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Head to Johnson's Locust Hill Farm for apple picking and tons of fall-themed fun. Photo by Lisa Warden
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Thrills by Day at Six Flags Great Adventure offers fun for all ages as part of Fright Fest. Photo by Elsa Simcik
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Blackwood Pumpkin Festival
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Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, magic show, treats and more. Photo by the author
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Visitors of all ages are invited to come in costume to the Boo at the Zoo in Cape May. Photo courtesy of Cape May, NJ
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Pick the largest pumpkin you can carry at Alstede Farms. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
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Visit the petting zoo at Alstede Farms for a chance to meet the animals. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
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Johnson's Locust Hill Farm is a picture perfect backdrop for a stroll through sunflowers. Photo by Cody Conk
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Outhouse orchards corn maze
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The Water Lantern Festival returns to the harbor in Jersey City's Liberty State Park at month's end. Photo courtesy of the event
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Take in the splendor of the season with a fall getaway to Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. Photo courtesy of Mononk Mountain House
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Take in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow on a spooky fall day trip in the Hudson Valley. Photo by Darren McGee/NYS Dept. of Economic Development
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The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
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Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
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Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
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The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
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Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
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At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
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Admission to the Cape May County Park & Zoo is completely free. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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In-Person Classes Enrolling New Jersey Kids For Fall 2020

Take a class on the Genius Gems Terrace. Photo courtesy of Genius Gems
Take a class on the Genius Gems Terrace. Photo courtesy of Genius Gems
9/10/20 - By Laurie Rein

While remote learning plays a key role in the curriculum of many New Jersey schools this fall, in-person extracurricular activities can provide much-needed socializing and screen breaks for housebound students. Kids of all ages can burn energy in athletic classes, explore their creativity in art workshops, and expand their learning in technology classes. We've rounded up nearly two dozen in-person classes for New Jersey kids this fall. Some are classes in the great outdoors, while others take place indoors with social distancing guidelines in place. If you need more support during virtual school hours, be sure to see our roundup of centers offering remote learning support in-person and homework help this fall.

Check out these diverse fall class options, and find more extracurricular opportunities in our online Back-to-School Fair or our Guide to Classes for New Jersey Kids.

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Code Ninjas offers in-person learning support and enrichment classes. Photo courtesy of Code Ninjas Midland Park
Code Ninjas offers in-person learning support and enrichment classes. Photo courtesy of Code Ninjas Midland Park

Science & Technology Classes for New Jersey Kids

Code Ninjas – Midland Park

Midland Park
Code Ninjas Midland Park offers a new Power Up program to families this fall. Full- or half-day schedules are available, and remote learning support is offered while students are in the dojo.  READ MORE

Montclair Learning Center - Classes

Montclair
Small in-person after school classes are offered in the fall. Classes include Science Fun, Maker Lab, robotics, chess, and Minecraft. Class spaces are filling fast, so register soon. READ MORE

Genius Gems

Millburn
At Genius Gems, educators use hands-on learning to lead kids entering kindergarten and up in topics that include science wonder lab, witches and wizards Camp, rainbow and magic potions, Lego brick engineering, and more. Summer camps, for grades K-6, offer themed weekly sessions with early drop-off and aftercare options.   READ MORE

THE R CHILD STEAM Center

Cliffside Park
The R Child offers a variety of STEM activities for kids ages 3 months through 14 years, including Discovery Play Center, an educational and open play space that offers a novel approach to playtime. Summer camp features 3D printing, game design, robotics, Minecraft and more. READ MORE
Enjoy outdoor music classes for wee ones with Rockness Music this fall. Photo courtesy of Rockness Music
Enjoy outdoor music classes for wee ones with Rockness Music this fall. Photo courtesy of Rockness Music

Music & Dance Classes For New Jersey Kids

New Jersey School of Ballet

Livingston, Somerville, Morristown
Ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop are on the school's fall schedule. Due to social distancing requirements, registration for in-person fall classes is on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited.  READ MORE

Rockness Music

Scotch Plains, Hoboken, Metuchen
Bop to the beat at an outdoor music class from Rockness Music. Multiple locations offer classes for children up to age 6. READ MORE

Center Stage Dance Studio

Paramus
Fall classes take place in the studio or via Zoom and include preschool movement, ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. If you're on the fence about registering for an in-person class, call the studio to schedule a private tour.  READ MORE

Hoboken Aardvarks: Children's Music & Movement Classes

Hoboken
Hoboken Aardvarks offers informal, spirited classes that incorporate singing, dancing, musical storytelling, instrumental jam sessions, and more. Sessions take place in various Hoboken locations. READ MORE

