It’s not quite Isla Nublar from the “Jurassic Park” movies but it’s pretty close! Field Station: Dinosaurs in Leonia is home to more than 30 larger-than-life-sized dinosaurs through the end of October.
And starting June 1, the dino park hits the global stage by appearing on an episode of “Blippi.” June 1 is International Dinosaur Day, and Dino Blippi and Dino Elmo (yes, from “Sesame Street”) will join paleontologist Meekah and dino expert Big Bird in exploring Field Station, along with their prehistoric guide, Stanley-Saurus.
In the episode titled “Blippi and Meekah’s ROARing Dino Day with Big Bird and Elmo,” curiosity leads the way, and they can’t wait to see a little T-Rex, play hide-and-seek with a dino twist, and stomp along to the Dino Dance Song.
The Set-Up
The dinosaurs on display are animatronics, aka robots computer programmed to move in a realistic way. They were designed by artists to have lifelike-features.
Field Station even has paleontologists on staff who worked at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton who help bring these dinosaurs to life.
Visitors walk stroller-friendly trails reminiscent of local zoos, but instead of live animals behind a rope fence, there are life-sized dinosaur attractions, including herbivores like the Stegosaurus, local dinos like the Hadrosaurus foulkii and crowd favorites like the iconic T. Rex.
The Activities
Interactive workshops, games and shows are a huge part of the Field Station experience. Check out Are You Smarter Than a Paleontologist?, the Dinosaur Dance Party, the baby dinos ready to hatch in the Dinosaur Daycare area, the Field Station Challenge contests, the Toddler-saurus Surprise Party and the T-Rex Feeding Frenzy.
The kids can dig for rocks, make dinosaur origami, meet Hollywood’s first famous dino Gertie, play Mesozoic Concentration, pretend to be Paleo Picasso by making artwork, sing along with the Dinosaur Troubador, go on a scavenger hunt and visit the paleontologist’s lab.
New for 2024 is the Feathered and Fearless exhibition, three new dinosaurs and tons of new games, activities, and shows featuring T-Rex, Toddlersaurus, dinosaur hatchlings and the park’s Dinosaur Troubadour.
Cretaceous Campout, which takes place from 7 pm Fridays to 6 am Saturdays, August 9-24; plus Dinosaurs After Dark, from 7-9:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays, October 4-26, both have additional fees.
Special programming is available with regular admission: Super Stars of Science programs take place on July 13 with Dino Don Lessem, July 20 with Marc Rogoff, and July 27 with Mad Science. More programs for August 3, 10, 24 and 31 will be announced.
Scout Day is Saturday, October 5.
As soon as you enter the park, grab a schedule of events and check out the times for each activity.
Another fan-favorite activity is the Jurassic Jump attraction, which debuted last year. Harnessed riders can jump to heights of 5-25 feet while centered on a trampoline. When bouncing on the trampoline the mechanical bungee relay system helps jumpers reach the level where they could look dinosaurs in the eye! Note: There is an additional $10 fee.
Dinosaurs After Dark includes spooky but fun lantern-lit tours on Friday and Saturday nights in the fall.
Good to Know
Even though the Field Station is an outdoor attraction, there’s plenty to do during a downpour, too, like exploring one of 40 live shows, dinosaur games and activities in one of the park’s tented pavilions.
The park’s concession stand offers many options and there are designated picnic tables as well.
Opening day for 2024 is May 25. The park is open from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays only through June 24. From June 25 to September 1, hours extend to 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Sunday.
It’s also a great way to spend days off from school with the kids – visit Field Station on Memorial Day (May 27), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (September 2), Columbus Day (October 14), and during NJ Teachers Convention Week (November 7 and 8).
Fall Season hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Saturdays and Sundays, September 7 through November 10.
Admission tickets start at $18.50 (kids under 2 are free) for a day pass. There are different levels of tickets to choose from. There are additional fees for the Paleontologists Library, Jurassic Zoo Bouncer and Jurassic Jump.
Field Station: Dinosaurs is located in Overpeck County Park at 40 Fort Lee Rd. in Leonia. For more information, call 855-999-9010.
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