New Jersey Winter Break Activities – What’s Open? What’s Closed?

There are two kinds of parents – those who love it when their kids are home from school and you can sleep late, laze around the house and just be together. And the ones who need to keep kids occupied or there’s fighting or too much screen time! Which one are you? How are you feeling about this year’s New Jersey winter break from school?

The days after Christmas are usually filled with playing with new toys, putting together Lego sets, hosting out-of-town guests, having some winter adventures and just relaxing! After a few years of not being able to have everyone together, this year things are starting to return to normal, or at least a new kind of normal.

If you have family and friends visiting or the kids are just getting to be too much and you need something new to do, we understand. What’s a parent to do when they don’t know what’s open in New Jersey or things to do during winter break?

Like me you probably want to get out. You want fresh air. You want a change of scenery. As I sit here typing away trying to make sure all the holiday articles are done for our readers, I am also thinking about winter break in New Jersey, it snuck up on me this year.

How will I fill the days to keep my three boys busy and not driving me nuts? I imagine you all have the same concerns when it comes to your own kids. In a time when a lot of things seems closed in New Jersey, how do we save winter break?

We can and we will save winter break. But first, give yourself grace. We all know the holidays can be a busy stressful time, so if you don’t want to do anything, that’s perfectly fine. Have a PJ day and binge watch movies. Have a video game marathon WITH your kids. Or let them play their games in one room while you catch up on your shows in another. Then, come back together for meals and special snack times.

For those moments when you just need to get out of the house, check out this Jersey Family Fun guide to New Jersey winter break activities to bust boredom. We’ve gone through some of New Jersey’s most popular family attractions to check on their status for winter break. Each of them is listed below. We tell you which New Jersey attractions are closed, which New Jersey family attractions are open, and what their hours are.

Roller Skate at Cape May Convention Hall

The annual tradition of roller skating at Cape May Convention Hall is back! For just $5 a person, the kids, you, and everyone in your family can skate nearly every day of winter break. Learn more in our event listing.

Go on a scavenger hunt!

The Family Photo Scavenger Hunt in Morris Township at Haggerty Education Center will still be available over winter break. Bundle up and get outside and explore the gardens with a family photo scavenger hunt. Get all the details in our event listing.

Try a NEW New Jersey winter activity

Why not try something new during the kids New Jersey winter break from school? Our new New Jersey winter activities guide is packed with wonderful ideas of things to do in New Jersey this winter with great suggestions for New Jersey winter activities, events, day trips, and destinations.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve

New Jersey New Year’s eve events are back! Want to go out with the kids? Take a look at our The BEST New Jersey New Years Eve Events for Kids for family-friendly events.

Rather stay home? Check out our ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve at home with kids.

Enjoy New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day presents many opportunities to make the winter break extra special. There are first day hikes, first day climbs, events on the beach, and more. Visit our list of New Jersey New Year’s Day Events for Families for ideas.

Save Money on these New Jersey Winter Break Activities

Thanks to our partnerships with these organizations we can help families save money while experiencing family fun during winter break.

Sea Life Aquarium New Jersey

• Sea Life Aquarium at American Dream is open every day of winter break except Christmas.
• Read what you need to know about buying discount tickets to Sea Life Aquarium New Jersey.
• Go directly to the aRes Travel page for discount tickets to Sea Life Aquarium New Jersey.

Legoland Discovery Center New Jersey

• Legoland Discovery Center at American Dream is open every day of winter break except Christmas.
• Read what you need to know about buying discount tickets to Legoland Discovery Center New Jersey.
• Go directly to the aRes Travel page for discount tickets to Legoland Discovery Center New Jersey.

Medieval Times New Jersey

• The queen will be hosting nightly dinners and jousts from December 23, 2022 through January 1, 2023, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
• Read what you need to know about buying discount tickets to Medieval Times New Jersey.
• Go directly to the aRes Travel page for discount tickets to Medieval Times New Jersey.

Find more discount tickets at our online ticket booth.

Winter Break in New Jersey – What’s Open? What’s Closed?

Moving on to New Jersey family attractions there are some open for winter break in New Jersey.

A few things to consider before packing up the kids for a day trip.

• Bring a mask, just in case. Some indoor New Jersey attractions are requiring guests to wear a mask.

• Don’t just show up. Many of the attractions that are open in New Jersey are requiring advanced reservations. Even if admission is free, even if you have a season pass, or generic any day tickets, visit their website or call ahead to see if you need a specific reservation.

