It is summer finally!!! Maybe not quite on the calendar, but it’s feeling like it. Plus the school year is coming to an end. Summer concerts and movies are returning. Fireworks are on. This summer promises to be the summer you’ve needed, the summer you want, the summer the kids want. We’re here to help with our guide to fun things to do in the summer in New Jersey in what we call, The MOST Fun Summer Activities for Kids & Teens in New Jersey.
We are so lucky to live in New Jersey where the activities, day-trip destinations, and yes, even vacations are plentiful. Whether you want to explore a new museum, splash around at the waterpark, beat the heat with a free summer movie, dance at a summer concert, or try something different, our list of fun things to do in the summer in New Jersey with kids will help you make your summer vacation all YOU ever wanted.
With that in mind, we pulled together all the things there are to do in New Jersey this summer. From community events to free activities, from summer day trips to NJ staycation ideas we hope you’ll find this a valuable tool in planning the MOST fun summer activities for your kids and teens.
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Best of the Fun Summer Activities in New Jersey
Test your luck at Iplay America
Challenge the kids and test your luck. iPlay America offers so many ways to challenge the kids in a friendly battle. Laser tag, bowling, hoops, skeeball, Top Golf games, you could spend day after day at iPlay America and never get bored. With the iPlay America Summer Season Pass you can play all summer long without paying over and over for the same rides.
The iPlay America Summer Season Pass includes unlimited rides ALL SUMMER LONG! Ride Kite Flyer, Sky Scraper, Go-Karts, Freedom Rider, Reverse Time, Happy Swing, Crazy Cabs, Dizzy Dragons, High Flyer, Mini Ferris Wheel and Mini Carousel as much as you like for a one-time season pass fee of $75.99.
However you choose to play, iPlay America is the place for some of the best summer activities in New Jersey.
Take a boat ride
The creeks, the bays, the Atlantic Ocean, summer is not summer without getting out on the water. In New Jersey, you can experience all kinds of boat rides from small private boat tours out of the Tuckerton Creek to large ferries that circle AND stop at the Statue of Liberty. Find out more at these links. Expect this list to get longer as more 2023 details are released.
- Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours
- Expect this list to get longer as more 2023 details are released.
Search for dolphins and whales
Speaking of boat rides, if you’ve never experienced a cruise to search for dolphins and whales, do it this summer. There are several ways to see dolphins and whales in New Jersey.
- Atlantic City Dolphin Cruises
- Cape May Whale Watcher
- Silver Bullet Tours
- Cape May Lewis Ferry – This ferry doesn’t sell itself as a dolphin watching attraction, but we’ve definitely seen dolphins in the ocean during our Cape May Lewis Ferry rides.
Have all the dinosaur experiences
If you have kids who love dinosaurs, add dinosaur hunting to your list of summer activities in New Jersey. Last year we had several new dinosaur attractions open in our area. I’m keeping my eyes out to see which return again this summer. Considering many dinosaur attractions in New Jersey are only open for a limited time, experience as many as you can this summer. Find them with our guide to where to find dinosaurs in New Jersey.
Go camping
Camping is one of those experiences that I feel all children must have at least once. Breathing in the fresh air, learning to start a campfire, roasting marshmallows, listening to the crickets chirp in the evening, and finding the constellations in the night sky, all of these are great summer activities to do with children and teens while camping.
Camping can look different from family to family. For some it’s pitching in a tent in the woods, for others it’s renting a NJ cabin on the lake, and for other families, it means rolling into the campground with an RV. Whatever camping looks like for you plan an experience with your children. You can always try each style of camping until you find the ones your kids love the most.
Walk the boardwalks
The smell of a funnel cake, the lights of the ferris wheel, summer is not complete without a walk down one of New Jersey’s iconic boardwalks. When you consider all the attractions, photo ops, and eateries a visit to the boardwalk is an awesome summer activity in New Jersey that you can do over and over.
