The American Song series at NJPAC is presented, in part, through the generous support of the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the David S. Steiner and Sylvia Steiner Charitable Trust, the Joan and Allen Bildner Family Fund, the Smart Family Foundation/ David S. Stone, Esq., Stone & Magnanini.
Fri, Mar 20 @ 7:30PM “Hey You Guys!!!” Celebrate 40 years of The Goonies with a film screening and Q&A with Corey Feldman & Kerri Green.
Sat, May 9 @ 3 & 7PM
Bring the whole family to Mutts Gone Nuts, where a dozen talented rescue dogs show off their amazing skills.
the peking acrobats
Sat, Mar 28 @ 2 & 7:30PM
The Peking Acrobats will dazzle you with trick cycling, contortion, juggling and balancing acts. Fun for all ages.
An Afternoon of Legends, Mysteries and Tales of Adventure Sun, Jun 14 @ 3PM Explorer and Discovery Channel star Josh Gates takes you around the world with tales from his greatest expeditions. josh gates
Guide
digital: 25th of each month
Spring programs and summer camps too!
This issue spotlights our Summer Camp Guide! With our summer camp fairs just wrapped up and enrollment already underway, now is the perfect time to start planning. Be sure to look out for early bird discounts, spring tours, and upcoming open houses. Start your research today to create an unforgettable summer experience for your child.
NJ Kids is packed with fresh ideas, musttry programs, exciting activities, and an outstanding selection of summer camp options. Camp is more than just fun—it’s one of the greatest investments you can make in your child’s growth. It’s where friendships form, confidence builds, independence flourishes, and lifelong memories are made.
5x Print, 12x Digital Editions
Winter: January / February
Spring: March / April
Summer: May / June
Summer Fun: July (Digital only)
Back To School: August / September
Fall: October / November
Holiday: December (Digital only)
NJ Kids On The Go! is published by NJ Kids Media Group, Inc. PO Box 542, Roseland, NJ 07068. We assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions, nor do we recommend programs, nor do we warrant the accuracy or reliatbility of any of the information contained in this book. Nothing herein contained may be reproduced in any manner without written permission of NJ Kids Media Group, Inc. Copyright 2026
Thank you for picking up this essential guide! We’re proud to continue our longstanding tradition of connecting families with the very best local resources. As we celebrate our 22nd year publishing this little resource guide, we’re grateful to be part of your community.
From local businesses and schools to camps, theaters, museums, and trusted professionals, it’s our privilege to showcase the people and places that help our community thrive.There’s so much to do this Spring!
We look forward to serving New Jersey families and making this year our most exciting yet!
The NJ Kids Team
56 Yrs of Dance
Sleeping Beauty with New Jersey Symphony
Presented by New Jersey Ballet
Mar 21–22
MPAC in Morristown
Mozart’s The Magic Flute
Presented with Undead Arts
May 2–3
The Harborside Atrium in Jersey City
Discover Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony Family Concert
Mar 28 NJPAC in Newark
May 29–31 Red Bank | Newark | New Brunswick IN CONCERT
Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert
SUMME R S E SSIONS Kids & Teens
Kings Cooking Studio gets kids and teens into our fully equipped teaching kitchen for incredible hands-on cooking experiences. Register soon as classes fill up quickly!
THINGS
TO DO WITH KIDS THIS SPRING
We welcome Spring! This March, we celebrate the inventor, maker, creator, artist, tinkerer in all of us! NJ Maker Day is an annual statewide event which takes place March 20-22 and held at over 250 libraries, museums, and schools. Here is a list of some of them. Please check your local municipality. We also found gardening/flower shows, Earth Day activities and Easter events. There’s so much to do this Spring.
MAKER DAY EVENTS
Maplewood Makers Day at Hilton Branch Features Space, Tech, and Maker projects for kids, teens & adults.March 10th-10am-1pm.
