The Monmouth Moms 2025 Summer Bucket List is presented by Coney Waffle!
In the 1940s, Angelina D’Esposito made a living selling ice cream on Coney Island, a booming amusement park on the southern tip of Brooklyn. D’Esposito tucked the ice cream into freshly made Coney Waffles, a handheld confection customers could enjoy while they walked.
Seven decades later, her grandson has brought this treat to the world. Coney Waffle opened in Belmar, NJ in 2016 followed by locations in Asbury Park, Long Branch, Red Bank and Brooklyn. Coney Waffle specializes in over the top desserts, coney waffles, cups, cones, milkshakes, brownie waffles, as well as original ice cream cakes, fudge, candy and other complimentary products.
Multiple Locations:
Toms River, Pier Village, Red Bank, Belmar, Asbury Park
2387 Rt 36 Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
10% off your entire order when you mention TMM Summer Bucket List
15 Morris Ave #115 Long Branch NJ 07740
10% off your purchase
608 River Rd, Belmar, NJ 07719, USA
$10 off before 11 am! Call to book early bird pricing 732-681-8359
170 Newman Springs Rd E #1518, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Cups & Cakes Bakery 122 E. River Road Rumson, NJ 07760
Buy one cookie or cup cake and get one free
595 River Rd, Fair Haven, NJ 07704
2153 NJ-35 #5, Sea Girt, NJ 08750
Complimentary Eyebrow tint & shaping
First time client Brow Lamination & tint special $99
520 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
1080 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright, NJ 07760
Middletown, NJ, United States, New Jersey
2153 NJ-35, Sea Girt, NJ 08750
$5 off when you book online and write Summer Bucket List in the notes
2399 NJ Route 36 Eastpointe Plaza Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
412 Bond St, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 | 732-361-8956
31 Monmouth Street Red Bank NJ 07701 | (732) 530-0313
Enjoy a girls day with a bestie—BYO friend and both receive a KEVIN.MURPHY Facial for your hair, blowout, and mini makeup for $300
Prom special—hair & makeup for $220
Birthday Special—Blowout and Mini makeup for yourself to celebrate your special day for $175
170 Monmouth St Red Bank, NJ 07701 | 732.945.0911
New Client Intro Offer – 3 Group Reformer Classes for $90
174 Patterson Ave, Suite 3, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702; 732-853-4991
10% off series starting in June or July using discount code TMMSummer
Looking for a fun and family-friendly summer activity right in the area? Come check out the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium — just a quick drive from Monmouth County! Start your day early with the family-friendly BULLevard, which opens hours before kickoff with games, music, and activities for kids. Then enjoy exciting theme nights like MARVEL Super Hero Night (6/28), our mascot RED’s Birthday Bash (8/10), and post-game Fireworks Night (8/16). With high-energy MLS soccer, great food, and an unbeatable game day atmosphere, it’s the perfect summer bucket list activity for the whole family. Tickets start at family-friendly prices!
808 Springwood Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Get 20% off classes and workshops with code TMM
First class free for kid’s after-school art classes
128 Broad St. Red Bank, NJ 07701
25 Morristown Rd Matawan NJ – 908.433.8485
10% off any order
1381 NJ-35 Suite 21, Middletown Township, NJ 07748
2 Free Weeks of Martial Arts Classes! (No sign up required)
310 Route 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
2 Free Weeks of Martial Arts Classes! (No sign up required)
1576 Route 35, Ocean, NJ
Mom and Me Cupcake Decorating Socials
$20 per duo $5 for each additional child.
(Typically $40 per session)
2103 State Route 35, Holmdel, NJ
$159 Hydrafacial with Dermaplane Introductory Rate Retails at $279
More Family Fun!
Head to Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is one of the premier family destination spots on the Jersey Shore. Located in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is conveniently located in close proximity to the greater New York City and Philadelphia areas. As one of the most family-friendly boardwalks in New Jersey for 95 years,
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk offers a wide range of fun and exciting activities for the whole family – including a mile-long beach, amusement park, aquarium, arcades, games, restaurants, mini golf, a night club, shops, and much more! Whether you’re visiting for the day, the weekend, or the entire summer…you’ll never run out of things to do!
