Party Packages offer
• Up to 16 kids ($10/kid after 16) and 1 party helper
• All parties are on Saturdays between 10 AM - 4 PM
• 1½ Hours (45 min. theme activitiy & 45 min. in party room)
• Activity, Room, Tables and Chairs
• Tablecloths (color choice, white paper goods)
• 2 slices of pizza/child, juice box or water bottle & cupcake
• $20/additional plain pizza pie
• Room Rentals Starting at $550
Get your kids school ready and start motivating them for a successful start. Here are some helpful tips to get them mentally and physically prepared. Get kids involved in this process! Plan together. Do together.
1. Create a dedicated learning area
2. Establish a daily & weekly calendar
3. Implement a reward system
4. Organize their clothes drawers
5. Buy a new back pack
6. Make healthy breakfasts and snacks
7. Start a reading hour
8. Talk to them about excitement and fears
9. Go over house rules
10. Sign up for fall sports & programs
NJ KIDS is here to connect you to new resources and to help with fall planning. We’ve found new resources, fall festivals, U-PICK farms, enrichment classes as well as special needs programs and resources.
We’ve also updated our Free Fun pages online. Combine these ideas with other nearby attractions to create a full day or weekend getaway (which could be included in the rewards system above)
Please say “NJ KIDS connected you” when calling our advertisers. Thank you for picking up this little book and please share this valuable resource with your friends.
The NJ Kids Team
NJ Kids On The Go! is published by NJ Kids Media Group, Inc. PO Box 542, Roseland, NJ 07068. We assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions, nor do we recommend programs, nor do we warrant the accuracy or reliatbility of any of the information contained in this book. Nothing herein contained may be reproduced in any manner without written permission of NJ Kids Media Group, Inc. Copyright 2024
There’s plenty of sunny days left to enjoy these free outdoors activities. Explore as many as you can, and check our website under free stuff for more great finds. You don’t always haveto spend money to have fun with the family. Enjoy some simple quality time together. Check the websites as events may be subject to weather conditions.
Cape May Free Movies on the Beach Thursdays 8:30PM, with kid’s activities at 8PM. Through August 29.
Hoboken 2024 Movies under the Stars Wednesday 8:30PM (8/14 & 8/21), Hoboken HS.
Jersey City Movies in the Park Wednesdays through Sept 4, 8:30pm @ Maddy Rose Park
Long Branch 2024 Summer Movies
Pier Village Chelsea Ave Beach, Wednesdays 7:30PM through August 28.
Boardwalk Movie Nights Tuesdays at the Carousel Bar, Long Branch, 8/13 & 8/27
Montclair Film 2024 Summer Series August 24 at Essex County Brookdale Park
Point Pleasant Movies on the Beach Tuesdays, 8:30PM through August 27
Ridgewood Movies in the Park Van Neste Square, 8/7 & 8/14, 8:15pm
Seaside Heights Movies on the Beach Fremont Avenue Beach. Sundays 8:30pm through August 18
Sea Isle City - Movies Under the Stars Wednesday 8:30PM at Excursion Park through August 28
Union County Flix Movie Series Tuesdays 7:30pm at Warinanco Park through August 20
Wildwoods Free Movies in the Plaza Tuesdays 7:45pm, Byrne Plaza, Through Aug 20
Check out the summer concert series in the parks. You’ll find one in each county. Many go until end of August. See our listings online.
Ride the NY Waterway Ferry, a great NYC family experience. Kids under 12 ride the Ferry FREE all Summer. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top deck and feel the river breeze as you cruise to Manhattan. nywaterway.com/ kidsfree
Explore history, art, and culture. Many museums offer free days, tours, and activities. Here are a few listed here:
• Rutgers Geology Museum
• Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers
• Heritage Glass Museum
• NJ Maritime Museum
• NJ State Museum
• Montclair Art Museum - first Thurs Night
Check our calendars for outdoor farmers markets and green markets. There’s a Fall Flower Festival and Craft Market Aug 31 - Sept 1 in Port Murray.
