Family & Entertainment
Battleview Orchards
Apple picking and farm market—classic fall family stop.
🎡 New Jersey
Best Family & Entertainment in New Jersey
Discover 93 hand-picked family & entertainment across the Garden State.
New Jersey is one of the Northeast’s premier family travel destinations — and for good reason. The state packs an extraordinary variety of kid-friendly attractions into a compact, easily navigable geography. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson is one of the largest theme parks in the world, drawing thrill-seekers from across the region each summer. Wildwood and Seaside Heights feature classic boardwalk amusements that have delighted families for generations. And the Jersey Shore’s many small beach towns offer gentle family fun: mini-golf, ice cream stands, arcades, and the simple joy of building sandcastles.
Beyond the shore, New Jersey’s family entertainment options are remarkably diverse. Liberty Science Center in Jersey City features immersive science exhibits that spark curiosity in children of all ages. The Cape May County Park & Zoo is one of the best free zoos in the Northeast. Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township, and Insectropolis in Toms River are beloved by local families.
Rainy days are covered too — indoor trampoline parks, escape rooms, bowling alleys, children’s museums, and art studios are well distributed across the state. Browse our complete guide to family activities and entertainment venues in New Jersey below.
Best Family & Entertainment in NJ
Family & Entertainment
Cohanzick Zoo
Small community zoo—easy, low-stress family visit.
Family & Entertainment
Newport Centre Mall
Easy rainy-day plan with dining and entertainment at the Mall.
Family & Entertainment
Stony Hill Farm Market
Apple/pumpkin seasons and family-friendly fall fun.
Family & Entertainment
Cape May Mini Golf
Family friendly miniature golf near the beachfront.
Family & Entertainment
Princeton Playspace
Indoor play options—good rainy-day backup.
Family & Entertainment
Golden Galleon Pirate Golf
Easy family mini-golf before/after the boardwalk.
Family & Entertainment
Planetarium At NJ State Museum
Planetarium shows—fun for families and school-age kids.
Family & Entertainment
The College of New Jersey Paul S. Hiack Planetarium
Planetarium shows—fun for families and school-age kids.
Family & Entertainment
Nickelodeon Universe
Indoor amusement park with roller coasters and kid-friendly rides.
Family & Entertainment
Big SNOW American Dream
Indoor ski/snowboard slope—unique any-season activity.
Family & Entertainment
Diggerland USA
Construction-themed park where kids can ride real diggers.
Family & Entertainment by NJ Region
Frequently Asked Questions: Family & Entertainment in NJ
New Jersey has outstanding family attractions including Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson), Liberty Science Center (Jersey City), Wildwood boardwalk, Jenkinson's Boardwalk (Point Pleasant), Cape May County Zoo (free admission), Storybook Land (Egg Harbor Township), and the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. The state's parks and beaches also provide exceptional family outdoor experiences.
Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ is one of the largest theme parks in the world and absolutely worth a visit for thrill-seeking families. It features dozens of roller coasters and rides, including El Toro (consistently rated one of the world's best wooden coasters) and Kingda Ka (one of the world's tallest coasters). The adjacent Safari Off Road Adventure is a unique bonus attraction.
New Jersey has many free family activities: all state parks (many with free access), the Cape May County Zoo, numerous county parks with playgrounds and sports fields, the Newark Museum of Art (free days), Liberty State Park (free park access with paid ferry for Statue of Liberty), many public beaches in the shoulder season, and countless municipal events and festivals throughout the year.
The Jersey Shore is one of the best family destinations in the Northeast. Family-friendly shore towns include Wildwood (free beach, massive boardwalk), Ocean City (family-oriented dry boardwalk), Point Pleasant Beach, Beach Haven on LBI, and Cape May (family-friendly Victorian resort town). Most towns have playgrounds, mini-golf, ice cream shops, and kid-oriented events throughout the summer.
Rainy day options in NJ are plentiful: Liberty Science Center, the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, indoor trampoline parks (Sky Zone, Altitude Trampoline), escape rooms (in most major towns), bowling alleys, children's museums, movie theaters, and indoor climbing gyms. Many cities also have excellent malls with entertainment zones. Check our listings to find indoor family attractions near you.