Free Kids Events in New Jersey This Weekend

October 24–25, 2026 · 16 free events

This weekend's free kids' events in New Jersey include library programs, creative workshops, and seasonal activities across several neighborhoods. Picks span Jersey City, Westfield, Livingston, Mahwah, and Summit, with options for toddlers through teens. Each event is free and open to families, though some require registration or have age limits as noted.

Top Picks

1Top Pick
Halloween Candy Guessing ContestFREE

Halloween Candy Guessing Contest

Jersey City Free Public Library · Jersey City

Stop by Pavonia Branch Library during library hours and guess how many candy corns are in the jar to win a prize! For ages 4-18. We will select 2 winners: 1 for ages 4-11 & 1 for ages 12-18. For mo

Ages 4–18

A simple drop-in contest at the Jersey City Free Public Library where kids guess the number of candy corns in a jar. Two winners are selected by age group, making it a quick and easy activity during library hours.

2Top Pick
Book Buddies -- A Program Pairing Teens and Kids Ages 4-8FREE

Book Buddies -- A Program Pairing Teens and Kids Ages 4-8

Westfield Memorial Library · Westfield

Book Buddies is a fun program that brings together high school students with children ages 4-8 for a monthly reading time. Whether the high schooler reads to their buddy or listens as their little bud

Ages 4–8

This program pairs teens with children ages 4–8 for a monthly reading session at the Westfield Memorial Library. It provides a structured opportunity for younger kids to practice reading with an older buddy.

3Top Pick
Story Time with Mr. Will and Miss. OFREE

Story Time with Mr. Will and Miss. O

Jersey City Free Public Library · Jersey City

Join Mr. Will and Miss O for Storytelling, music and fun. This fall session is perfect for toddlers ages 0 –5 years old. Every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30 AM *Please note: music & video will be

Up to age 5Weekly

Toddlers ages 0–5 can enjoy storytelling, music, and fun with Mr. Will and Miss O at the Jersey City Free Public Library. The Saturday session repeats weekly, offering a consistent option for young children.

4Top Pick
Paper ArchitectsFREE

Paper Architects

Jersey City Free Public Library · Jersey City

We will be exploring paper as a medium to learn about architecture, through drawing, building, making, playing and using our own imaginations! This program is suitable for children aged 7 to 11 years

Ages 7–11

Children ages 7–11 explore architecture through drawing, building, and making with paper at the Jersey City Free Public Library. The hands-on format encourages creativity and problem-solving.

5Top Pick
Nichos for the Day of the DeadFREE

Nichos for the Day of the Dead

Jersey City Free Public Library · Jersey City

Join us for this Day of the Dead tradition of creating a "nichos," a personal shrine for departed loved ones. Participants will use a range of materials to create a mixed media shadow box, then reflec

Ages 6–11

Kids ages 6–11 can create a mixed-media shadow box shrine for Day of the Dead at the Jersey City Free Public Library. The workshop combines crafting with a reflection on cultural traditions.

6Top Pick
Halloween Costume Exchange for kidsFREE

Halloween Costume Exchange for kids

Westfield Memorial Library · Westfield

Got any kids' Halloween costumes you don't want anymore? Drop them off at the library! Need a costume? Browse the donations and choose your favorite! Donation is not necessary to choose a costume. P

All agesWeekly

Families can drop off unwanted kids' Halloween costumes or browse donations to choose a free costume at the Westfield Memorial Library. No donation is required to take a costume.

7Top Pick
Sensory Inclusive StorytimestorytimeFREE

Sensory Inclusive Storytime

Livingston Public Library · Livingston

For ages 5 and up An inclusive, interactive, engaging & fun program with stories, sign language, music, movement & crafts in a neurodiversity affirming setting for children of all abilities and their

Ages 5+

This inclusive storytime at the Livingston Public Library offers stories, sign language, music, movement, and crafts in a neurodiversity-affirming setting for children ages 5 and up. It is designed for children of all abilities and their families.

8Top Pick
Saturday Jiggly WigglystorytimeFREE

Saturday Jiggly Wiggly

Mahwah Public Library · Mahwah

Join us for Saturday Jiggly Wiggly - all ages up to five years old will move, sing, dance, and have fun! PLEASE READ As a main list registrant, arriving within ten minutes of the event start time will

Up to age 5

Kids up to age 5 can move, sing, and dance at the Mahwah Public Library's Saturday Jiggly Wiggly. The active session is geared toward young children and their caregivers.

9Top Pick
Halloween Costume Exchange for kidsFREE

Halloween Costume Exchange for kids

Westfield Memorial Library · Westfield

Got any kids' Halloween costumes you don't want anymore? Drop them off at the library! Need a costume? Browse the donations and choose your favorite! Donation is not necessary to choose a costume. P

All agesWeekly

A Sunday session of the Westfield Memorial Library's costume exchange lets families donate or pick up kids' Halloween costumes at no cost. Donation is optional, making it accessible for those who just need a costume.

10Top Pick
Free Arts & Crafts with KelseyartFREE

Free Arts & Crafts with Kelsey

Riverview Farmers Market · Jersey City

@ Join us for Free Arts & Crafts with Kelsey, our resident Artist Educator. She joins us every 2nd and 4th Sunday for free arts & crafts projects, while supplies last! Projects change each week and ar

Free arts and crafts with resident Artist Educator Kelsey at the Riverview Farmers Market in Jersey City. Projects change each week and are available while supplies last, offering a casual creative activity.

Saturday, October 24 (5)

Paws to ReadFREE

Paws to Read

Westfield Memorial Library · Westfield

Our friendly library dogs love to be read to by youngsters who need practice reading aloud to loving, non-judgmental ears. Sign up for a 15-minute slot and enjoy reading to these fuzzy ears! Date: Sa

Ages 4–8
Paws to ReadFREE

Paws to Read

Westfield Memorial Library · Westfield

Our friendly library dogs love to be read to by youngsters who need practice reading aloud to loving, non-judgmental ears. Sign up for a 15-minute slot and enjoy reading to these fuzzy ears! Date: Sa

Ages 4–8
Paws to ReadFREE

Paws to Read

Westfield Memorial Library · Westfield

Our friendly library dogs love to be read to by youngsters who need practice reading aloud to loving, non-judgmental ears. Sign up for a 15-minute slot and enjoy reading to these fuzzy ears! Date: Sa

Ages 4–8
You Can Do It All Story TimeFREE

You Can Do It All Story Time

Jersey City Free Public Library · Jersey City

The JCFPL Community Awareness Series presents an interactive story time - "You Can Do It All" written by co-authors Dupre "Do It All" Kelly and Khairi Williams. "You Can Do It All" is an inspiring bo

Up to age 5
Hindustani Classical Music Concert with Rupali VenugopalFREE

Hindustani Classical Music Concert with Rupali Venugopal

Westfield Memorial Library · Westfield

Join us for an afternoon of Hindustani classical music. Vocalist Rupali Venugopal (Founder of Swar Leela Music Center) will delight us with the sounds of Northern Indian music. Enjoy century-old Raaga

Sunday, October 25 (1)

Chinese Corner: Calligraphy WorkshopFREE

Chinese Corner: Calligraphy Workshop

Summit Free Public Library · Summit

Sundays @ 3:30-4:30 PM Join us for an in-person Chinese Calligraphy Workshop for people who are interested in traditional Chinese calligraphy to meet. The Chinese Calligraphy Workshop is open to all

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