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Best Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids in New Jersey

1. Explore the Grounds for Sculpture — Hamilton

This unique spot is always a family favorite! The 42-acre outdoor sculpture garden is loaded with interesting art and whimsical surprises—including some that are super-sized! It's the perfect photo opp for family pics. Insider tip: grab a bite at Rat's Restaurant when you're ready for a break. There's a nice kids' menu with chicken fingers, fried shrimp, cheeseburgers, and noodles.

2. Head to the Slopes of Campgaw Mountain — Mahwah

Get the whole crew slope-ready at a nearby ski resort. Campgaw is great because they offer ski and snowboarding lessons for kids ages 4 and up as well as adaptive lessons for kids ages 7 and up. Looking for a deal? Passes are discounted on Mondays through most Thursdays and in the evenings.

3. Ice Skate at Roosevelt Park — Edison

Roosevelt Park has a fantastic outdoor rink overlooking the lake. You'll feel like you're skating in the woods! The costs are reasonable ($8/adult, $7/kid, $7/skate rental) and there's a little cafe off the rink. Bonus: Menlo Park Mall is just a few minutes away, if you'd like to do a little shopping afterward, go to a movie, or visit a fun attraction like The Slime Factory.

RELATED: Family-Friendly Spots to Snowboard and Ski in New Jersey

Ride the rails at Mountain Creek's terrain park for a thrilling wintertime outing.

4. Go Snow Tubing at Mountain Creek — Vernon

If you've got sledding- and snow tubing-loving kids like me, definitely check out the family-friendly slopes at Mountain Creek. Ride the magic carpet to the top of the slopes and then get cold-weather thrills as you slide down the mountain at the tubing park. Note that anyone going up the magic carpet needs a ticket. You can also double the fun and buy passes for snowboarding and skiing, too. Park in North General Parking or the Sandhill Lot.

5. Sled at Echolake — Mountainside

I have fond memories of sledding the gentle hills at Echolake Park in Mountainside as a kid. On snowy days, families can sled for hours down Summer Arts Hill near Springfield Avenue in Westfield. If you're not near Westfield, there are tons of parks to play in when the flakes fly.

RELATED: Kids' Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones in New Jersey

Kids can learn about maple sugaring at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center. 

6. Learn About Maple Sugaring at Great Swamp — Chatham

My kids love learning the "whys" and "hows" of the world, especially how things are made. And that's exactly what you can expect at the Great Swamp maple sugaring demos, where you can tap trees and see how maple sugar is made. Make sure to pre-register for this event.

7. See Wolves at the Lakota Wolf Preserve — Columbia

Watch the wolves wrestle in their habitat at the Lakota Wolf Preserve. It's perfect for animal-lovers, but consider waiting until very little (or very active) kids are old enough to be calm on the tour. Also, be aware that after you park, you need to hike to the tour spot or take a shuttle bus and then walk uphill a short way. Most areas are uneven and unpaved.

8. Visit a Living History Farm — Howell

Learn what it was like to live on a farm before technological advancements. If you're free during the January Ice Harvest event at the Howell Living History Farm, you can see how people used to cut, haul, and handle ice, make an ice candle craft, and even chip ice to make ice cream.

RELATED: Best Museums for Kids and Families in Central and Southern New Jersey

Best  Winter Events for Kids in New Jersey

9. See Let It Glow — Paramus

Bergen County Zoo is a great zoo any day of the year, but it transforms into a truly unique holiday experience on evenings during the holiday season. Walk through the zoo at night and see enormous and beautiful glowing lanterns on the grounds for Let it Glow. These animals, arranged in 30+ glowing scenes, are on view through January 11, 2026.

10. Experience Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest — Philadelphia

Bundle up and enjoy outdoor skating, boardwalk games, amusement rides, delicious food, and more at the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest through March 1, 2026. There are even cabins and firepits that families can rent.

11. Go to the Fire & Ice Festival — Mount Holly

This single-day event makes our list because it is such a fun and unique experience. At Fire & Ice, kids will be in awe at the amazing ice sculptors shaping 300-pound blocks of ice into icy works of art down the streets of Mount Holly. There's also a petting zoo, crafts, games, and even a dog sledding demo. And don't miss the red-hot chili festival, where chefs battle it out for the top honor. The event takes place on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

12. Enjoy Winterfest 2026 — Haddonfield

From January 16-18, 2026, see ice carving and cast your vote in the Souper Bowl Saturday contest at Winterfest.

