It’s August, and the dog days of summer are here – but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end!  There are still plenty of school-free days left and tons of things to do – and NJ Kids has got your 31 Dog Day of August Family Activity Guide: an activity a day from water fun to indoor rainy day ideas.  So don’t say goodbye to summer just yet – the fun has just begun!

Woodloch Resort

  1. Grab the sunscreen and head out for a hike along winding paths, woodland gardens and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk at the James A. McFaul Environmental Center to a two-story observation platform overlooking a pond.
  2. And if don’t spot any wildlife on your nature walk, enjoy the animals at the Turtle Back Zoo. Don’t forget to check out the new Sea Lion Sound Exhibit.  For more animal fun, visit njkidsonline.com.
  3. Pull up a blanket and enjoy a FREE movie under the stars; Hollywood’s best flicks are still showing along the shore several nights a week. Beach and movies are a great combo! Check out the complete list on njkidsonline.com. 
  4. Special kids deserve a special time – and the Garden State Discovery Museum is hosting another great Open Arms: Family Evening on Aug 4th. Come with your entire family for a FREE after hours event featuring open play and discovery. Meet other children on the spectrum, their caregivers, and siblings.
  5.  Walk back to the Triassic Period at Field Station Dinosaur, where there is always nature, education and dino-fun!  On the 4th-5th, there’s a LaQ Dino Trux Weekend 10am-6pm. Dinosaurs and trucks! One Dinosaur Way, Secaucus. NJ Kids will be there.
  6. The Art of Sand Sculpting!  Aug 6 at 9am-10am, check out the famous Sand Sculpting Contest, 6th St. Beach in Ocean City. 609-525-9300.
  7. Rainy Day Blues?  No worries – run, jump and play at an indoor playground or bounce house, such as Funtime Junction, Jump on In, Funplex or Bounce U!
  8. Or enjoy a FREE game of bowling at a lane near you through the Kids Bowl Free program. 
  9. Join the “Not So Lazy Boat Race” at Casino Piers on Aug 10th, 11am-1pm. Register beforehand.
  10. If you haven’t been to the NJ Botanical Garden, there’s a summer craft fair on Aug 10th from 11am-5pm. Tons of fun for the whole family with over 40 booths with beautiful crafts, art, kids’ stuff, sculpture. And it’s FREE! Ringwood.
  11. Calling all princes and princesses! Join the Peach, Princess and Pirate Party Family Festival 1pm-4pm on Aug 10-11.  Dress up and join the party! 1-4pm at the Camden Children’s Garden.
  12. Does anyone have N32? How about B21?  Let the kids play a FREE game of Bingo at Monmouth Mall on August 14th and August 28th (and best of all, NJ Kids will be there!).
  13. Create your own scrub or lotion at Bath Junkie then head home for a fun family spa day.
  14. Arrrrrrrrrrhh Matey! Calling all young swashbucklers to Jenkinson's Boardwalk for Pirate Day on Aug. 14, 3-7PM.  Arts & crafts, games, face painting, and much more!  Or cheer on your favorite American Idol at the American Idol Tour 2013 – Aug 14th at the Prudential Center and August 17th at the Trump Taj in Atlantic City.
  15. Hanging out at the mall on Aug 15th, then join NJ Kids at our Kids Club summer party @ Outlets at Bergen Town Center in Paramus Rt 4 10:30-12. Storytime, music, dance, crafts, prizes.
  16. Cool off at a local bookstore and spend the morning reading. Don’t forget to enter NJ Kids own Summer Reading contest.
  17. Looking for a different sort of museum? The Museum of Math in NYC stimulates inquiry, sparks curiosity, and reveals the wonders of mathematics. Perfect for children in Grade 4 through 8.
  18. In NYC on Aug 18th? Check out the 6th Annual Tropical Fest @ Central Park 3pm-7pm and enjoy more than three decades of musical history with Tito Nieves, the “Pavarotti” of Salsa. Naumburg Bandshell. Entrance at 72nd St & 5th Ave.  Tons of kids stuff nearby. Check out the spray park.
  19. Celebrate winter in August and lace up the skates at Union Sports Arena. Or go to your nearby ice skating arena and be cool! Best time to brush up on the skating when it’s empty.
  20.  Wondering what to do with the kids for the last week or two before school?  Why not enroll them in a weekly session at Downtown Sports or Soccer for Life.
  21. Can’t make it to the Jersey shore?  Head to the beach – at Sahara Sam’s!  Wave pool, raft rides, rope adventures, kiddie pools and tons more water and beach fun!  Open daily from 10-7PM
  22. Or for a different sort of water fun, hop on to a NYC Water Taxi and catch the sights of the city from the river.
  23. And afterwards head over to Broadway for an illuminating performance of music, art, and the magical light suits of iLuminate.
  24. On Aug 24th, it’s all about jazz! Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival Jazz, blues, food, crafts, games, vendors, and fireworks on the Great Lawn.
  25. Splash around a local water park….
  26. Or go puddle jumping after it rains right in front of your house.
  27. Book a last minute summer family getaway at Woodloch Pines and enjoy endless activities, endless food and endless fun!
  28. Engage in a bit of history at Washington’s Crossing State Park.
  29. Build one last sandcastle, then walk along the boardwalk and help keep Jersey Strong.
  30. Or get dizzy on the rides at sea Keansburg Amusement Park – totally rebuilt after Sandy.
  31. And remember, the summer may almost be over, but there’s always tons to do here in NJ and around the area! Come visit us at NJKidsonline.com for more great family fun ideas!