Updated for 2018!
At Mommy University, we love visiting farms especially farms in NJ! A family or school trip to the farm offers so many amazing developmental benefits as well as fun and exciting adventures. This spring and summer, farms all across New Jersey are offering exciting brain boosting events for all ages. From story time to festivals to live music, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We have compiled a list of some of our favorite NJ farm events that not only encourage family fun and adventure, but also boost language, creativity, academic skills and much more! This list is organized in alphabetical order making it easier for you to find your favorite farm or learn about one you have always wanted to visit.
Brain Boosting Events at NJ Farms
Abmas Farm
Open year round, Abmas Farm in Wycoff, NJ is a must-do day trip for families. From a petting zoo to pony rides to educational farm tours, there is something for everyone to enjoy. There are also fun workshops and camps you won’t want to miss!
Plant a Flower Day: March 17 11am-3pm
Chicks and Bunnies: March 24, 30 and 31Begins at 9:30am
Spring Break Camp: April 9-13 9am-3pm Ages 5-10
Children’s Spring Book Club: March 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27
Alstede Farms
Located in beautiful Chester, NJ, Alstede Farms offers year round farm fun for the entire family. Besides feeding farm animals, climbing the hay pyramid and eating amazing homemade ice cream, there are exciting family friendly events that you won’t want to miss!
Easter and Springtime Family Fun: March 24 – April 811am-4pm
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny: March 24-25 and 30-31
Weekend Farm Fun: Every weekend beginning April 29
Free Ice Cream Day: April 30 10am-6pm
Free Ice Cream for Mom: May 13 All Day
Mother’s Day Brunch: May 13
Weekday Farm Fun: Every day beginning Memorial Day 12pm-4pm
Strawberry Harvest Festival: Every weekend in June
Free Ice Cream for Dads: June 17 All Day
Peach Harvest Festival: August 5, 12 and 19
Corn Maze Opens: TBA
Donaldson Farms
Nestled in Warren County, Donaldson Farms offers some of my favorite family experiences. Farm goers of all ages flock to this farm especially during the summer when they offer weekly nighttime fun including homemade meals, live music and fun games!
Little Learning Farmers Program: To be announced
Strawberry Festival Weekends: Weekends in June
Summer Nights on the Farm: Every Friday in the summer beginning in late June
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
Take a trip to Morris Township, NJ to Fosterfields Living Historical Farm for your chance to see what farm life was like during the early 20th Century. It is a fun family experience that helps kids understand the history of NJ and farming. There are also a number of unique and interesting events families will enjoy! Opening Day is April 3.
Luck ‘O the Farm: April 14 11am-4pm
Meet the Irish Servant and the Cook: April 28 1pm-3pm
Explore the Farm Wagon Rides: May 5 10:15am-12pm
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm offers opportunities for kids to learn about daily work on a farm!
Heaven Hill Farm
Located in Sussex County, NJ is the gorgeous Heaven Hill Farm. They are known for their fall festivities, but their spring and summer events are equally as exciting. Families can enjoy fun festivals and other action packed farm events.
Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Contest: March 31
Vernon Earth Fest: April 29
Taste of Vernon: April 30 6pm-9pm
Howell Living History Farm
Step back in time and explore over 250 years of farming practice and life at Howell Living History Farm located in Mercer County. Guests of all ages can enjoy hands-on experiences, explore the farm and enjoy fun events.
Sawmilling: March 24
Henhouse Visiting and Egg Collecting: March 31
Lambing: April 7
Beekeeping: April 14
Plowing and Harrowing: April 21
Barn Swallow Celebration: April 22
Potato Planting: April 28
Sheep Shearing: May 5
Family Bird Excursion: May 6
Corn Planting: May 19
Haying and Hayrides: May 26
Hog Slopping and Weighing: June 2
Old Time Baseball: June 9
Milking and Butter Making: June 16
Beetles in the Spotlight: June 22
Wheat Harvest: June 23
Ice Cream Party: June 30
Summer Barnyard Dance: July 6
Evening Hayrides: July 7, 14 and 21 5pm-8pm
Meet the Butterflies: July 22
100th Mercer County 4-H Fair: July 28-30
Honey Harvest: August 4
Tomato Day: August 11
Potato Harvest: August 18
Fiddlin’ on the Farm: August 25
Johnson’s Corner Farm
Located in Medford, Johnson’s Corner Farm offers hours of farm fun for the entire family. With pick-your-own adventures and hayrides along with Discovery Barnyard and various festivals, you will want to visit this amazing farm all spring and summer!
Easter Egg Hunt Hayrides: March 22-29
Welcome Back Weekend: April 7-8
Apple Blossom Festival and Classic Car Show: April 21
Family Fun Night Cruise Night: Every Friday May 4 – August 31 5pm-9pm
Strawberry Festival Weekend: May 25-27, June 1-3
Oasis Family Farm
If you are looking for a fun farm experience in South Jersey then Oasis Family Farm is for you! Housed in Robbinsville, this farm offers a wide variety of family friendly festivals everyone will love!
Egg Hunts on the Farm: March 24-25 and 30-31, April 7-8
Strawberry Festival: May 20-21 10:30am-4pm
Monster Truck Day: June 3 10:30am-4pm
Pirates Adventure: July 7-8
Terhune Orchards
With endless amounts for farm fun, Terhune Orchards in Princeton, NJ is the perfect family day trip destination this spring and summer. From story time to festivals to summer camp, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this amazing NJ farm!
Read and Pick Program: This unique program combines story time with farm activities for kids preschool age through 8 years old. Sessions are 1 hour and cost only $7/child. The program takes place on Tuesdays beginning May 8 and each week has a different theme.
The Adventure Barn at Terhune Orchard is fun exhibit that teaches kids what happens in on a farm year-round!
Kite Day: May 5-6 10am-5pm
Firefly Festival: June 24 4pm-9pm
Blueberry Bash: July 7-8 10am-5pm
Farm Summer Camp: July 10-21
Just Peachy Festival: August 4-5 10am-5pm
VonThun Farms
Located in Monmouth Junction, VonThun Farms offers events and activities the entire family will love. Their new location in Washington, NJ also offers fun farm adventures for all ages.
Strawberry Festival: TBA
Know of more farm events near you? Put them in the comments below and we will add them to this post! Keep checking back as we will be adding new events and farms frequently.