• Call before you go. Things change. People get sick. Staffing shortages or other things beyond everyone’s control happen and the plan you had for the day may need to change. Always call ahead to confirm a location is open before you head out the door.

• Have a potty plan. When you gotta go, you gotta go. Make a plan for how to handle potty breaks and where to go. Don’t let surprises turn into emergencies. If the location you are visiting does not have a restroom you need to know where to go.
  • You can also read our Portable Potties Help Kids Pee & Poop Outside with options for portable potties that can be used within a car too.

Are any New Jersey amusement parks open for winter break?

Six Flags Great Adventure

• Six Flags Great Adventure is open daily from 1 pm to 8 pm from December 26, 2022 until January 1, 2023 for Holiday in the Park. Visit their site at sixflags.com/greatadventure.

American Dream’s Nickelodeon Universe

• American Dream’s Nickelodeon Universe is open every day of winter break including Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Visit their site or reserve tickets through our affiliate link.

The East Hanover and Mount Laurel Funplex

• The Funplex in East Hanover and Mount Laurel are open during the winter break from December 23 daily until January 1, 2023, They are closed for Christmas Day. The indoor attractions, bowling, and arcade will be open for guests. Check their website for specific hours.
• Read our review of Funplex East Hanover – 5 Things You Need to Know About Funplex East Hanover.
• Visit their site at thefunplex.com.

Land of Make Believe

• They are currently closed and expect to reopen for the summer of 2023.
• Read our review of the Land of Make Believe review here. 
• Visit their site at lomb.com.

iPlay America

• Currently, iPlay America is open Wednesdays through Sundays. They will be open for Christmas eve and closed Christmas day. Starting December 27, they will be open daily through January 3, 2021. Please check their website for specific hours.
• Read all about iPlay America here. 
• Visit their site at iplayamerica.com.

Keansburg Amusement Park

• Keansburg Amusement Park is closed for 2022. They expect to reopen for the 2023 season.
• Read our review of Keansburg Amusement Park at 10 Things to Do at Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids.
• Visit their site at keansburgamusementpark.com.

Steel Pier

• The Steel Pier in Atlantic City is closed for 2022.
• Visit their site at steelpier.com.

Storybook Land

• Storybook Land is open daily until December 30, 2022. They are closed for Christmas eve and Christmas Day. Last year, they were closed from January – April.
• Visit their site at storybookland.com for more details.

Diggerland USA

• The Diggerland USA holiday light show is open every evening 5:30 – 9:30 pm until January 1, 2022. The rides and amusement park activities are not open.
• Click over to read everything you want to know about Diggerland USA. 
• Visit their site at diggerlandusa.com.

Gillian’s Wonderland Pier

• Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is not open.
• Visit their site at gillians.com.

Morey’s Piers

• Morey’s Piers is closed for the season. They will reopen for the summer of 2023.
• Read our Morey’s Piers reviews.
• Visit their site at moreyspiers.com.

Playland’s Castaway Cove

• Playland Castaway Cove is closed for the season.
• Visit their site at oceancityfun.com.

Blackbeard’s Cave

• Blackbeard’s Cave is closed for the season.
• Visit their site at blackbeardscave.com.

Casino Pier

• The arcade is open nearly every day.
• Read our review of Casino Pier! 
• Visit their site at casinopiernj.com.

Fantasy Island Amusement Park

• The Fantasy Island Amusement Park arcade is open daily until January 2, 2023, except for Christmas Day.
• Visit their site at fantasyislandlbi.com.

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk

• The Jenkinson’s Amusement Park and Beach are CLOSED for the season.
• Read our Jenkinson’s Boardwalk reviews.
• Visit their site at jenkinsons.com.

Will any New Jersey indoor water parks be open?

CoCo Key Indoor Water Park

• The Hotel ML and CoCo Key Water Resort is currently closed indefinitely.
• Read our Coco Keys review.
• Visit their site at mtlaurelcocokey.com.

Dreamworks Water Park

• Dreamworks Water Park is open every day of winter break including Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Visit their site or reserve tickets through our affiliate link.

Big Kahuna

• Big Kahuna Water Park is open every day of winter break except Christmas.
• Visit their site at bigkahunas.com.

Are New Jersey museums open for winter break?

Tuckerton Seaport

• Visit the Tuckerton Seaport for holiday lights and self-guided tours from 10 am to 6 pm. They are open daily, weather permitting, until January 8, 2023, except for Christmas.
• Visit their website for more information or their Facebook page for updates to their schedule.

