Sizzling Hotline for Summer Fun: 46 Exciting Activities for Kids in New Jersey That Beat the Heat
Discovering Family Fun and Cool Escapes in New Jersey
From waterfalls to waterparks, play spaces to ice cream shops, New Jersey offers a variety of family-friendly destinations to beat the summer heat. Here are some highlights:
South Mountain Reservation in South Orange is home to Hemlock Falls waterfalls, accessible through a 10-minute walk from the Tulip Springs parking lot or a 5-minute walk from the parking lot near the Pine Grove Bridge along South Orange Avenue.
For indoor play spaces, consider visiting public libraries or mall play areas like those at Menlo Park Mall in Edison and Garden State Plaza in Paramus.
For outdoor water parks, Breakwater Beach Water Park at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights stands out with its giant wave pool and plunging slides suitable for family fun. Nearby attractions include rides suitable for younger children.
Diggerland USA in West Berlin offers a unique construction-themed park where kids can operate mini diggers and ride construction vehicles. Its water play area, The Water Main, includes places to splash, swim, and slide, making it ideal for children.
Thundering Surf Waterpark in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island is well-reviewed for its big slides, kids area, friendly staff, and good food options.
Other notable mentions include The Funplex, which although primarily indoor, has an outdoor waterpark section, and several outdoor swimming pools and splash pads near Jersey City suitable for family days.
Among these, Breakwater Beach and Diggerland USA stand out for their strong family and child-friendly focus combined with diverse water attractions. Thundering Surf is also a good choice, especially if visiting the Jersey Shore area.
Remember, to keep children safe in the heat, avoid outdoor activity between 12 and 4pm, stay hydrated, dress in light-colored, loose clothing, stay in the shade, check car seat and seat belt buckles before putting kids in the car, don't forget sunscreen, and reapply per label instructions.
For those seeking cool indoor activities, iPlay America in Freehold offers boardwalk-style rides, activities, and various options for unlimited band, bundles, unlimited video time, or purchasing credits. Bullseye Laser Tag in Woodbridge offers laser tag sessions for kids aged 11 and older.
Altitude Trampoline Park in Woodbridge offers foam pits, gymnastics tumble tracks, basketball, and more.
Point Pleasant Beach offers beautiful beaches, a great boardwalk, mini golf, and more. The aquarium on the boardwalk offers relief from the sun.
Keansburg has a nice beach, a great amusement park for toddlers, and Runaway Rapids, a waterpark with slides and a kiddie area.
Catch Air in Paramus, Jersey City, and Hasbrouck Heights offers a variety of climbing structures, slides, and swings, as well as a toddler zone.
To keep cool at home during a heatwave, consider playing water games like ping-pong pool, sponge toss, water balloon dodgeball, or DIY car wash.
For a sweet treat, visit The Bent Spoon in Princeton for unique and delicious ice cream flavors, specializing in artisanal flavors. Pelican's Snoballs in Mount Laurel offers over 100 flavors of shaved ice and snocream.
For a day of beach, boardwalk eats, and fun rides, consider Ocean City. Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Philadelphia Mummers Bands march down the boardwalk from 6th to 14th Street.
Dorbrook Recreation Area in Colts Neck offers raining leaves, cascading water domes, and water play troughs. Splash Zone in Wildwood offers 20 attractions like raft slides, sprinklers, bucket dumps, surfing, and more.
Explore the new dinosaur dig attraction, which is free with admission.
For a whimsical town for pretend play, visit Imagination Lane (formerly Tay + Te) in Northvale.
For a cool indoor escape, consider visiting Mennen Sports Arena in Morristown or Sterling Hill Mines in Ogdensburg, which offers underground tours of a mine that maintains a constant temperature of 56 degrees.
Finally, don't forget to enjoy summer movies under the stars at Palmer Square Movie Nights in Princeton and Ridgewood Movies in the Park.
[1] Breakwater Beach Water Park: https://casinopiernj.com/breakwater-beach/ [2] Thundering Surf Waterpark: https://thundering-surf.com/ [3] Camelbeach: https://www.camelbeach.com/ [4] The Funplex: https://www.thefunplex.com/ [5] Outdoor swimming pools and splash pads near Jersey City: https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2018/06/where-to-find-outdoor-swimming-pools-and-splash-pads-in-northern-nj.html
- In addition to water parks, New Jersey also has a variety of offerings for fashion and beauty, such as shopping at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus or the boutiques along Haddon Avenue in Collingswood.
- For food and drink lovers, visiting locally-owned eateries like The Bent Spoon in Princeton or venturing to Ocean City for boardwalk treats is a must.
- If you're interested in education and self-development, the Museum of Natural History in Princeton offers a wide range of exhibits, or you can attend a summer workshop at the Princeton University Art Museum.
- For travelers looking to explore beyond New Jersey, consider day trips to places like Philadelphia, with its historic sites like Independence Hall, or Long Beach Island, famous for its beautiful beaches and water parks like Thundering Surf.