Historic Cold Spring Village is hosting a village sampler weekend Aug 31 - Sep 1
Historic Allaire Village, part of NJ’s industrial era features 13 original buildings and a living history museum. Plus take in the natural beauty of Allaire State Park with its 200 species of wildlife and hiking and multipurpose trails.
Waterloo Village Historical Site is open-air museum situated within Allamuchy Mountain State Park.Take in the sights and sounds of the 19th-century canal town, and an authentic village that was transformed into a living history tourist attraction. Witness working blacksmiths, potters, candle dippers, and weavers.
Howell Living History Farm in Mercer County offers (for a small fee per person) opportunities to meet farm animals, do chores and help prep the farm for the new season. Learn about the farm community, animal life cycles and the care of animals, and the important jobs animals and children have on the farm.
Absecon Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in NJ, standing at 171 feet high, with 228 steps to climb. At the the top is a spectacular view of the
Atlantic City skyline. Free on some days. 8/21 11am-3pm is Wacky Wednesday, Free. 8/28 Sailor’s Sunset Fiddle Concert, free! Bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers. Atlantic City.
Cape May Lighthouse: Climb 199 steps to the top to see scenic views of the Jersey Cape and Delaware Bay. Visitors Orientation Center and Museum Shop with kids activities Wednesdays 9am-2pm in August. Free admission to the grounds only. Cape May.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. Free admission. Open daily until late October. N. Wildwood
Twin Lights Lighthouse. The Museum and grounds self tour Admission is FREE; small fee to climb during the summer. Highlands.
Sea Girt Lighthouse: FREE tours conducted on Sundays, April through November. Sea Girt.
Check out the Labor Day Weekend festivities on the Jersey Boardwalks. Wildwood Boardwalk Craft Show Aug 31-Sept 1.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk free Labor Day fireworks display on Sept 2
Ocean City Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow Sept 15, 1pm.
New Jersey offers more than 400 publicly accessible lakes, ponds and reservoirs. These waters offer a great diversity of fishing opportunities, from abundant populations of panfish to trophysized game fish. There are also miles of public streams and rivers. Check the NJ state website for a list by county.
Still plenty of weeks of beautiful weather for the beach. Wildwood beaches are 100% free. Enjoy 5 miles of beautiful white sandy beaches. Usually after Labor Day, all NJ beaches are free.
Wharton State Forest is the largest single tract of land within the NJ State Park System. You’ll find rivers and streams for canoeing, hiking trails (including a major section of the Batona Trail), miles of unpaved roads for mountain biking and horseback riding and numerous lakes, ponds and fields ideal for wildlife observation. The Batsto Lake Trail is one of many magnificent trails in Wharton State Forest, an easy 4.2-mile loop around the lake. Bonus: Visit the historic Batsto Village. Check out our website for our guide to the great outdoors for other amazing finds.
Liberty State Park is a huge green space for picnics, reacreational sports and views of NYC.
Rutgers Gardens is a 180 acre botanic garden of Rutgers University and has a diverse array of 7 gardens, natural habitats, plants, flowers, and farmland.
NJ Botanical Gardens have free Sunday guided garden tours to see what’s blooming. Through October 27, 2pm-3:30pm.
Cape May County Park and Zoo is open daily. See over 250 animal species plus you will find a playground, fishing pond, tree aerial obstacle course, hiking trails, and lots of places to enjoy a picnic lunch. Jersey Shore Alpacas is nearby, another small farm focused on agritourism. Feed the Alpacas (but must schedule an appointment).
End of Summer is the best time to get rid of old stuff. Gather unwanted clothes, toys, furniture and other clutter. Then set up tables and put up signs inviting the neighborhood. This cost nothing but a week of uncluttering, and possibly money making. What a great way to get rid of junk!
Kick off Fall 2024 with some exciting events the whole family can enjoy. The air is cooler and the Autumn leaves are starting to change colors. Fall into fun with your pick of harvest festivals, art fairs, music festivals and local street fairs.
