Few people realize that having kids really opens you up to a whole new world of exciting places to check out. Many of the places we have visited with our family have had lots of toddler activities but have also been really interesting for us to visit as parents. In this feature about the best New Jersey activities for toddlers, I am sharing my favorite places to visit with toddlers in New Jersey.
At the end of our guide to toddler activities in New Jersey is also a list of our other articles to check out with more suggestions such as free places to see animals, nature centers, libraries, and arboretums.
Bringing a toddler to explore different activities in New Jersey really helps expose them to the world around them. It is a wonderful age since everything seems amazing to them. My five year old can still vividly recall many activities and experiences from things she did when she was two.
Exploring these New Jersey activities for toddlers is also easy on the budget. Toddlers are usually free to visit places where an adult or older child may need to pay an admission fee.
New Jersey Activities for Toddlers at NJ Family Attractions
Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Storybook Land is one of the best New Jersey activities for toddlers. As long as toddlers are 36 inches tall they can ride on most of the rides as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Toddler Rides at Storybook Land
When we arrived my kids were ecstatic that they could go on so many rides and immediately started picking different rides that they could go on. I was surprised when my toddler actually preferred many of the bigger rides such as Bubbles the Coaster and the Beanstalk Bounce.
We visited on a weekday while school was still in session so none of the rides had long lines. We were able to do all the rides that were open and did some of them multiple times as well.
If your kids have never done rides before or are younger it may be good to start on their smallest rides and work your way up. The J&J Railroad is a great starting point. It takes you around all of the rides so that you get a good lay of the land.
The Work Zone ride was our favorite out of the toddler rides for younger kids since riders get to ride in a construction vehicle around a flat track and pretend to go through a construction site with real steam.
The Turtle Twirl, Tea Time, and Rock Spin and Roll are all rides that spin so be sure to intersperse these with other rides so that you do not get too dizzy.
Tips for visiting Storybook Land with toddlers
Be sure to arrive as the park opens since you will likely want to stay until the park closes.
Admission to the park includes all of the rides so there are no additional fees unless you are purchasing food there.
Eating with toddlers at Storybook Land
Food is also allowed to be brought into Storybook Land and there are many eating areas. My kids’ favorite eateries were the one under a giant birthday cake and another where people could sit on ice cream cones. We got soft-serve ice cream at the Gingerbread House Snack Bar.
There is a watering can nearby that serves water ice and funnel cake. The park also has a Dining Depot and a Caboose Cafe.
For more information visit the Storybook Land website.
Field Station Dinosaurs in Leonia, NJ
Visiting Field Station Dinosaurs is like entering the world of the movie Jurassic Park. As you walk around the park you see dinosaurs from various time periods, many of which are moving or making sounds.
Toddler Activities at Field Station Dinosaurs
My toddler enjoyed getting the Dinosaur Credential book stamped around the park and the Fossil Dig Site the most. My preschooler enjoyed the activities for an additional fee the most which were the Jurassic Jump and the Paleontologists’ Laboratory. So I would say those are best for preschool age or older but not as interesting for toddlers. My personal favorite part was just seeing all of the life-size dinosaurs since they were truly impressive.
Field Station Dinosaurs is perfect for kids of a younger age who love dinosaurs since they can see them in the daylight when they are less scary. None of them moved or made enough noise to upset any of my two kids.
There are also various shows that are held around the park such as Dinosaur Daycare in which my kids loved seeing the baby dinosaurs. The site is also a great place for a homeschool lesson as there are informational plaques next to each dinosaur and many of the shows are educational.
Tips for visiting Field Station Dinosaurs with toddlers
When visiting be sure to wear sunblock and a hat since there are many areas without shade. If visiting on a hot day you may want to bring along your own shade for your toddlers such as a stroller or a wagon with a canopy.
To find more information about our trip to Field Station Dinosaurs and what you can do there read What can Toddlers and Preschoolers do at Field Station Dinosaurs?
Tuckerton Seaport in Tuckerton, NJ
For my birthday celebration this past year we decided to visit Tuckerton Seaport with some friends and it ended up being an amazing day. The kids loved the Creek Tour via the boat ride. The crew had life vests in sizes small enough for them. My kids stayed engaged the entire time since there were things to see such as herons along the way. Afterwards we enjoyed some cupcakes and snacks at the tables near the Lighthouse.
The benches on the boat rides are different now, but they still have children’s life vests.
Tuckerton Seaport activities for toddlers and little kids
We checked in at the lighthouse and got a Scavenger Hunt which the kids colored as they found things along the way through all of the historic buildings on the property. They got a pin after they completed this.
My kids’ favorite parts were the play areas, the playground with a pirate ship, train, and houses, the blacksmith, and the Folk Arts Center building that held a lot of crafts for them to do.
