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Halloween and Fall Foliage Train Rides for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Thu, 09/13/2018 - 9:30am

Halloween and hayrides go hand in hand, but if you really want to up your game this year, take a trip on a Halloween train! If you have a junior conductor in your family, don't miss out on one of these four seasonal NJ railway adventures—plus one across the Delaware in Pennsylvania.

From spooky to scenic, these rides offer a unique bit of fall fun for the whole family: passengers can take a seat in a vintage caboose, travel through gorgeous fall foliage, visit a pumpkin patch, and even trick-or-treat onboard. After the ride, round out the day with autumn activities like corn mazes, crafts, and a costume party.

Check out our NJ Fall Fun Guide for even more seasonal family fun around the state.

Amazing Corn Mazes at Family-Friendly New Jersey Farms

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 09/06/2018 - 1:00pm

Get ready… get set… get lost in an amazing New Jersey corn maze! The Garden State is home to oodles of spectacular corn mazes, ranging from massive 10-acre labyrinths to simpler, child-friendly courses, including hay bale mazes just right for toddlers and preschoolers. Games, clues, and even techie bonuses enhance many of the more elaborate maze experiences. Got a tween or teen? Check out courses that are open after hours for a nighttime and sometimes spooky adventure.

Many of these 16 corn mazes we've rounded up are day trip–worthy on their own, but you'll also likely find apple and pumpkin picking options, hayrides, and even fall festivals, plus petting zoos in some instances. So get out your fall to-do list, and navigate your way through one of these great New Jersey corn mazes. Check out our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids to find even more ways to enjoy the crisp autumn days.

18 Top Pick-Your-Own Peach Farms in New Jersey

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Thu, 07/19/2018 - 11:28am

There’s nothing that screams summer more than a warm-off-the-tree peach, with the sweet juices dripping down your chin. With farms a-plenty and peaches ripe for the picking, choose your spot from the list below, grab your baskets and babes, and head to one of these u-pick farms.

The peach-picking season in the Garden State really gets going in mid-July and carries on through August and early September at some farms. Before you go, call ahead or check the farm’s Facebook page to make sure crops are still plentiful and what, specifically, is available on any given day. (You might also be able to pick blueberries, which are available at many farms through July.)

Read on to find out where the juiciest fruit can be found.

Best Pools with Day Passes in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 06/08/2018 - 3:00pm

If your summer roster includes 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 at the pool without membership or residency. Take a swim at the following clubs, which offer day passes without restrictions.

Great Amusement Parks for Preschoolers and Toddlers in New Jersey

Submitted by Michelle Vames on Fri, 06/01/2018 - 1:00pm

Looking for a place to take your little ones for gentle thrills and kid-friendly amusements? We've rounded up 15 NJ amusement parks that are perfect for the younger set. Some, like Storybook Land, are geared exclusively toward small children, while others, like Morey's Piers and Jenkinson's Boardwalk, offer a solid selection of kiddie rides in addition to bigger thrills.

We've limited our list of amusement parks to those located in New Jersey—to search for more tot-friendly spots in surrounding areas, check out the Best Amusement Parks for Preschoolers in and Near NYC.

30+ Indoor Play Spaces for Kids in Northern New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 01/14/2018 - 2:00pm

Neither flurries nor rain, nor heat nor cold should keep New Jersey children from enjoying a day of play—especially when there are so many awesome indoor play spaces in Northern Jersey. From toddler play dates to teen outings, we've compiled a list of the best indoor playgrounds in Northern New Jersey where kids can drop in for play. No memberships needed! If you're looking for sites that are a bit farther south, check out this listing of Central Jersey play spaces.

Special Needs Summer Camps in New Jersey

Submitted by Danielle Halibey on Tue, 01/02/2018 - 9:00am

Summer camp is a pastime that every child should have the opportunity to experience, and for parents with little ones with special needs, it can be incredibly frustrating and tedious to pinpoint programs that are good fits for their sons and daughters. Because there are so many more sensor y and developmental factors a special needs parent needs to consider, it can be overwhelming at times. So, here is a small list of camps that not only accommodate, but cater to, children on the autism spectrum as well as children with developmental disabilities.

You can find more New Jersey summer camps in our Camp Guide and Full Directory of Listings.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farms in New Jersey

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Wed, 11/01/2017 - 7:20pm

For many families, cutting down a Christmas tree is an annual tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season. For kids, the experience can be downright magical: you're set loose in a forest of trees, with a mission to find the perfect one. If you're thinking of going the cut-your-own route this year, start your tree search by checking out our extensive list of Christmas tree farms. Once you've checked that off your list, be sure to visit our Holiday Guide for even more ways to celebrate the season.

The Best NJ Zoos and Aquariums for Animal Encounters with Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Thu, 08/03/2017 - 12:00pm

Treat your kids to a real animal adventure at one of New Jersey's amazing zoos, aquariums, and animal preserves. At these day trip–worthy spots, little animal lovers can meet their favorite furry friend, check out exotic wildlife from other continents, or swim with the sharks (yes, really!). We've rounded up the best places in the Garden State for New Jersey kids to have an up-close-and-personal encounter with animals of every kind.

New Jersey Roller Skating Rinks: Roll With It, Baby!

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 1:05pm

Ever wish you could travel back in time to the 1980s a la Marty McFly in Back to the Future? Maybe play Super Mario Brothers on a newfangled 8-bit Nintendo system while sporting big hair and neon clothes? Well, you don't need a time-traveling DeLorean to experience one tubular '80s trend that's back in vogue: roller skating rinks! They're the perfect place to throw a radical birthday party or spend a mega-fun afternoon indoors with the kids. Here are some rolling skating hot spots for your family to enjoy (spandex pants optional).