COURTESY OF HISTORIC SMITHVILLE, RENAISSANCE FAIRE

It’s finally that time of year—while there may still be some cold days, the sun is finally poking its head out which means outdoor adventures and a month’s worth of (free) activities! 

Saturday, April 2
Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival
Where:
Branch Brook Park, Newark
Deets: Spend the day outdoors with your crew among the beautiful blooms. Here you’ll find over 2,700 Japanese cherry trees just waiting to burst into hues of pink and white bloom. (If that’s not a perfect Instagram backdrop, we don’t know what is!) The festival runs from April 2-10.

Saturday, April 2

Wheaton Springs 2022
Where: WheatonArts, Millville
Deets: Check out the arts and culture of East Asia like paper making, ceramic wheel throwing, glassblowing and more. There’ll also be narrated music, dances, demos, art and more.

Wednesday, April 6

Ice Age Late Night
Where: A virtual event with Rutgers Geology Museum, New Brunswick
Deets: Learn about mastodons, saber-tooth cats and the many other creatures that roamed this planet during the Ice Age.

Saturday – Sunday, April 9 -10

Renaissance Faire
Where: Historic Smithville, Galloway
Deets: Travel back in time—a little farther than Marty McFly—and visit merry Olde England. Bring the whole fam for sword fighting, songs, knights, jesters and more. Historic Smithville staples include a carousel, train, paddle boats and an arcade.

See the best bike paths to try as a family.

Sunday, April 10

Red Bank Street Fair and Craft Show
Where: Downtown, Red Bank
Deets: Hit downtown Red Bank for free admission to artists, crafters and vendors but stick around for the rides, games, live band, martial arts and delicious food.

Saturday, April 16

River Cleanup
Where: Sperry Park, Cranford
Deets:
Help with the townwide river cleanup.

1st Annual Dog Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Pier Village, Long Branch
Deets:
Presented by Doggie Sweets Cafe, join for the Doggie Sweets First Annual Dog Easter Egg Hunt on the Melrose Terrace Beach in Pier Village. Separate hunt areas for small and medium/large dogs.

Thursdays April 21 & April 28

Outdoor Story Time
Where: Warren County Library, Hackettstown
Deets: Tots can join Miss Lindsay for storytime and a themed craft. Registration required.

Go on a free dino hike at Allaire State Park!

Saturday, April 23

Annual Kites at the Pier Festival
Where: 
Pier Village, Long Branch
Deets:
The 6th Annual Pier Village Annual Kite Festival will feature kite flyers from all areas of the eastern seaboard flying their most incredible creation from inflatable flying creatures to giant sea and land kites to traditional kites visible for miles and miles.

Earth Day Cleanup
Where: Hunterdon County Parks, Flemington
Deets: Participants will meet a Parks employee at their assigned location and get a brief safety overview before setting out along the trails. Some locations may allow for participants to wade into the water up to their knees if desired, so bring appropriate closed-toed footwear.  All sessions will run concurrently, so please select a session based on location.

Saturdays April 2, 9, 16 & 23

Back to Nature
Where: Trailside Nature & Science Center, Mountainside
Deets: Adults and kids ages 4 & up can learn about a variety of topics including trees in this fun Saturday series.

Saturday, April 30

Rutgers Day
Where: College Ave., New Brunswick
Deets: Head to the home of the Scarlet Knights for free performances, exhibits, kid-friendly activities and demos that’ll give you a peek into the school and its community.

Read More:
The Best Free Things to Do in NJ