Next Step Broadway

Jersey City
Fall dance class offerings include creative movement, ballet, tap, jazz, acting, and more. Sanitizing takes place between classes, and students are expected to practice social distancing. READ MORE
Get active at Elite Gymnastics. Photo courtesy of Elite Gymnastics
Get active at Elite Gymnastics. Photo courtesy of Elite Gymnastics

Sports & Movement Classes For New Jersey Kids

Branchburg Sports Complex - Camps, Classes, Parties

Branchburg
This massive indoor facility features three turf fields, four batting cages, a multi-level play maze, an arcade, and a huge laser tag arena. Choose from various party themes to celebrate your active child. BSC offers a variety of specialty sports camps and educational enrichment camps for kids year-round.  READ MORE

Elite Gymnastics

Hawthorne
Elite Gymnastics' fall schedule is full of in-person enrichment all under one roof. The gym offers wide-ranging classes from mommy-and-me classes to gymnastics, rock climbing, swimming, and cheerleading. A new NinjaZone class is geared toward ages 3-11. READ MORE

Gymboree Play & Music

Westfield, Basking Ridge, Princeton
Gymboree Play & Music has been fostering creativity and confidence in children ages 0-5 for over 40 years. Designed by experts in both education and play, age-appropriate activities help develop children's cognitive, physical, and social skills as they play.   READ MORE

Diamond Gymnastics

East Hanover
Diamond offers a variety of classes including ninja warrior, tumbling, and combo gymnastics/rock climbing classes. There are small-size gymnastics classes for all ages starting at 15 months. READ MORE

MettaCassa Yoga

Scotch Plains
MettaCasa hosts yoga classes for various age groups this fall. Classes are held outdoors and include yoga, crafts, cooking, and more. Motivational meditation classes cater to big kids who need a chance to unplug and unwind. READ MORE

US Sports Institute

Essex and Union County locations
US Sports Institute hosts group and private sports classes in park settings throughout Essex and Union Counties. Choose from soccer, multi-sports, and or tennis lessons, among other options. You can even opt for a backyard class and have instructors come to you. READ MORE
Chocolate Etc. offers a drop-off Chocolatier Class. Photo courtesy of Chocolate Etc..
Chocolate Etc. offers a drop-off Chocolatier Class. Photo courtesy of Chocolate Etc..

Creative Classes for New Jersey Kids

Chocolate Etc. - Chocolatier Class

Wyckoff
Fall classes run Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons. An afterschool snack is served before kids roll up their sleeves to tackle fall-themed chocolate concoctions. Private classes can be arranged.  READ MORE

Classic Thyme - Kids Cooking Classes

Westfield
Children can learn to cook breakfast, dinner, dessert, and more at this cooking school. Children ages 4 to 9 can enjoy drop-off cooking classes and camps. Teens and pre-teens can take intense, two-day themed workshops like "snacking cakes" or "Mamma Mia pizza," plus choose from their own selection of workshops and classes. READ MORE

Creative Kids

Scotch Plains
Creative Kids offers hands-on classes for tots up through elementary school age with selections like Messy Art, Mixed Media Art, and Play & Create, plus school break camps. READ MORE

South Avenue Arts

Garwood
Art exploration, mixed media, oil painting, and acrylic painting are a sample of the class offerings at South Avenue Arts this fall. Eight-week sessions begin the week of September 21. READ MORE

One River School of Art and Design

Allendale, Englewood, Middletown, Millburn
Kids can get creative in the studio at One River School of Art and Design. Class offerings include Teen Digital Art, Teen Drawing, Kids Art Shuffle, and Kids Cartooning. Studios are located in Englewood, Allendale, Middletown, and Millburn. READ MORE

Acting Out Premiere Acting School

Westfield
Acting Out's fall classes begin on September 8, both in-person and virtual, and include acting, singing, musical theater, and audition preparation. READ MORE

The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC

Englewood
Though the fall performing arts classes begin virtually, the Performing Arts School at bergenPAC plans to shift to in-person instruction in late September. Choose from theater and dance class options. READ MORE

Nature Classes for New Jersey Kids

Allaire Community Farm

Wall
Experience life on the farm at the Allaire Community Farm. Register for afterschool options or weekend classes that offer plenty of agri-entertainment and opportunities to learn about life on the farm, whether caring for plants, animals, or both. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Hoboken Aardvarks - Music for Aardvarks
Essex and Union County parks
One River School of Art and Design