Check out the boardwalk at one of these Jersey Shore towns. While all provide amazing views of the beach, not all have businesses or attractions along their boardwalk.
- Allenhurst
- Asbury Park
- Atlantic City
- Avalon
- Avon-By-the-Sea
- Barnegat Bay
- Belmar
- Bradley Beach
- Cape May has a paved boardwalk, often referred to as a promenade
- Island Heights
- Keansburg
- Lavallette
- Long Branch
- Manasquan
- Ocean City
- Ocean Gate
- Ocean Grove
- Ortley Beach (Toms River)
- Point Pleasant
- Sea Bright
- Sea Girt
- Sea Isle City
- Seaside Heights/ Seaside Park
- Ship Bottom
- Spring Lake
- Ventnor
- Wildwood
Ride the surreys
If you are going to be on the boardwalk with your tweens and teens, rent a surrey. It’s a unique way to get your big kids involved in your family’s summer fun and it’s an experience they likely won’t forget.
You can rent a surrey in these NJ shore towns:
- Cape May
- Ocean City
- Sea Isle City
- Wildwood
Bring home berries from NJ pick-your-own farms
Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, you can pick them all, and other fruits too at New Jersey’s pick-your-own farms. Check out these guides for more details.
- New Jersey Strawberry Farms
- New Jersey Blueberry Farms
- Pick a Great Time with Your Kids at these New Jersey Farms
Take a walk through the sunflowers
Come late summer sunflowers will be in full bloom across New Jersey. For a few dollars, you can walk among the sunflowers, get some great family photos, and pick a few sunflowers to take home. It’s a fun thing to do towards the end of the summer. If you love sunflowers as much as I do visit our guide to sunflower farms in New Jersey and read our tips for visiting sunflower farms.
Make a difference
Volunteering is a great summer activity. Life moves at a slower pace during the summer. The kids aren’t in school. Sports programs aren’t usually as active. Take advantage of that extra time to make a difference with your family. Here are two of my favorite ways to volunteer as a family. You can also read about other ways kids can volunteer in New Jersey.
Cook up a tasty dinner at one of the Ronald McDonald Houses in New Jersey
Now more than ever Ronald McDonald Houses in New Jersey are in need of meal group volunteers! What do meal group volunteers do? They provide dinner, breakfast, or lunch for the families staying at a Ronald McDonald House.
When you volunteer to provide a meal to the Ronald McDonald House.
- You can bring up to 4 volunteers (18 and older) to the Ronald McDonald House and cook the meal in their commercial kitchen.
- You can order from a local restaurant and have it delivered, or you can drop it off.
- You can choose the option to pay for a meal and the Ronald McDonald House will place the order.
For more information or to sign up contact one of these Ronald McDonald Houses in New Jersey
Distribute food with the Community Foodbank of New Jersey
Volunteer with the Community Foodbank of New Jersey in Egg Harbor Township or Hillside, New Jersey. Your family can hold their own food drive or be part of the food distribution process where food is distributed to those in need.
One of my most fun things to do in summer is volunteer with my boys. While one of my teens and I might be behind a table passing out food, my other teen and tween are usually helping adults take their food to their car. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how much of a difference the Community Foodbank makes and to be involved with it.
Contact the Community Foodbank of New Jersey in Egg Harbor Township (609-383-8843) or Hillside (908-355-3663) to learn about current volunteer opportunities and age requirements. Volunteering is now easier than ever because volunteers can sign up for their shifts online.
More family volunteer opportunities
- Garden Club at Rancocas Nature Center
- More coming soon.
Have a New Jersey staycation or daycation
Summertime is the perfect time to pack a bag for an overnight staycation or a day-long daycation in New Jersey. Stretch out those summer activities for kids into multiple days. These New Jersey towns are especially kid-friendly. From sun up to sun down you’ll find plenty of fun things to do this summer in these NJ towns.
