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The weeks of warm, lazy days are dwindling and before we know it, September and the start of school will be here. Rather than fret about the impending return of homework and schedules, I decided to come up with a list of both fun AND educational outings my family and I can take part in during these last few weeks of August. We’ll make some memories, get our brains back into learning mode and soak up what’s left of summer. Check out these ten great outings in NJ and for more end of summer fun, don't forget to check out our New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide. (1) Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, NJ) We’re lucky to have LSC right in our backyard, as it’s consistently rated one of the top science museums in the country! Go early to beat the field trip crowds, start on the 4th floor and work your way down. You could definitely spend two or more days exploring but if you’ve only got a day, check out the awesome Block Party exhibit where kids can build and climb with oversized foam shapes, see snakes, iguanas and a family of cotton-top tamarind monkeys at Eat or Be Eaten and let wee ones play without the big kids in the I Explore room just for ages five & under. And don’t leave without taking a climb (or crawl) through the outdoor Wildlife Challenge (open through Sept 2nd), where you can move through an obstacle course as you pretend to be different animals. For more information, please call 201-200-1000. (2) Liberty State Park (Jersey City, NJ) Another Jersey City gem, Liberty State Park is packed with fun, adventure and history too. Burn off some energy at the gigantic playground or take a stroll along the boardwalk that meanders past the lower Manhattan skyline and Lady Liberty before spreading out a blanket on one of the huge green lawns for a picnic. If you’re feeling adventurous, hop aboard a ferry from the park’s historic railroad terminal and spend the day exploring the amazing Ellis Island. Also be sure and check out the Nature Interpretive Center – it has a packed schedule of great summer classes for kids including Estuary Explorers and Tiny Trails. For more information, please call 201-915-3403. (3) Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton, NJ) If you want to expose the kiddos to some culture without being cooped up inside, look no further than the beautiful Grounds for Sculpture. Stroll around the 42 acre property (or do a guided tour) as you take in their manicured lawns dotted with over 250 sculptures from different artists. They’ve got a whole calendar of programs for kids through the summer months, including the hands-on Tots on Tour program, Art in Nature weekend tours and even performances by NJ based singers and street performers. Grounds for Sculpture also has two cafés, Van Gogh and Peacock, where you can grab a quick lunch or order a pre-packed picnic basket to enjoy outside. For more information, please call 609-586-0616. (4) Fosterfields Historical Living Farm (Morristown, NJ) While fall is touted as the most popular time to visit NJ farms for pumpkins and apples, Fosterfields Historical Living Farm in Morris County offers some really neat educational outings throughout summertime. Fosterfields is a true working farm, using tools, materials and techniques from the early 1900s to operate each and every day. Sign up for one of their morning farm tours where you’ll take a wagon ride around the 200 acre property before rolling up your sleeves to do old-fashioned farm work such as feeding chickens and churning butter. Staffers dressed in period clothing act out of the lives and roles of the Fosterfields family members, making the whole experience both fun and eye-opening for modern day families! For more information, please call 973-326-7600. (5) Tenafly Nature Center (Tenafly, NJ) We’re lucky to have not only an abundance of wilderness in NJ, but also some great nature centers that foster environmental learning. TNC is family-friendly and hands-on and they’ve got an abundance of classes and programs throughout all four seasons. Sign up for Little Naturalists where 2-3 year old tots can learn about nature through songs and discovery centers, a family Seasonal Scavenger Hunt or Nature Story Time (with live animals!) for ages 3-7. And if you’re just in the mood to wander without structure, lace up your sneakers and hike one of the scenic trails (open 365 days a year) or take the easy 10 minute walk to Pfister’s Pond. For more information, please call 201-568-6093. (6) Jenkinson’s Aquarium (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ) If you’re planning to spend some lazy August days down the shore, eating ice cream and building sand castles, you can sneak in a little learning too. Jenkinson’s Aquarium is right on the Point Pleasant boardwalk and while it may not be huge, it has some great marine life displays and is the perfect respite from the heat for an hour or two. The aquarium is dedicated to preserving the surrounding Atlantic Ocean animals and their habitats and you can watch the daily feedings of their sharks, penguins or seals. Take in coral reef displays in huge floor to ceiling tanks or gently pet a sting ray or sea star at their touch tank. For a really special treat, sign up for a Junior Keepers behind the scenes tour (ages 10-16) where tweens and teens can help feed and care for the animals. For more information, please call 732-892-0600 ext 130. (7) Garden State Discovery Museum (Cherry Hill, NJ) Even though summer is all about being outdoors, sometimes you just need a break from the heat and humidity. The Garden State Discovery Museum is hugely popular with southern NJ families and with constant rotating exhibits and dozens of children’s programs, it’s easy to see why. On a recent visit, my little guys loved exploring the animals at the Turtle Bog and Wildlife Area, climbing and digging in the Dinosaurium and getting plenty messy with giant suds at the Bubble Trouble exhibit! And if room after room of hands on fun isn't enough, they’ve also got a Discovery Theatre next door, with kid-friendly shows. Check out the enchanted tale of The Frog Princess, with performances almost every afternoon during the month of August. For more information, please call 856-424-1233. (8) Bergen County Zoo (Paramus, NJ) Nothing says summer like a trip to the zoo on a hot day complete with sticky popsicles and strollers! If you’ve got toddlers and preschoolers to entertain during these last few weeks of August, pack up the diaper bag and head to Bergen County Zoo. Part of Van Saun County Park, the zoo is manageable in a morning (before naptime meltdowns) due to its small size. And it may be walk-able in about an hour, but it doesn’t disappoint – a wide array of North American animals call the grounds home such as ocelots, bobcats and alligators plus a farmyard with sheep, goats and cows. End your outing with either a ride on the zoo train or a spin on the park’s carousel – guaranteed everyone will go home tired and happy. For more information, please call 201-262-3771. (9) Reeves-Reed Arboretum (Summit, NJ) This beautiful arboretum makes for a lovely summertime outing if you’ve got grandparents or other guests in town and just want to explore nature and history at your own leisurely pace. Start in the Colonial Revival-style Wisner House and view one of their current exhibits such as Earth, Wind and Fire showcasing nature-focused works of art by tri-state area artists. From there, head outside to the five acres of formal gardens, including their stunning summer rose garden or duck into the educational Greenhouse that’s home to dozens of native plants and flowers. If you’d like to sign the kids up for a little summertime learning, Reeves-Reed has a great Discovery Saturdays program from July-November that includes story time, games and an interactive exploration of nature all centered around a weekly theme – August 16th is all about dragonflies and August 2nd is for frog lovers! For more information, please call 908-273-8787. (10) Battleship New Jersey (Camden, NJ) You might be surprised to know that NJ is home to the longest battleships ever built. It’s hard to imagine until you see it in person, but Battleship New Jersey is almost three football fields long! For some history mixed in with adventure, spend a summer afternoon exploring this impressive naval feat as you visit the Crew Mess hall, check out gun turrets, stretch out on the bunk beds below deck or snap a picture in the Admiral’s chair. Be sure and wear comfortable shoes, because you’ll be climbing ladders and stepping through passageways and tight spaces. If you’ve got little ones or handicapped persons in your party, the ship also offers main deck tours without the climbing. And to end your day, take a stroll along the Camden waterfront and enjoy views of the downtown Philadelphia waterfront across the river. For more information, please call 856-966-1652. For more summertime inspiration, check out 100 Things to Do in New Jersey with Kids Before They Grow Up.

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