If you’re a kid in New Jersey, the options for fun are endless. From fascinating science centers and thrilling amusement parks to the iconic beaches and boardwalks of the Jersey Shore, there’s always something new and exciting for families to explore. The Garden State is packed with unique adventures just waiting to be discovered.
We’ve compiled a definitive guide to the essential experiences every Jersey kid should have. Our team—and the kids in our lives—have journeyed across the state to bring you a list of places we absolutely love. We hope you and your family will love them too!
Enchanting Adventures and Natural Wonders
South Mountain Reservation Fairy Trail Exploring the woods is a classic childhood activity, but adding fairies makes it truly magical. In Millburn, a short, half-mile trail within the South Mountain Reservation is lined with dozens of tiny, enchanting houses made entirely from natural materials like acorns and bark. Local artist Therese Ojibway started the trail over a decade ago, and it is now maintained by the nonprofit South Mountain Conservancy. The annual Fairy Day in the spring is a special celebration that introduces kids to the wonders of nature.
Lake Hopatcong New Jersey’s largest lake offers a ton of water activities. Families can enjoy boating, water skiing, tubing, windsurfing, and swimming. Many local marinas offer water-ski instruction and boat rentals. You can also spend a day at one of the two public beaches or go camping at the nearby Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Unique to Lake Hopatcong are its lakeside restaurants, accessible by boat.
Lakota Wolf Preserve Give your kids a chance to see and learn about wolves up close. Located in Columbia, the Lakota Wolf Preserve is one of the largest natural-habitat animal preserves in the Northeast. A guided wolf watch allows visitors to observe four wolf packs while a naturalist explains their social structure and habits. The preserve also features foxes, bobcats, and lynx.
Pyramid Mountain Let the kids burn off some energy while sharing the wonders of nature. Located in Montville, this national historic area features three hiking trails with fantastic stone formations called glacial erratics. An easy three-mile hike will lead you to Tripod Rock, an enormous boulder that appears to impossibly balance on three small stones. The park offers pretty views and burbling streams, but be sure to arrive early as the parking lot fills up quickly.
Cape May Diamonds Go on a treasure hunt at Higbee and Sunset beaches in Cape May. Here, you can scour the sand for smooth, clear quartz pebbles known as Cape May diamonds. While not as valuable as their namesake, these stones are fun to find. Some local jewelers will even polish and set your finds into necklaces, rings, and bracelets.
Funny Farm Rescue & Sanctuary This 25-acre farm rescue in Mays Landing is home to over 600 domestic, farm, and exotic animals. Visitors can pet and feed free-roaming emus, alpacas, donkeys, sheep, and more. Admission and parking are free, but donations are welcomed to support this wonderful charitable organization.
Wharton State Forest Disconnect from the digital world and get back to nature with a few nights of camping under the stars. This forest offers everything you need for a typical camping trip: tent sites, hiking trails, boating, and fishing. It’s also home to the historic Batsto Village, an industrial center that predates the Revolutionary War, with seasonal tours and educational programs.
Delsea Drive-In Movie Theatre New Jersey’s last remaining drive-in theater in Vineland is a unique experience for the whole family. Enjoy a double feature from the comfort of your car, with the audio coming through your vehicle’s speakers. It’s a nostalgic and fun way to see a movie, complete with a snack stand for all your favorite treats.
Tubing Down the Delaware For some good, clean fun, go tubing down the Delaware River between Memorial Day and Labor Day. A local outfitter offers a laid-back, five-mile river float that can last for hours. This adventure-filled day is perfect for kids and adults alike.
Hawk Watch Every fall, you can witness the southward migration of hawks from New England at State Line Lookout in Alpine. Volunteers are on hand to answer questions about the 16 species of hawks and vultures that ride the thermals above the Hudson River. Don’t forget your binoculars to get a closer look!
Holmdel Park This 664-acre park is a great destination in any season. It features an arboretum, fishing spots, and miles of trails. You can also visit the Longstreet Farm, a living-history farm where you can see animals and experience life as it was in the 1890s. The park also has two playgrounds, including a recently upgraded one with sensory-friendly musical instruments.
Fort Mott State Park Step back in time at this military installation in Pennsville that dates back to the late 1890s. A self-guided walking tour takes you through the concrete-reinforced fort’s interior, including a shell room and fire-control tower. Climb to the top of Battery Gregg for an elevated view of the waterfront and the Delaware River.
