New Jersey offers tons of amazing things for families to do over the summer, and we’ve rounded up more than three dozen of our top picks to create this epic summer bucket list for NJ kids. Whether you’re looking for a beach adventure or want to visit a local farm or museum, it’s easy to fill your calendar during the long, lazy days of summer.
This Guide Includes:
- 51 must-do summer activities for kids in New Jersey
- The best FREE summer things to do in NJ
- Classic New Jersey bucket list experiences
- Summer fun for kids of all ages, from babies to teens
- Summer festivals, concerts, and special events you can’t miss
What Are the Best Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids in the Summer?
The best things to do in New Jersey with kids over the summer include: 1) hitting the Jersey Shore at Point Pleasant Beach and walking Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 2) thrilling the whole family at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, 3) cooling off at Hurricane Harbor water park or a local splash pad like Asbury Splash Park, 4) exploring the free Cape May County Zoo, 5) watching outdoor movies for free at Excursion Park in Sea Isle City, and 6) riding the rides and cascading down water slides at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood.
Be sure to check out our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more fun summer activities for NJ families, including our picks for the best water parks, swimming lakes, and amusement parks in the state.
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Best FREE Things to do in NJ This Summer with Kids
1. Explore the Rancocas Nature Center — Westhampton
Bring the kids to a local nature center for indoor and outdoor fun like the Rancocas Nature Center, which has 3 miles of hiking trails through different habitats such as meadows, forest, and wetlands.
2. Visit Keansburg Beach — Keansburg
This FREE beach is near the Parkway and, while there are no lifeguards on duty, you can enjoy the sand and sun all day long.
3. Swim at Ocean County Park — Lakewood
Plan a day on the playground and hiking trail at this great park, then hit the lakefront beach, which is FREE and has lifeguards from Father’s Day through Labor Day.
4. Go to Cape May Zoo — Cape May
This fantastic zoo has lions, cheetahs, and zebras, plus a great playground.
5. Ride Bikes at Duke Farms — Hillsborough
This free private park features paved paths and beautiful grounds, making it perfect for a bike ride.
6. See The Frelinghuysen Arboretum – Morris Township
Enjoy spending some time in nature at one of NJ’s beautiful arboretums. Take a family hike or participate in scavenger hunts and other fun programs at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.
Classic New Jersey Summer Experiences Every Kid Should Try
7. Visit Barnegat Lighthouse — Barnegat Light
National Lighthouse Day is celebrated every August. Commemorate the occasion by visiting one of the Jersey Shore’s seven great lighthouses, like Old Barney in LBI.
8. Pick Berries at Alstede — Chester
Pick your own summer fruits and veggies at one of NJ’s most family-friendly farms. Alstede is definitely day-trip-worthy, with many fun activities to keep the kids busy.
9 Walk the Ocean City Boardwalk — Ocean City
The lovely 2.5-mile Ocean City boardwalk keeps guests busy with food, arcades, mini-golf, shops, and more.
10. Visit Island Beach — Seaside Park
Spend the day at a beautiful NJ beach like Island Beach State Park.
11. Take a Ferry Ride — Cape May
Try a day cruise and enjoy a ferry ride in Cape May. Reservations are required.
12. See an Outdoor Movie at Excursion Park — Sea Isle
Make plans to see a movie outdoors for FREE such as on Wednesday nights in Sea Isle, located just a block from the ocean. In summer 2026, they plan to show movies like Lilo and Stitch (2025), How to Train Your Dragon (2025), and Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Turtle Back Zoo appeals to all ages. Photo by Mommy Poppins
Best Outdoor Adventures for NJ Kids in Summer
13. Go on a Hike at Cheesequake State Park — Old Bridge
Get outside and enjoy a nature hike. It’s a great way to bond as a family and get some exercise, too.
14. Go on a Cruise with Jersey Shore Pirates — Brick
Set sail with the Jersey Shore Pirates. Kids love dressing up in pirate gear, searching for treasure, and battling rival pirates along with the crew.
15. Have a Picnic at Van Saun Park — Paramus
Stop by your local farmers’ market and purchase some delicious goodies for a picnic in the park. Van Saun Park is a great option since you can pair your picnic with a trip to the Bergen County Zoo.