- Cape May Daycations and Daytrips
- Crystal Springs Resort Staycations
- Long Branch NJ Staycations
- Mount Laurel NJ Daycations and Daytrips
- Tuckerton NJ Staycations
- Wildwood Staycations
- More coming soon.
Free Summer Activities in New Jersey
One of the things I love the most about New Jersey is how many free things there are to do in the summer in New Jersey. You truly can have summer fun without breaking the bank or your budget. In fact, we’ve built most of this site around free things to do in New Jersey. So when you’re done reading this poke around and explore the rest of our site.
Visit these New Jersey beaches for free
Plan a beach day, or two or three! It wouldn’t be summer without some trips to the beach. In New Jersey, we are fortunate to have so many beaches. How awesome that some of our beaches even offer free admission or don’t require beach tags. Get more information on beach tag prices, parking, and more in our New Jersey Beaches and Beach Tag Information or visit our guide to Free Beaches in New Jersey.
SOME New Jersey beaches with free admission every day
- Atlantic City beaches
- Highlands Beaches
- Somers Point William Morrow Beach
- Wildwood beaches
New Jersey beaches with free admission on select days
Rock out to free summer concerts in New Jersey
As parks & recreation departments, beaches, and other communities start planning out their summer activities many will host free summer concerts in New Jersey. If your favorite park or beach hasn’t announced its plans yet, be patient. Click over to see our calendar of New Jersey Free Summer Concerts (currently being updated for 2023. This list will grow as there are over 200 concerts series in all.)
New Jersey towns with free concerts in the park
- Absecon
- Bradley Beach
- Buena Vista
- Cape May
- Edgewater
- Little Falls
- Livingston
- Lyndhurst
- Middle Township
- Park Ridge
- Sea Isle City
- Seaside Park
- Waldwick
- Washington Township – Gloucester County
- Wildwood
- Wildwood Crest at Centennial Park
- More coming soon
New Jersey towns with free concerts on the beach
- Keansburg
- Seaside Heights
- More coming soon
More New Jersey towns with free concerts this summer
- Belmar
- Downtown Belmar
- Downtown Freehold
- Lower Township
- Red Bank
- Seaside Heights
- Somerville
- Stone Harbor
- Wildwood
- North Wildwood
- Wildwood Crest
- Verona
- More coming soon
Watch a free movie in New Jersey
Another one of the fun and easy summer activities in New Jersey is enjoying a free movie in the park, on the beach, or in another relaxing environment. Visit our blog post of New Jersey Free Movies for Families (currently being updated for 2023) for a detailed breakdown by region, county, and town.
New Jersey towns with free movies in the park
- Deptford
- Franklin Township
- Glassboro
- Greenwich
- Harrison Township
- Lodi
- Mantua
- National Park
- Paulsboro
- Pitman
- South Harrison
- Washington Township – Gloucester County
- Woolwich Township
- Woodbury Heights
- More coming soon
New Jersey towns with free movies on the beach
- Coming soon
More New Jersey towns with free movies this summer
- Coming soon
Spend a day at a free festival
Taking some time to spend at a festival is another one of the great summer activities in New Jersey. From festivals around food to festivals with art, from music festivals to festivals with flowers we have it all in New Jersey.
- Summer Solstice Music Festival in Haddon Township 2023
- Borough of Glass Art Festival and Night Market 2023
- Sara the Turtle Festival in Sea Isle City at Excursion Park 2023
- Taste of Spain Festival in Woodbridge Township at Parker Press Park 2023
- More coming soon
Oooohhhh and aww over fireworks
I never tire of watching fireworks. Do you? They are one of my favorite summer activities in New Jersey. It’s amazing to see how firework technology has developed year after year. I’m always curious to see what shapes and designs will be created by the current year’s fireworks. In addition to July 4th weekend, there are other New Jersey events where you can watch fireworks.
- Wildwood Fireworks on the beach
- Ocean City Night in Venice Boat Parade and Fireworks
- Weekly Fireworks in Seaside Heights 2023
- Jackson Township Fireworks and Food Truck Extravaganza
- More coming soon.
