The Bergen County Zoo offers children the opportunity to play and have fun while learning about wildlife and conservation. Located in the Van Saun County Park, this zoo features exotic birds, reptiles and mammals, as well as a farm area with cows, pigs, chickens and goats. Children will also enjoy riding the carousel and train. Special events like pony rides and live animal shows take place at different times during the year. The Bergen County Zoo is open every day until 4:30 p.m., and admission is free from November to April.
Bergen County Zoo
216 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-262-3771
co.bergen.nj.us
With more than 30 different play areas and exhibits, the New Jersey Children's Museum has activities that appeal to children of all ages. Highlights of this attraction include a grocery store where children use a shopping cart to get groceries and a hospital that lets children become doctors, nurses or ambulance drivers. A fire truck, a medieval castle, a construction zone and a dinosaur cave allow kids to explore, pretend and play. All attractions at the museum are interactive, and special events are held during holidays. The New Jersey Childen's Museum is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day except Monday.
The New Jersey Children's Museum
599 Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-262-5151
njcm.com
At Velocity 17, children can play in a fast-paced, indoor environment. This attraction features a laser tag arena and an arcade. Children can drive motorized karts on the indoor racing track, a speedway with an electric scoreboard that is almost two miles long. In addition, Velocity 17 is home to a state-of-the-art virtual racing facility, complete with surround sound and vibrating seats. The Velocity 17 Cafe is an on-site restaurant that offers pizza, hamburgers and other kid-friendly menu items. This attraction is open Tuesday through Sunday with varying hours each day. Height and age restrictions apply to some activities at Velocity 17.
87 Route 17 North
Maywood, NJ 07607
201-994-1200
v-17.com
The Tenafly Nature Center is an outdoor venue where children can have fun while learning in a natural environment. The center offers activities like geo-caching, letter boxing and hiking, as well as large open areas for children to run and play. The visitor's center features live animals, a library and exhibits highlighting the area's natural history. The Tenafly Nature Center's educators are on-hand to answer questions or offer information about local animal and plant species. This attraction is open daily until 5 p.m.
Tenafly Nature Center
313 Hudson Avenue
Tenafly, NJ 07670
201-568-6093
tenaflynaturecenter.org
