Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
New Jersey's indoor trampoline parks and bounce houses offer a fun way to keep energetic kids busy. Whether you're planning a birthday party, looking for a rainy day activity, or just burning off energy, springy trampolines and inflatable bouncers are sure winners.
Find more active fun in our Guide to NJ Kids' Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones, which includes a rundown of the best indoor rock-climbing gyms in New Jersey.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Looking for things to do in New Jersey with tweens? Read on for our top picks.
Your tweens may be too big for bouncy houses and tea parties, yet too young for solo outings with friends. But they still love family fun–even if they won't always admit it. When a trip to your local playground is met with eye-rolling instead of cheering, it's time to check out these amazing things to do in New Jersey with tweens. The good news? You may genuinely enjoy competing with your tween in bowling or tackling the fast slides at a water park.
Read on for 40 ideas that are cool enough for big kids and find more fun things to do in New Jersey with tweens in our Tweens and Teens Guide to NJ, which includes our rundown on birthday party ideas for teens in New Jersey.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Outdoor restaurants in NJ give you a chance to relax and linger over a summer meal with children. Restless kids are free to stretch their legs, explore, and watch the world go by. These outdoor restaurants in New Jersey have options ranging from waterfront decks and sandy patios to tree-shaded courtyards and grassy gardens.
Read on for our top picks for kid-friendly outdoor dining, and don't miss our round-up of NJ themed restaurants with interactive dining with interactive dining or our rundown of places where kids eat free. You can find tons of other great things to do in the Garden State this season in our Summer Fun Guide.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
The fall season is the perfect time to get the family outdoors for a nature walk or an easy hike when trees are ablaze with fall colors and temperatures are just right. These easy hiking trails in New Jersey are perfect for families with young kids. Pick the right trail, pack enough snacks, and pad your expected hike time by an extra hour to allow break time for little legs, and you'll have a great day soaking up the fall scenery around Jersey's many forests and state parks. If we get a late heatwave, consider visiting one of these hiking trails near swimming holes, streams, and more wet places to play.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
New Jersey offers several scenic spots where you can enjoy river tubing and rafting. Whether you opt to head west to go tubing on the Delaware River or hitch a ride around one of New Jersey's swimming lakes, there are plenty of options, including gentle tubing and paddling adventures suitable for children age 4+, so the whole family can enjoy this classic summer thrill.
Find more wet-and-wild fun at these local inflatable water parks and in our Summer Fun Guide.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Unplug and step back in time at one of New Jersey's historic villages, which offer families a taste of what life was like in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Located throughout the state, these historic villages feature blacksmith shops, working farms, gristmills, historic houses, general stores, and more, and many host family-friendly events throughout the year. Whether you're looking for an authentic historical outing or an afternoon of quaint shopping, these 10 spots make for a great family day trip.
For more historical day trip inspiration, check out our list of Revolutionary War sites to visit with kids.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
With majestic views of the Hudson River, Statue of Liberty, and Lower Manhattan, plus acres of sprawling green lawns, a riverfront walkway, nature trail, picnic areas, playgrounds, and one of our favorite kid-friendly museums, Jersey City's Liberty State Park is ideal for a memorable family day trip.
Whether you spend a day exploring the park, or use it as a jumping-off point for more adventures, this green space on the banks of the Hudson is worth a visit. You can also head indoors for an afternoon at the Liberty Science Center, followed by a bite at one of our favorite family-friendly restaurants in Downtown Jersey City.
Read on for our favorite things to do during a visit to Liberty State Park, and find more outdoor family adventures in our Guide to Local Parks and Playgrounds.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Looking for fresh air and family adventure? Head out to explore one of New Jersey's "reservations" — forested nature preserves that are like mini state parks. Hidden along river banks and tucked into woodlands, these New Jersey parks are ideal for family hikes, picnics, and biking. You can bring binoculars to spy on colorful birds or wear boots to let the kids muck around with turtles and frogs.
Most reservations have marked trails, education and nature centers, playgrounds, and restroom facilities, while others are a bit more rugged, with "carry in/carry out" policies—meaning not even trash cans are provided.
We've rounded up 10 New Jersey reservations with a variety of offerings. Read on to find the best spot for your next outdoor adventure!
