Hit the fields to pick a perfect pumpkin at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm. Photo by Elizabeth Mae Photography/courtesy of the farm
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Beautiful blooms are just the start of the fun at Holland Ridge Farms Fall Flower Festival. Photo by Patrick Marini/courtesy of the farm
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More than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows are on display in downtown Cranford during the annual Scarecrow Stroll. Photo by Barbara Paciello/courtesy of Downtown Cranford
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Blackwood Pumpkin Festival
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Take a stroll past more than 6,000 hand-carved Jack-O-Lanterns at the Jack O’ Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium. Photo courtesy of the event
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With more than 18 miles of trails to explore, Duke Farms is a beautiful backdrop for a fall day trip. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Head to Johnson's Locust Hill Farm for apple picking and tons of fall-themed fun. Photo by Lisa Warden
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Party with the animals this month at Cape May's Boo at the Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Cape May County Zoo
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Outhouse orchards corn maze
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Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Romp with the triceratops and other dinos at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Leonia. Photo by Janet Bloom
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Admission to the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton is completely free. Photo by Lisa Warden
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The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Rainforest Cafe
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Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
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Make a splash at a Jersey Shore waterpark, like Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers. Photo by Kip Dawkins
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Attractions at Morganville's Play Big Zone include arcades games and a 2,000-square-foot obstacle course.
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The Battkeship New Jersey is an amazing hands on experience for families. Photo by Lisa Warden
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At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
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Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
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Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
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The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
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Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
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At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
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Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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Hike 1.6 miles to reach the dramatic beauty of South Mountain Reservation's Hemlock Falls. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
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Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
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The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
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Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
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Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
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Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
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Kick off the spooky season at Halloween House Freehold, where the focus is on fun, not fear. Photo courtesy of Halloween House Freehold
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20 Best Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids September 2025, From Mommy Poppins Editors

The Warren County Hot Air Festival takes flight in late September. Photo courtesy of the event
The Warren County Hot Air Festival takes flight in late September. Photo courtesy of the event
8/29/25 - By Laurie Rein

Labor Day kicks off September activities, launching New Jersey's season of apple picking, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.

Fall is in the air this September with the arrival of seasonal, family-friendly local fairs like Hudson West Music Festival 2025. Pumpkins and flowers are in bloom with the scenic Holland Ridge Farms Fall Flower Festival and the almost two-month-long Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm. And get a sneak preview of Halloween at Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest and Kids Boo Fest.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

More Things To Do in New Jersey this September with Kids:

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There's plenty of hands-on fun at Bridgewater Community Day, including a touch-a-truck festival. Photo courtesy of the event
There's plenty of hands-on fun at Bridgewater Community Day, including a touch-a-truck festival. Photo courtesy of the event

Best Things To Do in New Jersey This September

St. Demetrios Greek Festival

Union
Thursday, September 4-Sunday, September 7, 2025
Enjoy the foods, sights, and sounds of Greece at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church’s 48th annual Greek Festival. Indulge in homemade, authentic Greek food while enjoying the sounds of Greece with live music and authentic folk dancing—plus rides and games for the kids. READ MORE

Fall Family Fun Festival Weekends at Terhune Orchards

Princeton
Saturdays and Sundays, from Saturday, September 6-Sunday, November 2, 2025
Celebrate the season at Terhune Orchards with a day full of family farm fun. Each weekend offers more than 30 festive activities, including pony rides, pedal and play tractors, children’s games, corn stalk and hay bale mazes, barnyard animals, and barnyard sports like basketball toss, pumpkin bowling, and baseball throw.  READ MORE

Elmwood Park's Community Day Festival

Elmwood Park–FREE
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Market Street is transformed into a giant block party, with quality exhibitors, a special arts and crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides and games, great festival foods, food trucks, and so much more.  READ MORE

Holland Ridge Farms Fall Flower Festival

Cream Ridge
Friday, September 12-Monday, October 13, 2025
Prepare for a day filled with activities that ignite your passion for all things floral. Admire millions of rainbow blooms, including sunflowers, gladiolus, dahlias, calla lilies, and mums. Plus, enjoy up to 30 delicious food options and over 100 artisan vendors. READ MORE

Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest and Kids Boo Fest

Jackson
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and select weekdays, Friday, September 12-Sunday, November 2, 2025
Thrills and chills await at Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest, featuring a roster of terrifying haunted mazes, sinister scare zones, exhilarating live shows, and specialty food and drink. Young visitors can get in the spirit at Boo Fest. READ MORE