Cool down at a waterfall in New Jersey
New Jersey summer days are hot, but our waterfalls are sooooo cool. Whether you want an epic waterfall hike in New Jersey or one you can pretty much drive right up to, we have several waterfalls in NJ. We can help you find them in our guide to NJ hiking trails with waterfalls.
Cheer on a New Jersey parade
We kick off summer with Memorial Day parades and we end it with Labor Day parades. In between, we have July 4th parades, the Night in Venice boat parade, and other unique parades like those below. Pick one, two, or more, and make plans to park on the curb and cheer on the parade floats and participants.
- Ocean City Annual Baby Parade
- Sea Isle Baby Parade
- Wildwood Baby Parade
- Christmas in July boat parade in Wildwood Crest
- Festival of Lights Fireworks and Illuminated Boat Parade in Burlington
- Puerto Rican Parade and Festival in Elizabeth
- Puerto Rican Parade and Festival
- Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation Parade and Festival
Talk with the animals
Giraffes, zebras, snow leopards, horses, what is your favorite animal to see? You probably already know admission is free at the Cape May County Zoo and Cohanzick Zoo, but did you know there are other places to see animals for free in New Jersey? There are. Read our guide to where to see animals for free in NJ.
Explore a national park for free
We are always advocates for getting your family outside and off the screens, and our protected national parks are a great place to explore. Our national parks offer history, hiking, swimming, and more. There is one day this summer when admission will be free.
- Friday, August 4, 2023: First Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
To find a local national park visit our guide to National Parks in New Jersey.
Walk among nature
New Jersey is home to beautiful parks and dedicated volunteers who put on fantastic nature programs so we all can enjoy it. Make sure your summer activities in New Jersey include some of these nature walks, free activities, and free events with nature in mind.
- Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Tours 2023
- Nature Hikes at Liberty State Park
- NJ Botanical Gardens Guided Garden Tour
- 2023 Nature Walks at Jakes Branch in Beachwood
- Nature Walks at Historic Smithville Park – Smith’s Woods
- Head to Cattus Island for a 2023 Nature Walk with a naturalist
- Enjoy a nature hike with the Double Trouble State Park Weekday Walks and Sunday Saunters
More free nature-themed events on NJ
Fly a kite
Kites can be so magnificent and pretty. Have you ever tried flying a kite with your kids?
We have and we’ve enjoyed it, but we can definitely understand how it can be frustrating. Sometimes you can’t help but have those Charlie Brown, kite-stuck-in-a-tree moments.
Whether you and your kids need a little help with your kite flying techniques, you want to fly kites with others, or you just want to take in the beauty of kites, there are kite flying events and festivals in New Jersey this summer. Take a look.
- International Kite Festival in Wildwood May 2023
- Kite Nights in Seaside Park July & August 2023
- Kites and Castles in Lavallette
Bonfires on the beach
It’s not every day that you see a bonfire on the beach, but in some NJ towns bonfires are a must do summer activity. Grab your beach chairs and blankets and head to one of these summer bonfires in New Jersey.
Search for treasure
New Jersey is a treasure in and of itself, but in Cape May you can actually search the beach for diamonds and it’s said there are secret spots along the Jersey Shore you can find a bounty of sea glass as well.
Look up to the sky for amazing aerial feats
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a paratrooper! This summer it could be all three as airshows return to our beaches and airports. Watch planes, jets, helicopters, and more show off their amazing talents.
- One of NJ’s greatest airshows, Thunder Over the Boardwalk, Atlantic City Airshow returns on August 16, 2023. Click over for tips for attending the Atlantic City Air Show.
- More coming soon
Here are a few more air shows in New Jersey this summer.
Admissions to these air shows aren’t free, but we think you’ll still enjoy them.
- Coming soon.
Even when there’s not an airshow happening there are still ways to see planes. Why not take your kids to a New Jersey airport where they can watch planes take off? Here are our recommendations for the best places to watch airplanes in New Jersey.
