Struggling to find an endless supply of "fun" things to do this summer? No parent likes to hear the dreaded "I'm bored" mantra on repeat, so we have a list of experiences you can still schedule on your summer bucket list. Get out there and create those core memories with your kids! We have 25 ideas for you this week, and we'll release 25 more next week!
Here are 25 of our suggestions:
1. Broadway Show – There are so many great family friendly shows currently running on Broadway. Each offers matinee performances which is great for little ones. Tickets are available through Telecharge or Ticketmaster, or try going to the box office the day of the show and avoid handling fees. www.telecharge.com, www.ticketmaster.com
2.Turtleback Zoo – This is a must at least once a year! www.turtlebackzoo.com
3. Bowling – Laser light bowling with disco lights and music is especially fun! Circle Bowl in Ledgewood participates in the Kids Bowl Free program. http://www.circlebowlnj.com
4. Marcade Family Fun Center – This is a fun place for the kids to go play on a rainy day! Check online for special events too. https://marcade.us/
5. Liberty Science Center – Spend the day at the Liberty Science Center and then catch one of the several IMAX movies that play daily. www.lsc.org If you can make an early day of the science center, you can also hit up Liberty State Park and take the quick ferry ride Ellis Island.
6. Weekend away –Water parks seem to be all the rage right now and we have several within driving distance. Great Wolf Lodge, Aquatopia at Camel Beach and Kalahari are just a few. www.kalahariresorts.com/pennsylvania www.camelbeach.com/poconos-indoor-water-park.aspx www.greatwolf.com/poconos
7. Horseback Riding – Seaton Hackney Stables is located conveniently in Morristown and is operated by the Morris County Park Commission. They offer private and group lessons, summer camps and even birthday parties. http://www.seatonhackney.com
8. Movies – How about a family movie date? Throw in a few boxes of their favorite candy, and it will be an event to remember! https://www.amctheatres.com/
9. Planetarium – The Longo Planetarium at CCM has live shows monthly for different age groups. It’s a great outing for kids and adults alike. We currently have many weekend shows listed on our calendar! www.ccm.edu/planetarium
10. Nerf Battles - Kids and adults can participate in this fun activity, offered by NJ BattleZones in Randolph. https://www.njbattlezones.com/open-play
11. Aerial Adventure Course – The Essex County Treetop Adventure Course is an aerial obstacle course that’s built in the trees. It’s located right next to the Turtleback Zoo, so plan to make a day of it. turtlebackzoo.com/tree-top-aerial-adventure-course
12. Family Summer Reading Club – Plan out your own book club! Pick a suitable book or series for the family and sit together once a week to read, and do a related activity!
13. Dave & Busters – Have lunch or dinner, bowl, shoot some pool and play video games. Nothing says summer fun like a little family competition! www.daveandbusters.com
14. Ice Skating – We have a few great rinks here in Morris County - Sportscare Arena in Randolph and Mennen Sport Arena in Morristown. Friday nights at Aspen there’s a DJ during the open skate. https://sportscarearena.com/ www.morrisparks.net/aspparks/mennenmain.asp
15. Sign up for a class at Michaels – Painting, drawing, jewelry making, crochet, knitting… there are plenty of options for someone who is crafty. Take the class with them for extra fun! https://www.michaels.com/classes
16. Hibachi - Always a fun family outing, Morris County has plenty of hibachi restaurants.
17. Mini Golf – For a rainy day, try Monster Mini Golf, an 18-hole indoor miniature golf course on route 46 in Fairfield is monster themed and everything glows in the dark. There’s an arcade on site also. On the few nice days we're having this season, there are many local outdoor mini golf venues! www.monsterminigolf.com/fairfield
18. Explore, Imagine, and Play! RIVERSIDE KIDS GYM, located in Hackettstown, NJ, is a custom-designed play place, geared towards children ages 0-12 years old. If your kiddo is potty-trained, you can drop them off for open play and grab some "you time" This is both a gift for yourself and the kids! Also be sure to check out their monthly Friday night kids night out events.
19. Train Ride – Hop on a train and take a round-trip ride, just for fun! Or choose a destination such as Westfield, that lets you off in a downtown area, get off and walk around before taking the trip home. www.njtransit.com You can also check out themed train rides on a real steam engine train at Delaware River Railroad Excursions in Phillipsburg.
20. Glass Fusing – A great gift for your older kiddos. At Glassworks in Morristown or Smooth as Glass in Chester, you can design a masterpiece as a walk-in, in a class setting or during a private lesson. http://www.umakeglass.com and https://www.smoothasglassdesigns.com/
21. Lakota Wolf Preserve – Located in Columbia, this is a unique opportunity to observe and learn about wolves. Take a wolf tour while you’re there, and don’t forget your camera! Call for availability. http://www.lakotawolf.com
22. Build A Bear Workshop – Always a crowd favorite, head to the mall to create your own personalized stuffed friend. Current and past specialized options include Star Wars, Dreamworks Dragons, Super Heroes, My Little Pony, Peanuts and Minions. http://www.buildabear.com/shopping
23. Trip to Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island – Give the gift of history with a memorable trip to see the Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Wall of Honor at Ellis Island. Tickets should be bought online ahead of time if possible. http://www.statuecruises.com
24. Visit to the Sea Carousel in New York City – This one of a kind carousel at the Battery Conservatory in Battery Park is an under the sea-like experience. With 30 different sea creatures that move and glow, riders feel like they actually are part of the ocean. Check online for hours. http://www.seaglasscarousel.nyc
25. Baseball Game – We now have three minor league baseball teams nearby -- the Sussex Miners, the Jersey Jackals and the Somerset Patriots. Tickets are inexpensive and the games are really geared toward the family, with different fun activities planned between innings and sometimes fireworks after the games. http://www.jackals.com/home.asp http://www.jackals.com/home.asp http://www.somersetpatriots.com
Stay tuned next week as we reveal 25 more ideas for you!
And, if you are looking for a great summer gift for yourself - how about house cleaning services from OlceMaid! What better way to free up some of your time to enjoy time with your kids!
