Family Fun: Spring Break in New Jersey

Longer days, springtime showers and blooming flowers mean that it’s almost time for spring break. When school’s out, you’ll find New Jersey has no shortage of fun things to do with kids throughout the state. Get started planning the perfect family vacation with these ideas.

Make the most of pleasant springtime weather at Tenafly Nature Center, located along the scenic Hudson River in northern New Jersey. With nearly 400 acres of lush green space and natural wildlife habitats, you’ll find plenty to explore with kids and teens alike. Take teens for a walk along seven miles of hiking trails, bring little ones to hear bullfrogs croaking at Pfister’s Pond or join in on one of the seasonal programs, from storytelling to scavenger hunts.

At Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, you’ll find a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, with fun on the agenda, no matter what the weather has in store. Play a round of golf at Castaway Cove Mini Golf, practice your swing at the batting cages, play games at the numerous arcades or go on the 7D interactive Dark Ride at South Beach Arcade. Meanwhile, Jenkinson’s Aquarium is filled with exciting and educational exhibits featuring marine life such as sharks, penguins, seals and even sea stars and sting rays in a hands-on touch tank.

If rain is in the forecast, not to worry — a tropical escape awaits at one of the indoor water parks. At Big Kahuna's in West Berlin, it’s always a balmy 84 degrees, and kids can zoom down fast waterslides, float down a lazy river, or try surfing on the Flow Rider surf simulator. Or splash over to DreamWorks in East Rutherford, the largest indoor water park in North America. Located at American Dream, this one-of-a-kind water playground has record-breaking slides, luxury cabanas and a tropical 81-degree climate all year long.


Keep kids learning even while they’re out of school with a trip to Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, where interactive exhibits delve into the fascinating worlds of science, space, technology and more. Be sure to visit the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium and Joseph D. Williams 3D Science Theater for films, laser shows and planetarium experiences.

For a night the whole family will remember, enjoy dinner and a show at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Lyndhurst. Kids of all ages can watch in awe as exciting jousting, thrilling sword-fighting, skillful horsemanship and beautiful falconry ignite their imaginations and transports them to medieval times. Dinner includes a spread of hearty fare, including roasted chicken, buttered corn, herbed potatoes and more.

Be sure to check with your destination before you go for the latest updates and details. Find even more fun things to do in New Jersey on your next trip here.