13. Watch the Polar Bear Plunge — Wildwood, Seaside Heights

Bundle up and let the kids see something truly unique as swimmers dive into the freezing-cold ocean water in support of the Special Olympics. There's one event in Wildwood on January 17, 2026, and one in Seaside Heights on February 28, 2026.

14. Ice Skate at Bergen County Winter Wonderland — Paramus

We love Van Saun County Park any time of the year, but it truly sparkles in the wintertime when you get the chance to lace up your skates and glide around the rink at Bergen County's Winter Wonderland. The rink even has ice bumper cars on a separate synthetic rink! Word to the wise: you can rent skate aids and bring a helmet if you'd like your child to use one. You can even sign up for a private lesson.

15. Get tickets for Disney on Ice — Newark

Get tickets to see Mickey's Search Party skating show at the Prudential Center, with performances January 8-11, 2026.

Best Indoor Winter Activities for Kids in New Jersey

16. Explore Jenkinson's Aquarium — Point Pleasant

Who says the Jersey shore is just for the summer? I absolutely love walks on the boardwalk on a sunny winter day. And if you're in Point Pleasant, the aquarium is an absolutely perfect destination for little ones. This small, charming aquarium offers a glimpse of life under the sea without being too overwhelming. Plus, there are some great kids' programs this winter like Penguins and Pajamas Day and Terrapin Appreciation Day in January, or National Day of Axolotl in February. 

17. Hang out at the Liberty Science Center — Jersey City

One of my family's absolute favorite weekend destinations is the Liberty Science Center. Every time we go, we're blown away by the variety and the frequent refresh and rotation of exhibits. We always make time for the Touch Tunnel, Infinity Chamber, Wild About Animals exhibit, and the latest temporary exhibit. This winter, for instance, you can get tickets for the SUE: The T. rex Experience.

18. See the Stars at RVCC — Branchburg

My kids love planetariums and one of our favorite places to go "stargazing" indoors off the beaten path is the Raritan Valley Community College. Walk through the lighted tunnel, see some small exhibits, and watch a 60-minute public star show or laser light concert. Most shows are designed for preschool and elementary school kids.

19. Try Go-Karting at RPM Raceway — Jersey City

Ready for a high-speed chase? Teens and tweens will definitely get a thrill at the megatrack at RPM Raceway Jersey City. Need a go-karting option in Central Jersey? Head to Supercharged in Edison, but be sure to get a reservation since it's packed on peak days.

Who says theme parks are only for summer? Nickelodeon Universe brings the thrills all year round.

20. Ride the rides at Nickelodeon Universe — East Rutherford

Head to American Dream and visit the largest indoor amusement park in the country: Nickelodeon Universe. There's plenty for little kids to do, but it's not just for younger kids. There are some pretty thrilling rides like the TMT Shellraiser, which has a gut-wrenching vertical drop.

21. Go to iPlay America — Freehold

iPlay America is truly a super fun place to beat the winter blues, especially when you have a mixed age group of kids to entertain. When my kids were younger, I'd have my daughter on the carousel while my boys did the indoor roller coaster. You'll find more than 200 video and skills games as well as the Extreme Laser Experience. There's also the Topgolf suite, ballocity, and go-karts. Check out the list of activities and consider the bundled tickets or wristbands to get the biggest bang for your buck. 

22. Spend the Day at Adventure Aquarium — Camden

Visit the Amazon, touch a shark, and much more at Camden's awesome Adventure Aquarium. My family had a blast doing an animal encounter. It's the perfect behind-the-scenes experience to learn about and meet a popular animal like the hippos, penguins, sea turtles, or another ambassador animal. Note that each animal has a different age minimum, and certain encounters are not for very little kids.

23. Splash at Dreamworks Indoor Water Park — East Rutherford

We are a big waterparks family, and can't get enough of places like Kalahari in the Poconos. But if you want the waterpark without the time commitment of a resort, you'll want to hit Dreamworks. There are enough slides, splash areas, and a wave pool to make everyone happy.

