The Brooklyn Nutcracker takes the stage at City Tech beginning Saturday. Photo courtesy of The PR Social
Hanukkah, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids
The stunning Peace, Love, and Lights drive-thru at Bethel Woods returns for another season of bringing visitors joy.
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows from NYC in 2025
  VIDEO
Don’t Miss Holiday Circus Spectacular "Merry Mayhem" at the New Victory Theater
GUIDE
Holidays in NYC: Ultimate Guide to Christmas, Hanukkah, & Seasonal Fun
The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a must-see holiday destination in NYC. Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Gardens
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids
Santa is a busy man, so reservations are required to visit Santland at Macy's Herald Square in New York City in 2025. Photo by Marisa Iallonardo
Top Tips for Visiting Macy's Santaland in 2025
The Met Opera returns to the stage with The Magic Flute this holiday season. Photo by Richard Termine/courtesy of the Met Opera
20 Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids December 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors
Celebrate the shortest day of the year at Marine Park's Festival of Lights. Photo courtesy of the Marine Park Alliance
47 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC for Kids in 2025
Enjoy the magic of Christmas in Dyker Heights as the neighborhood lights up for the festive season. Photo courtesy of Dyker Heights Lights
Best 2025 Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in NYC
Meet Santa aboard The Polar Express chugging along the Morristown and Erie lines. Photo courtesy of the Morristown and Erie Railway
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC in 2025
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden
NYC's Coolest Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out in 2025
Kids as young as 14 can apply for an eco-focused internship at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Photo courtesy of the Alley Pond Environmental Center
Best Museum Programs in NYC for Teens
The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids Guide
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 728 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas

Best Preschool Summer Camps in New Jersey

Located on 14 beautiful acres, Camp Ruach offers flexible day programs for preschoolers. Photo courtesy of the JCC
Located on 14 beautiful acres, Camp Ruach offers flexible day programs for preschoolers. Photo courtesy of the JCC
3/10/24 - By Laurie Rein

Little ones can enjoy all the perks of a summer camp experience in New Jersey with programs specifically geared for the preschool set. These camps, with half and full-day selections, offer sports, crafts, creative play, swimming, and more opportunities for fun in the sun (or indoors in some cases). 

The following are some camps for preschoolers in New Jersey, and as a bonus, booking soon might help you score cost-saving early bird specials. For more on summer camps in New Jersey, bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town. 

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Summer Camps for Preschoolers in New Jersey

Apple Montessori Schools - Camps

Multiple locations
Ages 2-12
Campers enjoy educational adventures through music, art, sports and STEAM projects, plus swimming and splash pads in select locations.   READ MORE

Kidville of New Jersey - Camps

Montclair
Ages 2-5
Kidville camp groups rotate throughout Kidville’s air-conditioned, safe, and clean play environment for gym, music, dance, art, and science. Weekly themes set the stage for sports and movement games. READ MORE

Palisades Country Day Camp

Closter & Fort Lee
Ages 2-9
PCDC offers daily instructional and recreational swim, daily electives, and weekly themed activities and special performances. PCDC has six crystal blue heated pools, a splash park, a nature center, arts and crafts activities, plus ceramics and sports.  READ MORE

Camp Riverbend

Warren
Ages 3-14
Situated on 30 acres of riverfront property along the Passaic River, Camp Riverbend offers a full range of team and individual sports, arts and crafts, daily swimming lessons, an adventure course, cooking, nature exploration, and more.  READ MORE

My Gym Glen Rock

Glen Rock
Ages 3-9
My Gym Glen Rock is the ultimate children's fitness facility and offers mommy & me classes, gymnastics, and fitness classes for children ages 6 weeks-13 years. The mommy & me classes include Tiny Tykes and Waddlers. The summer mini-camp features games, relays crafts, and snacks.  READ MORE

JCC Camp Ruach

Bridgewater
Ages 3-14
Located on 14 beautiful acres, Camp Ruach offers flexible day programs for preschoolers to ninth graders, plus LIT (leadership in training) and special ed options. Activities include swimming, ropes courses, karate, theater, dance, cooking, zip line, mini golf, and archery. Teens can hit the road at travel camp. READ MORE

HealthBarn USA Camp

Ridgewood
Ages 3-15
Something's cooking at this garden-to-fork summer camp. Housed in the beautiful Irene Habernickel Family Park, campers as young as three through teens get hands-on experience with gardening and cooking, while enjoying nature hikes and more seasonal fun in the great outdoors. Full and half day holiday camps are available during school breaks.  READ MORE

Allaire Country Day Camp

Wall
Ages 2-14
Located at the 11-acre GoodSports USA complex, this camp's outdoor facilities include pools, a splash park, archery, basketball courts, gaga ball, and a kickball stadium. The climate-controlled indoor space houses astroturf fields and activity rooms. READ MORE

Camp Yachad

Scotch Plains
Ages 2-14
Camp Yachad Day Camp is based on the outdoor campsite at the JCC in Scotch Plains and offers a traditional summer camp experience filled with a mix of athletics, arts, aquatics, and adventure programming. Transportation, lunch, special events and all activities are all included. Older campers can take part in specialty camps. READ MORE

Cedar Run’s Let's Go Wild Summer Camp

Medford
Ages 3-14
Kids go wild for this nature-themed summer camp at the Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. Half- and full-days are available, and each week focuses on a new topic. The fun includes hiking, games, crafts, and more. After-care is available. READ MORE

The Little Gym Jersey City

Jersey City
Ages 3-12
Little ones get moving at The Little Gym, featuring parent/child classes, children's gymnastics, birthday parties and camps. Summer camp offers weekly themes like Global Explorers and Superheroes Unite.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
Recent Articles By Laurie Rein:
Read more articles by Laurie Rein.