Grounds for Sculpture

• Grounds For Sculpture plans to remain open through the winter – it is beautiful in every season! They will be open every day (December 26, 2022 – January 1, 2023) for daytime admission 10 AM-4 PM and then for Nightforms 5 PM-11 PM. See more about Nightforms above.
• Visit their website for more information.

Liberty Science Center

• The Liberty Science Center will be open over the winter break. Most days they are open at 10 am and close at 4 or 5 pm. They are closed on Christmas and January 2-4, 2023.
• Visit their website for more information.

Morven Museum & Garden

• The Morven Museum & Garden is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10:00 am through 4:00 pm. They are closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
• Visit their website for more information.

The Children’s Museum of Somerset County

• The Children’s Museum of NJ was volunteer-run and is no longer in business.
• Visit their for more website information.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum

• Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium will permanently close on December 31, 2022. Hours vary by day. Until then they are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm, except Wednesday and Christmas. Please check their website for more information.
• Visit their website for more information.

Historic Absecon Lighthouse and Museum

• Absecon Lighthouse is closed from December 20, 2022 – January 1, 2023, reopening Monday, January 2nd.
• Visit their website for more information.

Lucy the Elephant

• Lucy the Elephant has reopened after a magnificent renovation. She is open daily through December 31, 2022, except for Christmas Day.
• Visit their website for more information.

Roebling Museum

• Roebling Museum will be closed Saturday December 24 and Saturday December 31, 2022. Outside of that, they are open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through end of December.
• Visit their website for more information.

Battleship New Jersey

• Through December 31, 2022, the Battleship will be open every day, except Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, from 10 am with the last tour of the day departing at 4 pm through December 31, 2022, for self-guided tours. The ship itself doesn’t close until 5:30 pm.
• During the week of December 26 through December 29, the Battleship will also offer guided tours each day at 12 pm. The guided tour can be purchased at the Battleship’s Ticket Office or at their website.
• Visit their website for more information.

Historic Cold Spring Village

• The Historic Cold Spring Village will be open, but the buildings will not be available for inside viewing until June 2023.
• Visit their website for more information.

Insectropolis

• Insectropolis will be closed for the holidays and opening again on January 6, 2023.
• Visit their website for more information.

Which zoos are open for New Jersey winter break?

Cape May County Park and Zoo

• The Cape May County Park and Zoo is open daily except for Christmas. Winter hours are 10 am to 3:30 pm. Christmas eve and New Year’s Eve they are open from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
• Visit the Cape May County Park and Zoo website.

Bergen County Zoo

• During the winter season (November 1–April 30), the zoo is open to the public for FREE from 10 am-3 pm (last entry at 2:30 pm). Free admission to the Zoo will close promptly at 3:00 pm.
• Visit the Bergen County Zoo website.

Turtle Back Zoo

• Turtle Back Zoo is open daily from 10 am to 3 pm.
• Please be advised the Zoo will be closed on Sunday, December 25th during the day and for the Holiday Lights. The zoo is closed on Sunday, January 1st, 2023.
• Read more about this North Jersey zoo in our review of Turtle Back Zoo or our articles about Turtle Back Zoo.
• Visit the Turtle Back Zoo website.

Space Farm Zoo

• Closed until April 2023.
• Visit the Space Farm Zoo website.

Popcorn Park Zoo

• The Popcorn Park Zoo website lists their hours as 11 am to 5 pm daily and 11 am to 2 pm on holidays.
• Read more about this South Jersey zoo in our review of Popcorn Park Zoo or our articles about Popcorn Park Zoo.
• Visit the Popcorn Park Zoo website.

Are New Jersey aquariums open?

Adventure Aquarium

• Adventure Aquarium is open daily throughout the winter including Christmas Day. Adventure Aquarium is one of the most popular New Jersey attractions to visit during winter break. It is strongly recommended that you purchase tickets in advance.
• Click over to read our Adventure Aquarium review.
• Visit their website at www.adventureaquarium.com.

Atlantic City Aquarium

• The Atlantic City Aquarium remains closed.
• Click over to read our Atlantic City Aquarium review.
• Visit their website at www.cityofatlanticcity.org/pages/acaquarium.

Jenkinson’s Aquarium

• Jenkinson’s Aquarium is open daily, every day in December, except Christmas. Their hours for January were not listed on their website at the time we published this article.
• Click over to read our Jenkinson’s Aquarium review.
• Visit their website at jenkinsons.com/aquarium.

If you know someplace in New Jersey that is open for winter break, please let us know in the comments below.