By Emily D'Antuono
New Jersey offers a myriad of activities for children of all ages. Some of these activities cost money, but many are free or are very reasonably priced. Several are open year-round, though daytime hours of operation are often shorter in the winter. The following is a list of some of these activities.
Water and Theme Parks
Six Flags Great Adventure is a popular theme park located in Jackson. It is open most weeks from April through November.
The Land of Make Believe is located in Hope, and offers both a water park (Pirate's Cove) and a theme park. It is open weekends only from Memorial day to the second week of June, and then for full weeks until Labor Day. Admission includes both the water and theme parks, and parking is free.
Zoos
Van Saun Park and Zoo is located in Paramus and is open year-round. The zoo boasts an impressive variety of animals as well as a giant butterfly exhibit. Admission is free during the winter.
Cape May County Park and Zoo is located in Cape May. It offers free admission and is open year-round.
Nature Preserves
The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located in Columbia and offers a wolf watch, enabling viewers to observe packs of arctic, timber and tundra wolves.
The Plainsboro Preserve is located in Cranbury and offers services including family nature programs, summer camps, birthday parties and interpretive hikes. The preserve is open year-round, though for fewer hours in the winter.
Children's Museums
The New Jersey Children's Museum is located in Paramus and offers a number of exhibits including funnel fun, virtual reality for preschoolers and fun mirrors as well as a weekly breakfast club.
Resorts
Mountain Creek is located in Vernon and offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing during the winter, as well as a water park, golf and a freeride park during the summer months. Families can take their kids for a day trip or spend several nights in resort lodging.
Resources
About the Author:
Based in New Jersey, Emily D'Antuono is a former high school English, Spanish and creative writing teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from James Madison University and has been writing articles about health, education and family for Demand Studios since 2008.
