With gas prices skyrocketing in New Jersey, families are forced to make the most of their time together this summer without having to spend a lot of money.
This could be difficult both for children who may be deprived of the things New Jersey has to offer as well as for their parents who feel the pain of not being able to afford to give it to them.
Luckily, there are some great places you can take your kids to in New Jersey that won’t cost you anything, starting with your front door. Take them there then kick them out and force them to go make friends. That’s what my dad did and some of the kids I met and played with are still my best friends today. There is a lot to be said for the neighborhood.
Swing for playground
There’s also a lot to be said for all the great playgrounds we have in New Jersey. There must be one near you where you and your child can make new friends.
Steve Trevelise at the Old Bridge PetCenter.
Another inexpensive place if you have young children is the pet store. Admittedly, it’s not as big as the zoo, but there are still some cool living creatures that can fascinate the little ones and maybe lead to a purchase. This is especially great if you already have a pet and still need to feed it.
Getty Stock / Think Stock
Let’s not forget the many free beaches we have in New Jersey including Wildwood, Atlantic City and Keansburg. These could be great day trips and even cheaper if you bring your own water and snacks.
Here are some other free options from my social media for taking the kids this summer while you put their vacation money into your gas talk.
(Cape May Zoo via Facebook)
justin morris
Cape May Zoo
Julien Poli
The porch
Dianne Massaro
Silver Fox Farm in Egg Harbor
Ed Doblovoski
The library
Marc Maher
At the backyard door. Then lock the door until dinner.
Gloria Manchester
This year all NJ State Parks are free…now we just need Murphy to suspend the State Gas Tax so we can access these wonderful free parks!
Michael Wilt
Conhanzick Zoo in Bridgeton
chuck homler
The Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Galloway, New Jersey. It’s an 8 mile loop road, like going on a safari. And it’s also close to Smithville.
Michael Wilt
Any of the shore points that have a great promenade with lots of shops! We spent several days walking along the Ocean City Boardwalk, entering stores and looking around without spending a penny!
The views expressed in the above post are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Steve Trevelise only. Follow him on Twitter @realstevetrev.
You can now listen to Steve Trevelise — On demand! Learn more about the personalities of New Jersey and what makes the Garden State interesting. Download Steve Trevelise’s show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen now.
Click here to contact an editor about a comment or correction for this story.
Cape May, NJ: 15 Wonderful Places to Visit
15 Sensational Places to Visit in Seaside Heights and Seaside Park
From the rides to all the boardwalk food to the many water fun, Seaside Heights and nearby Seaside Park has remained a family friendly place for all ages.
Along the way, the Seaside Heights Boardwalk and Casino Pier were hit by tragic disasters, such as a fire, Super Hurricane Sandy, and another fire. Both have proven their resilience through reconstruction and expansion.
