As the weather warms up and spring is in full swing, May is the perfect time to get outside and explore everything New Jersey has to offer—without spending a dime. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, community events, or simple family fun, there are plenty of free or low cost activities across the Garden State to enjoy together.

Elmwood Park Street Fair & Family Festival
Get ready for a fun-filled day at this lively community street fair hosted by the Borough of Elmwood Park! Market Street transforms into a vibrant block party featuring something for everyone. Enjoy browsing a wide variety of vendors, including unique shopping finds and a special arts & crafts section. There will also be live entertainment, a kid-friendly zone, and plenty of delicious festival food and food trucks to enjoy. It’s the perfect outing for families looking to spend the day together outdoors.
Details: Saturday, May 2 from 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, rain or shine. Location: Elmwood Park (Market Street & Recreation Field).

Kite Day at Terhune Orchards
Celebrate the beauty of spring at Kite Day at Terhune Orchards, a fun-filled festival perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Guests can explore the farm during one of its most vibrant seasons while enjoying wide open spaces ideal for flying kites and taking in the fresh air.
Details: This event will take place on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, offering a full day of seasonal fun and a great way to experience spring on the farm.

Ceramic Artists Weekend & Demonstrations
This highly anticipated event brings together 12 ceramic artists from the mid-Atlantic and New England regions, each an expert in their craft, featuring live demonstrations, functional and sculptural pottery, and work available for purchase directly from the makers. Featured artists include Sam Briegel, Brian Chen, Hiroe Hanazono, Kristen Kieffer, Lisa Naples, Lindsay Oesterritter, Terry Plasket, Taylor Sijan, along with festival founders Dallas Wooten, Eric Rempe, and Ben Carter. Keynote presentation by Chris Staley.
Details: Saturay-Sunday, May 2-3rd (Keynote at 4:30 PM) at Princeton Day School. Weekend event with live demos and artist showcases.

Read & Pick – Asparagus Season Farm Experience
Enjoy a hands-on, educational farm experience designed especially for young children! The Read & Pick program combines interactive storytime with a real-life lesson on how vegetables grow. Kids will learn all about asparagus—one of the first spring crops—through engaging books, followed by a guided picking experience. Each child will harvest their own small container of fresh asparagus while learning directly from farm staff. It’s a fun and memorable way to connect learning with the outdoors.
Details: Tuesdays at 9:30 AM & 11:00 AM (each session lasts approximately 1 hour). Cost is $12 per child and includes a container of asparagus. Online pre-purchase of tickets is required.

Wildwoods Spring Fling Festival
Celebrate the arrival of spring at the lively Wildwoods Spring Fling Festival in downtown Wildwood! Hosted at Byrne Plaza, this free, family-friendly event brings the community together for a full day of entertainment, food, and fun. Enjoy live music performances, browse unique craft vendors, sample delicious food, and relax in the festive beer garden atmosphere. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting the shore, it’s a great way to enjoy the season and experience the energy of Wildwood.
Details: Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 11:00 AM–7:00 PM. Location: Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood, NJ. Free admission. For more information visit gwcoc.org or call 609-729-4000.

Sea Con at Donovan’s Reef
Get involved with all things comics, collectibles, and creativity at Sea Con! This family-friendly event brings together comic books, trading cards, toys, and handmade crafts in one exciting beachfront setting. Guests can meet talented artists, writers, and costume groups while exploring unique vendors and pop culture treasures. It’s a great way to enjoy a fun, relaxed day by the shore with something for fans of all ages.
Details: Saturday, May 9 from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. Location: Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright, New Jersey.

Asbury Park Spring Bazaar
Celebrate spring at the Asbury Park Spring Bazaar inside the Grand Arcade of Asbury Park Convention Hall. Enjoy curated shopping, live music, food, and fun interactive experiences for all ages.
Details: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 12:00 PM–5:00 PM. Location: Asbury Park Convention Hall.

Casino Pier Mother’s Day Celebration
Honor Mother’s Day with a special seaside treat at Casino Pier! This fun-filled boardwalk event honors moms with a day of rides, laughter, and unforgettable memories by the ocean. Families can enjoy classic boardwalk attractions while Mom takes part in the celebration with free ride access (with a paid accompanying child). It’s the perfect way to spend quality time together enjoying thrills, sunshine, and the beautiful Seaside Heights boardwalk.
Details: Sunday, May 10 from 12:00–6:00 PM. Location: Casino Pier. Moms ride free with a paid child (excludes select attractions: Go-Karts, Skyscraper, Sky Ride & SkyCoaster).

Lake Hopatcong Block Party
Join the Lake Hopatcong community at this lively community block party! This family-friendly event brings together local businesses, nonprofit organizations, community groups, crafters, and food vendors for a full day of fun and connection. Guests can enjoy activities, raffles, giveaways, a children’s scavenger hunt, and much more while experiencing everything the Lake Hopatcong community has to offer. It’s a great way to spend the day outdoors with something for all ages to enjoy.
Details: Saturday, May 16 at Lake Hopatcong Park. Event runs all day.

Used & Rare Book Fair at Honey Hollow Nature Center
Honey Hollow Nature Center will host its inaugural Used and Rare Book Fair on its scenic 55-acre campus, rain or shine. This free event is open to the public and perfect for book lovers of all kinds.
Details: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM. Location: Honey Hollow Nature Center. Free admission.