Riverdale’s Annual Labor Day Street Fair
Mon, Sept 2nd, 10AM-5PM. Tasty food and treats, live music and entertainment. Special “Kidz Traveling Shindig” section for kids with kiddie rides, slides, face painters, games, and more! 91 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ, jcpromotions.info
2024 Beach Plum Festival
Sun, Sept 8th, 9AM-4PM. Family fun festival for all. Plum ice cream, jelly, food, music, children’s games, arts & craft vendors, and environmental exhibits. Island Beach State Park, Rt. 35 South, Seaside Park, friendsofibsp.org
Mercer County Dragon Boat Festival
Sat, Sept 14th, AM. Come watch & cheer on East Coast teams taking part in dragon boat racing in a beautiful natural setting. Mercer County Pk, W. Windsor, gwndragonboat.com
Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
Sat, Sept 14th, Noon-10PM. FREE. Music fans! The Hot Sardines, U.S. Navy Jazz Band The Commodores, LaBamba’s Rock ’n R&B Big Band, Louis Prima Jr, & The Witnesses, Joanne Shaw Taylor. Downtown Morristown
Ocean City Airport Festival
Sat, Sept 14th, 10AM-3PM. FREE Admission. See displays of World War II planes, classic
planes, warbirds, air demonstrations. Ocean City Municipal Airport, oceancityvacation.com
Parachute Pyrotechnic Show
Sat, Sept 14th, 8PM-10PM. Team Fastrax demonstrators jumping from an aircraft. Pyrotechnics ignited and flown in formation in he sky. Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City. oceancityvacation.com
Sea Isle Fall Family Festival
Sat, Sept 14th, 9AM-4PM. FREE to the public. Browse the Seaside Vendor Craft Market along the ocean promenade. Festival Food Court, Live music, amusement rides, and family activities. JFK Blvd. & Promenade, Sea Isle City.
Downbeach Seafood Festival
Sat & Sun, Sept 14th & 15th. Food vendors, kids activities, sand sculpting, live entertainment, and demos. Entrance fee for ages 13+. Free admission for kids 12 & under. Ski Beach @ Dorset & Burk Aves, Ventnor, NJ, downbeachseafoodfest.com
Arts & Cars Summit Arts Festival
Sept 15, 10am-4pm. Join Visual Arts Center NJ, Summit Downtown, and Peotter’s Auto Body & Spa for a day of great food, live music,
activities for the whole family, and, of course, fine art and classic cars! Summit.
Great Pumpkin Festival 2024 Sept 14th-Nov 3rd. Largest Fall Festival in Northern NJ. Admission includes hayrides, corn maze, pig races, farm animals, giant straw pyramid, and more! Online tickets. 51 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ, heavenhillfarm.com
Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow Sun, Sept 15th, 1PM-2:30PM. Stunt pilots and military demonstrations over the ocean. Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City oceancityvacation.com
Bridgewater Family Fun Day Sun, Sept 15th, 11AM-3PM. FREE. Hosted by the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC at the Bridgewater Commons Mall. Kids touch a variety of trucks (Construction, Delivery trucks, Batmobile). Inflatables, kids crafts, face painting, live music, food trucks and more! 400 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ, ssbjcc.org
All About Downtown Street Fair Jersey City Sat, Sept 21st, 12PM-8PM. FREE. Food vendors, artists, jewelry, crafts, live entertainment and tons of fun kids activities. Jersey City, NJ,
Festival of the Sea at Point Pleasant Sat, Sept 21st, 10AM-7PM. Celebrate seafood with crab cakes, shrimp skewers, chowders, lobsters, and other seafood items! Plus family activities, music stage, 200+ crafters and vendors. Downtown Arnold & Bay Avenues, Point Pleasant, pointpleasantbeachchamber.com
Latino Festival of Monmouth County Sat, Sept 21st, 12PM-7PM. FREE Admission. Experience Latino arts and culture with authentic Latin food, music, dance, and games. 1 East Main St, Freehold, NJ, lfomc.com
FestiFall Westfield Sun, Sept 22nd, 10AM-5PM. FREE family festival with tasty foods, live entertainment, KidZone with inflatables, crafters, and vendors. Downtown Westfield, NJ
Sea Isle Antique Auto Show & Parade
Edison Fun Family Spectacular Sat, Sept 28th, 1PM-9PM. FREE. Edison Fall Family Spectacular featuring kids zone, petting zoo, face painting, and pro wrestling exhibition. Live music, food courts and vendors. 8 Harvest Showcase. nature games and crafts, hands on activities, music, food, and more! 621 Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, essexcountyparks.org
Visit U-Pick farms for apple picking and pumpkin picking. Make your way out of a corn maze. Bring home Jersey fresh produce - fruits and vegetables, apple cider, donuts, pies, and more! Please check with venue for admission fees, dates and weather changes. You may have to buy tickets in advance.