My toddler loved the play train and boat the most.
We had some coffee and tasty food before leaving at the Union Market, which had a lot of outdoor seating.
To find more information about Tuckerton Seaport in our guide to Tuckerton Staycations Jersey Family Fun.
New Jersey Museums with Toddler Activities and Areas
New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, NJ
People often do not think about visiting the New Jersey State Museum with their young kids but it is a great place to take them.
Visiting the New Jersey State Museum with toddlers
It is easy to push a stroller around with the wide pathways and huge elevator between the floors. There are also wheelchair-accessible restrooms. Parents do not have to pass through the gift shop on their way to the exit which is highly appreciated.
When passing through the exhibits it may be best to keep your toddler in the stroller to make sure they do not touch anything. Be aware that people are not allowed to have food inside the museum but there are benches outside where it is easy to picnic.
If doing homeschooling this is a great place to teach kids about New Jersey history. There is an archaeology collection that includes a lot of artifacts from Native Americans. The museum has a large collection of artwork as well as cultural exhibits that include things such as furniture and ceramics.
My kids love dinosaurs so they loved the Hadrosaurus skeleton that was part of their Natural History Collection. They also liked the Mosasaurus Maximus replica that hangs from the ceiling.
Toddler Activities at the New Jersey State Museum
There are Small Explorers guides throughout the museum that tell families with kids ages 0 to 5 years old things for them to find in the museum as well as related activities they can do at home.
The two best parts of the museum are that they have an area geared towards toddlers as well as a program for kids ages 6 months to 5 years old. The Discovery Den on the second floor was made for babies to eight year olds. There are small seats and tables with sheets for coloring, a costume cubby, and books on shelves along the side.
The infant and toddler area has pillows on the floor, an area for babies to crawl, gliders, and wall activities for toddlers to play with.
The science corner has puzzles, building sets, and magnifiers. My kids’ two favorite parts of the Discovery Den area were the campsite and the puppet theater where they could put on shows for us.
Toddler Programs at the New Jersey State Museum
I highly recommend the program the New Jersey State Museum has on the second Saturday of each month called Small Explorers. It is at 11 am in the Discovery Den area and people need to preregister at least one day beforehand with [email protected] to ensure there is space for them to attend.
With the pandemic, my kids have also done some of their virtual sessions that follow at 12:15 pm. If you live close by you can even stop by the museum to pick up free activities that go with the virtual session the day beforehand (people are notified about this via email).
Since each Small Explorers class has a different theme this keeps each class interesting. So far my kids have enjoyed the Dinosaur-themed class the most which included dinosaur puppets, making dinosaurs, digging for them, making fossils, and more.
For more information visit Small Explorers NJ State Museum. For more information on the Discovery Den go here: Discovery Den NJ State Museum.
Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ
As a kid, I visited the Liberty Science Center and I remember that I loved participating in an experiment where I touched a large ball that made my hair stand up due to static electricity. I was intrigued by the Touch Tunnel, an 80-foot-long tunnel in the dark. The Hoberman sphere was also very impressive as it expanded and contracted above our heads as we walked in the center.
Toddler Activities at the Liberty Science Center
For those with toddlers, there are also lots of things for them to do at the Liberty Science Center. Dino Dig is a new permanent exhibit that is outdoors on the second floor. There are different areas where kids can dig to find dinosaur fossils and then learn the name of the dinosaur that they have found.
Toddlers may also enjoy Big Bird’s One World, One Sky show at the planetarium on this floor.
Block Party is another permanent exhibit where kids can make giant block towers or dinosaur skeletons.
On the third floor, kids can visit Wild Animals, which is like visiting an indoor zoo. The fourth floor has a permanent indoor exhibit called Pixel Art where toddlers can turn on and off various pixels to make art.
The Liberty Science Center also has temporary exhibits geared towards toddlers and preschoolers like Thomas the Train, Daniel Tiger, and others.
To learn more read our article on What can Toddlers and Preschoolers do at the Liberty Science Center. For more information on the Liberty Science Center visit the Liberty Science Center website.
Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ
Most people think of museums as being indoors but the Grounds for Sculpture is a sculpture museum that is almost entirely outdoors. Prior to the pandemic, I would visit with my kids a few times each year with our library museum pass. It is a beautiful place that is a mix of outdoor art installations, labyrinthine pathways, outdoor seating, and an arboretum.
Many of the outdoor installations change which is good motivation for visitors to return. The permanent sculptures are mostly recreations of scenes from Monet and Manet paintings.
Visiting the Grounds for Sculpture with Toddlers
The Grounds for Sculpture is a great place to take toddlers since the grounds are mostly stroller friendly. If your toddler loves to walk there are tons of things to explore around every corner that keep them entertained.