Get a little wacky in Ocean City
Ocean City, NJ calls itself America’s greatest family resort and they work hard to make sure their boardwalk and town provide some of the best summer activities in New Jersey. Just check out their Ocean City Wacky Wednesdays where every Wednesday there’s another wacky way for you to have fun with your family. 2023 updates coming soon.
Help the kids earn free prizes
Reading, eating pie, building an amazing sandcastle, these are just some of the free ways kids can earn prizes this summer. Take a look at these contests and other prize-earning programs below and come back to this guide often to see what new ways kids can earn free stuff in New Jersey.
- Read Reading Programs for Kids with Awesome Reading Rewards.
- Check out New Jersey Libraries Summer Reading Programs for Kids. (Currently being updated for 2023.)
- See how much pie your kids can eat in this Pie eating contest in Ocean City this July.
- Build a super sandcastle for the Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival this July. Get the details and learn about the prizes in this New Jersey event listing, Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival.
More fun and free summer activities in New Jersey
As if that wasn’t enough there are even MORE free things to do in New Jersey this summer.
More repeating free summer activities in New Jersey
- Get building with Lowe’s DIY Kids Workshop. The kids workshops are back but happen a little differently. Kids register in advance, but then pick up the kits to take home. Learn more here and get the date for the next event. They happen once a month.
- Check out a pass to a local open New Jersey museum with your library card. Learn which New Jersey libraries participate in the Museum Pass program.
- Is it the first weekend of the month? Bank of America cardholders receive free admission at participating New Jersey museums. Find out which museums participate in our guide to Bank of America Free Museum Weekends.
- JC Penney Kids Zone Events happen the second Saturday of the month this summer.
- Downtown Somerville Cruise Nights
- Family Fun Nights at Pier Village
One time free summer activities in New Jersey
- Coming soon.
Visit a new place in New Jersey for free
In addition to all the free summer activities in New Jersey, we also have free places to visit in New Jersey. While we encourage you to read our guide to free places to visit in New Jersey, here’s a sampling of that guide below.
Go back in time with one of these historical attractions in New Jersey
These NJ historical attractions offer free admission. We recommend calling before visiting to confirm hours of operation.
- C.A. Nothnagle Log House – 406 Swedesboro Road Gibbstown, (856) 423-0916
- Camp Olden, 2202 Kuser Rd, Hamilton
- Colonial House Museum, 653 1/2 Washington St, Cape May, (609) 884-9100
- Drake House Museum, 602 West Front Street, Plainfield, (908) 755-5831
- Dr. William Robinson Plantation – Madison Hill Road, Clark
- Fleming Castle Museum, 5 Bonnell St, Flemington, (908) 782-4607
- Fort Hancock Historic District – 128 South Hartshorne Drive Highlands, (732) 872-0115
- Hamilton Van Wagoner House, 971 Valley Rd, Clifton, (973) 744-5707
- Historic Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Rd, Holmdel, (732) 946-3758
- Howell Living History Farm – 70 Woodens Lane Lambertville, (609) 737-3299
- Jacob Vanderveer House and Museum, 3055 River Rd Park, Bedminster, (908) 396-6053
- The Korean War Memorial – Atlantic City Boardwalk (Behind Claridge)
- Kuser Farm Mansion – 390 Newkirk Avenue Hamilton, (609) 890-3630
- Shippen Manor Museum, Oxford, (908) 453-4381
- Somers Point Mansion – 100 Shore Road Somers Point (609) 927-2212
- Southern New Jersey All Sports Museum and Hall of Fame – Burt Ave Rec Center Bridgeton, (609) 451-7300
- State House – 125 West State Street Trenton, (609) 633-2709
- Tuckerton Historical Society, 35 Leitz Blvd, Little Egg Harbor, (609) 294-1547
Cheap Summer Activities in New Jersey
These things to do in New Jersey might not be free, but we felt these cheap summer New Jersey activities should definitely be included in your summer things to do in New Jersey.