16. Rent a Paddleboat at Colonial Park – Somerset
Cool off on a hot day by renting a paddleboat. We love Colonial Park because there’s a great mini-golf course right next to the paddleboat rentals.
17. Visit the Grounds for Sculpture – Hamilton
Pack a picnic lunch and see amazing larger-than-life sculptures at the Grounds for Sculpture.
18. Go to Storybook Land – Egg Harbor
Take little ones to this sweet amusement park that’s perfect for toddlers and younger children.
19. See animals at Turtle Back Zoo – West Orange
Spend the day at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. This Essex County gem is perfect for kids of all ages. There’s also mini-golf and a treetop adventure course nearby.
Take a dip at Sunrise Lake Beach Club this summer. Photo courtesy of Lewis Morris Park
Best Ways to Cool Off in NJ’s Summer Heat
20. Cool Down at Hurricane Harbor – Jackson
Beat the heat at NJ’s awesome, action-packed water parks like Hurricane Harbor in Jackson.
21. Get Wet at John Russell Wheeler Park – Linden
Splash around at a local spray park. The John Russell Wheeler Park in Linden is huge and has slides, sprayers, water dumps, and more.
22. Visit Asbury Splash Park — Asbury Park
Asbury Splash Park is bound to keep the kids busy for a while with sprayers and a tipping teacup.
23. Go Swimming at Sunrise Lake Beach Club – Morris Township
Visit a local swimming hole like Sunrise Lake Beach Club, which has a sandy beach, paddleboat rentals, swimming, and more.
24. Bounce and Splash at Island Aqua Park – Margate City, Stone Harbor
Strap on a life vest and try the floating obstacle course at Island Aqua Park.
25. Swim at Crystal Springs Family Waterpark – East Brunswick
Try a pool that offers day passes. Crystal Springs is a good option for families looking for several activities like an activity pool, a Lazy River, a spray area, and water slides.
26. Splash Around at Funplex – East Hanover, Cherry Hill
The water park at Funplex has slides, shallow pools, a lazy river, and splash pads to keep you cool in the summer heat.
RELATED: Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in NJ
Best Indoor Things To Do in New Jersey this Summer
27. Have a Science-Filled Adventure at LSC — Jersey City
Visiting the Liberty Science Center is a great way to spend the day at any time of year. Current exhibits include Wobbly World for kids 41 inches and under, and the Infinity Climber—plus its enormous planetarium.
28. Experience American Dream — East Rutherford
American Dream Mall has all the makings of the perfect staycation. Fill your agenda with things like the indoor Dreamworks Water Park, Angry Birds Mini Golf, Nickelodeon Universe Amusement Park, Big Snow, and myriad family-friendly restaurants. Of course, there’s plenty of shopping, too!
29. Go Bowling at Colonial Lanes Bowling — Lawrenceville
Bring the family to your local bowling alley for some indoor fun! Colonial Lanes has 24 lanes and lane-side dining.
30. Climb the Walls at Climbzone — Howell
A great option for older kids is visiting one of these rock-climbing gyms throughout the state. Climbzone is great because there are so many interesting walls to pick from, each with a unique design.
31. Do Dinner and a Movie — Statewide
Catch one of summer’s big blockbuster releases at a dine-in theater.
32. Bounce at Rock ‘N Air — East Brunswick
Bounce the day away at Rock ‘N Air or another of NJ’s indoor trampoline parks.
33. Go to the Monmouth Museum — Lincroft
Head out to a local museum from Southern and Central Jersey to North Jersey for some hands-on fun with your kids. The Monmouth Museum is a great pick for toddlers.
34. See Adventure Aquarium — Camden
The Adventure Aquarium is a world-class aquarium where you’ll see sharks, hippos, penguins, and too many fish to count. The Atlantic City Aquarium, meanwhile, has just reopened after five years, too.
The NJ Renaissance Faire is good, olde-timey fun. Photo by Lisa Warden
Best Summer Events and Festivals for NJ Families
35. NJ Renaissance Faire — Columbus
For an early-summer outing, dress up and visit the Renaissance Faire to see jugglers, actors, acrobats, and more from Saturday, May 23-Sunday, June 14, 2026.
36. Ocean County Fair — Bayville
It’s five nights of rides, food, 4H displays, and fun at the Ocean County Fair from Wednesday, June 9-Saturday, July 13, 2026.
