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Best Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids in Spring 2025

1. Visit Wild West City

Step back in time to an 1880s frontier town at Wild West City, where you'll be part of the action along with cowboys, sheriffs, bank robbers, gold diggers, and more. The park opens for the season on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

2. Head to the Point Pleasant Boardwalk

Visit Jenkinson's Boardwalk before the summer crowds arrive. The rides and most amusements open in late March/early April.

3. Enjoy South Mountain Reservation

Head to South Mountain Reservation for a full day of family fun, including a fairy trail, paddle boats, mini golf, the Turtle Back Zoo, and the popular pirate playground.

4. See Dinosaurs

See giant animatronic dinosaurs come to life when Field Station: Dinosaurs reopens Saturday, May 24, 2025, to kick off Memorial Day weekend.

5. Get Thrills at Six Flags

Get your springtime thrills at Six Flags Great Adventure, which is already open for the season. 

6. Ride an Old-Fashioned Train

Hop aboard the train in Flemington or Phillipsburg to ride the rails with the Easter Bunny or take a spring excursion.

7. Play at Tony's Playground

Frolic outdoors at Tony's Playground, which is worth the drive to experience if you're not local since it's steps away from the sandy beach of Seven Presidents.

8. ​Visit a Water Park

Cool down at one of NJ's best indoor water parks, such as DreamWorks at the American Dream Mall, which features favorite characters like Shrek and Gabby's Dollhouse.

Free Spring Activities for Families in NJ

9. Enjoy EGGstravaganZOO

Spy oversized eggs in the walking paths, try the HOPstacle course, and participate in the Easter Scavenger Hunt during the Easter EGGstravaganzoo at the Cape May Zoo, from Friday, April 18 through Friday, April 25, 2025.

10. See Cherry Blossoms

Check out the beautiful cherry blossoms in Branch Brook Park. Its popular annual festival returns on Saturday, April 5, and runs through Sunday, April 13, 2025.

11. Explore Duke Farms

Break out the bicycles and take the family for a scenic ride through the gorgeous grounds of Duke Farms. Note that this private park limits weekend visitors, so guests must sign up for a free parking pass in advance online on Saturdays from April through October.

12. Enjoy Rutgers Day

Head to New Brunswick on Saturday, April 26, 2025, for Rutgers Day and enjoy farm animals, food vendors, and special activities for kids—all FREE. 

Outdoor Spring Adventures in NJ

13. Visit a Farm

Visit lambs, chicks, calves, and other baby animals and barnyard residents at Brookyhollow's Barnyard in Boonton, one of NJ's family-friendly farms and petting zoos.

14. PYO Berries

Strawberry season starts at the end of May, so grab a basket and pick your own berries—and more—at a host of local farms.

15. Go to Diggerland

If your kids love construction vehicles, check out Diggerland, which opened for the 2025 season on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Drive, ride, and operate heavy machinery at this construction-themed adventure park. There are some new things for kids under 36" to do this year, too.

RELATED: Easy Spring Break Getaways for New Jersey Families

The hills come alive with daffodils at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in April. Photo courtesy of the arboretum

16. Experience Daffodil Day

Experience the splendor of spring at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum's Daffodil Day on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

17. Take in the Views From Kip's Castle

Take your little prince or princess on a real-life adventure to Kip's Castle Park in Verona. Built in 1905, the replica of a medieval castle is a whopping 9,000 square feet and has amazing views of the NYC skyline.

18. Hike the Watchung Reservation

Walk the Watchung Reservation Sensory Trail, the first of its kind in Union County, and according to park officials, the most extensive sensory trail in the U.S.

19. Take a Nature Walk at Cattus Island

Take a lovely stroll during a Cattus Island nature walk, which has an updated nature center and exhibits.

Educational Spring Activities for Kids in NJ

20. Visit a Nature Center

Visit one of NJ's awesome nature centers to learn about local flora and fauna and head outside to look for signs of spring.

21. Experience Nature at Cora Hartshorn Arboretum

Celebrate the season by signing up for an educational program at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum.

22. Learn About Animals

Learn about all the inhabitants of Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center in a 20-minute live animal talk every Sunday.

23. Go Stargazing

Find the best places to go stargazing in NJ to celebrate National Astronomy Day on Saturday, May 5, 2025.

Spring Festivals and Events for Families in NJ 

24. The Montclair Literary Festival

The Montclair Literary Festival, with select dates in late April and early May, features a full day of free events for children and young adults, including author and illustrator visits, stories, and workshops.

25. Head to the Azalea Festival

Stop and smell the flowers at the Azalea Festival in Hamilton on Mother's Day weekend, where you can enjoy more than 250,000 flowering bulbs, dogwoods, azaleas, and rhododendrons.

26. Visit Alstede Farm's Easter and Springtime Family Festival

See baby animals, visit the Easter Bunny, and try the scavenger hunt at Alstede Farm's Easter and Springtime Family Festival from Saturday, April 5 through Monday, April 21, 2025.

27. Visit the Stirling Street Fair

Hit the pavement and enjoy this year's entertainment at the Stirling Street Fair on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

28. Go to Cape May's Spring Festival

Head to Cape May for the family-friendly Spring Festival, from Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, May 18, 2025.

29. Fly a Kite

See kites of all shapes and sizes soaring over the beach in Long Branch on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

30. Enjoy Ocean Fun Day

See even more of what the Jersey Shore offers during the 2025 Ocean Fun Days at Island Beach State Park and Sandy Hook.

31. Embrace Bricks

Take your little LEGO enthusiast to Brick Fest, a 2-day convention with exhibits, interactive stage shows, life-sized Lego buildings, a world-record-setting brick mosaic, and merchandise. 

32. Spring Fling

Bounce around the fun KidZone, rock out to live music, and sample delicious treats from food vendors during Westfield's Spring Fling on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

33. Observe Earth Day

The whole family can head outdoors and stretch their legs as the Monmouth County Park System celebrates Earth Day with a variety of events in its parks in April.

34. Go to a Renaissance Fair

Travel back in time at the Smithville Renaissance Faire on Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, 2025. The historic village is transformed into an English Renaissance town, complete with dukes and duchesses, sword fights, and knights. Or, get tickets to the NJ Renaissance Faire, which runs weekends from May 17 to June 8, 2025.

35. Watch Sheep Shearing

Experience the Sheep Shearing event at the Historic Longstreet Farm on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, 2025.

36. See Model Trains

Watch Thomas and other trains chug around miniature tracks at the Garden State Annual Spring Model Railroad Show on weekends in late March and early April.

37. Embark on a Bunny Chase

Hunt for clues to find a surprise at the end of Terhune Orchards' Bunny Chase during Easter weekend. Afterward, little ones can make a bunny craft to take home and munch on a bunny cookie.​

This post, originally published in March 2015, is updated annually.