Johnson’s Corner Farm
Early Sept-Oct, daily. Fall Harvest 2024. So much to do at this fun family farm attraction in Burlington County. Enjoy apple picking, gourd picking, pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn maze, live music, gem mining, barnyard animals, food tents. 133 Church Rd, Medford. johnsonsfarm.com
Oasis Family Farm
End of Sept-Oct. Your agritainment” destination for outdoor Fall Family Fun. Enjoy kid-friendly pumpkin patch, Kids FunZone play area, Fall Fest, nature trails, and more! oasisfamilyfarm.com
Secor Farms
Mid Sept-End of Oct. Pumpkin picking in the pumpkin patch, find your way out of a hay maze, or go for a wagon hayride. Take photos with face cut outs. Explore the farms market for tasty treats! 85 Airmont Ave, Mahwah. secorfarms.com
Snyder’s Farm - Fall Festival
Oct 2024, Weekends Only, 11AM-6PM. Celebrate Fall with U-pick pumpkins, U-pick flowers, hay rides, corn maze, big slide, hay bale activities, backhoe diggers, photo ops, food! 586 South Middlebush Rd, Somerset
Wightman Farms - Fall Festival
Sept, Sat & Sun. Ultimate Autumn fun for the whole family! Hayrides, apple picking (pay for what you pick). 1111 Mt. Kemble Ave, Morristown. wightmanfarms.com
Alstede Farms
Starting late summer, pick your own apples, pumpkins, tomatoes! Fun family farm activities, wagon tours, corn mazes, entertainment, and more! 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester.
Conklin Farms
Opening Sept 21st. Regular hayrides and haunted hayrides (ages 10+) offered on Sat & Sun. U-Pick pumpkins of all sizes, corn maze, snacks, and barn store. No entry or parking fee. 65 River Rd, Montville, conklinupick.com
Fairfield Farms
Opening 3rd week of Sept. Fall family friendly activities include hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn maze, rope maze, pumpkin slingshot, and farm animals. 177 Big Piece Rd, Fairfield. fairfieldfarms.net
Heaven Hill Farm - Great Pumpkin Festival
Sept 14th-Nov 3rd. Largest Fall Festival in Northern New Jersey. Admission includes many activities: hayrides to the pumpkin patch, Alien Invasion themed corn maze, pig races, farm animals, giant straw pyramid, and more! 451 State Rte 94, Vernon, NJ, heavenhillfarm. com
Ort Farms - Fall Festival
End of August, first week of Sept. Apple picking season starts. Usher in the Fall Festival season in Morris County with hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn maze, farm animals, pony rides, and more! 25 Bartley Rd, Long Valley.
Riamede Farm
Opening Aug 1st. An olde time apple orchard. Pick your own apples. Check for varieties and ripe schedule. Dwarf trees are the perfect height for little kids to pick apples. Head to the pumpkin patch to find your perfect pumpkin.122 Oakdale Rd, Chester.