Check out Jenkinson’s full list of Events, Specials and Promotions here!
Check out Jenkinson’s Weekly Fireworks!
Visit a Local Farmers + Makers Markets!
Get ready for some truly delightful family fun this summer by adding Monmouth County’s incredible farmers markets to your bucket list!
With an endless array of fresh produce, delicious treats, and unique local finds, there’s a market for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Head to the Beaches, Pools, and Splash Pads!
Monmouth County is full of beautiful beaches perfect for some family fun! Check out out our Guide to Local Beaches & Pools with the link below!
Head to a Local Fair or Festival
What’s more fun than a local fair?! We’re so excited to ride the rides, eat fried oreos, and play all the games! Here’s a bunch happening in our area this summer, click below!
See a Local Play
Check out Monmouth County theatres:
Follow our Summer Fun Guide to create your perfect Summer Bucket List!
Check TMM weekly calendar for all local events and happenings in the area!
Make Something Monday 🎨🖌️
Check out local library offerings for monthly take’n make crafts, special in-person programming, and STEM events! Check out our guide here!
- Arts & Crafts
- DIY Projects
- Build a Sandcastle!
- Tie-Dye T-Shirts
- Paint (Seashells, Rocks, Recyclable Materials!)
- Bake or Cook! Try a new recipe!
Thinking Tuesday 🧠 📚
- Museum Visit. Check out Monmouth Museum!
- Visit A Local Library, Check out their Summer Reading Challenges!
- Visit your Local Storytime
- Visit an Independent Bookstore
- Science Experiments
- Go on a Nature Hunt outside!
- Do a Puzzle
Water Day Wednesday 🌊🏖️🐚
- Go to the Beach
- Go Fishing
- Rent a canoe or kayak
- Visit a Splash Pad
- Go swimming
- Play outside with water balloons, sprinklers!
- Water Table Fun
Take a Trip Thursday 🎳🍿🎡
- Check your local library for free Day Trip Passes (Museums, Zoo, Science Centers, etc)
- Visit Jenkinson’s Aquarium!
- Visit Storybook Land!
- iPlay America
- Cape May Zoo
- Visit a Boardwalk
- Visit a Play Place!
- Visit an amusement park!
- Monmouth Racetrack
- Visit your local park for free fun offerings!
- Visit Bellworks!
- Go Bowling!
- Visit a Waterpark!
Fun Day Friday 🏕️🧩🏈
- Playdate with Friends
- Create an outdoor obstacle course!
- Lemonade Stand
- Outdoor Movie Night
- Board Games
- Practice a new sport!
- Send a postcard!
- Family Picnic
- Go on a Scavenger Hunt! Rockin the Trails or Pier Village Scavenger Hunt!
- Bubble Party
- Camp in the Backyard
Selfless Saturday 😊
- Do something nice for your parents or grandparents
- Help.a neighbor or friend
- Volunteer
- Clean up a local beach or park!
Spontaneous Sunday 🎢🍦
- Let the Kids decide what to do!
Visit a Monmouth County Park
We love our Monmouth County Park system, and with good reason! You could spend the entire summer visiting the parks, going fishing, hiking trails, and renting boats and canoes! Here’s a list of must-tries if you’re new to the area, or haven’t been yet!
Go for a Bike Ride
The Henry Hudson Trail or Sandy Hook are perfect for a long bike ride!
We got our bikes from the Trek store in Middletown. If that’s too far for you, check out Brielle Cyclery, Asbury Park Cyclery, Manasquan Bicycle Shop.
Check out Fun & Free Local Activities!