Oktoberfest at Morey’s Piers

Wildwood
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Friday, September 12-Sunday, October 12, 2025
This fall, Oktoberfest takes over Morey’s Piers for five consecutive weekends of German-themed revelry. Families can enjoy live entertainment, a kids' activity area, and much more. READ MORE

The Downbeach Seafood Festival

Ventnor
Saturday, September 13-Sunday, September 14, 2025
Spanning two days, this annual festival features delicious food, children's activities, live music, competitions, chef demonstrations, and more. READ MORE

Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm

Vernon
Select days, Saturday, September 13-Sunday, November 2, 2025
The largest fall festival in northern New Jersey features 35+ themed activities, including farm animals, a spider web crawl, a stunt dog show, the Alice in Wonderland-themed corn maze, an obstacle course, pig races, and more. READ MORE

Hudson West Music Festival 2025

Jersey City–FREE
Saturday, September 13, 2025
The much-loved Hudson West Music Festival returns in 2025 with expanded offerings, featuring 10 musical performers and three music-based workshops. An outdoor street fair includes local artisans, dancing, children's activities, and music by The American Family Jamboree. READ MORE

Highland Park Arts in the Park Street Fair

Highland Park–FREE
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Join Main Street Highland Park for the 19th annual Arts in the Park street fair and arts festival. Enjoy artistic offerings, live music, and other entertainment, plus food from local restaurants and producers, children's activities, promotional booths, and more.  READ MORE

Bridgewater Community Day Featuring Touch-a-Truck

Bridgewater–FREE
Sunday, September 14, 2025
This touch-a-truck event is free, open to the entire community, and includes music, crafts, inflatables, and more.  READ MORE

Wind & Sea Festival at Bayshore Waterfront Park

Port Monmouth–FREE
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Head over to Bayshore Waterfront Park for a celebration of all things water. Visitors can enjoy a variety of coastal activities, including kayaking, fishing, kite flying, crafts and more. READ MORE

All About Downtown Street Fair

Jersey City–FREE
Saturday, September 20, 2025
The annual All About Downtown Street Fair returns to Jersey City for its 13th year with more than 100 vendors and more than 10 food and mobile fashion trucks. This event features a day full of fun for the entire family. READ MORE

Warren County Hot Air Balloon Festival

Washington
Saturday, September 20-Sunday, September 21, 2025
Head over to Warren Community College for two days of family fun at this hot air balloon festival. Gates open at 1pm each day with vendors, food trucks, and family entertainment.  READ MORE

Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival

Ridgefield Park
Friday, September 26-Sunday, September 28, 2025
Enjoy some family fun at the annual Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, featuring a craft fair, carnival rides, a farmers market, animals, live music, food trucks and much more.  READ MORE

Italian Festival at Historic Smithville

Galloway–FREE
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Come join the excitement at this Italian Festival, featuring an Italian market with a spectacular variety of wares and food. The day is filled with live Italian music on three stages, bocce ball, folk dancing, kids’ activities, and more. READ MORE

Diggerfest Fall Festival

West Berlin
Saturdays and Sundays, Saturday, September 27-Sunday, November 16, 2025
Full-day admission to this annual seasonal celebration grants you access to all of the rides and attractions at Diggerland USA, plus additional fall festival and Halloween fun. READ MORE

DiDonato's Trick-or-Treat Train

Hammonton
Saturdays and Sundays, Saturday, September 27-Sunday, October 26, 2025
This outdoor Halloween train takes you on a ride through goblin-friendly Halloween Town. Tricks and treats include a hay maze, a new inflatable obstacle course, a pumpkin patch, a giant racing slide, photo-ops with a witch, and more.  READ MORE

Asbury Park Fall Bazaar 2025

Asbury Park–FREE
Saturday, September 27-Sunday, September 28, 2025
Asbury Park Fall Bazaar features local vendors, kids’ activities, fall photo walls, music, workshops, delicious food, libations, an Oktoberfest celebration and entertainment. The event is family-friendly, pet-friendly, and free. READ MORE

Harvest Home Festival at Historic Longstreet Farm

Holmdel–FREE
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Harvest Home Festival is an old-fashioned country fair reminiscent of the 1890s. It takes visitors back in time to when neighbors gathered to help with the harvest, spent time socializing, and enjoyed each other's company.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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