As a parent who enjoys traveling and exploring new places with my family, I was excited to discover that New Jersey offers a diverse range of fun things to do with children. From educational museums and indoor playgrounds to amusement parks and seasonal events, there are kid-tested attractions across the state that cater to different ages and interests.
Here is a quick reference guide I made after research to help parents plan their next family trip:
| Category | Top Picks |
|---|---|
| Parks | Liberty State Park has beautiful green spaces and waterfront picnic areas |
| Museums | Liberty Science Center and other museums offer hands-on exhibits and programs |
| Theme Parks | New Jersey theme parks like Six Flags Great Adventure with rides, games, shows |
| Indoor Play | Creative play spaces like indoor playgrounds in Jersey City for toddlers |
| Events | Halloween costume contests and decorating pumpkins |
| Outdoors | Jersey Shore boardwalks have beach games, dining options and amusement park rides |
As we explored this family-friendly state, I was pleasantly surprised by the diverse range of activities for children in New Jersey that cater to kids of all interests and ages.
New Jersey offers an extensive variety of attractions and events that make it an ideal destination for families looking for fun things to do with children. From exploring science museums and historical sites to enjoying amusement park thrills and seasonal celebrations, there are activities for children across the state that combine education and entertainment.
Liberty State Park’s green spaces and family picnic spots provide the perfect outdoor playground for younger kids. While school-age children can partake in educational tours and programs at New Jersey’s many zoos, parks and cultural attractions. When planning a family trip, it’s important to consider age-appropriateness, general interests of the children as well as educational value and safety precautions.
Explore Liberty State Park
Discover Picnic Spots at Liberty State Park
Liberty State Park features over 1,200 acres of green space with family picnic spots that offer waterfront views overlooking the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. The Park provides clean restrooms and tables ideal for enjoying snacks and meals outdoors. Families with young children can take advantage of playgrounds and appreciate amenities like the indoor Liberty House restaurant and ample parking when planning a day out with the kids.
Whether wanting to relax under shade trees or find space for kids to play outdoor games together, Liberty State Park contains diverse landscape options to meet every New Jersey family’s picnic needs. Some key tips for planning a fun and seamless park picnic with little ones include checking expected weather conditions, packing adequate food/beverages, bringing toys/activities catered to children’s interests, and utilizing the site’s covered pavilions for rain protection if necessary. Portions of the park are also disability accessible.
Visit Educational Museums
Best Family-Friendly Museums in New Jersey
New Jersey offers many museums geared towards providing interactive educational activities for children. The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City allows kids to explore hands-on exhibits focused on science, environment and technology. With designated crawl spaces and play zones catered towards toddlers and preschoolers, as well as STEM labs ideal for older kids, the Liberty Science Center offers immersive learning experiences suitable for diverse age groups.
Other top museum picks like the Newark Museum of Art and Montclair Art Museum utilize guided tours, scavenger hunts and monthly family events to animate their child-focused programs. When planning a museum trip, I’d advise parents to check recommended ages for exhibits as well as museum schedules listing any special kid-friendly activities or demonstrations. My family also appreciated kid zones for taking breaks, nursing/diapering room facilities and cafes with healthy snacks to make museum explorations more enjoyable for little ones.
Enjoy New Jersey Theme Parks
New Jersey Theme Park Activities for Families
With world-renowned amusement parks like Six Flags Great Adventure and Mountain Creek Waterpark, New Jersey serves as a thrilling playground equipped with rollercoasters, waterslides and family rides for adrenaline junkies big and small.
These theme parks organize their offerings by height and age to cater towards kids’ safety. Many provide “Kiddie Lands” with pint-sized coaster options as well as interactive shows and games for younger guests. Parents can appreciate family planning amenities like nursing stations, locker rentals, and dining pass deals to simplify theme park adventures with children.
I’d recommend checking the heights of grade-schoolers beforehand to help select age-appropriate rides. Understanding any COVID-19 protocols is also advised when planning a special seasonal trip to these larger family attractions.
Indoor Playgrounds and Activities
Indoor Playgrounds in Jersey City for Toddlers
For parents like me needing an energetic toddler-friendly pit stop while exploring Jersey City, indoor playgrounds like Gymboree Play & Music and KinderCare provide enclosed play spaces ideal for rainy days or peak summer heat. These creative activity centers offer equipment like foam climbing structures, mini zip lines, tunnels, as well as bouncy houses and video game consoles to entertain restless little ones ages 12 months to 6 years old.
