By: Aaliyah Collins, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
SOUTH JERSEY — This summer started off strong with 90 to 100 degree heat.
With school out, it is the perfect time to bond and reconnect with family. Here are ten fun ideas to keep the family busy this summer in South Jersey.
1. Soak up the sun at the beach
Taking advantage of the beaches that New Jersey has to offer is a must at least twice during the summer. Bring a towel, a speaker, a bathing suit, and a cooler and spend the day catching waves or a tan.
As the sunlight slowly begins to disappear, it’ll be the perfect time to hit the boardwalk. Here’s where families share a funnel cake or two, some pizza, and some fries, while hoping not to get harassed by seagulls.
Also on the boardwalk, there might be a pier or other fun attractions such as mini golf or arcades to end the day enjoying.
Point Pleasant Beach, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Wildwood, and Seaside Heights, are some beaches with family-fun filled boardwalks.
One final thing that everyone must do, is watch the sunset or the sunrise on the beach. It’s a beautiful sight and a relaxing way to start or end the day.
2. Go To Festivals, Carnivals, & Fairs
Fried food. Games. Prizes. Raffles. Music. Food trucks.
Making time to visit one festival or fair this summer can be a way to spend quality time together, walking around and exploring. There is always a variety of food, fun, music, and overall good vibes.
3. Have a picnic
Pack up a nice lunch with some snacks and drinks. One might also bring something to do such as painting supplies, coloring books, outdoor activities, or a journal.
There are tables at most parks for those who don’t want to spread a picnic blanket on the ground.
Connecting with nature can be the therapy someone never knew they needed. It can also be a day away from electronics and more time focused on bonding with family.
Some great parks with a nice view and good seating are:
- Cooper River Park
- Amico Island Park
- Pennypacker Park
- Palmyra Cove Nature Park
- Bellmawr Lake
- Pakim Pond
4. Amusement & Water Parks
If rides at carnivals and fairs aren’t wild enough, there are plenty of amusement parks to choose from. Most of these amusement parks also have their own water parks.
These are some of the highest rated waterparks and amusement parks in the area:
- Six Flags Great Adventure & Hurricane Harbor
- Clementon Park & Splash World
- Sesame Place Philadelphia
- The Funplex & The Splashplex
- Diggerland USA
- Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
- Storybook Land
- Sahara Sam’s Oasis Water Park
- OC Waterpark
- Splashzone Waterpark
- Island Water Park at Showboat
5. Visit a farm
Not many have been to a farm unless it was for a school trip from grade school, pumpkin picking, or corn mazes. But, farms have activities for all ages, childhood to adulthood.
Some farms offer fruit & veggie picking, animal viewings, and hay rides.
There are quite a few farms here in South Jersey such as Johnson’s Corner Farm, Lots of Love Farm Animal Sanctuary, Hidden Hill Farm, Creamy Acres Farm, and Fox Run Acres Boarding & Pet Zoo.
6. Take a scoop or two of local ice cream
One of the sweetest ways to stay cool in the heat is with some delicious ice cream! There are several options to choose from that it’s hard to pick just one. Milkshakes, frozen yogurt, water ice, gelatis, soft serve, floats, custards, and a large variety of flavors.
Try some family-owned ice cream shops like Ice Cream Love, Cherry’s, Gracie’s, Bombastic Ice Cream, Alaura’s Homemade Ice Cream, and so many more in the South Jersey area.
7. Hit summer out of the park
This baseball season, try and catch a game! One doesn’t need to be a baseball fan or know much about the sport to go to one. Pick a team and join the crowd that’s cheering for them. Sometimes they’ll also have contests, mini-games, or mascots putting on a show. Maybe try some classic stadium food. Or stop one of the people that walk around selling hot dogs, peanuts, or cotton candy.
8. Ditch the car
Taking a walk, going on a hike, riding a bicycle, or going for a jog can also be very therapeutic. Not to mention, all of the above are great ways to exercise.
It can be beneficial to put the phones away in a pocket or a bag, to appreciate the outdoors. Those who live in the city listen to a mixture of cars honking and passing by, random conversations, and occasional sirens. Those who live in the suburbs have an environment that’s not so busy. They might hear a bird singing sweet melodies before they hear sounds coming from a vehicle.
City or suburbs, the scene is beautiful regardless. The sun will still share its light and warmth. Distinctive clouds will still float up above. Wind will still blow through the air.
9. Throw a BBQ
Classic BBQ food and a good playlist is all that’s needed to throw a good BBQ. This BBQ playlist should consist of throwbacks and a mixture of different genres. This way, the whole family can enjoy it.
The smell of burgers and hot dogs being cooked on the grill should remain the entire time and a cooler should be filled with everyone’s favorite drinks.
BBQ’s can last all day, until everyone has had enough of the mosquitoes picking at their skin.
10. Spend summer nights camping
Not everyone likes to go camping away from home. However, camping out in the backyard is always a possibility. One doesn’t even need to sleep outside. They can hang out all night and go back inside towards the end of the night. Backyard camping can be filled with a number of activities such as stargazing, playing outdoor games, or watching movies.
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