My little kids love the sculptures that look like people sitting in seats by the water the most. They also love seeing the peacocks roam near the Seward Johnson Center for the Arts and the koi fish swimming in the water near Rat’s Restaurant.
My son enjoys walking over bridges and the Monet bridge is surreal especially as it is surrounded by picturesque lily pads, flowers, weeping willow trees, and more.
For more information visit the Grounds for Sculpture website. To learn more about how Monet and Manet influenced the Grounds for Sculpture go read Discovering Monet and Manet at New Jersey Grounds for Sculpture.
New Jersey Zoos for Toddlers or with Toddler Area
Cape May Zoo in Cape May Court House, NJ
Last year we visited the Cape May Zoo and it was a huge hit for the kids. The best part about it is that it is free so you do not have to worry about how long your kid will want to stay or how much it will cost.
Visiting the Cape May Zoo with Toddlers
Be sure to bring some cash for the carousel and if you want to purchase any food there. Your kids will likely want to stay as long as possible since before they even enter there are huge playgrounds. Towards the entrance, there is also a carousel and a place selling ice cream sandwiches. My kids loved both of these things.
The animal exhibits are easy to navigate and it is easy to push a stroller around. The kids loved many of the animals they found such as the zebras, scarlet ibis, African lions, and elk.
After we had visited all the animals, my husband took the kids to see many of the animals again while my friend and I went to Treetop Adventures right next to the zoo. This was a fun place to try some zip lining in a program that took a couple of hours.
In the spring the zoo offers a program for toddlers called Little Explorers. During the summer the Cape May library offers various outdoor classes at the zoo.
For more information on the Cape May Zoo go here: Cape May County Zoo.
Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, NJ
The Cohanzick Zoo is one of my children’s favorite places to go for New Jersey activities for toddlers. While most parents agree that they often want another adult with them to take their kids to bigger zoos, this is one zoo where I am comfortable taking kids by myself.
Visiting the Cohanzick Zoo with Toddlers
The Cohanzick Zoo is free (although it accepts donations) and is laid out in a loop that is easy to follow. If going with a stroller it is easy to navigate. The entire zoo takes about an hour to go through.
One of the best parts of the Cohanzick Zoo is the quantity of bigger animals it has such as a tiger, mountain lion, bear, emu, and leopard. This is great for toddlers since they often do not take the time to notice smaller or quieter animals. My kids’ favorite things to see are the porcupine and the African serval.
There are restrooms in the front of the zoo. Additionally, there are picnic benches where people can eat outside the zoo entrance where visitors can also view peacocks roaming around. There is also a hiking trail here.
In the summer the City of Bridgeton has a mini-golf place and splash pad open for a low cost. We have visited the splash pad and it is colorful with lots of fun things such as falling buckets of water that kids would enjoy.
For more information visit the Cohanzick Zoo website. For more information on the splash park visit Bridgeton Splash Park website.
Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey Township, NJ
While the Popcorn Park Zoo does have a fee, it is another one of the fun New Jersey activities for toddlers if your toddler likes to feed animals. The fee also goes towards the Zoo taking care of the animals which have all been rescued.
At the entrance, people can purchase a box of popcorn which they can feed to most of the animals at the Popcorn Park Zoo. The animals are a mix of zoo and farm animals.
My kids really enjoyed the turtles at the front of the zoo as well as the deer and Bengal tigers.
For more information visit the Popcorn Park Zoo website.
New Jersey Aquariums with Toddlers Activities and Toddler Areas
Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ
The Adventure Aquarium in Camden is a toddler’s dream. It is chock full of sea life and interactive things for them to do.
Save money on your Adventure Aquarium visit
If going with a preschool-age child be sure to check if they currently have the Pre-K Kid’s Adventure Pass program, which gives one year of free admission for kids ages 2 to 5. Kids under 2 are always free. We visited during homeschool week when there is discounted admission for homeschoolers. This year it is also their 30th birthday so the Aquarium is allowing guests to visit free on their birthdays.
Visiting the Adventure Aquarium with toddlers and little kids
My kids enjoyed petting the sharks and stingrays. They also loved walking on the walkway/Shark Bridge between the shark tank. We visited close to Christmas so they enjoyed the touches with decorating such as the coral that was decorated in the tank for the seahorses. My daughter loved it so much that she now wants to have a sleepover with her cousins at the aquarium when she is older (something that people can actually do!).
My favorite part was seeing all of the penguins they had outdoors above and below the water. If going be sure not to miss the hippo feedings. My kids were tickled to learn that the hippos eat bok choy and watermelons.
For toddlers, the best part is the KidZone, designed for children under the age of 6. There are more interactive displays, things for them to climb through as well as sea life for them to touch as well. This area has been temporarily closed due to the pandemic.
