ MORE

Bookscape Babies at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Tuesday
Cotsen’s youngest patrons get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in the Bookscape gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await. READ MORE

Storytime at Barnes & Noble East Brunswick

East Brunswick
Every Tuesday
Give the kids a storytime break every Tuesday morning at Barnes & Noble in Brunswick Square Mall. Participants will hear a story and take part in a coloring activity. READ MORE

Playtime at Ramsey Free Public Library

Ramsey
Every Wednesday
Pop in for playtime with lots of toys and fun guaranteed. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Brick

Brick
Every Wednesday
Head over to Barnes & Noble every Wednesday for children's stories and fun. READ MORE

Tiger Tales at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Friday
Join the staff at Cotsen Library for a special interactive weekly storytime. Tiger Tales begins with a story and ends with a hands-on project to take home. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River
Every Saturday and Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jake Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Saturday and Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in New Jersey in April 2024

Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park

Newark
Daily from Saturday, April 6-Sunday, April 14, 2024
Rejoice in thousands of flowering cherry trees, plus tons of family fun, as Essex County presents this two-weekend festival in Branch Brook Park. The fun includes Bloomfest, Essex County Family Day, 10K and 1-mile family fun runs, bike races, and a community fair.  READ MORE

Wheaton Springs Open House

Millville
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Celebrate the start of WheatonArts' 2024 creative season with this free kick-off event highlighting daily offerings and hands-on programming. Explore thought-provoking exhibits in the Museum of American Glass and Down Jersey Folklife Center, showcasing glass collections and the complexities and values of traditional arts through modern-day times. READ MORE

Makerspace at METC

Madison
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Stop by METC's Makerspace on the first Saturday of every month. Kids can use the new 3D printer, build with Legos, paint, make jewelry, experiment with coding robots, and more. READ MORE

Sunday Makebreak at Michaels

Various locations
Sundays, April 7 and 21, 2024
Michaels welcomes guests for a free and fun craft every Sunday at the store. Register online. READ MORE

Author Storytime in French and English

Montclair
Sunday, April 7, 2024
In partnership with the Montclair branch of the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), join French writer Marie Darrieussecq for a French and English reading of Péronnille, La Chevalière and Le Chien Croquette. The readings are followed by an arts and crafts project. READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Various locations
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Stop by New Jersey JCPenney stores on the second Saturday of every month for free and fun crafts. Children receive a lanyard and collector's pin. Six pins earn a Project Master Medallion. READ MORE

Essex County Family Day at Branch Brook Park

Newark
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Stop by the concert grove in Branch Brook Park to enjoy an afternoon outdoors with your family. Enjoy live performances, children's activities, a fishing derby, food vendors and more. READ MORE

Small Explorers: Animals of New Jersey at New Jersey State Museum

Trenton
Saturday, April 13, 2024
This month's Small Explorers features a visit from the Mercer County Wildlife Center and some of their educational animals. READ MORE

Bloomfest at Branch Brook Park

Newark
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Enjoy a family day in Branch Brook Park beneath thousands of flowering cherry trees. Scheduled events include cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace, food, and more. READ MORE

Red Bank Street Fair

Red Bank
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Celebrate the season in downtown Red Bank, with vendors, food, rides, crafts, and plenty of springtime fun. READ MORE

Art Together at Zimmerli

New Brunswick
Sunday, April 14, 2024
On select Sundays throughout the year, families can work side-by-side on arts and crafts projects at Rutgers' Zimmerli Art Museum. Each session includes a brief, instructor-led tour through one of the galleries. READ MORE

Art In Bloom in Clinton

Clinton
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Head over to a brand new festival in historic downtown Clinton: Art in Bloom, a town-wide fine arts & crafts festival where artists and local artisans showcase and sell their works among the charming local shops and eateries that line the beautiful downtown. READ MORE

Annual Kites at the Pier Festival

Long Branch
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Kites of all shapes and sizes soar over the beach in Long Branch. A dazzling display of giant kites is visible for miles. The fun includes inflatable rides, shopping, dining, and a Running of the Bols competition. READ MORE