New Jersey beaches with cheap badge prices
The following New Jersey beaches have daily beach badges that are $5 or less. Get more information on beach tag prices, parking, and more in our New Jersey Beaches and Beach Tag Information.
- Barnegat Light
- Long Branch
- Longport
- Sea Isle City
Watch cheap movies in New Jersey
Unfortunately, not all movies can be free, but cheap $2 or $5 movies are better than paying full price for movie tickets.
New Jersey Regal Cinemas with cheap movies
Visit our guide to Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express to learn more about the cheap movies program that lets kids and their grown ups see movies for $2 each.
- Regal Burlington, Stadium 20, Burlington, New Jersey
- Regal Independence Plaza, Hamilton, New Jersey
- Regal Manahawkin 10, Manahawkin, New Jersey
- Regal Hamilton Commons, Stadium 14, Mays Landing, New Jersey
- Regal Moorestown Mall & RPX, Moorestown, New Jersey
- Regal Commerce Center & RPX, North Brunswick, New Jersey
- Regal Pohatcong, Stadium 12, Phillipsburg, New Jersey
- Regal UA Washington Township, Sewell, New Jersey
- Regal Hadley Theatre, South Plainfield, New Jersey
- Regal Cross Keys Stadium 12, Turnersville, New Jersey
- Regal Cumberland Mall, Stadium 14, Vineland, New Jersey
More ways to get cheap movie tickets in New Jersey
- Coming soon
Listen to a cheap summer concert in New Jersey
Again, not all NJ concerts are free, but as we find cheap concerts or great deals on family-friendly concerts in NJ, we’ll post links here.
New Jersey towns with cheap concerts in the park
- Coming soon
New Jersey towns with cheap concerts on the beach
- Coming soon
More New Jersey towns with cheap concerts this summer
- Coming soon
Pig out and try new foods at one of NJ’s food truck festivals
Food truck festivals in New Jersey can be so delicious! Where else can you taste a plethora of food all in one place. Whether you have a picky eater or someone who loves tasting new flavor combinations make dinner super easy one day (or more) and head to a food truck festival in NJ. Many have admission prices that are $6 or less to attend.
- Coming soon.
Splash it up at New Jersey splash pads and spraygrounds
When does a neat and unique playground become even more fun? When it’s one of NJ’s splashtastic splash pads and spraygrounds. Head on over to our guide to NJ spraygrounds and splash pads to find one near you.
Celebrate Christmas in July
In the last couple of years, Christmas in July events in New Jersey have really taken off. I expect NJ Christmas in July events to be extremely popular again this year. After all it’s one of the most fun summer activities. Here are Christmas in July events we already have on our calendar.
- 2022 Christmas in July events not yet confirmed for 2023
- Christmas in July in Wildwood CrestChristmas in July Movie in Absecon at Heritage ParkOcean City Christmas in JulyChristmas in July in LodiChristmas in July at Waterloo Village
- Christmas in July at the Vermuele Mansion
- North Wildwood Christmas in July
- Westfield Christmas in July
- Ocean Gate EMS’s Christmas in July
- Christmas in July Maple Shade
- Christmas in July at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
- Santa Arrives at Christmas in July at DAR Van Bunschooten Museum
Rent a Kayak
Kayaking down a stream or in the bay is another one of my favorite summer activities in New Jersey, but unfortunately, it can be so expensive. I was so thrilled last year when I discovered there are cheap places to rent a kayak in New Jersey. We’ve now added some of those places to our Calendar of Events. Here are a few of them. Also check in with your NJ State Parks, many of them, like Parvin State Park, have cheap kayak and canoe rentals on their property.
- Boat and Kayak Rentals at Manasquan Reservoir 2023
- Scotland Run Park Beach Canoe and Kayak Rentals 2023
- Gloucester County Water Fest in Clayton 2024
- We hope to have more soon.
