For families looking for a one day trip, a weekend getaway, or an additional kids attraction on your vacation, pack the car, buckle in the kids, and head to the Garden State to visit one of many kids museums.
They run the gamut from hands-on interactive science programs, educational exhibits, learning through fun activities, and many other adventuresome activities that make the learning experience enjoyable for kids.
Battleship New Jersey
62 Battleship Pl
Camden, NJ
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The nation's most decorated Navy ship afloat and largest battleship in the history of the world, served from World War II though the Persian Gulf War. It features quided tours, educational programs, overnight programs, and the Jason's Kids Kompartment, a play area for pre-school children to enjoy and learn a little about the battleship.
Franklin Mineral Museum
2 Evans Street
Franklin, NJ
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This is a zinc mine with a display of mineral fluorescence, (glowing rocks) and variety of rare species. They have thousands of mineral specimens on display with a huge fluorescent presentation of brilliant and glowing colorful minerals. The museum also has demonstrations and examples of the mining methods used during that period of operation. The museum welcomes teachers and school tours and can create a curriculum to fit your schools educational interest.
Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ
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Kids have plenty of room to burn off steam while enjoying 100s of exhibits, rock climbing, a suspended maze, live demonstrations (volcano pictured), a mini zoo, films, and shows. They even offer special exhibits and programs for kids ages 2-5. There's so much to do that most visits last 4 hours. Try the famous Touch Tunnel maze, see tiny live monkeys, and dodge a sneeze from the Big Blue Nose. Learning has never been so much fun. The new Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium and LSC Giant Dome Theater is the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Only three others in the worldقtwo in Japan and one in China are bigger.
Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Road
Morristown, NJ
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Offers special events for all ages and all interests -- from young children to seniors, from hands-on art and science workshops to discussions of significant historical events, and theatrical and other performances.
The museum contains a collection of more than 40,000 objects ranging from rocks and minerals to model trains, as well as one of the country's largest collections of mechanical musical instruments.
Monmouth Museum
On the Brookdale Community College campus
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ
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It's a museum that appeals to all ages. It's for children, adult's, and is a great place for a family day trip.15,000 square foot museum with two children's wings and two galleries with rotating exhibits. It also features the Garrett Reisman Center for Air & Space! Garrett Reisman is a New Jersey native and a NASA Astronau
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ
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New Jersey's largest museum offers experiences in the arts and natural sciences, for children and adults,studio programs for kids 3- 13 to create and explore the world of science, experienced family travel programs,and educational programs for teachers.
New Jersey State museum
205 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ
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Features more than two million objects, artifacts and specimens, with programs on natural history, archaeology, ethnography, cultural history and fine art. They offer a Planetarium program where visitors can interact with scientists working on real fossils.
Special programs, such as the Small Explorers program, a playgroup to explore the Museum with your child and connect with other families for support.and activities for young museum-goers.
Sterling Hill Mine Tour and Museum
30 Plant Street
Ogdensburg, NJ
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"Step Into Earth Science" The mining museum features a 1,300-ft underground walking tour through the mine where visitors can discover the equipment used while the mine was in operation and exhibits on the mining process including the 5,000 sq./ft. Zobel Exhibit Hall with over 20,000 mining related items, the miners lamp room, the shaft station, mine galleries dating to the 1830's. Also, for children the Rock & Fossil Discovery Center with fluorescent mineral displays, fossils, gemstones, carvings, and everyday objects, and more. They also offer educational group tours for school classes, scout groups, summer camps, vacation tour groups, snack bar and gift shop, etc.