Twin Lights For a spectacular view, take your history buffs to the circa-1862 Twin Lights lighthouses in Highlands. Standing 250 feet above Sandy Hook Bay, these lighthouses offer a museum with artifacts, films, and self-guided tours. You can also book an adventure led by a local historian.
Camp Creek Run In Marlton, this 50-acre preserve is dedicated to growing curiosity and wonder while nurturing future scientists and caretakers of the natural world. In the summer, the preserve offers camp for kids with a focus on local ecology, along with sports, boating, swimming, and hiking. Environmental education programs are also available year-round.
Museums, Education, and Creative Fun
Liberty Science Center This is one of the top kid-friendly day trips in New Jersey. Located in Jersey City, the center offers fascinating and fun hands-on discovery for all ages. Highlights include the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium (the largest in the U.S.), the pitch-black Touch Tunnel, a massive model-train set, and a variety of live animals. Rotating exhibits ensure there’s always something new to see.
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum What kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? The museum at Rowan University in Mantua offers an incredible array of prehistoric experiences. The unique Quarry Dig allows visitors to unearth actual fossils from 66 million years ago, including mosasaurs and marine crocodiles. The museum also features virtual reality experiences and live critter encounters.
The Candy Lab For kids with a sweet tooth, this hands-on creative studio in Haddonfield lets children create crafty, edible treats. Kids aged 5-12 can make marshmallow-stacked snowmen, M&M-trimmed sunglasses, and candy mosaics. The lab offers after-school classes, workshops, and private parties for a truly sweet experience.
Battleship New Jersey At 11 stories tall and nearly 300 yards long, the Battleship New Jersey in Camden offers a one-of-a-kind overnight adventure. Children can take a guided tour to learn about its role in multiple wars and then sleep over in the same bunks used by sailors. Dinner and breakfast are included.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park Step into the huge laboratory complex of the legendary inventor in West Orange. Here, you can see where he had his famous lightbulb moments and researched innovations like the motion picture camera. A replica of the world’s first movie studio, the Black Maria, is also on the property.
Insectropolis If your kids love creepy-crawlies, head to this bug museum in Toms River for exhibits, games, and activities. You can crawl through a mud tube like a termite, spy on bees in their hive, and even touch a tarantula. The museum offers an in-depth glimpse into the world of insects.
Northlandz Model-train enthusiasts will be amazed by this sprawling exhibit in Flemington. As the world’s largest model railroad, it spans 52,000 square feet with eight miles of track. You can also take a ride on a full-sized replica 1890s steam engine train.
Reaction Lab Ready to whip up elephant toothpaste or gooey slime without turning your kitchen into a disaster zone? This interactive science studio in Atlantic Highlands is perfect for families craving hands-on fun. Geared toward elementary school-aged children, it allows kids and parents to dive into wild experiments in a safe, mess-free environment.
Perkins Center for the Arts Located in Collingswood and Moorestown, this center offers a wide range of classes in music, movement, and visual arts for all ages. The Perkins Conservatory of Music provides personalized and group lessons, while other activities like “Mini Musicians” and “Made to Play” cater to the earliest learners.
Wheaton Arts Celebrate South Jersey’s rich glassmaking history at this cultural center in Millville. Watch fascinating glassblowing demonstrations, learn from gaffers in hands-on workshops, and explore the Museum of American Glass. The center also features a ceramics studio, a store, and a nature trail.
Thrills, Amusements, and Entertainment
Six Flags Great Adventure Thrill seekers will love spending a day at the second largest theme park in the world. Located in Jackson, it features nearly 60 rides, including the 230-foot high Nitro coaster. Six Flags also includes Hurricane Harbor, a 45-acre water park, and Wild Safari, a wild animal adventure.
American Dream This mega-mall in East Rutherford has so much to do that it’s hard to know where to start. You can visit the DreamWorks water park, the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park with rides, or go roller skating and ice skating. American Dream also offers indoor surfing and skiing, plus a huge Ferris wheel with climate-controlled gondolas that provide views of the New York City skyline.
Storybook Land With rides like the Cinderoller Coaster and Tick Tock Clock Drop, this family-run amusement park in Egg Harbor Township lives up to its name. Geared toward children, it’s a delightful place to visit and is open through December, with special events like the Fall Into Fun Festival and Fantasy of Lights.
The Show Place Ice Cream Parlour What’s a sweeter Shore activity than ice cream and a show? At this Long Beach Island institution, you can enjoy sundaes named after musicals while singing and dancing “waitri” perform show tunes. You never know when you might be plucked from the audience to sing a few bars!