Stony Hill Farms - Fall Fun
Early Sept-Nov. U-pick apples and pumpkins available. The Maze Fun Park attractions include a giant corn maze, pumpkin patch, hay rides, trike rides, gemstone mining, games, and yummy treats! 15 North Rd, Chester. stonyhillfarms.com
Terhune Farms - Family Fun Fall Weekends
Sept-Oct, Sat & Sun. Celebrate the Apple Harvest and the Fall season with favorite farm activities - cornstalk maze, music, discovery barn, painting pumpkins, shows, and nature trails. Pick-Your-Own Apples and Pumpkins! 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton. Apple Orchards are located at 13 Van Kirk Rd, Princeton,
terhuneorchards.com
Von Thun’s Farms - Fall Festival Weekends Starting Sept 14th-Oct 27th, weekends only. Kick-off to Fall with fresh air and outdoor fun. Pick-your-own apples & pumpkins, hayrides, large corn maze, over 20+ farm activities & attractions. Browse through farmers market for fresh goodies. 2 farm locations in South Brunswick & Washington, vonthunfarms.com
Johnson’s Corner Farm
Fall Harvest 2024 starts early Sept-Oct, daily. Fun family farm attraction in Burlington County where you can enjoy apple, gourd, and pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn maze, live music, gem mining, barnyard animals, food tents! 133 Church Rd, Medford, johnsonsfarm.com
Battleview Orchards
This family owned and operated farm harvests locally grown fruits and invites the public to “Pick Your Own”. 15 varieties of apples late summer through Oct. Pumpkin picking and hayrides in Sept. Upick strawberries in Spring, peaches, cherries and nectarines in Summer. 91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, battlevieworchards.com
Coomb’s Barnyard
Pumpkin picking, corn maze, and farm fun! 20 Route 77 Elmer, NJ, coombsbarnyard.com
• Flashlight Corn Maze (not scary): Fri & Sat nights, late Sept-Oct
• Barnyard Bash - Pumpkin Picking & Corn Maze, select dates in Oct, 1PM-4PM
•Tractor Parade with Santa & Friends – 10AM Sat Nov 30th
Duffield’s Farm Market
Starting Sept, enjoy apple picking, pumpkin picking, fresh baked goods and more! Fall activities and family-friendly hayrides. Enjoy apple treats, apple cider, and apple donuts. Open year round, closed Sundays. 280 Chapel Heights Rd, Sewell in Gloucester County, duffieldsfarm.com
Eastmont Orchards
Early Sept-late Oct. Many varieties of apples for picking. The orchard is open on weekdays and weekends, weather permitting. Peach picking available in July and August. 181 County Rd 537 East, Colts Neck, eastmontorchards.com
Hill Creek Farms
Opening mid-Sept, U-Pick apples. Plus fresh baked goods, apple cider donuts, and more! Children’s playground, children’s activities and gem mining.1631 State Hwy 45, Mullica Hill, hillcreekfarms.com
Mood’s Farm Market
Starting Sept, apple picking, pumpkin picking, hayrides. 901 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, NJ, moodsfarmmarket.com
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm
The Fall season starts Sept 7th. Buy tickets in advance. Enjoy the Apple Orchard, Sunflower Photos, Pumpkin Picking & Corn Maze. Scenic Hayrides tours also offered. In the Spring & Summer, UPick peaches, tomatoes, and blackberries. 2691 Monmouth Rd, Jobstown, NJ, johnsonslocusthallfarm.com
R and J Farm
Opening Sept. Get lost in the corn maze as you wind your way around the trails. Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick your
perfect pumpkin. Other Activities include: jumping pad, pumpkin stand, holiday décor, and Christmas trees. 723 W. Herschel St. Galloway Twp, in Atlantic County, randjfarm.com
Specca Farms
U-Pick produce is available seasonally. From Aug to Oct, UPick vegetables - broccoli, cabbage, kale, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and more! In the Spring, UPick strawberries and greens. 870 Jacksonville Mt Holly Rd, Bordentown, NJ, speccafarms.com
Strawberry Hill Farm
Open to the public from mid-July to Nov. UPick apples starts late August. U-pick peaches during summer months. No reservations needed. 3 Waln Road Chesterfield, strawberryhillfarm.org
Stiles Farm and Nursery
Small family friendly U Pick fruit farm offering pick your own apples, pears, raspberries, peaches, blackberries, and blueberries. Check online for picking schedule for each week. 172 S Delsea Dr, Cape May Court House, facebook.com/stilesupickblueberries
Terhune Farm
Apples picking starts Labor Day Weekend in Sept. Also enjoy pumpkin picking, cider, pies, farmers market, and more at this 250-acre fruit and vegetable farm. Many activities for kids of all ages and Fall Family Fun Weekends. 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com
Special Olympics New Jersey provides yearround sports training and athletic competition to thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, completely free of charge. Athletes can participate in 24 Olympic-type sports, receive free health screenings, and participate in leadership opportunities. sonj.org
MarbleJam Kids is enrolling for fall programs and workshops. MarbleJam Kids is a NJ DDD and NJ DCF Authorized Provider promoting creativity in the community. MarbleJam provides programs for children, teens and adults with autism, ADHD, developmental disabilities and other special needs. Hackensack.