Looking for summer fun that won’t break the bank? Check out our latest guide below! Local Free Activities
Check out the Local Outdoor Activities Guide
Check out local canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, and more this summer in Monmouth County! Local Outdoor Activities Guide
Visit the Twin Lights Museum and Lighthouse
Twin Lights Museum and Lighthouse, located in Highlands, NJ, offers a view from the highest landmass on the Atlantic coast between Maine and South America. With not one, but two lighthouse towers to climb, connected by the museum and museum store, a weekend visit is sure to bring some family fun!
Summer Concerts in Monmouth County!
Abeerdeen Summer Concert Series: Concerts will be held every Tuesday night, from 7-9pm featuring a different band each week. :
- July 8: Screaming Broccoli
- July 15: 80’s Revolution
- July 22: Larger than Life, Food truck: Big John Gourmet Burgers
- July 29: Southern Steel
Downtown Freehold Summer Concert Series: At the Hall of Records on Thursday from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
- June 5: N&D Electric Duo
- June 12: Austin City Nights
- June 19: Rockit Fish
- June 26: Mission Dance
- July 3: The Eddie Testa Band
- July 10: Joe Baracata Band
- July 17: Black Dog
- July 24: Midnight Rock Show
- July 31: Eddie Money Tribute Band
- Aug. 7: Winslow
- Aug. 14: Van Halen Tribute Band
- Aug. 21: Turnstyles
Long Branch: West End Park 2025 Bands By The Beach · Sundays · West End Park · 7PM-8:30PM
- June 8: Philadelphia Funk Authority
- June 15: No Concert
- June 22: Vintage Vibe Tribe
- June 29: The Aguilar Family Band
- July 6: Pepperwine
- July 13: 9 South (On West End Beach)
- July 20: Chuck Lambert Band
- July 27: West End Dogs
- August 3: Jersey Dirt
- August 10: So Watt (On West End Beach)
- August 17: No Concert
- August 24: The Voodudes
Red Bank: Summer Series in The Park: 2025 dates coming soon!
Summer Concerts at Thompson Park
- June 6 at 7:30 p.m: Concert in the Park: Colts Neck Community Band
- June 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. Sentimental Journey Big Band Concert
- June 15, July 20 & August 17 from 1-3 p.m: Bluegrass and Old-Time Music
- July 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. Country Night with Austin City Nights
- August 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. Bring on the Funk with THE FUMOS in Concert!
- August 23 from 7-8:30 p.m. American Classics: Weill, Gershwin, Bernstein in Concert
Fun Summer Crafts for Kids!
To Kickstart Summer Fun we’re sharing some of the cutest kids crafts from Ocean Crafts ideas your next Beach Trip and Tons Of Fun Crafts to do at home!
Collect and Paint Shells!
- Bring a set of watercolor paints to the Beach and Collect some shells to paint! Just add water!
- If you bring shells home you can paint them and use them for decorating or gifts!
(Photo by Artful Parents)
Build a Sandcastle
Make Your Own Fireworks Art
(Photo by Artful Parents)
Paint Rock Houses
15 Screen-Free Summer Activities presented by The Balance Project!
Check out some awesome Screen-Free Family Activities to do this Summer in Monmouth County, NJ here!
Recreate Summer Camp at Home
Create a fun Summer Camp experience at home, focus on themed weeks, crafts, being outdoors and fun overall!
Themed Weeks:
Nature Explorers: Focus on outdoor activities like nature walks, collecting leaves and flowers for crafts, and identifying plants and bugs.
Art Adventures: Do some crafting, painting, and creating art projects using various materials.
Science Fun: Explore simple science experiments, like making slime or erupting volcanoes.
Talent Show/Skits: Encourage kids to showcase their talents through performances or skits.
Friendship Bracelets!
Summer Staple! Create and Learn How to make friendship bracelets at home, use beads or braid them! Pipecleaners for little ones!
Nature Journals
Focus on learning about the natural world through outdoor activities and crafts.
Head outside and fill your pages! Document what you observe in nature! Plants, animals, bugs, birds, the weather! DIY your own nature journal!
Tie Dye T-Shirts
Create your own camp tees at home!