Livingston Public Library - Early celebration of STEM/STEAM projects. March 14, 11am-2pm
Highland Park Public Library - People of all ages will have the chance to drop in to learn and create at different STEAM stations set up in the library. March 20th
Raritan Public Library - Features 3D printing, cotton candy body scrub, and perler beads. March 21st 10am-2pm
Warren County Library Branches - For NJ STEM Month, the Warren County Library System will be offering a full day of activities and projects on Saturday, March 21
METC “Museum of Early Trades & Crafts - This “STEM and Sustainability” event in the METC Education Annex! During this free event, our makers will create homemade kaleidoscopes, fidget spinners, paper dancing people, and more. March 21 from 11AM-3PM. Best for ages 5-11. Children must be accompanied by guardians at all times.
Glen Rock Library - STEAM activities with preregistered, 45-minute timeslots. March 21
Metuchen Public Library -This year’s theme is engineering and upcycling. Using kid-safe tools and cardboard, we will be challenging YOU, delightful patron of any age, to build a castle. March 21, 2-4pm
Montclair Library and HackNCraftNJ - March 21 from 1 pm – 5 pm at MPL and 11 am – 5 pm at HackNCraftNJ.
Paramus Library - All day event on March 21. NJ Makers Day Grab and Go.
Raritan Public Library -The Raritan Public Library is thrilled to celebrate the 12th Annual NJ Makers Day with a carnival of creativity! Join us for hands-on fun, crafts, and maker magic!. March 21, 10am-2pm
Ridgewood Library - three-hour drop-in event for kids and families featuring a variety of hands-on activity stations from crafts and building activities to creative play including mask making, marble runs, Zoobs, wire forts, magnetic tiles, Egg Decorating, Paper Birds, Bird Houses, and jewelry making. All ages. March 21, 1-4pm
Johnson Library in Hackensack - Drop by to celebrate with stem-related activities and more in the Children’s Room! Registration is not required. March 21, 11am-1pm
Hillsdale Free Public Library - celebrate the artists, crafters, and makers in our local community. Please consider sharing your time and talent at this one-day public exhibition. March 21, 10am-4pm
Westfield Public Library - Events will include demonstrations and hands-on activities for children and adults. March 22
Hunterdon County Library - Interactive projects at Headquarters and North County Branch libraries. March 28, all day
Piscataway Public Library -All ages are invited to join us for making demonstrations and activities from 11am-3pm. March 28, 11am-3pm
Daffodil Days at Reeves-Reed Arboretum
April 12, 2026, staged entry times, buy tickets online. General Daffodil days held April 1-15, 2026, 9am-5pm. Visit one of the largest daffodil collections with over 50,000 bulbs in bloom. Fee for non-members. This Arboretum has lovely historical grounds, display gardens, and blooms. Families can hike wooded trails and walkways. Kids can learn about nature, the outdoors, plants, flowers, and wildlife. reevesreedarboretum.org
Grounds for Sculpture - Arboretum and Nature Gardens
Discover beautiful landscape and gardens on over 42 acres. Wildflowers, butterflies, ponds, flowers, and nature paths. Go on a self-guided tree tour and see 78 different types of trees. Also take the time to explore all the art and sculptures on the museum grounds. Family and kid friendly. Located at 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton NJ. groundsforsculpture.org
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum
FLOWER SHOWS, GARDENS, NATURE
The Orchid Show at The NY Botanical Garden - Feb 7 - April 26, 2026. Come see thousands of beautiful orchids, spectacular in color, design, and display, mixing with scenes of the Big Apple and New York City’s landscape. Take in the sight of bold colors and multicolored designs, transforming the NYBG into a work of art. Bronx, NY. www.nybg.org
2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show
Feb 28 - Mar 8, 2026. This year’s theme is “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening”, exploring stories, legacies, culture, and inspiration that connect us to plants and each other. The front entrance “The Forest Floor” showcases the vision of gardens that spark imagination. Floral exhibits, landscape creations, plant competitions, family activities, educational sessions, and more! Colorful flowers & plants everywhere, many festive displays with sights, sounds and scents. Tours available, make your own craft, and experience Butterflies Live! 1101 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA. phsonline.org
FREE admission to grounds. Take a stroll through gardens, open fields, woodland, and groves of flowering trees. The Frelinghuysen Arboretum is a center for horticultural activities, educational programs, garden and flower shows. Various children’s activities are held throughout the year. Located at 353 East Hanover Ave, Morris Township, NJ. arboretumfriends.org
Laurelwood Arboretum
Open year round from 8am to dusk, Laurelwood Arboretum spans 30 acres and features woodland trails, Wetland Garden, The Pollinator Garden, Lilac Walk, Sculpture trail, ponds, streams, plants, trees and more! Wonderful place for nature lovers, kids and adults alike. Also featuring The Sensory Garden, a unique barrier free garden where all abilities can experience nature. No entrance fee, donations welcome. 725 Pines Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ. laurelwoodarboretum.org
New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands
FREE admission to garden. Meander through specialty gardens surrounded by 1000 acres of woodlands and trails. Plus family hikes and walks. Ringwood, NJ. njbg.org
Where Grow We SUMMER CAMP
Camp Hoover in Middleville, NJ is a sleepaway camp where summer becomes a journey. Grow through adventure, discover confidence, and learn about yourself and others while building lifelong friendships. From cabins to campfires, each day sparks curiosity, courage, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
Scan to visit our summer camp webpage now!
THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS
The Willowwood Arboretum
Open daily from 8am to dusk, FREE. Enjoy various gardens in the park: Bee Meadow, Conservatory, Cottage Garden, Cypress Lawn, Hacklebarney Field, Hillside Pasture. Chester Twnshp, NJ, willowwoodarboretum.org
Rutgers Garden
Open year round, FREE admission. Explore 180 acres of gardens and natural habitats. Kids can make their own nature discoveries. Plenty of gardens to see including vegetable, flower, rain, tree collection, bamboo grove, woodland, frog pond, and pollinator garden. Brunswick, NJ. rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu
Longwood Gardens Spring Blooms
March 27 - May 3, 2026. See vibrant blooms on display. Walk around beautiful gardens, fountains, meadows and indoor Children’s Garden. Kennett Square, PA. longwoodgardens.org
EARTH DAY EVENTS
Cape May County Earth Day Celebration
Sat, April 18, 2026,10am-3pm. FREE entry. From Dunes to Deep Blue. Visit the Cape May County Park and Zoo for a fun Earth day. Educational exhibits, games, entertainment, environmental eco-shops, scavenger hunt, crafts. 707 Rte 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ. capemaycountynj.gov
Essex County Earth Day
Sat, April 25, 2026, 11am-3pm. Outdoor festival celebrates the planet Earth and nature. Crafts, games, outdoor activities, canoeing, hiking, demonstrations, and a eco-vendors sale. Roseland, NJ. essexcountyparks.org
Earthfest Overpeck Park
Sun, May 17, 2026, 12pm-5pm. FREE. Celebrate clean water and a healthy environment. Food trucks, green vendors, kayaking, children’s games and nearby fishing derby. Ridgefield Park, NJ. hackensackriverkeeper.org
Hunterdon Earth Day Festival Sat, April 18, 2026 at Echo Hill Park. FREE Planet Earth day activities for all. Meet live animals with Rizzo’s Wildlife World at 11am. Enjoy music, education presentations, crafts, and fun! www.co.hunterdon.nj.us
Monmouth County Park Earth Day Celebrations. monmouthcountyparks.com
• Sat, April 18, 2026, 10am-2pm. FREE. Earth Day at Huber Woods Environmental Center in Middletown NJ.
• Sun, April 19, 2026, 10am-2pm. Earth Day Beach Cleanup at Bayshore Waterfront Park in NJ.
• Wed, April 22, 2026, 5pm-6:30pm. Earth Day Planting at Bayshore Waterfront Park in NJ.