Special Dragons offers karate program for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, exclusively teaching special needs students for over 12 years. Union, Bellevue, Jersey City, Paterson and Phillipsburg.
Good Talking People offers year round programs and services for social thinking, executive functioning, speech language therapy and evaluations. office@goodtalkingpeople. com. goodtalkingpeople.com. Teaneck and Ho-Ho-Kus.
Seaton Hackney Stables offerTherapeutic Riding Programs for riders of all abilities and they have all types of horses to accommodate riders’ needs. Their program offers individuals of all abilities to participate in mounted and unmounted therapeutic lessons. melissaseatonhackneysn@gmail.com, seatonh@verizon.net. Morristown.
Bergen Pediatric Therapy Center, with nearly 6,000 sq ft, has physical therapy specialists who strive to provide children with an innovative multidisciplinary approach to Pediatric Therapy. Services include: OT in a sensory gym, PT, Speech, social skills groups, aquatic therapy in a heated salt water pool, intensive listening
therapy and more. bergenpediatrictherapy.com. Westwood.
St. Joseph’s School for the Blind Early Intervention Enrichment Program is designed for children birth to age 3, who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities and their families. mmalapoestreko@ schoolfortheblind.org. schoolfortheblind.org. Jersey City.
TeamCare is New Jersey’s #1 preferred agency serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 2015. They offer self-directed respite care. info@teamcarenj. com. teamcarenj.com.
Alpine Learning Group offers a range of services for individuals with autism including comprehensive diagnostic assessments, inhome ABA programming, educational programs and more. alpinelearninggroup.org. Paramus.
True Abilities offers Occupational Therapy in your home, school or daycare. trueabilities1@gmail.com. trueabilities.com.
The Center for Contemporary Arts Special Needs Program offers art classes and a multisensory stimulation and hands-on art program. ccabedminster.org. Bedminster NJ
Deadline to advertise in Special Needs 2024/2025 campaign: September 15, 2024
the Digital Campaigns (Fall Enrichment, Parties, Special Needs, Field Trips, Open Houses, Halloween, Holiday Camps)
Deadlines: 10th of each month advertise@njkidsonline.com
After school sessions available.
Is your child struggling in any of the areas below?
Developmental Delay: Not reaching developmental milestones of sitting, crawling, and walking. Not learning at an age appropriate level. Not developing age appropriate play and social skills.
Movement, Strength, & Balance
Development (Gross Motor Skills): Going up and down stairs at an age appropriate time. Poor ball skills. Poor balance.
Eating & Feeding Difficulties/Oral
Motor/Sensory: Child appears to be excessively picky when eating, only eating certain types or textures of food. Child excessively mouths toys or objects beyond an age-appropriate time.
Fine Motor Schools: Holding a pencil or using scissors. Using silverware or straws at an age-appropriate time. Using zippers, buttons, shoelaces. Coloring, drawing, tracing, prewriting shapes. Poor handwriting, letter/number formation.
Visual Processing: Difficulty with the spacing and sizes of letters, with copying shapes or letters, with finding objects among other objects, with copying from the board or another paper, with the concept of right and left.
Sensory Processing: Overly sensitive or heightened reactivity to sound, touch, or movement. Constantly moving, jumping, crashing, bumping. Easily distracted by visual or auditory stimuli. Difficulty coping with change.
