Looking for fun activities to keep the kids entertained in Jersey City? The area is home to a wide range of things to do, including several parks, an aquarium, a state-of-the-art science center, and more. With our list of exciting activities, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding ways to keep the kids happy and entertained while you enjoy some quality time together this spring.

Farmers Markets

Jersey City’s farmers markets thrive in the warmer months, with most of them welcoming customers at the beginning of April. Shopping local farmers markets is a great way to support local businesses, eat healthier, and save money. Visiting these open-air markets gives you a chance to teach your kids about where their food comes from and allows them to meet the people who grow it. You’ll find farmers markets at Hamilton Park, downtown in Grove Street Plaza, Riverview Park in the Heights, and in many other locations around the city.

Turtle Back Zoo

Take a walk on the wild side this spring at the Turtle Back Zoo. Located in nearby West Orange, this zoo is a good size for little ones and features all sorts of interesting exhibits, such as the African Adventure, Big Cat Country, and the Reptile House exhibits. Stop by the 1,600-gallon touch tank and watch as small sharks and stingrays glide through the water. If you’re feeling a little daring, let the kids dip two fingers in and experience hands-on learning by gently touching the stingrays as they swim by.

Don’t miss the Sea Turtle Recover Center, which was opened in 2016 as a joint partnership between the zoo and the non-profit organization, Sea Turtle Recovery. As home to five recovery tanks, five life support systems, and an intensive care unit, the center cares for injured and sick sea turtles and prepares them for their release back into the wild. Zoo visitors are welcome to observe the less critical patients while learning more about the dangers sea turtles face and ways to help them.

Hudson House of Play

Let their imaginations run wild when you take the kids to the Hudson House of Play, an indoor playhouse focused on imaginary play for kids ages 5 months to 5 years. The center features a colorful, custom-built open play area designed to spark kids’ creativity and help them reach their developmental milestones. Located about 30 miles away in West New York, it offers public and private playtimes as well as classes and birthday party space.

Visit an Area Park

Get outside and explore the city’s many parks this spring. They provide a fun way to get some exercise and let the kids burn off some of their seemingly endless energy.

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park, the oldest and largest park in the county, encompasses over 250 acres and features meandering walking trails, two playgrounds, several historic monuments, and more. Visit Edgewood Lake in the park’s western region if you’d like to fish, and keep your eyes peeled for egrets and ospreys, which are often seen in the area.

Liberty State Park

How do sweeping views of Manhattan’s skyline, a state-of-the-art science center, miles of walking trails, and a playground sound? You’ll find all this at Liberty State Park, which is also home to the state’s only ferry service to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

During your visit, take a few hours to explore the Liberty Science Center, a 300,000-square-foot learning center that houses 12 exhibition halls, a live animal collection featuring 110 different species, a 3D theater, and a planetarium. Check out the Space Station Liberty during your visit, and take a few minutes to traverse the Touch Tunnel, an 80-foot, pitch-black tunnel created to help visitors realize how much we rely on sight to navigate the world.

Newport Green Park

Built in 2012, Newport Green Park is a peaceful oasis tucked between the two bustling downtown areas of Hoboken and Jersey City. It’s home to a playground, splash pad, and carousel, as well as the Hudson River’s only urban beach. Start your day on the playground, where you’ll find two separate soft-grounded play areas. From there, consider a carousel ride or a trip to the splash pad. Next, enjoy the beach, which encompasses over 7,500 square feet and provides kids with plenty of space to play in the sand.

Finally, take the kids for a walk on the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, next to Newport Green’s playground, which runs to downtown Hoboken and offers impressive views of the Manhattan skyline.

Paulas Hook

Prefer a smaller play area? Check out Paulas Hook, which is home to four charming pocket parks. Their small size makes it easy to keep an eye on the kids while they play and explore, hopefully allowing you a few minutes of downtime to rest and relax.

Adventure Aquarium

Pack up the kids and make the drive or take the train to the Adventure Aquarium, home to over 15,000 aquatic animals, including the Northeast’s largest shark collection. Yes, it takes a bit of time to get there, as it is located about 90 miles away in downtown Philadelphia, but it makes for a fun, indoor day trip, which is nice for those rainy days we often get in April and May.

At the aquarium, kids are encouraged to enjoy the many interactive exhibits in the Kids Zone, a special area designed for children ages six and under. It features several exhibits, including touch tanks that house sea stars, hermit crabs, and sea apples. Feeling adventurous? Take a walk on the Shark Bridge, the world’s longest V-shaped rope bridge. Hovering just above the Shark Realm exhibit, the bridge brings visitors within inches of the many sandbar, sand tiger, and nurse sharks living in the tank.

Our team at New Jersey State Auto Used Cars hope you enjoyed this list of spring activities for families in Jersey City. If we didn’t include one of your favorite spots, please let us know. Just send us an email or give us a call so we can add it. We would love to hear from you.