37. Monmouth County Fair — Freehold
The Annual Monmouth County Fair boasts outdoor entertainment, strolling performers, main stage entertainment, carnival rides, and competitions. The fair takes place from Wednesday, July 22-Sunday, July 26, 2026.
38. Wildwood Sand Sculpting Festival — Wildwood
See amateur and professional sculptors make incredible works of art out of sand at the Wildwood Sand Sculpting Festival on Friday, July 10, 2026.
29. Warren County Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival — Phillipsburg
See horses and hot air balloons, ride rides, listen to concerts, and play games at this great festival from Saturday, July 25-Saturday, August 1, 2026.
40. Somerset County 4-H Fair — Bridgewater
Check out animal exhibits, student performances, and robotics displays, and have fun carnival-type food at this great 4-H fair, which runs from Wednesday, August 5, 2026, to Friday, August 7, 2026.
Sunflowers often bloom through mid-August in New Jersey. Photo by Cody Conk
Unique and Unexpected New Jersey Summer Adventures
41. Meet Lucy – Atlantic City
There’s so much more to Atlantic City than just casinos. Go outlet shopping, play at the arcade, hang out at Steel Pier, visit Island Waterpark at the Showboat, or meet Lucy, the giant elephant.
42. Make a Bouquet at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm – Jobtown
If you’ve never tried to pick your own, get ready to make some incredible memories and snap some amazing pics at a pick-your-own flower farm! Johnson’s Locust Hall
43. Visit the Howell Living History Farm – Lambertville
Check out one of NJ’s Living History Farms, like Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville, for a hands-on day trip that’s both fun and educational.
44. Get Lost in the Sunflowers at Happy Day Farm – Manalapan
Through mid-August, walk the sunflower trail and take lots of pictures at Happy Day Farm.
45. Visit Lakota Wolf Preserve – Columbia
Go on a tour of Lakota Wolf Preserve and see wolves in their natural habitat.
46. Tour Sterling Hill Underground Mines – Ogdensberg
On weekends, tour the Sterling Hill Mining Museum and see mines from the early 1800s for a unique day trip your kids will love. It’s said to be the fluorescent capital of the world.
Take a surrey ride when exploring in Wildwood. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Best NJ Summer Day Trips for Families
47. Catch Some Thrills at Six Flags – Jackson
Whether your family is into white-knuckle coasters or kiddie rides, Jackson’s Six Flags Great Adventure has got you covered. Or try another NJ theme park.
48. Morey’s Pier – Wildwood
Explore this quintessential Jersey shore town and make time to ride the rides at Morey’s Pier.
49. Visit a New Downtown
Play tourist and visit one of NJ’s great small towns. Stroll the streets, do some shopping, and grab a bite to eat with the kiddos.
50. Plan a Beach Day at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk and Point Pleasant Beach — Point Pleasant
Soak up the sun at one of the Jersey Shore’s beautiful beaches. Point Pleasant is a great one for its variety: beach, boardwalk, aquarium, a fun house, mini-golf, rides, and more.
51. Kayak at the Red Bank Marina – Red Bank
Try kayaks, paddleboards, and row boats in the picturesque Red Bank waters.
What Should Be on Every NJ Kid’s Summer Bucket List?
- Point Pleasant Beach and Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
- Ocean City
- Six Flags Great Adventure
- Turtleback Zoo
- Asbury Splash Park
- Van Saun Park
- Red Bank Marina
- Excursion Park outdoor movies
- Morey’s Pier
- Island Aqua Park
FAQ: Summer in NJ With Kids
What are the best things to do in NJ in the summer with kids?
The Jersey Shore is the place to go for sun, sand, swimming, and boardwalk fun. Other great summer outings include splash parks, zoos, outdoor movies, festivals, and iconic attractions like the lighthouse.
Is summer a good time to visit NJ with kids?
Yes. There is so much to do in NJ in the summer, such as free concerts, outdoor movies, splash parks, beaches, and festivals throughout the state.
What are the best free summer activities for kids in NJ?
Free activities include hiking, free beaches, outdoor movies, playgrounds, and splash pads.
What day trips can NJ families take in the summer?
Popular summer day trips include the Jersey Shore, Six Flags Great Adventure, and American Dream on a rainy day.
This piece was originally published in 2014 and has since been updated.
