The Nai-Ni Chen Dance company celebrates Lunar New Year in a Jersey City performance this weekend. Photo courtesy of the dance company
Santa Sightings and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend
Donations to Fanwood's Famous Christmas House support charity. Photo courtesy of the family
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in New Jersey
Step into Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Atlantic City for Christmas pictures. Photo courtesy of the venue
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It costs nothing to take in the display at Fanwood's Famous Christmas House. Photo courtesy of Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
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The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
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Step into a world of wonder at LuminoCity's 2024 holiday lights festival in Freehold. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Turtle Back Zoo is all decked out for the holiday season, which means there are lots of great photo ops.
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Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway
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'Tis the sea-son for Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities abound in New Jersey.
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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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The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
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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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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
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Help your kids develop their creative side with art classes
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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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Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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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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Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
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Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
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The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
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Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
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Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
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Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
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These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
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Fun Outdoor Classes for Kids in New Jersey

Enjoy outdoor art-making at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey.
Enjoy outdoor art-making at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey.
8/7/20 - By Laurie Rein

While indoor learning options are a bit limited for NJ kids during the ongoing pandemic, many creative organizations are turning the great outdoors into a classroom. We've found a number of classes for kids, as well as workshops and storytimes, taking place in NJ parks and other outdoor areas that offer fresh air and easy social distancing. Kids of all ages can saddle up, have farm fun, rock out, or hit a hole in one, all in the Garden State's outdoor settings.

If you're looking for more ways to spend time outside, visit New Jersey mini golf courses, zoos, swimming lakes, and sunflower farms. Find online classes and more virtual entertainment options in our Poppins@Home platform.

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Creative Classes for Kids Outdoors

Premiere Dance

Hillsborough
Through August 20
Learn tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and other dance styles at Premiere Dance's front porch classes. Enrollment is limited, and masks are required. READ MORE

Visual Arts Center of New Jersey

Summit
Weekly mini-camps through August
Kids, tweens and teens will create using painting, ceramics, drawing, sculptures, mixed media and more at the center's outdoor classes this summer. Groups will be limited in size with social distancing measures in place. READ MORE

Imagine That Children's Museum - Classes

Florham Park
Tuesdays through August
Kids will get a workout, as well as fresh air, at Imagine That's outdoor Zumba classes. The recommended age is 5+. Open play is included with class tuition. READ MORE

Rockness Music Summer Classes

Scotch Plains, Hoboken, and Metuchen
Through August 26
Tots can rock out with songs and instruments at park-setting classes throughout New Jersey. Safety protocols are in place. READ MORE

Genius Gems

Millburn
Starting September 2020
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
My Gym Hoboken has taken the gym class to the outdoors! Photo courtesy of the gym.
My Gym Hoboken has taken the gym class to the outdoors! Photo courtesy of the gym.

Outdoor Sports Classes for Kids in NJ

My Gym Hoboken

Hoboken
Through September 17
Little ones can burn energy outdoors at My Gym's summer classes, including Outdoor Tiny Tykes, Outdoor Gymsters and Outdoor Super Kids. READ MORE

Kiddie Soccer

Morris, Bergen, Essex and Passaic County parks
September through November
Preschoolers will have a ball learning soccer skills at these park-setting clinics throughout New Jersey. Locations include Randolph, Livingston and Paramus among others. READ MORE

Kafka Farms LLC

Watchung
Throughout August
Giddy-up at Kafka's Farms horse riding summer camps and lessons. Aside from learning to ride, participants will explore safety skills and grooming methods. READ MORE

US Sports Institute

Essex and Union County parks
September through November
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

Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges

Maplewood
Throughout August
When school is out, the YMCA's vacation camp is on. Campers bring lunch, snacks, and sneakers for an action-packed day of fun. Break camps are available from September to April. READ MORE

InstaSwim - Private At-Home Swim Lessons

Your home pool
Ongoing
InstaSwim is a mobile private at-home swim school, serving all major cities across the US including in New Jersey. InstaSwim also offers private pool party lifeguard services. The swim instructors and lifeguards all cary a minimum of 2 years experience, are fully background checked and screened, and are fully certified. You provide the pool, and InstaSwim will provide the certified swim instructor or lifeguard. With competitive pricing, flexibile scheduling, and the ability to communicate with your swim instructor directly, InstaSwim makes your learn-to-swim experience convenient... READ MORE

To The Tee Golf

Franklin
through August 18
Under the instruction of a certified kids instructor and PGA member, kids as young as age 5 can take golf classes at To The Tee Golf. Older kids, ages 7-17, can participate in a golf summer camp that includes plenty of on-course instruction.  READ MORE
Treebath is setting up a number of outdoor learning pods in NJ parks this fall.
Treebath is setting up a number of outdoor learning pods in NJ parks this fall.

Nature and Farm Classes for Kids in NJ

Treebath Outdoor Programs

Verona Park, Hamilton Park, Van Vorst Park
Sept. 14-Oct. 9
Treebath's "pod" class programs for kids ages 3.5 to 8 will be available in several popular parks this fall, based on family demand. Register online with friends to schedule morning or afternoon sessions in a park near you. READ MORE

Allaire Community Farm

Wall
Sundays through September 20
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

Tenafly Nature Center Story Time

Tenafly
Third Saturday of each month
Enjoy a nature-themed story outdoors and a visit from one of Tenafly Nature Center’s Animal Ambassadors. Learn about the animal and how they came to Tenafly Nature Center. READ MORE

Kids & Critters

Cape May
Weekends through August 30
Meet live critters every weekend at this outdoor animal exhibit. The event takes place under the pavilion and is led by a naturalist. READ MORE

Ort Farms Storytime

Long Valley
Tuesdays and Thursdays through August 12
Bring the little ones to Ort Farms every Tuesday and Thursday for outdoor farm fun, including stories, barn animals, and pick-your-own activities. Advance registration is required. Space is limited. READ MORE

Oaks and Acorns

Summit
Wednesdays, September 30 through October 28
Little ones gain an appreciation of nature in this weekly class which features walks, stories and art projects. A new topic is explored each week. READ MORE

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