Toddler’s day out is extra special at these fun and fantastic South Jersey spots.
Mantua
This may be the one time you say to your kids, “let’s get a little dirty!” The EFM quarry digs are back, where visitors can dig for real fossils. And fill the rest of your day with some fun in the Discovery Forest and critter cove, admire the giant dinosaur replicas in Dinosaur coast, grab a bite to eat at Quarry Grounds Cafe and stop by the Pterosaur Pterrace playground.
Stone Harbor
Explore what’s under the surface of the Atlantic Ocean with plenty of activities at The Wetlands Institute. Join Catch o’ the Day (Wednesdays at 12:30 pm) to find crabs, shrimp, fish and more in the back bays with the help of institute staff. Stop by one of the many touch tanks to help feed horseshoe crabs (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12:30 pm). Learn about the critters that call the bays home during Creature Feature (Mondays and Fridays, 12:30 pm).
Camden
You could spend days wandering the halls of Adventure Aquarium, but I suppose a day will do. Make sure to see the only hippos in the world who live at an aquarium as well as the Northeast’s largest collection of sharks. And check out the aquarium’s special programs like animal encounters, free admission on your birthday and feeding demonstrations.
Cape May Court House
Yes, the Cape May County Zoo is free! It also is home to lots of exotic animals, including leopard, capybaras, monkeys, zebra and more. As you say hi to your favorites, be sure to check out the special meet-and-greet programs the zoo offers (you can feed a capybara!). For lunch, bring your own to enjoy in Cape May County Park, located across the street, or grab a bite at the Safari Cafe.
Tuckerton
Get a slice of history when you visit this recreated coastal town, featuring blacksmithing, otter spotting, decoy carving, storytelling, local shopping and more. Your day will start with a ferry ride to the seaport, and then the adventure is yours to design. Hop aboard for a guided creek tour, climb the lighthouse, browse the surf museum, watch folklife traditions come to life and grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants.
West Berlin
Get to building (sort of) and the country’s only construction-themed amusement park. Your whole family will have a day of fun with rides, real construction vehicles you can operate safely, a waterpark and plenty more.
Mt. Laurel
No matter the weather, your little ones will have fun all day long at The Funplex, with plenty of Boardwalk rides and games, a giant arcade, a bowling alley, bumper boat cars and a water park with plenty of slides and a lazy river.
