© iStockphoto.com/RuslanDashinsky
Summer is just around the corner, and that’s worth celebrating! Throughout the Garden State, activities are springing up, perfect for your fave preschoolers. Learn about local wildlife at a firefly hunt, celebrate America at the Flag Day Country Music Festival and sport your favorite princess and superhero costumes at a summer workshop.
Don’t forget to check out local fairs and festivals, free things to do and STEM events going on this month, either.
Saturday, June 2
Where: City Green Farm Eco-Center, Clifton
Price: Free admission
Deets: This annual festival is so sweet, it’s good enough to eat. Enjoy kids games, face painting and craft vendors, plus learn about healthy living.
Where: Bordentown Historical Society Museum, Bordentown
Price: Free admission
Deets: Learn from Burlington County Parks Naturalist Kate Szoatak at her lecture on nocturnal wildlife, perfect for your budding naturalist.
Saturday-Sunday, June 2-3
Where: Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, Elmer
Price: $10/kids for Kids Camp, $15/adults, free/kids under 13
Deets: If your preschooler wants a taste of independence, drop her off for visual arts, theatre and music workshops, sports activities and games. In the meantime, explore the festival for innovative arts exhibits. Tickets required.
Where: Liberty Lake, Bordentown
Price: $20/adults, $12/ages 5-12
Deets: Catch the tail end of this iconic New Jersey festival. Your preschooler will see sword fighting, fire breathing, aerialists, comedy and music behind the magical castle gates, (not to mention epic food…)
Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10
Where: 20 Hillcrest Rd, Holmdel
Price: Varies
Deets: If you've got an adventurous eater, try fresh pita or some baklava on for size at this cultural celebration. The eats pair perfectly with the authentic music and vibrant decor.
Friday, June 8
Where: Kings Cooking Studio, Short Hills
Price: $60/pair
Deets: Take your tot on a brunch date where you’ll make pancakes, french toast, turkey apple sausage and fruit salad sticks, plus hear stories as you eat. For ages 3-7 with an adult. Registration required.
Where: Echo Hill Playground, Flemington
Price: $3
Deets: It doesn’t get more summer than catching fireflies. Capture lightning bugs and learn why they glow. Registration required.
Saturday, June 9
Where: Fort Lee Public Library, Fort Lee
Price: Free admission
Deets: Crawl out of your shell and head to the library to interact with turtles from around the world. Turtle specialist Steve Woyce will teach your hatchlings about where turtles live, eat and hibernate.
Monday-Friday, June 11-15
Where: The Willow School, Gladstone
Price: $300/preschooler
Deets: Get your younger crew movin’ and groovin’ this summer, with a weekly class based on music, theater and creative crafts. Registration required.
Friday, June 15
Flag Day Country Music Festival
Where: Somerset County Historic Courthouse, Somerville
Price: Free admission
Deets: Celebrate flag day with a scavenger hunt, multiple children’s activities, military and rescue vehicles on display and historic reenactments. Bring food donations and toiletries for Operation Jersey Cares to deliver to the troops.
Monday-Friday, June 18-22
Where: My Little Party Place, Berkeley Heights
Price: Varies
Deets: Let your child be the hero of his own story, as he makes his own comics, fairy tale books, castles and piggy banks. Some characters might even stop by to visit throughout the week. Registration required.
Thursday, June 21
Where: Just Bead Yourself, Westfield
Price: $25
Deets: You and your little royals are cordially invited to Sofia the First’s coronation. Make your own Sofia the First amulet and adorn a princess tiara, both included with ticket.
Saturday-Sunday, June 23-24
Where: Wild West City, Stanhope
Price: Varies
Deets: Mosey on down to Western Dress Up Day, where you’ll recieve $5 off family admission when you dress up as your fave cowboy or cowgirl. See one of 22 different live-action shows or exhibits.
Sunday, June 24
Red White and Blueberry Festival
Where: Old Forks Rd., Hammonton
Price: Free admission
Deets: Get in the Fourth of July spirit with live music, classic festival food and a car show in the Blueberry Capital of the World.
Wednesday, June 27
Where: Warren County Library, Hackettstown
Price: Free admission
Deets: You’ve heard of Zumba, now get ready for Zumbini—a zumba class specifically for little dancers. Hosted by licensed Zumbini instructor Amy Mayer.