With the days off for the upcoming teacher’s convention (aka the unofficial fall break in NJ), the conundrum is—what do you do with the kids? Luckily, there are a bunch of things to do outdoors and indoors with openings and extra hours during the week and weekend. Catch the last breath of fall at one of the farm festivals, head to an amusement park you missed this summer, or check out noteworthy exhibits at NJ museums that will disappear by the end of the year. And if you are looking for more activities this season, take a peek at what should be on your bucket list this fall. Scroll down for what you can do to keep kids from feeling bored (and off the screens). (featured photo credit: Liberty Science Center)

Get Set For Fun During Fall Break In NJ

things to do with kids in nyc edge nyc nj — *We are lucky enough to be surrounded by great cities on the East Coast. Photo Credit: NJ MOM, taken at Edge NYC*

Hop across the river (Delaware or Hudson)

One of the best things about living in NJ is how close we are to two world-class cities—New York and Philadelphia—where you can go for a day trip or overnight. Use these days off to explore NYC classics, such as the Empire State Building and Central Park Zoo, or unique attractions like Little Island or the Museum of Ice Cream in NYC. Or check out the historical sights and museums in the City of Brotherly Love, with Independence Hall and The Franklin Institute, or different Philly spots like Once Upon a Nation Storytelling. And if you don’t want to head to a busy city, New Jersey is full of unique downtowns, from historical Morristown to nostalgic Cape May.

Fall into colorful foliage

Red, orange, and yellow leaves are coming into view, and with the warmer temperatures we’ve been having, the leaves may still be hanging on come November. Take a ride around the state to see the best spots to see the leaves in their full autumn glory. Or trek across the Hudson, where prime leaf-peeping may be in the rearview, but still a great excuse to make it a daycation. Or see the Garden Railway at Longwood Gardens until January 11, and then get ready for a Longwood Christmas starting November 21.

Have some fun indoors

With the weather turning cooler, indoor activities like challenging your family to a bowling competition, testing your speed at an indoor go-kart track, or bouncing it out at a trampoline park in NJ are just some of the things to do inside. Got kids obsessed with gaming consoles at home? Go old school and head to a retro arcade in the Garden State to introduce them to the classics. And if the weather turns chilly, this may be your chance to visit American Dream in East Rutherford, iPlay America in Freehold, or any of the malls in New Jersey.

Get active outdoors

Instead of staying in, use this time with the kids to get outside and get some exercise. We found plenty of places around the Garden State to hike with the family. If your family prefers to travel on two wheels, take a spin on one of the bike paths, like the Patriots’ Path in Morris Township or Cooper River Park in Camden.

Pack in the last few autumn days

From petting zoos and tractor rides to farms with pick-your-own fruits and veggies and even wine tastings (yes, you read that right), visiting a farm during these last few days of fall should be at the top of your list. Stop by and check out these family-friendly farms in NJ to see what they have going on during one of the last fall weekends.

Climb to new heights

Missed the opportunity to get on a zipline this summer? If the weather is cooperating, try ziplining during fall break in NJ. Outdoor ziplining spots, like TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park and The Soaring Eagle Zipline at Diggerland USA, will get you up among the treetops, and both are open the whole November break weekend.

fall break in NJ Diggerland USA — *Diggerfest is a fun fall attraction for the whole family. Photo Credit: Diggerland USA*

Get your thrills out at area attractions

If you missed out this summer, there are a bunch of amusement parks with special hours for the fall break in NJ, offering lots of fall fun. Head to Six Flags Great Adventure or Diggerfest at Diggerland USA, or the indoor amusement park Nickelodeon Universe in American Dream. Or plan a trip to a famous NJ attraction, like Grounds For Sculpture, where the time of year means the crowds are less (especially if you go during the week). There are also places in NJ where you don’t have to buy a ticket or pay an entry fee —from the Cape May County Park & Zoo to tours of the governor’s mansion at Drumthwacket—and these free attractions are worth checking out during the days off. Or, if you are looking for the unusual, explore one of the unique places to visit in New Jersey, where you can see everything from the longest boardwalk in the world to the world’s largest lightbulb.

Go on a playground field trip

Playground time is always a good time, and instead of heading to the usual places, take a field trip to playgrounds by the shore, lake, or beach. Many have fantastic themes like castles, jungles, and ships, and are worth the drive for a different experience. Heading to the shore? We’ve rounded up the best beach playgrounds to swing and slide over the sand, and if you can’t get to the coast, the Regatta Playground in the South Mountain Recreation Complex overlooking a pond is the next best thing to being on the water.

Soar into space

Sit back, relax, and get lost in space while looking up to the stars above and watching a special film presentation in the domes of New Jersey’s educational and entertaining planetariums. Kids (and parents) of all ages will get lost in the enchantment of the dome’s crystal–clear projection and learn about science and space without opening a book.

Make it a museum day

The November break is a great excuse to check out a museum in New Jersey that’s been on your bucket list. Take a trip to see trains and a dinosaur egg at the Morris Museum; meet Stella, the giant dinosaur at the Monmouth Museum; learn everything about insects at Insectropolis; or enjoy the Bees to Bots exhibit at Liberty Science Center.

fall break in NJ American Dream — *Even though it’s getting colder, it won’t feel like a fall break in NJ inside the DreamWorks Water Park. Photo Credit: DreamWorks Water Park in The American Dream Mall*

Get wet indoors

Think waterparks are only a summertime thing? Nope—you can plunge down a waterslide, drift in the lazy river, or get knocked down in the wave pool during fall break in NJ. There are a bunch of indoor waterparks to discover all over the state, including American Dream DreamWorks Waterpark and Big Kahuna’s Water Park in Berlin. Kids will have a ball getting soaked indoors, and you’ll all feel like you went on a resort vacay miles away. Travel a little further to the new Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, MD, if you want to stay overnight.

Go on a fall weekend road trip

Sneaking away from a busy fall schedule can be just what you need to recharge your family’s batteries. The good news is that there are quite a few family-friendly resorts in and around NJ for all ages and budgets within a 2-hour drive. Whether you want to experience the shore at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, stay overnight nestled in the mountains at the Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County, or have an incredible time building and playing at LEGOLAND New York Resort in Goshen, NY, a little getaway is always a good idea.

See the sea come to life

The temps may be dropping, but there is plenty of sea life to see indoors. From observing brilliant and bright fish at Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach to seeing the sharks up close at the NJ SEA LIFE Aquarium in East Rutherford or hanging with the hippos at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, there are a bunch of aquariums in NJ that are perfect for your little sea explorer.

Hang with animal friends

As fall winds down, getting in those last zoo visits without bundling up is an ideal way to spend the days off. Whatever animals your kids are into, NJ zoos offer exotic species, wildlife education, and friendly farm animals. Check out what flamingos, lions, bears, and the like are doing at Turtle Back Zoo. And if fuzzy, soft creatures are more your speed, your littles will love getting to know the gentle alpacas at one of the alpaca farms in NJ. Or try something new and experience horseback riding in NJ, by riding on a trail or saddling up for a group or private lesson.

Have some indoor entertainment

If it’s a chilly day and you want to keep the fam indoors, make it a day of indoor entertainment. Step back in time at Medieval Times or power up at Dave and Buster’s for a day of gameplay. Littles can run loose at an indoor play space, and older kids will get that energy out by zapping the competition at laser tag. Or get a hole-in-one at an indoor mini golf spot or find more indoor activities in NJ.

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