Diggerland USA Kids can unleash their inner construction worker at this one-of-a-kind amusement and water park in West Berlin. The rides are built around the art of operating heavy machinery, from pint-sized diggers to a carousel-inspired Dig-A-Round. The park also has a water park and special events like a Family Camp Out.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Come for the ocean and stay for the rides, arcade games, and miniature golf. Located in Point Pleasant Beach, this is one of the most family-friendly boardwalks at the Shore. It even has an aquarium with penguins and sharks. Jenkinson’s hosts year-round events, from movie nights to a holiday light display.
Paper Mill Playhouse As one of New Jersey’s premier professional theaters, this Tony Award-winning playhouse in Millburn stages five Broadway-caliber productions annually. It’s a great way to introduce kids to large-scale productions without the stress and cost of Broadway. The theater offers booster seats and autism-friendly performances to ensure a comfortable experience for all.
Wild West City Step back in time to the 1880s at this frontier town in Stanhope. Visitors can enjoy stagecoach rides, pan for gold, and watch live showdowns. This family-run park provides an immersive and fun blast from the past.
Fairy Tale Forest This classic spot in Oak Ridge is not a modern theme park but a nostalgic trip back in time to the original Brothers Grimm tales. A trail guides visitors to small structures where fairy tales come to life with sound, characters, and story. It’s a charming, kitschy experience that has kept its classic feel intact.
Shakespeare Theatre of NJ Theater-loving kids and teens will be amazed during a tour of the Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory in Florham Park. Guests can experience behind-the-scenes spaces like the costume shop and set-design studio. They also offer kid-friendly productions for a taste of the magic on stage.
Crystal Springs Resort If you want to score some major brownie points, take the kids on a weekend trip to this resort in Hamburg. The property features two hotels and a sprawling indoor/outdoor biosphere pool. Family-friendly amenities include a nine-hole golf course, a rock-climbing wall, and archery.
Zoos New Jersey’s zoos focus on conservation and education, in addition to showcasing incredible animals. The Bergen County Zoo in Paramus is the state’s largest, with red wolves and mountain lions. In West Orange, the beloved Turtle Back Zoo features over 130 species, including lions and giraffes, an adventure course, and opportunities to feed stingrays. And in Cape May, the Cape May County Park and Zoo offers a chance to see multiple creatures up close for free.
Food, Fun, and Other Unique Spots
Rutt’s Hut For kids who love hot dogs, a visit to this classic spot in Clifton is a must for a “ripper.” These hot dogs are deep fried to perfection, and you can’t forget to add their famous relish. Rutt’s Hut has been a beloved institution since 1928.
Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash Fans of the cult classic Clerks will love this comic shop in Red Bank, owned by director and Jersey native Kevin Smith. It’s a great spot to browse quirky merch, signed items, and an array of comics and books.
Somerset Patriots Want to see professional baseball without major league prices? The Somerset Patriots in Bridgewater are the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate. TD Bank Ballpark offers a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for watching future stars play. Younger fans can also take a break at the Fun Zone.
Pier Village Carousel This beautiful, newly built carousel in Long Branch features intricate Jersey Shore-themed wooden horses, pelicans, and dolphins. Unlike most carousels, this one is open year-round, so you can enjoy a ride with a view of the ocean.
Jersey Jet Ski Zoom into New York Harbor from Jersey City and discover a private, buoyed-off 100-acre zone with amazing views of the Statue of Liberty. You can join guided tours around Lady Liberty and other NYC landmarks. Kids as young as six can ride as passengers.
Waterloo Village History comes alive at this 19th-century town in Stanhope. Kids can see how people lived, how a mill worked, and how goods were unloaded from boats. The village also has a pioneer farm, a blacksmith shop, and miles of trails to explore.
Grounds For Sculpture This 42-acre sculpture park and arboretum in Hamilton makes art accessible and enjoyable for everyone. The park features more than 300 contemporary sculptures, indoor galleries, and a replica of Monet’s garden. It’s a great way to introduce children to art in a hands-on way.
IKEA For a unique bird’s-eye view of jumbo jets landing at Newark Liberty International Airport, head to the IKEA superstore in Elizabeth. Grab a table next to the big windows in the restaurant, and you can enjoy the show while feasting on kid-friendly meals.
Historic Smithville What started as a stagecoach stop in Galloway is now a charming village with cobblestone streets, foot bridges, and 50 shops. Kids will love the carousel, train, and boats. Family events like Oktoberfest and car shows happen throughout the year.
For more fun things to do with your family in the Garden State, check out our events calendar at explorenewjersey.org.
