Leading the way this month are St. Patrick’s Day parades where you can show your Irish pride. Or, take the kids to a free sports expo or flower fest. If you’re up for a drive, Peddler’s Village in PA will be filled with marshmallow PEEPS!
March 3
Heart of One Holistic Expo
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Treat yourself to a weekend of healing, upliftment and transformation. More than 140 vendors will offer crystals, Reiki, aura photography, meditation, organic skincare, natural herbs, soaps, candles, visionary artwork, essential oils, psychic readings, angelic inspirations, sound healing, higher learning, henna tattoos, oracle cards, inspirational authors, mindset coaching and jewelry. Admission on Friday night is free.
March 4
Central Jersey Kids Expo
Monroe Sports Center, Monroe
There will be lots of fun, games and more from exciting vendors for kids and parents.
A Visit From the Horse Doctor
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Shots, worming medicine, dental exams and hoof trimming are in store for Howell Farm’s six workhorses when the veterinarian and dentist come for their spring visit. Join them in the barns where they will make sure horses, sheep, chickens and farm cat Bushy are ready for spring. You’ll have a chance to listen to a horse’s heart through a stethoscope, watch an equine dentist at work, and learn about old and new veterinary instruments and techniques. The farrier will be shoeing, and the blacksmith will be working in the forge.
March 5
Veterans Model Train Show
Community Center, Manalapan Twp.
Aside from checking out all the really cool model train displays, you can also meet NY Giant Stephen Baker the Touchdown Maker who will show off his radio control planes and virtual reality equipment.
March 11
Workhorse Rides
Howell Living History Farm
In bygone days, it wasn’t uncommon for a farm boy or girl to hitch a ride on the back of a big draft horse while it was being driven back to the barn after a day working in the fields. During this program, kids 5-12 will learn the differences between draft, saddle and carriage horses when they climb aboard a fully harnessed workhorse for a ride down the lane. They will also help farmers with barn chores like bedding stalls, filling water troughs and making feed.
Mad Hatter Tea Party
Moorestown Mall, Moorestown
If you or your kids love “Alice in Wonderland,” this themed party will include two magic shows, a meet-and-greet with Alice and the Queen of Hearts, music, sing-alongs, face painting, crafts and giveaways.
Holi Festival
Veterans Park, North Brunswick
Dress in all white so that when you are doused with colored powder you look like a rainbow! This traditional Indian celebration welcomes in the spring after a long winter. There will also be music and performances.
March 11 and 14
Pi Day & Einstein’s Birthday Celebration
Downtown Princeton and Princeton Shopping Center, Princeton
Albert Einstein was born on March 14 (3.14), the numeric equivalent of Pi! Celebrate with a preteen Einstein look-a-like contest, a pi recitation contest, expert memorization, rides on the Dinky with Einstein, a presentation by children’s book author Dan Gutman of “Einstein Was a Dope?”, an Albert Einstein lecture, Pi-Rade story time and book signings, a self-guided tour of Einstein’s neighborhood and pie sampling.
March 12
Lines on the Pines
Stockton University Campus Center, Galloway
Meet over 80 talented Pine Barrens “celebrities” who will be on hand to sign their books, display their artwork or craft, play their music and share their love of the Pine Barrens. The “Lines on the Pines for KIDS” areas will have special hands-on displays, crafts and activities available for young ones, where they can earn the Pines Horses Badge.
March 13 – April 23
PEEPS in the Village
Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA
The colorful display dedicated to everyone’s favorite marshmallow Easter candy includes over 90 creations of wall art, dioramas and sculpture, featuring the popular Pennsylvania-made bunnies and chicks. The displays are handmade and contributed by Philly-area residents and organizations.
March 14
Albert Einstein Memorial Lecture
Robertson Hall of Princeton University, Princeton
Learn about one of the best-known residents of Princeton and commemorate his contributions to science and scholarship. March 14 is Einstein’s birthday, plus it’s Pi Day (3.14)!
March 18
Mad Hatter Tea Party
Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill
Meet the Mad Hatter, Alice, the Queen of Hearts, Mary Poppins and Spiderman while partying with live music, sing-alongs, dancing, stilt walkers, face painters, jugglers and a strolling magician. Enjoy trivia games, party games, a coloring station and a bunny craft. There will be a mini petting zoo, sample pretzel treats, a macaroni necklace-making craft station, a Mad Hatter-themed cookie decorating class (there is a fee for this) and photos with the Easter Bunny.
Sawmilling and Tree Planting
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Logger-sawyer Scott Stevens makes his annual stop to check on the barn beams, siding and floorboards for horse stalls. During the day you can help roll logs to the mill with logging tools, cut firewood for the kitchen stove, make pegs for use in barn framing and plant replacement trees in the farm’s woodlot. Helpers will receive a free tubeling from the NJ Tree Foundation to take home and plant.
Accordion Melodies of the 1800s
Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit to Historic Longstreet Farm, where you can explore the park grounds as well. Make sure you pop by one of the cookstove demonstrations to discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s.
March 18 and 19
FIRST Mid-Atlantic Robotics District Event
Robbinsville High School, Robbinsville
Robbinsville’s Robotics Team, Nemesis 2590, will hold the second competition of the year, but the first ever at its home school. Watch as dozens of high school robotics teams from the area compete.
March 19
Color Run
Wicoff House Museum, Plainsboro
Wear your whitest T-shirt and prepare to get doused with colored powder! As you and your kids run or walk through the 1-mile course you’ll be covered in color! After, you can all fly kites, take part in a scavenger hunt and make crafts to welcome the spring.
March 23
Thomas Edison Film Festival
James Stewart Film Theater, Princeton
The seven jury-selected short films feature narrative, animation and documentary genres and include works from filmmakers from the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, Canada, Spain and Germany.
March 25
Makers Day: Chain Reaction Challenge
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
Learn about chain reactions and build a simple machine to drop a bottle into a box, pop a balloon, or ring a bell by building your own Rube Goldberg style chain reaction machine.
Lambing
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
The hope for today is that a baby lamb will be born! Lambing season lasts for several weeks, so come learn about where the sheep spend much of the winter. On this day, you will see new lambs, meet expectant ewes, and learn all about the farm’s flock of period Romney-Suffolk sheep.
March 25 – April 2
Daffodil Days Festival
Historic Village of Allentown, Allentown
March 25 to April 2
More than 5,000 daffodils will be planted by volunteers all across town. A parade on March 25 kicks off a full slate of more than 30 activities (many free) and boutique shop specials. Meet King Alfred Daffodil and his court amongst the blooms of Sensi Park with free activities for children. Join in the Welcome Spring Gala for an elegant evening in the Olde Mill set to the music of the McAllister Trio. You can meet the Easter Bunny and witness chocolate making, too.
March 29
BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) Matinee
The Clairidge, Montclair
Crying babies and nursing mothers are more than welcome to attend this movie matinee where there is no judgement, just movies. Lights will be dimmed (not turned off) and you are free to move about. It’s a chance to bond with other parents while caring for your young kids. The movie title is released about a week in advance.
Read More:
50 Things to Do Indoors in NJ
The Best Fairs and Festivals in NJ in March