Montclair Earth Fest 2026
Sun, April 26, 2026, 12pm-4pm. FREE event. Celebrate sustainability with demonstrations, eco-friendly vendors, music, interactive games. Montclair NJ. sierraclub.org/new-jersey/
Earth Day at Morven Museum & Garden Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 12pm-4pm. FREE. Fun day of sustainable fun. 55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ. sustainableprinceton.org
Passaic County Earth Day 2026
Sat, April 25, 2026, 10am-3pm. Nature hikes, arts & crafts, sustainable products, and ecovendors. Rifle Camp Park, Woodland Park NJ. facebook.com/passaiccountynj
Somerset County - Raritan Headwaters
Earth Day Cleanup
Sat, April 18, 2026, 9am-12pm. Join in stream & land cleanup to help protect our waters and eco-system. Families, scouts, schools, and individuals welcome. Bedminster NJ, raritanheadwaters.org
EASTER 2026
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Egg Hunt
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 1pm-2pm. FREE. Find those eggs! Annual Easter Egg hunt on the beach. Open to kids up to 10 years old, different age group hunts. No age limit for separate special needs egg hunt at Adventure Lookout Ropes Course. Easter Parade (4/5)Pleasant Beach NJ. jenkinsons.com
Storybook Land Easter Egg Hunt
April 3, 4, 6, 2026 designed for small children. Visit with the Easter bunny. Access unlimited rides and attractions with your admission ticket. 6415 E Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ. storybookland.com
Cape May Zoo Easter EggstravaganZoo April 3-5, 2026. FREE. Easter Bunny Hunt, Scavenger Hunt, HOPstacle course, animals, games, and meet and take pictures with the Easter Bunny on Sat, April 4th, 11am-2pm. Cape May, NJ. capemaycountynj.gov
Essex County Spring Forest Egg Hunt
Sat, Mar 28, 2026. Celebrate spring with a reading of the “Little White Rabbit” and an egg hunt. Children bring their basket to collect eggs and earn surprises! Register online, fee. Roseland, NJ. essexcountyparks.org
Ridgewood Easter in the Park
Sat, April 4, 2026, 11am-2pm. Easter celebration at Memorial Park. Meet the Easter Bunny, take photos, live music by School of Rock Waldwick, games, and more! Ridgewood, NJ. ridgewoodchamber.com
Seaside Heights Easter Egg Hunt
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 1pm. FREE Easter Egg Hunt on the beach at Seaside Heights. Broken by age groups: 0-2, 3-10, and Special Needs. Collect empty easter eggs and redeem them for a prize pack. Exit 82.com
Seaside Heights Meet the Easter Bunny
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 1pm-3pm. FREE. Meet the Easter Bunny. Casino Pier Arcade. casinopiernj.com
Easter Celebration at Village at Allaire Sat, Mar 28, 2026 & April 4, 2026, 11am-4pm. Annual Easter Day fun for the whole family. Bring your own basket to collect eggs at special stops throughout the village. See if you can spot the Easter Bunny roaming around. Participate in egg dyeing, crafts, storytelling, village scavenger hunt, music, entertainment, food trucks, and more! Must buy tickets in advance. Located in Wall Township, NJ. AllaireVillage.org
Delaware River Railroad - The Easter Bunny Train Ride
Visit with Mr. Bunny and ride the Easter Bunny Train on Mar 28, Mar 29, April 4, April 5, 2026 at select times. Ride along the scenic Delaware River, leaving Phillipsburg and arriving at Lime Kilns. In front of the Lime Kilns will be an area filled with Easter Eggs. Book your tickets in advance. 100 Elizabeth St, Phillipsburg NJ. 877trainride.com
Whippany Railway Museum - Easter Bunny Express
All aboard with the Easter Bunny! Take a fun 45-minute Easter Bunny Express round trip train ride. The train departs on the hour at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm on Mar 28, Mar 29, April 4, 2026. Purchase tickets online in advance. 1 Railroad Plaza in Whippany NJ. whippanyrailwaymuseum.net
Strasburg Rail Road Easter Train Rides
Mar 28-29, April 3-5, 2026. The Easter Bunny will hop from train to train to meet all the kids. The conductor of the train is none other than Peter Cottontail. Select between three types of Easter trains - coach, premium and dining car. All these steam train rides are 45 minutes long. Candy drops begin 15 minutes after train returns to station. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny train is also an option. Book your tickets in advance. Located at 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA. strasburgrailroad.com
