Ocean County Activities for Toddlers
Please enjoy our list of Ocean County Activities for your Little One!
Indoor Ocean County Activities for Toddlers
Whether its the winter or a rainy summer day, there is so much to do with your toddler in Ocean County indoors! Peruse this list to plan your next indoor excursion!
Jenkinson's Aquarium
Enjoy a morning or afternoon visiting with sharks, penguins, seals and more! This sweet little aquarium is an easy outing for little ones and is located right on the Point Pleasant Boardwalk. It doesn't take long to visit all the tanks here so it won't eat up a whole day. https://jenkinsons.com/aquarium/
Peekaboo Playground
Enjoy indoor play with other littles! Perfect for cold or rainy days when you want to tire out your toddler without running around outdoors. Check their website for availability and to make a reservation. There are peekaboo playgrounds in Medford and in Bayville so make sure you look at the Bayville hours if you are in Ocean County. https://peekabooplayground.com/
Build-A-Bear
Create your very own custom teddy bear at the Build-a-Bear in Ocean County Mall! You can completely accessorize your bear with outfits and other goodies. I suggest bringing your child during their birthday month! If you are signed up as a member (you can do so HERE) you can pay their page for a bear!
Libraries
Local Libraries always have lots of activities for kids! Next time you go to check out books, pick up a calendar of their children's events!
Barnes and Noble Storytime
Barnes and Noble often has activities for young kids in their children's sections! Be prepared to walk by their incredible toy aisles though! The Brick location usually does storytime on Wednesdays at 11am. https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2803
Music Man Ice Cream Shoppe
Enjoy Ice Cream and a little show at this adorable themed shoppe. Performances have all different themes-- just be prepared that someone from your party might have to SING for their ice cream! You must join their reservation club to reserve a table and reservations are always suggested because seating is limited. Read about one of our visits HERE! https://www.themusicman.com/
Bowling
Some bowling alleys actually have bowling shoes for toddlers! Ask for bumpers and for the special devices they have to help little kids and those with disabilities bowl. It generally looks like a little ball ramp that they can push a ball down in a specific direction. There are several options but Ocean Lanes in Lakewood is popular in Ocean County, https://www.oceanlanes.com/
Playland
This indoor playground is located in the Ocean County Mall. Enjoy soft play areas, slides, ball pits and more. The best part is that you can come and go all day at the cost of $20 per child! So you can play, shop a little, and come back! They have a second location in Woodbridge.
Outdoor Ocean County Activities for Toddlers
Beautiful weather should be enjoyed outside! Here are some Ocean County outdoor adventures you can have with your toddler!
Jenkinson's Boardwalk
Enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk, play some arcade games and other classic boardwalk games of chance before you hit the rides. There are several really great ride options for toddlers including a carousel, train, mini fire trucks and even a fishie ride (read about one of our visits HERE)! Be prepared that the boardwalk is sometimes cooler than town due to being by the ocean! That is especially important to note for those windy spring days! Jenkinson's also has an annual Easter sale so you can purchase discounted ride credits online! Definitely something we suggest parents do to save money! https://jenkinsons.com
Casino Pier/Seaside Boardwalk
Casino Pier is another classic Jersey Shore boardwalk with rides, games and treats galore. This boardwalk is significantly bigger than Jenkinson's but seems to cater more to older kids and guests than that toddler age group. That being said, you'll still have a fun time strolling the boardwalk with an ice cream and playing ski ball in the arcades! https://casinopiernj.com/
Breakwater Beach
This longstanding water park (natives like me remember it's Water Works days!) has a few toddler friendly attractions that you can check out. The lazy river has always been a favorite of mine and the Lighthouse Cove is also good for really little kids. I suggest getting a cabana so you have a home base for your party to re-group, have lunch and reapply that sunscreen. https://casinopiernj.com/breakwater-beach-waterpark/
Playgrounds
I think it is always fun to explore new playgrounds! Brick has a huge variety of playgrounds with the most popular located at Windward Beach (yes it has a little beach too). There's also a sweet little playground on the Lavalette Bay Beach that is the BEST thing to do during sunset on a pretty day EVER (read about our visit HERE). Check out local township addresses to find fun parks near you!
Beaches
The Jersey Shore is famous for their fantastic beaches! There are many options but I'm the biggest fan of Lavalette Beach because it's never quite as busy as Brick or Point Beaches and the ice cream trucks visit plenty often! No beach fees for kids under 12!
Island Beach State Park and Nature Center
Enjoy nature paths and visit the center to learn more about the barrier island! Check the schedule for special events and offerings to help all ages learn about this unique beach! You can also enjoy these lovely beaches! Camping is also available here!
https://www.islandbeachnatureprograms.org/. https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/islandbeachstatepark.html
Blue Claws Stadium
Enjoy a classic ballgame at this extremely family friendly stadium! There is mini golf AND boardwalk games at the Stadium. Kids can also meet BUSTER, the team mascot! You'll feel perfectly comfortable roaming the stadium during the game since toddlers won't want to sit for a full baseball game which makes the activity great for families that also have older kids. Tickets are affordable and lap children 2 and under don't require a ticket at all. If you want a seat for your child though, make sure to purchase that extra ticket.
Mini Golf
Mini golf is so fun for all ages! I suggest finding courses opening times and going right away because we all know toddlers can take their time at activities like these! Some great mini golf courses are located along the Jenkinson's boardwalk but you can also find courses down the barrier island, on the Seaside Boardwalk and at Barnacle Bill's!
https://jenkinsons.com/explore/mini-golf/ https://www.barnaclebillsnj.com/
Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari
Littles will love a drive thru the safari as they point out all the animals they know! Safari trips are best in the morning because that is when the animals tend to be most active. Six Flags theme park has a lot of thrills for adults and older kids, but they do have a handful of rides for little ones that you can ride with them. With toddlers in tow, you'll want to prioritize live shows and character meet and greets. Bugs Bunny anyone?
Pirate Adventures Jersey Shore
I just love that this exists! Bring the family on board a pirate ship and sail the rivers looking for treasure! This adorable excursion turns the kids into the pirates and they even have pirate accessories available for purchase before sailing! All ages need a ticket for this adventure and I think it is one of the coolest and unique Jersey Shore experiences your family can have!
Argo Farms
This sweet family-owned farm is a great way to spend some quality outdoor time with your little ones! They offer blueberry, sunflower and falls festivals! On the farm they have games, animals, photo ops and a little farm market. This is a great place to come pick a pumpkin or even some blueberries! Lots of food and treats available at these festivals as well! https://www.argosfarm.com/