PlayFest In the Park 2026

A FREE outdoor play festival for families with little ones. Live music, bubbles, crafts, food trucks & more!

Westfield, meet Compass SchoolHouse's PlayFest in the Park! GET YOUR FREE TICKETS HERE!

We're bringing our play-based philosophy OUT of the preschool classroom and into the most beloved park in Westfield for a morning the whole community can enjoy together! Especially geared toward kiddos ages 0-6+!

On Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 10AM–12PM, we're taking over Mindowaskin Park for a morning of pure, joyful, screen-free play — and every family in Union County is invited.

The best part? It's completely FREE. We just ask that you grab your family's spot before they're gone. 👇

🎟️ WHY REGISTER? We're keeping this first-ever festival intimate and special — only 150 family registrations will be accepted. We expect these to go fast. Grab yours now so your family doesn't miss the debut. ✨

HERE'S WHAT'S WAITING FOR YOU:

🎵 Live Music — Ramblin' Dan's Freewheelin' Band plays all morning. Yes, the kids will dance. Yes, you will too.

🗺️ Spring Scavenger Hunt — Pick up your map at check-in, walk the Mindowaskin path, find themed items, cross the finish line, and earn 2 FREE craft tickets to use at any of the activity stations. It's a whole adventure.

🫧 Giant Bubble Show — A large-scale interactive bubble installation your toddler will talk about for weeks.

🌱 Activity Stations — Spring cookie decorating, paint-a-mini-birdhouse, dirt cup making, and a planting station. Every child creates, every child takes something home.

🎨 Face Painting — Because what's a festival without a butterfly or tiger on your face?

🚚 Food Trucks — Good Mood Food (burgers + fries), Waffles & Dreams (brunch + coffee), The Baked Bear (ice cream sandwiches).

🍋 Kindergarten Lemonade Stand — $1 lemonade sale run by actual Compass kindergarteners. Bring a dollar. It'll be the best one you spend all day.

🌺 America 250 Community Garden — Families build patriotic flowers together for a shared display celebrating America's 250th. A memory your kids will keep forever.

Want to do more than just two activity stations? Great news - additional craft station tickets will be available for $5 each at the merch table!!

Stations not really your thing? Feel free to grab some food, dance, and play in our free play area!

HOW IT WORKS:

✅ Register your family below — one registration = your whole family ✅ Receive your confirmation + event details via email ✅ Show up Saturday May 2 at 10AM at Mindowaskin Park, Westfield ✅ Check in, grab your Scavenger Hunt map + stickers, and play!

📍 WHERE: Mindowaskin Park, Westfield, NJ (Parking available on surrounding streets — we recommend arriving by 10AM for easy check-in)

🕙 WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

☀️ RAIN PLAN: Play will be moved to Sunday, May 3, 2026...same time, same place.

⚠️ A NOTE ON TICKETS: Attendance for this event is 100% free. We limit registration to 150 families to keep the experience special, safe, and magical for everyone. Once we hit 150, registration closes. If you register and can no longer make it, please cancel so another family can take your spot. 💛

This event is brought to you by Compass SchoolHouse — a nonprofit preschool in Westfield, NJ, where we believe play isn't a break from learning. Play IS learning.

Curious about Compass? Stop by our info table at the event — we'd love to meet you. 🧭

Questions? Email us at playfest@compassschoolhouse.com