24. Play at Yestercades — Somerville, Westfield, Red Bank, Metuchen

When we discovered Yestercades for the first time, the kids were surprised that "arcade" doesn't always mean tickets and redemption prizes. Sometimes, it's just about beating your top score (or someone else's) or try a new, "old" game like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, pinball, and other retro games. When it's not crowded, my boys like to hang out on the couches with friends and play on the game systems. I love that it's play by the hour (or full day pass) so you don't have to constantly add credits to a card. The Yestercades locations are close to restaurants and little shops so you can make a day of it. In Somerville, for instance, grab a cupcake at Blue Sheep and walk to Retro Classics, an awesome second-hand game shop that has tons of unique memorabilia and use games.

25. Be a Maker at the Morris Museum — Morris Township

Check out the maker studio, Spark!Lab, at the Morris Museum. The museum is located near Morristown, which has great restaurants and shops, and plenty for kids to do.

26. Blow off Some Steam at Xtreme Energy — Paramus, Englewood, Rockaway

Indoor play spaces are perfect for letting kids jump, crawl, play, and climb. One fantastic North Jersey spot is Extreme Energy, which has lots to do like trampolines, climbers, a huge ball bit, and more. We also love the quiet spots like the newly opened Space Play Academy in Hillsborough. And, Catch Air (with locations in Hasbrouk Heights, Jersey City, and Paramus) is great for mixed age groups. For other options, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces.

27. Play Laser Tag at Bullseye — Woodbridge

Catch me if you can: Challenge the kids to play laser tag at one of NJ's awesome kid-friendly arenas such as Bullseye Laser Tag at Woodbridge Center Mall.

28. Go Bowling at Lucky Strike — Multiple locations

Whether you want to go classic or experience all the bells and whistles, NJ has tons of bowling alleys to enjoy. We always love Lucky Strike with locations statewide because of the fun vibe, great laneside eats, and redemption arcade.

29. Head to the Montclair Art Museum — Montclair

Northern New Jersey has lots of museums to pick from, but one of the best art museums we've visited is the Montclair Art Museum. It's the perfect size for kids, with exhibits spreading out over a couple of floors and featuring paintings, sculptures, statues, and prints. Plus, you can visit the Family Learning Lab on the third floor and make art of your own.

30. Check out the FunPlex — East Hanover, Mount Laurel

This award-winning family entertainment center offers everything from go-karts and an arcade to an exhilarating water park–and more!

31. See trains at Northlandz — Flemington 

If your kids love trains, Northlandz is definitely the place to be. The multi-story exhibit is a wonder to behold as you'll see magnificent model train scenes that spread across rooms and hallways.

32. Mini-Golf at Pixar Putt — Paramus

For a limited time, you can tee up with Mike Wazowski and all your favorite Pixar characters at the Pixar Putt indoor mini-golf course in Garden State Plaza Mall.

Free or Cheap Things To Do with Kids in Winter in New Jersey

33. Explore the Cape May Zoo — Cape May

Check out more than 85 acres of beautifully maintained exhibits at this Jersey Shore zoo. There are more than 250 species, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as picnic pavilions and a playground. Admission is always FREE.

34. Take a Fairy Hike — High Bridge

No matter the season, NJ has lots of great family-friendly hikes to enjoy. The Columbia Trail is great because it's got crushed stones so you can easily use bikes and strollers. It also has a section with little fairy houses stationed on the trail. 

35. Take a Nature Walk at Cattus Island — Toms River

Bundle up and head to Cattus Island on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00-3:00. Your group will join a park naturist and learn about a different topic each week.

FAQs About Winter Activities in New Jersey

Q: What are the best indoor activities for toddlers in winter?
A: Seek out soft-play areas and small museums that cater to young kids.

Q: Where can I find free winter activities in New Jersey?
A: Check out the programs available at your local libraries, parks, and local community centers. They often host no-cost family events.

Q: What are some winter activities that work for all ages?
A: Outdoor light shows, nature walks, snow tubing, and indoor play zones are always hits.

Q: Is there snow in New Jersey during winter?
A: NJ hasn't had a major snowfall for the past few years, but New Jersey usually gets at least a couple smaller storms every winter that make a few inches of the white stuff.

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the venues.

A version of this story was first published in 2015 and is updated annually.