Visit a New Jersey State Park
Hiking trails, nature programs, places to hike, campgrounds to camp… I love our New Jersey State Parks. During the off-season, nearly all NJ State Parks have free admission, but in the summertime, there is usually a small charge.
In 2022 you could visit ALL New Jersey State Parks for FREE with your family all summer long. We’re awaiting details to see if that program is renewed for 2023. Learn more about our state parks in our guide to New Jersey State Parks.
Climb a lighthouse
Climb to the top of a NJ lighthouse and get stunning views you can’t get anywhere else. NJ is home to 11 lighthouses including the third tallest in the country.
These New Jersey lighthouses offer free admission.
- Finns Rear Range Lighthouse – Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge at Fort Mott & Lighthouse Roads in Pennsville (609) 463-0994
- Hereford Inlet Lighthouse – 111 N Central Avenue in North Wildwood (609) 500-1561
- Sea Girt Lighthouse – 9 Ocean Avenue Sea Girt, (732) 974-0514
- Twin Lights Historic Site – Lighthouse Road Highlands, (732) 872-1814
These New Jersey lighthouses have an admission price that is $10 or less per guest.
- Barnegat Lighthouse
- Cape May Lighthouse
- East Point Lighthouse
- Tucker’s Island Lighthouse
Learn more about New Jersey lighthouses. Don’t forget National Lighthouse Day is in early August. Most NJ lighthouses will celebrate with special events or deals on admission.
Enjoy theatre in the park
Enjoy some theatre in the park. Whether it’s Shakespeare or a children’s play watching a story played out while having a picnic is a great thing to do in New Jersey this summer. Find out more in these event listings.
- Plays in the Park in Edison
- More coming soon
Enjoy a cheap, but fun New Jersey festival
Not every NJ festival can be free, but the ones that charge often do include fun and engaging activities for the kids. Here are some cheap NJ festivals we think your family will enjoy.
- Strawberry Festival in Long Valley at Ort Farms
- More coming soon.
Shop a NJ Farmer’s Markets
Not only is shopping a New Jersey farmer’s market a fantastic way to support local farmers, but many of these farmer’s markets offer kids activities or live entertainment. Click on the link below to find out their schedule and other details.
- Asbury Park Farmers Market
- Brick Township Farmers Market
- Little Falls Farmers Market
- Petersburg Farmers Market
- Red Bank Farmers Market
- Scotch Plains Farmers Market
- Downtown Wildwood Farmers Market
More cheap things to do this summer in New Jersey
When there are so many cheap summer activities in New Jersey it can be hard to find a category/heading for each and every one. Here are a few more we wanted to share with you.
Stay cool with these summer activities in New Jersey
Not only are some of these New Jersey summer activities cheap or free, but they’ll also keep you cool and refreshed in air-conditioned spaces.
Visit an art museum for free
Park the car in a lot and enjoy these free air-conditioned museums in New Jersey.
- Noyes Museums in Atlantic County. Read more in our Noyes Museum of Art – Explore Art with Your Kids.
- More coming soon.
Drive along New Jersey’s most scenic routes
You can beat the heat from your air conditioned car while you travel these stunning New Jersey scenic routes.
Take a look at all of Atlantic City’s murals
While you’re in the car with the AC why not head down to Atlantic City to see all the murals? We’ve created a self-guided tour of Atlantic City’s murals.
Gutterball or a strike?
Let the kids work on their bowling game at any of the New Jersey Bowling Alleys offering free bowling this summer. For a small one time fee, adults can play for free as well. Learn more in this article, New Jersey Kids Can Bowl Free with Kids Bowl Free Program.
More unique fun summer activities in New Jersey
Throw an axe
Have you or the kids ever thrown an axe? The next time you’re walking the boardwalk keep your eye open for axe throwing attractions. It’s not usually expensive to take a turn throwing a few axes, plus it’s something different the kids and you will enjoy.
