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Fun Spring Day Trip Ideas for NJ Families

1. Pick-Your-Own Strawberries

Spring harvest in the Garden State is a cornucopia of fresh fruit, especially juicy red strawberries, the perfect size for little hands to pluck at one of these pick-your-own farms.

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Meet the sweet, smiling alpacas at Abma's Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

2. See Baby Animals

Springtime means baby animals. Get your fill of furry, feathery baby animal cuteness at these family-friendly NJ farms.

3. Take a Hike

If your kids are up for a family-friendly hike, let them mix their trail snacks and tackle one of these easy hiking trails in New Jersey.

4. Play at the Playground

Revel in the spring sunshine at one of NJ's best playgrounds, where kids can run, climb, and scamper until it's warm enough to hit the sprinklers.

5. Play Mini Golf

Challenge your kids to a game of mini golf at your favorite local course or one of these extra-special courses.

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Welcome spring with a day trip to beautiful Branch Brook Park. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

6. Check out the Cherry Blossoms

The lush, pink cherry blossoms at Newark's Branch Brook Park are in peak bloom in April during the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, set for Saturday, April 5-Sunday, April 6, 2025, including Family Day on Saturday, April 12, 2025, and Bloomfest on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

7. Enjoy a Picnic

Pack up a picnic basket and head to one of these scenic spots in northern NJ for a leisurely family picnic.

8. Travel to the Wild Wild West

Go back in time and experience the thrill of Wild West City, which treats visitors to live-action cowboy shows; stagecoach, pony, and train rides; mini golf; a barnyard zoo; and fun events for kids. Opening day is Saturday, May 6.

9. Journey to Jurassic Park

Stomp among the stegosauruses at Field Station: Dinosaurs when the park reopens for the season on Saturday, May 24, 2025. 

10. Visit Van Saun Park

Travel to Van Saun Park to visit the Bergen County Zoo, the train ride attraction, a mega playground, and the picnic pavilions.

11. Go Back to College

Go red at Rutgers University's annual spring Family Day on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Tune in for exhibits, performances, virtual activities, and fun for the whole family.

12. Explore South Mountain Reservation

Head to South Mountain Reservation and choose between the paddle boats, an awesome playground, the Turtle Back Zoo, or a hike along the fairy trail.

13. Enjoy a Block Party

Cruise on New Jersey's largest lake during Lake Hopatcong's annual block party on Saturday, May 17, 2025, with live music, food trucks, a kiddie play area, and water sports demos.

14. Take an Earth Day Nature Walk

Go green for Earth Day at Monmouth County Parks, which hosts an open house including a lineup of nature walks in mid-April, beach clean up, and shore planting.

15. Dance With the Daffodils

Head to the Reeves-Reed Arboretum for a lovely spring walk, or visit on Sunday, April 13, 2025, for Daffodil Day.

16 . Get a Taste of Holland

Plan your visit to see the stunning tulip fields at Holland Ridge Farms, where the 153 acres of colorful blooms offer a picture-perfect spring photo-op.

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Get ready for the season opening of Storybook Land. Photo courtesy of the Park

17. Experience Some Thrills

There's no better feeling than zipping through the air on a speedy roller coaster, chilling on a carousel, or watching the little ones enjoy low-key kiddie rides. Catch some thrills before the summer rush at Six Flags Great Adventure or Storybook Land.

18. Fly a Kite

Find an empty field or a windy beach, or simply watch the colors flutter at a local kite festival like the Annual Kites at the Pier Festival in Long Branch on Saturday, May 3, 2025, or the Wildwood International Kite Festival from Friday, May 23-Monday, May 25, 2025.

19. Go Down the Shore

Beat the crowds by visiting the Jersey Shore in springtime, when skies are blue and boardwalks are empty. The rides at Jenkinson's and in Ocean City are open most spring weekends.

20. Drive to Exit Zero

Travel to the end of the Garden State Parkway to attend Cape May's Spring Festival from Thursday, May 15-Sunday, May 18, 2025, and hear live music, eat great food, and soak in the historic seaside town's Victorian charm.

21. Visit Legoland New York

The sprawling Orange County attraction is set to open for the season on Thursday, April 10, 2025, and there's plenty of theme park fun to be had.

22. Explore the Adventure Aquarium

This Camden destination is an absolute gem, housing the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast and plenty of other underwater creatures. Or for an outdoor animal adventure, try Turtle Back Zoo.

23. Try a Ropes Course

Gear up and test your balance and agility at an outdoor ropes course.

24. Play Pickleball

Grab your rackets and head to your local pickleball courts to try this action-packed additive game.

25. Have Fun on the Water

Rent a paddleboat, canoe, or kayak and enjoy a perfect outing on the water.

26. Catch a Baseball Game

See a minor league baseball game and cheer on your favorite team.

27. Dine al Fresco

Take the kids for dinner and eat outdoors. If you're group is comfortable with it, there are also several kid-friendly beer gardens with outdoor seating, too.

28. See Art Outside

Head to Grounds for Sculpture on a sunny day to appreciate art while enjoying a beautiful walk.

29. Visit Duke Farms

Take a bike ride on the paved paths of this beautiful, free private park.

30. Jump Outdoors

Try an outdoor trampoline park like JoyJumps at Woodbridge Center Mall, which opens in early June. 

Originally published in April 2018, this piece is updated annually.