Cape May Earth Day Celebration

Cape May
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Head over to the Cape May County Park and Zoo for a day of Earth-friendly fun, featuring educational exhibits, children’s amusements, live entertainment, environmental eco-shops, and a scavenger hunt. This year's theme is Planet vs. Plastics. READ MORE

Shad Fest 2024

Lambertville
Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21, 2024
Shad Fest showcases the region’s finest artists and crafters, featuring jewelry, ceramics, furniture, apparel, accessories, home décor, and more. A children’s activity section includes games and face painting. There is also a home and garden section and farmers market. READ MORE

Allentown Spring Stroll

Allentown
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Spring is in the air in Allentown, with a day of hand-crafted vendors, beer garden, food trucks, music, fun activities. face painting, pony rides, and a bounce house.  READ MORE

Earth Day at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center

Manasquan
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Join guided nature walks, live animal presentations, and nature crafts at this Earth Day celebration. Plus, local nature organizations are on hand to provide information. READ MORE

Smithville Renaissance Faire

Absecon
Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21, 2024
Join the players of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire and travel back to the days of yore and merry Olde England. The Historic Village of Smithville is transformed into the Shire of Smithville in the heart of the English Renaissance.  READ MORE

Creativity Workshop at the LEGO Store

various NJ locations
Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21, 2024
Young LEGO fans get their creative juices flowing at these free in-store workshops. Kids create and decorate their own LEGO photo frame to show off their creative accomplishments. Registration is required. READ MORE

Backyard Buddies Petting Zoo at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Come out and enjoy the kick off to the season at Casino Pier. The kids can enjoy a petting zoo with Backyard Buddies. READ MORE

Earth Day Celebration and Folk & Bluegrass Festival in Hoboken

Hoboken
Sunday, April 20, 2024
Celebrate Earth Day at this family friendly, open air event, featuring green local businesses, artisans and engaging green and nature-themed activities for all ages. Talented musicians perform as well. READ MORE

Earth Day at the New Jersey State Museum

Trenton
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Join The New Jersey State Museum for a free day of activities inspired by nature, including crafts, lectures, birdwatching and more. READ MORE

Stirling's Annual Street Fair

Stirling
Sunday, April 21, 2024
This event features shopping, food, music, children's activities, and more, held along Main Avenue between Mercer and Somerset streets. READ MORE

Deptford Mall Kid's Mini Theater Show

Deptford
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Beloved story characters take the stage at Deptford Mall for FREE monthly shows. Enjoy singing, dancing, story time, fun giveaways, and a meet-and-greet with the character. Registration is required.  READ MORE

Rutgers Day

New Brunswick
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Rutgers University’s show-and-tell event for all ages offers free performances by musicians and dancers, health and wellness tips, science demonstrations, and hands-on learning activities in the sciences, arts, and humanities.  READ MORE

Elmwood Park's Spring Festival

Elmwood Park
Saturday, April 27, 2024
If you like shopping outdoors, Market Street is the place to be. Peruse quality exhibitors, a special arts & crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides & games, great festival foods, and more. READ MORE

Smithville Art Walk

Absecon
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Stop by the Village to see over 75 local artists display their work.  READ MORE

South Jersey Arts Fest in Elmer

Elmer
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Celebrate the arts and artists of South Jersey with live music, food and drink, craft vendors, and art-making. Appel Farm teaching artists lead art-making workshops for all ages, and local young artists will display their artwork in a pop-up outdoor art gallery. READ MORE

Wool Days/Sheep Shearing at Historic Longstreet Farm

Holmdel
Saturday, April 27, 2024-Sunday, April 28, 2024
It's that time of year to harvest wool. The farm's staff demonstrates the way wool was used in Colonial America with spinning and weaving activities. READ MORE

CANCELED- Cranford Street Fair

Cranford
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Delicious food, handcrafted items, live music, and so much more make for a memorable  festival at this walkable celebration in downtown Cranford.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts Education Annex
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center
Historic Smithville & the Village Greene
LEGO Store various locations
Earth Day Celebration
Historic Smithville & the Village Greene
Appel Farm Arts and Music Center
Downtown Cranford