May is hitting its stride, and as we inch closer to Memorial Day, we’re celebrating with lots of kid-friendly things to do this weekend. Head down the Parkway in your pirate best to parade and a treasure hunt for the Annual Captain Kidd Pirate Day in Wildwood, take a step back into the 16th century and explore Nipper’s Nook with fun activities, including piñatas, water balloon games, and building magic wands at the Renaissance Faire NJ in Bordentown, or spend the day enjoying face painting, games, a bounce house, character appearances, and a visit with the animals at Kids Day On The Farm in Wrightstown. And for more May fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo: Wildwoods NJ)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm Market Opening
May 16 at 10 AM
It’s that time again—grab your delicious produce at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm Market. It’s also the first day of strawberry picking for the season, so make sure you come prepared to bring these gorgeous berries home.
Cost: Prices vary
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, 2691 Monmouth Rd. Jobstown, New Jersey, 08041
Bloomfield Food Truck and Music Fest
May 16 at 4 PM
Visit 16 food trucks, enjoy live music, participate in face painting, try your hand at hatchet throwing, visit a petting zoo, create sand art, and explore kids’ activities and vendors. Parking is free.
Cost: $5; kids under 5 are free. Please bring a nonperishable canned or boxed item to help support the food pantry.
St Thomas the Apostle Parking Lot – 50 Byrd Ave., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
New Jersey Seafood Fest Belmar
May 16-18
It’s the 37th year of seafood and family fun in Belmar. At this seafood-centric festival, which includes live music and vendors, you can try everything from conch fritters to crab legs.
Cost: Free
Downtown Belmar, NJ 07719
Glen Ridge Art and Eco Fair
May 17 at 10 AM
Celebrate the arts and the environment at this eco-friendly fair. This event will include arts and crafts, wellness vendors, live performances, eco demonstrations, and children’s activities.
Cost: Free
200 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Piscataway’s Armed Services Day Celebration
May 17 at 4 PM
A free movie outdoors at sundown? Yes, please. Along with this movie, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a car show and sample food from local vendors. There will also be helpful information for current service members, veterans, and their families.
Cost: Free
Kenny Armwood Stadium at Piscataway High School, 100 Behmer Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Keansburg 7th Annual Food Truck Festival
May 17 at 2 PM
Bring the whole family to Keansburg’s 7th Annual Food Truck Festival. Your kids will enjoy face painting, a bounce house, and more. This event will also feature No Limit Entertainment from 2 PM to 5 PM and the Aftermath from 5 PM to 7 PM.
Cost: Free
1 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Woodbridge Street Fair & Craft Show
May 17 at 11 AM
Bring your family to enjoy a variety of artists, crafters, vendors, food, rides, and live music. Kids will love the rides, games, and more, all specially designed for them.
Cost: Free
Downtown Woodbridge, NJ Main St and Amboy Ave Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Captain Kidd Pirate Day
May 17 at 11 AM
Ahoy, mates—kids can dress in their pirate best for the Annual Captain Kidd Pirate Day parade and a treasure hunt at 20th Avenue. Kids can walk in the parade, receive a treasure chest, and enter a raffle and costume contest.
Cost: Free
Parade, 26th, and the Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Pitman Spring Craft Show
May 17 at 9 AM
This is one craft show you won’t want to miss with the family. Over 250 vendors, local businesses, food trucks, and non-profits will be on display. Free parking and a shuttle are available. The rain date is May 19.
Cost: Free
Uptown Pitman, Pitman, NJ 08071
16th Annual Fairy and Pirate Festival
May 17 at 10 AM
Do you have a pirate or a fairy in your family? Come in your best costume and enjoy a day of food, live performances, vendors, pony rides, inflatables, and more.
Cost: Free
Turkey Brook Park, 30 Flanders Rd, Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Asbury Park Vegan Food Fest
May 17-18 at 11 AM
It’s a two-day celebration featuring vegan and plant-based meals from local chefs, vegan products, plant-based fashion, and live music. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: $15-$30
Bradley Park – 101-199 5th Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Mayfest
May 17-18 at 10 AM
Head to Historic Smithville for Mayfest, which features an international food court, crafters, and live music. There will also be plenty of activities for the kids, including face painting and carousel rides, as well as complimentary shuttles from the parking lot.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, NJ 08060
Renaissance Faire NJ
May 17-18
Take a step back into the 16th century, and kids can explore Nipper’s Nook with fun activities, including piñatas, water balloon games, building magic wands, and the new gaming cart of wonder.
Cost: $25 and up. $10 for Child Flex Day Pass (Ages 5 to 12).
1195 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505
Kenilworth Street Fair
May 18 at 10 AM
Spring is here in New Jersey, and what better way to enjoy the season than at a street fair that includes 100+ exhibitors, delicious food, a classic car show, live music, and a kids zone for the little ones to have a blast.
Cost: Free
525 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ 07033
Walk4Friends 2025
May 18 at 12 PM
Walk4Friends is a fun-filled family event that brings together the entire community for a fantastic cause. Show your support for The Friendship Circle by walking together to create awareness, solidarity, and support for children with special needs, teen volunteers, and their families. The event features a PMX Show, rides, moon bounces, Art Center, Open-Air Market, and food for sale.
Vonage Campus, 23 Main Street, Holmdel, NJ
Cost: registration is free and online, walk-up fee $10, $36 per family
Muscular Dystrophy Association Yoga Charity Event and Market
May 18 at 8 AM
Bring the family to this powerful event and participate in 108 sun salutations to honor those affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. After, head to the market, which will feature specialty vendors. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association to support critical research, medical care, and advocacy for those living with these neuromuscular diseases.
Cost: Registration fee
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
Coastal Defense Day
May 18 at 11 AM
Come out and see volunteers from the Army Ground Forces Association in World War Two uniforms bring guns and more from May 1943 to life. You will also get to see restored 1920s to 1940s electric and telephone systems, learn about Fort Hancock Army medical support, track ships, participate in loading and aiming guns, and see a WWII-era working machine shop.
Cost: Free
Battery John Gunnison/New Fremont Peck, Atlantic Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732
Annual Ocean Fun Days
May 18 at 11 AM
Learn all about the environment at this fun and educational event. There will be lots of hands-on experiences to enjoy, including a youth scavenger hunt, searching for natural treasures on a guided tour, or taking in the dozens of exhibits and children’s activities.
Cost: Free
Education Program At The Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732
Flower Power & Garden Festival
May 18 at 8 AM
Come ready to groove at this fun flower power festival. There will be flower child threads, cosmic eats, far-out photo ops, vendors, groovy music, and so much more. The rain date is June 1.
Cost: Free
New Egypt Flea Market Village, 933 Monmouth County Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
Kids Day On The Farm
May 18 at 10 AM and 1 PM
In celebration of children, this day will feature face painting, games, a bounce house, character appearances, and a visit with the animals. Kids can also choose from cotton candy, popcorn, and a snow cone.
Cost: $35 per child
Three Miracles Farm, 265 Jacobstown New Egypt Road, Wrightstown, NJ 08562
ONGOING EVENT
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School, Eatontown
Every Thursday at 10 AM
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School, Eatontown, is back! Join every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 AM for fun and socializing. Children and caregivers love the padded play area and heated pool. Homeschooler groups are welcome. The pool is open from 10 to 11 AM, and a lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child, and parents/caregivers are free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