Parents can register kids for open play sessions typically lasting 1-3 hours for one flat admission fee. Some venues also host themed events around holidays like Halloween. Checking details like required sock use and extra charges for accompanying adults beforehand is advised. As an on-the-go mom, I’m happy these indoor playgrounds give my toddler a chance to burn off energy while I meet other New Jersey parents.
Seasonal and Special Events
Best Halloween Events for Kids in New Jersey
From picking pumpkins at farms to enjoying festive parades and costume contests, New Jersey offers many ways for families to celebrate Halloween.
The Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure provides a kid-friendly Halloween option with trick-or-treating trails, magic shows and a Dance Party area alongside usual theme park rides. Many botanical gardens and zoos like the Essex County Environmental Center also host harvest festivals with attractions like hayrides, corn mazes and pumpkin decorating.
I’d recommend parents of toddlers and young children check event details and costs related to accompanying adults/kids for admission-based Halloween festivities. Local community center harvest parties, mall trick-or-treating events and township trick-or-treat nights also offer free affordable alternatives for Halloween family fun.
Outdoor Adventures and Boardwalk Fun
Family-Friendly Boardwalk Activities NJ
With countless beachside communities spanning the Jersey Shore coastline, New Jersey serves up no shortage of family-oriented boardwalk activities like arcade games, amusement park rides and beach play. From tourist hotspots like Point Pleasant Beach and Seaside Heights made famous by the “Jersey Shore” reality series to local favorites like Pier Village Long Branch and Ocean City’s distinctive Victorian-style boardwalk, each shoreline spot caters to kids via surf shops, mini golf courses and sweet snack stands. Parents can feel at ease knowing lifeguards patrol New Jersey beaches daily during summer months.
I recommend beachgoers with babies take advantage of table space within shore restaurants to escape from sand. Checking daily parking rates helps calculate budgets for longer boardwalk trips. Exploring local fishing piers, water parks and maritime museums near various boardwalks also makes for a more educational summer day trip for the whole family.
Educational and Recreational Programs
Educational Activities for Children in NJ
Through collaborations with nature centers, cultural institutions and schools, environmental education in New Jersey provides interactive opportunities for children to learn about science, social studies and sustainability through guided park tours, zoo visits and hands-on demonstrations.
For example, the NJ Schools Trek program facilitates science learning for K-12 students via wildlife observation, pond studies and forest terrain hikes across various parks. The 17-acre Cape May County Park and Zoo likewise offers daily educational programs from April through October tailored for different age groups to learn about animals through presentations, keeper talks and touch displays in a recreational setting.
I’d encourage parents to look into these enriching recreational activities to foster children’s curiosity about wildlife conservation efforts and the natural sciences. These programs ultimately make learning fun with a healthy dose of outdoor adventure.
Plan a Family Day in Jersey City
Family-Friendly Street Fairs Jersey City
Whether closing down Newark Avenue for an arts festival or holding a holiday bazaar in Van Vorst Park, Jersey City plays host to various street fairs that promise a lively time for local families and tourists alike. From live music acts and amusement rides to artisan craft vendors and beer gardens, events like the All About Downtown Street Fair aim to be inclusive by offering dedicated kids zones with free entertainment and activity booths for children.
When planning to attend one of these fairs, I’d advise families to utilize public transportation as street closures impact parking. Bringing sun protection and checking event schedules for timed stage performances catered towards youngsters can make navigating these expansive local festivals more enjoyable. By keeping kids engaged with exciting sights and sounds, street fairs make for affordable family field trips right in the heart of this culturally diverse city.
With awe-inspiring nature parks, fascinating hands-on museums and thrilling amusement rides, families can unlock limitless fun things to do with children across New Jersey’s varied terrain. From seasonal celebrations on historic boardwalks to interactive zoo programs and science tours, the state abounds with enriching recreation well-suited for school-age learners. Yet even little ones can appreciate park playgrounds and indoor toddler spaces tailored just for them. By mixing and matching these kid-friendly attractions, parents can plan an unforgettable trip focused on their own family’s interests.
As my kids grow, I look forward to checking out New Jersey destinations I might have overlooked before kids like wineries, historical villages and kayaking adventures now appropriate for my pre-teens. That’s the true beauty of family travel through the Garden State – the array of possibilities that encourage curiosity at any age.