For more information visit the Adventure Aquarium website.
New Jersey Farms with Toddler Activities and Toddler Areas
Terhune Orchards in Princeton, NJ
For her second birthday, my daughter said the only thing she wanted for her birthday was to visit Terhune Orchards. This place has always been a favorite for both of my kids. It is perfect for the toddler age.
Toddler Activities at Terhune Orchards
My son’s favorite activity is the pedal tractors that go along the dirt track. My daughter loves the play tractor that has a slide on the back. Both kids love finding the geocaches on the nature trail.
We have enjoyed visiting during their Kite Day and Firefly Festival where we were able to do things like making our own kites, hayrides, see aerial acts, do crafts, and more.
There are numerous things for toddlers to do such as play on the play equipment and in the playhouses, visit the farm animals, go on the pedal tractors, listen to live music, and more.
The farm often has picking of different things throughout the year such as strawberries, raspberries, apples, asparagus, and flowers. Older toddlers and preschoolers would also enjoy their Read and Pick Program on weekdays.
Tips for Visiting Terhune Orchards
If visiting, be sure to bring some cash and some quarters. Terhune Orchards has a machine that takes quarters near the animals where you can purchase food for the kids to feed the animals. The cash is useful if you stop at the farm market on your way out. I personally usually get their renowned apple cider donuts or slushies.
To find out more information about Terhune Orchards go here: Terhune Orchards.
Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford, NJ
Johnson’s Corner Farm is another one of those enjoyable toddler activities in New Jersey. The various activities at the farm have different costs but we got a yearly membership which reduces the overall cost if you visit often.
Toddler Activities at Johnson’s Corner Farm
The Discovery Barnyard is a toddler paradise with multiple play areas, a pedal go kart track, pretend farm with mini buildings, splash pads, and more. There is also an animal farm where kids can feed the animals. My son especially loves donkeys.
Throughout the year there are fantastic events toddlers will enjoy. My daughter loved doing their hayride to pick corn and it was the sweetest corn I have ever eaten. My son loved their Farmer for the Day class where he could plant some seeds and take a tour of some farm areas.
Both of our kids love the light show hayride Johnson’s Corder Farm offers at Christmas time. All the lights truly transform the farm into a Winter Wonderland. If your toddler loves cars they will likely enjoy their Friday night classic car cruises.
To find out more information go to the Johnson’s Corner Farm website.
Hill Creek Farms in Mullica Hill, NJ
Visiting Hill Creek Farms is the perfect NJ fall activity for a toddler.
Toddler Activities at Hill Creek Farms
There is a toddler-sized corn maze with fun Peanuts characters for toddlers to find. This is close to many great fall photo op spots as well as numerous apple orchards with different varieties. Many of the branches are low enough that even a toddler is able to reach. Hill Creek Farms runs hayrides out to pick apples and other vegetables.
The kid play area is lots of fun with a pretend castle, a giant pretend fire truck, lots of tires, and more. My kids’ favorite part was doing the Duck Race Challenge game where rubber ducks race on PVC pipes using water pumps. My daughter also enjoyed riding on their Barrel Train.
To learn more about Hill Creek Farms go here: Hill Creek Farms.
More fun New Jersey Activities for Toddlers
Visiting a Library.
Libraries are great places to check out books to read to your kids at home. Be sure to start your toddler in the 1,000 Books before Kindergarten program. Libraries also offer Summer Reading Programs with prizes and fun events such as magic shows, animal encounters, puppet shows, and more.
Throughout the year libraries host many other events such as Music Time, Art Classes, Dr. Seuss parties, Harry Potter parties, and more.
Visiting a Nature Center.
Most nature centers are free to visit and they offer interactive exhibits for toddlers, friendly staff, reptiles to see, and more. Many of them offer engaging programming throughout the year for kids who are toddlers and older.
We frequently visit nature centers for classes or when we are hiking. They can be such an educational place to visit. Be sure to get some trail maps before heading out on a trail with your little ones. To see a list of the Nature Centers in New Jersey and more details about ones near you read about New Jersey Nature Centers.
Seeing some animals.
My kids are intrigued by any animal they see in regards to animal behaviors, what they eat, the sounds they make, and more. While some places are listed above there are many other places to see animals for free in New Jersey.
Strolling through an arboretum.
The spring and summer are especially wonderful times to visit an arboretum with your toddler since so many things are blooming. My kids find walking even more enjoyable when they have garden mazes, identifying plant plaques, colorful flowers, and fountains to liven up their walk.
Find details about arboretums near you in our guide to New Jersey Botanical Gardens. The guide will also tell you what you may find blooming there depending on which season you visit.
Got another idea for New Jersey activities for toddlers? Drop your suggestions in the comments below.