Twilight Hike & Star Gazing at Mercer Meadows
Join Mercer Meadows for a twilight hike and star gazing experience during the Lyrid meteor shower, just before its peak. Learn about crepuscular animals as you wait for ideal viewing conditions, then watch the night sky for celestial sights and shooting stars.
Details: Saturday, May 16 from 7:30 PM–10:30 PM. Free family program hosted by the Mercer County Park Commission. Registration required. Location: Mercer Meadows.

Discovery Den Celebration at the New Jersey State Museum
Celebrate the grand reopening of the redesigned Discovery Den play space at the New Jersey State Museum! This interactive, family-friendly event invites children to explore, create, and discover all things New Jersey through hands-on activities both indoors and outdoors. Kids can enjoy an obstacle course and giant blue blocks on the museum lawn, then head inside to experience the new interactive mural, fossils, puzzles, books, and the Active Floor. Additional activities include arts & crafts inspired by NJ history, leaf and bark rubbings, a bug jar station, and more—plus a free giveaway while supplies last.
Details: Saturday, May 16 from 9:30 AM–4:00 PM. Location: New Jersey State Museum. Outdoor activities (10:00 AM–12:00 PM) include obstacle course and block play; indoor Discovery Den activities available throughout the day.

Farm to Fleece at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
It’s time for a haircut—sheep style! Head to Fosterfields Living Historical Farm for a fun and educational day as farmers shear sheep the old-fashioned way. Visitors can learn how raw wool is transformed into useful materials through demonstrations of spinning, felting, and dyeing. This hands-on experience offers a unique look at traditional farming life and the journey from farm to fleece.
Details: Saturday, May 16 from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM. Location: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm.

Ocean Fun Days (23rd Annual)
Join the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and New Jersey Natural Gas for the 23rd annual Ocean Fun Days! FREE admission, FREE activities, and FREE parking. This popular two-day event features hands-on ocean and environmental activities for the whole family.
Details: Saturday, May 16th at Island Beach State Park and May 17, 2026 at Gateway National Recreation Area – Sandy Hook. Both days run 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, rain or shine.

Gazebo Park Summer Concert Series
Join us for the first concert of the season! Free to attend—bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a relaxing evening of live music in the park.
Details: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 6:30–8:30 PM. Location: Gazebo Park. Hosted by the Maple Shade Recreation Department. Rain date: May 21, 2026, 6:30 PM.

Hello Summer Free Concert – Cape May Beach
Kick off summer at this free outdoor concert by the beach in Cape May! Enjoy live music in a relaxed coastal setting as the sun sets and the evening comes alive with great vibes and community energy.
Details: Thursday, May 21, 2026, 8:00 PM. Location: Cape May Beach. Free admission.

Pop-Up Nature Center at Mercer County Park Marina
Explore the outdoors at the Pop-Up Nature Center hosted at Mercer County Park Marina! This free, family-friendly event invites visitors of all ages to stop by the marina’s back patio and discover a variety of engaging nature topics. It’s a casual, hands-on learning experience designed to connect the community with local wildlife, ecology, and the natural world right in Mercer County Park.
Details: Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 2:00–4:00 PM. Location: Mercer County Park Marina. Free for all ages. No registration required.

Ducky Derby at Allaire Village
Get ready for a quacking good time at the annual Ducky Derby! Watch as rubber ducks race down the millpond in this fun-filled event the whole family will love. Enjoy races every half hour, plus games, a scavenger hunt, and more activities throughout the day. You can even sponsor your own racing duck for a chance to join in the excitement!
Details: Saturday, May 30 from 11:00 AM–4:00 PM. Location: Allaire Village. Races every 30 minutes. Two days of fun. Registration required to sponsor a duck. Contact (732) 919-3500 or info@allairevillage.org for more information.

Wednesday Wonder Walk at Roebling Park
Enjoy a relaxing and social midweek stroll along the scenic trails of Roebling Park. This easy, interactive walk invites participants to explore nature at a comfortable pace—sharing observations, asking questions, and appreciating the small details that spark curiosity along the way. Each outing offers something new to discover, making every walk a little different from the last.
Details: On the final Wednesday of each month, stick around after the walk to enjoy seasonal beverages and light refreshments at the Tulpehaking Nature Center. This program is free and open to all, with no registration required. Meet at the Watson House parking lot near the Tulpehaking Nature Center by 10 AM. Light rain will not cancel the walk, but any cancellations will be posted by 9 AM on the organization’s website and Facebook page.

A Walk for a Lifetime
Join Spectrum360 for A Walk for a Lifetime, a family-friendly community event supporting individuals with autism and related challenges. Participants of all ages are invited to come together for a meaningful morning of walking, connection, and celebration, all while helping raise funds for Spectrum360’s specialized education and adult programs across northern New Jersey.
Details: This event will take place on May 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, offering a great opportunity to give back, build community, and make a lasting impact.

Take advantage of the longer days and fresh spring air by making time for simple, meaningful experiences with family and friends. New Jersey offers so many ways to enjoy the season without stretching your budget. So get outside, explore something new, and make the most of May—because sometimes the best memories don’t cost a thing.

Read more at NJ Kids