Make a souvenir
Up and down New Jersey boardwalks and in NJ downtowns there are art studios that allow kids, teens, and adults to create their own art. Whether it’s a glass mosaic, a painted ceramic piece, or a stenciled piece of wooden art there are NJ studios that let you design your own art project. Why not create a souvenir remembrance for this summer?
Howl with the wolves
At Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia, NJ you can visit with the wolves and even try to howl like them. Explore and learn about these intriguing animals through their educational Wolf Watch tours. Visitors can enjoy either a scenic 1/2 mile nature walk from the parking area to the preserve or take a shuttle bus to the starting spot. Once you are at the preserve you will be invited into the observation area to observe 4 different packs of wolves. Learn more and schedule your tour at the Lakota Wolf Preserve website.
Pose with life-like statues
One of the most unique art museums we have in New Jersey is the Grounds for Sculpture Museum. As you walk among the grounds to look at the gardens you might mistake the sculptured people for real people. They are that life-like. Pack a picnic. Charge your camera. Plan a trip for the Grounds for Sculpture among your 2023 summer activities in New Jersey.
Fire a saluting gun at the Battleship New Jersey
The Battleship New Jersey is now allowing guests touring the ship to pull the trigger and fire a salute every Saturday from 12 pm to 2 pm. Guests can shoot the saluting gun for a $50 donation to the Battleship, a non-profit museum and memorial. Guests can make a $50 donation online at or at the Battleship’s Ticket Office on Saturday morning. Learn more at the Battleship New Jersey website.
Get up close with the Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil is among the newest roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure! If you’re a daredevil then get close to this devil.
The Jersey Devil Coaster ranks as the world’s tallest, fastest and longest single rail coaster—towering 13 stories, flying at speeds up to 58 miles-per-hour, and propelling riders single file through the dark and foreboding woods over 3,000 feet of track. Inspired by infamous New Jersey mythology, the cutting-edge coaster features five intense elements, including three dramatic inversions.
Even MORE ideas for summer activities in New Jersey
- Challenge yourself to try an epic rollercoaster at one of these New Jersey Amusement Parks.
- Grab a kid and a tube and take on a twisty turny water slide at one of these water parks in New Jersey.
Our favorite summer activities near New Jersey
Check out these articles about some of our favorite summer destinations and activities near New Jersey.
Hersheypark
It’s the sweetest place on Earth and we can’t wait to return this summer to get Hersheypark Happy and write more sweet stories for you.
- Eat, Stay, & Play – Plan Your Family Vacation to Hershey, Pennsylvania
- The Best Tips to Save Money at Hersheypark and Hershey Lodge
- 10 Things to Expect at Chocolatetown at Hersheypark
- What’s NEW at Hersheypark?
- Enjoy all the Yumminess of the Hersheypark Gluten-Free Menu
- Hershey Lodge Water Works ~ Wonderful Water Fun
- Hershey Story Museum ~ Sweet Discoveries, Fun, & Games
Statue of Liberty
If you haven’t done it yet, visiting the Statue of Liberty has to be on your list for summer activities in New Jersey. I mean it’s in NJ after all. ;-) Find out how we did it and our advice in Plan to Visit the Statue of Liberty with Kids with These Tips.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is so close, it’s a great day trip near New Jersey and Philly offers something for everyone.
- Philadelphia Museums with FREE Admission And Pay What You Wish Days
- 10 Things to Do at The Philadelphia Zoo with Kids
- 8 Fun Things to do in Philadelphia with Kids
New York City
Hop a train! Ride a bus! New York City is open for visitors again and they can’t wait to see you again.
- New York City Museums with FREE Admission and Pay What You Wish Days
- The Ultimate List of Cheap and Fun Things to do in New York City With Kids
Have we left out any summer activities in New Jersey that you would recommend? Are there still more things to do in New Jersey this summer? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree we’ll add it.
Press - CFBNJ
Friday 22nd of October 2021
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