Got a bored teen or ‘tween sitting at home all summer long? These cool events are sure to keep them busy (and complaint-free!) while school’s out.
110 Schanck Rd., Freehold
Friday nights, 7 pm
This indoor amusement park is geared toward big kids! There’s something for everyone here, including rides, food, laser tag, music and a giant indoor ropes course. Thrill-seekers, be sure to check out the brand-new Freedom Rider Spinning Coaster, a super-fast ride that zips around a figure eight-shaped track.
Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Head over to Liberty Science Center with your teens for a fun museum that’s educational but also has plenty of fun hands-on exhibits! This exhibit lets you test your sports skills in a state-of-the-art simulator where you can pass a football, toss a dodgeball at zombies, boot a soccer ball, and more. You can also balance on a balance beam, give the broad jump your best shot, and scramble up a rotating climbing wall.
67 Old Kings Hwy., Maple Shade
Every Friday from 6 pm to 8 pm
Kids and teens will reach new heights at the Elite Climbing Rock Gym. Every Friday starting at 6pm is specifically geared toward beginners with no climbing experience. Rock climbing is a fun way to get a total mind and body workout, and it will get your teen to be active this summer! Great for kids 7–14 years old.
Power Play Gaming
23 Diamond Spring Rd., Denville
Fridays 3 pm to 9 pm, Saturdays 12 pm to 9 pm, Sundays 12 pm to 6 pm
Entice your gaming-obsessed teenager to get out of the house with this fun gaming center that includes laser tag, arcade games, Minecraft nights, and more! Reservations required for groups of 5 people or more.
West Berlin
Thurs–Sun: 10am–7pm
This water park is the perfect place for teens to gather a group of friends and cool off for the day. Sahara Sam’s even offers a $10 ticket discount for students with good grades. Just bring a straight-A report card to get this awesome discount!
Fairfield
Monday thru Friday: 12pm–10:30pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am–8:00pm
Fridays are High School Night at this exciting rock-climbing gym. High school students climb for $6.50 after 6:00 pm. Test their skills with a variety of different rock-climbing walls for different levels of experience, from beginner to expert.
Seaside Heights
Friday nights at 8 pm
Club Karma hosts Teen Nights every Friday starting June 24th, for ages 13-18. Teens will enjoy the party atmosphere and non-alcoholic beverages, of course. Professional security is enforced in the club to ensure your teens’ safety.
Blackbeard’s Cave Amusement Park
136 Atlantic City Blvd, Bayville
Open noon-8pm, Summer hours: open ‘til 10 pm
Rollercoasters, arcade, bumper cars and bumper boats, archery, tennis courts, laser tag, a driving range and a rock climbing wall are among the fun attractions at this park. Teens will love going out with their friends for the day or going at night when the park lights up!
Hot Summer Nights Concert Series
Summit's Village Green
July 12-26, 7-9pm
FREE
Every Tuesday night, teens can gather with their friends on the Village Green to enjoy some of the best bands of the East Coast, as well as food trucks and free ice cream.
151 South St., Morristown
Thursday/Friday: noon- 7 pm
Saturday/Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
If your child loves all things arts and crafts, this is a unique experience that’s well-suited for teens! Glassblowing is a more advanced art form that your teen will love learning how to do! Plus, they’ll be able to take home a beautiful piece of art.
Planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College
July 15, 9 pm
$8/person
See colorful laser lights choreographed with music and the starry planetarium sky. This classic-rock laser show is sure to be a hit!
Sure some of the movies are for kids, but most towns offer some PG-13 fare, with films like Jaws or The Hunger Games, that are perfect for teens, and easy on the wallet for kids who aren’t quite old enough to get a summer job.
Departs from 51st and Broadway
Starts at $36/person
Does your teen talk endlessly about all things Kardashian, Taylor Swift, or Justin Bieber? She’ll love this 2.5-hour TMZ bus tour of New York City that points out famous celebrity-sighting spots where famous people have been regularly sighted, made their careers, or had meltdowns (or all three).
July 27, 7 pm–1 am
Roselle
Ages 14-18, $15/person
This summer event is the perfect place for your teen to party with friends! A DJ will be playing the latest dance hits and all teens ages 14-18 are welcome to come dance, hang out, and meet new friends!
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 while school’s out. Finding fun summer events for your bored teenager can be a difficult task.This guide to summer events will keep teens busy all summer long!){kind=link}