Water Fun

As June approaches with its almost-summer heat, you may be yearning to bust open a fire hydrant, but before you do that – consider a water playground. Spice things up with your NJ kids this summer and check out some of these fun and fantastic water playgrounds in New Jersey. Check with each park individually to see when the city turns the water features on for the summer. It’s usually in June, but with all the warm weather we’ve been having, some cities are turning the water on early!

Looking for a way to introduce your baby to the pool? Don’t want your toddler to be afraid of the water? Parent-child swim classes are a great way to help our NJ kids develop a love of swimming and instill confidence around the water. Most programs allow children as young as 6 months to begin classes, and teach comfort with water in a safe and age appropriate way. Yes, it's hard to don that bikini so soon after having baby, but the rewards for your child are well worth the sacrifice!

I do love a good water park, but if there’s one thing I hate more than being cold, it’s being wet and cold. Which is why I was so enamored of the Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park in the Poconos. A balmy and constant 84 degrees, no matter what the weather outside--now this is my kind of water park. And with the mere hour and a half drive from Northern NJ, this is the ultimate in family weekend trips. Mentally put on your swimsuit, and read on for my family’s "good times" at the Great Wolf Lodge.

Summertime means swimming–the kids cool off, get exercise, and are entertained all at once–triple bonus!  While NJ abounds with beaches and lakes, many of us prefer the plain old comfort of a chlorine-enhanced, sand-and-mud free, lifeguard-protected swimming pool. For you, the pool-lover, we’ve assembled a list of NJ swimming pool options—some public, some private, summer-only, year-round, indoor, outdoor....take your pick—and then, take the plunge!

Now that the cast of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” is officially out of the country shooting in Italy, it’s finally safe to go back in the water.  But with so many choices, it’s hard to decide: an umbrella-packed beach with a full-on amusement park, aquarium and arcade?  A beach steeped in history, with lighthouses and museums to visit when the sun goes down?  Or a “dry” beach, with no alcohol allowed but the best body-surfing a kid could ask for?  Luckily, with so many options dotting the coastline, you can sample beach after beach all summer long and STILL have more to visit when Labor Day rolls around! Better do it now... “Jersey Shore, the Movie” may be hitting the shores soon...