New Jersey

100+ Free Things To Do with New Jersey Kids this Summer

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 06/16/2019 - 9:00am

Summer is the season for FREE fun all across New Jersey. From fireworks and festivals to free outdoor movies, we’ve rounded up more than 100 family-friendly events to enjoy all summer long that won’t break the bank. You can find even more cool seasonal activities and destinations in our Summer Fun Guide and Event Calendar. Have a fabulous (and free) summer!

50 Things to Do in Baltimore with Kids: Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in Charm City

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 06/15/2019 - 12:43pm

Baltimore is an incredibly kid-friendly city. The walkable Baltimore Inner Harbor offers the impressive National Aquarium, family-friendly restaurants, museums and science centers, and more fun things to do.

Sports fans will find the pro-leagues Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles to cheer on, and if you have a transportation lover, the city is heaven with train museums and boats galore. It’s proximity to Washington, DC, doesn’t hurt either. It’s easy to visit both cities in one trip, taking advantage of all the free admission opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Here's our list of 50 fun things to do with kids in Baltimore, Maryland, from attractions to festivals, restaurants and even a few hotel suggestions for when you're ready to crash. Check out our other City Guides for more family travel ideas.

30 Super-Fun Summer Day Trips for New Jersey Families

Submitted by Alison Reiser on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 10:00am

Road trips rock! And we've got 30 ideas for NJ summer day trips that minimize the drive time and maximize the fun time. Whether it's gathering fresh fruit at a pick-your-own farm, swimming at a lake, hitting the Jersey Shore's beaches and boardwalk s, or visiting an amusement park, get ready to hit the road to one of these favorite summer destinations.

Need more inspiration? Check out our Summer Fun Guide for NJ Kids for even more ideas for family fun.

And, if it's too hot or rainy to head outside, look to our indoor guide and rainy-day suggestions to keep the good times rolling.

15 Best Things To Do with Kids in Spring Lake, New Jersey

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 3:30pm

Summer fun at the Jersey shore doesn't always involve boardwalk rides and jam-packed beaches. For a quieter shore experience, head to the quaint seaside town of Spring Lake, where tree-lined streets and graceful Victorian inns welcome families.

You won't find mini-golf or arcades in Spring Lake, or any large hotels, either. But you will find leafy lanes, a picturesque lake, restored boardwalk, charming downtown, and a gorgeous beach.

Read on for our best bets for a family trip to Spring Lake, and for more of our favorite summer destinations, check out the Jersey Shore Family Guide.

11 Crazy Awesome Pool Floats for Kids and Babies on Amazon and Target

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 10:42am

Long gone are the days of the boring rectangular pool float that popped almost as soon as you finally filled it with air. Today's kids can hit the pool with a fabulous float in almost any design they can imagine, from the Millennium Falcon to a giant slice of pizza to on-trend unicorn floats. The best part? Parents can order these pool toys all online at either Target.com or Amazon. Check out our list of 11 crazy awesome pool floats for babies, kids, and teens in summer 2019.

Find more ways to cool down this summer in our Beaches, Lakes, and Pools Guides.

Great Day Trips to New Jersey State Parks and Forests

Submitted by Elaine Paoloni ... on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 11:00am

While most non-residents don't equate New Jersey with beautiful green spaces, there are a whopping 36 state parks and 13 state forests to explore in NJ—and at least one of them should be on your summer fun to-do list.

We've picked nine destinations that are perfect for a fun-filled day trip, where hiking, biking, swimming, and boating are just some of the fun outdoor activities to enjoy. Add acres of gorgeous scenery and some wildlife-spotting, and NJ state parks and forests make for an ideal day of family fun in the fresh air.

Build-A-Bear Has a New Pay-Your-Age Contest, without the Lines

Submitted by Li Starr on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 6:29pm

Making a puffy, fuzzy DIY toy at Build-A-Bear is a great experience, especially for a birthday gift, but those bears are far from free. So it was no surprise last year that the company's big Pay-Your-Age Day (5 years old, get any toy for $5) resulted in lines not only out of the stores but out of the buildings—and lots of angry parents when lines were shut down. The good news? Build-A-Bear is doing the popular event again, but doing it differently this year.

Father's Day Weekend for NJ Kids: Fairs, Trains, Amusement Parks

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 1:30pm

Dad is the VIP on this mid-June weekend. While Father's Day falls on Sunday, the whole weekend is filled with family-friendly—and especially dad-friendly—festivities. If Dad likes rides and games, spend the weekend at the Tri-County Fair, or score free-for-fathers admission on Sunday at Casino Pier and Morey's Piers. For a slower, more scenic ride, hop on Whippany Railroad Museum's Father's Day Train Ride.

June festival season is in full bloom this weekend. Swing by Sea Isle City's Skimmer Festival or Nutley's Annual Father's Day Street Fair, or step back in time at Cape May's Military Time Line Weekend. Plus, summer's free movie season gets a jump-start on Saturday at Highland Park Outdoor Movie Theater.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including Jersey Shore Boardwalks and Amusement Parks. And look to our June GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Best Pools with Day Passes in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 06/09/2019 - 9:00am

If your summer plans include camp and vacation, you may not be willing to take the plunge on the price and commitment of a pool membership. Luckily, pool clubs throughout New Jersey offer guests the opportunity to spend the day swimming without membership or residency. Read on for 10 NJ pools that offer day passes without restrictions.

Asheville with Kids: 40 Best Things to Do in Asheville, NC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 06/08/2019 - 2:05pm

Asheville, NC, is a popular destination for visitors, including families, with so many fun things to do like the Biltmore Estate, a thriving food and arts scene, a Vanderbilt mansion with extensive grounds, and its kid-friendly local breweries. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the plentiful hiking trails, waterfalls, and swimming holes. I frequently visit my sister’s family in Asheville and get to explore this charming Southern city with my young nephew, so I wanted to share the inside skinny on the best family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and what to do in Asheville with kids.

Find more family fun destinations in our Family Travel City Guides, and be sure to check our picks for North Carolina's best beaches for families.