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New Jersey Grandparents: 5 Ways to Build Big Summer Memories With Your Grandkids This Season

AARP

Published July 15, 2026

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Summer in the Garden State gives grandparents something rare — wide-open days tailor-made for the kind of one-on-one time that grandkids remember for the rest of their lives. Whether your grandchildren live in your town or are just visiting for the season, New Jersey's beaches, parks, museums, and family-friendly kitchens are ready to help you write a story worth telling.

Hit the Jersey Shore Together
The Jersey Shore at Point Pleasant Beach, the Ocean City Boardwalk, and Island Beach State Park are among New Jersey's most beloved summer destinations, and they've been that way for generations. Walking a boardwalk, riding the waves, or spreading a blanket on the sand is a simple, powerful way to share the places that matter to you.

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For grandchildren who love a little more action, my grandchild loved Morey's Piers in Wildwood that offers rides and water slides, and the Cape May County Zoo was a hit too. And, is a fantastic free option that appeals to me, my daughter and my grandchild.

Planning tip: Beat the heat by planning outdoor excursions for the morning or late afternoon to avoid peak sun and stay hydrated, even if you don't feel thirsty.

Explore New Jersey's Outdoor Wonders at Your Own Pace
You don't have to go far to find something awe-inspiring. The Rancocas Nature Center in Westhampton features 3 miles of hiking trails through meadows, forest, and wetlands. It's a great setting for grandparents and grandkids to explore and observe nature together. For something on a grander scale, the Morris County Park Commission's Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township hosts family scavenger hunts and guided programs surrounded by stunning greenery. Cheesequake State Park in Old Bridge offers accessible nature hikes. It is a great way to get some fun family time while getting some gentle exercise.

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Prefer Pedaling or education? Duke Farms, a living lab located on 2,700 acres in Hillsborough, features paved paths and beautiful grounds, making it perfect for a bike ride or taking part in a variety of nature experiences from birding to outdoor classes to field journaling.

Why it matters: Grandparents and their grandkids still enjoy doing things they might have done together a century ago: going fishing, picking berries, and searching for native plants. The key, as many grandparents find, is being open to the grandkids' suggestions and going along for the ride.

Get Creative Indoors When It's Too Hot Outside
When the July heat is at its peak, New Jersey has no shortage of indoor adventures. The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City features hands-on exhibits including the enormous planetarium, the Infinity Climber, and special exhibits for younger children. It's a great way to spend a full day whether it's hot or cold out. The Adventure Aquarium in Camden has a vast collection of aquatic animals and offer opportunities to explore life underwater through close up animal encounters, touch exhibits and more.

For a quieter, imagination-driven afternoon at home, set up an arts and crafts station and paint rocks, create handmade greeting cards to send to other family members, or capture handprints and footprints on canvas — keepsakes that grandchildren cherish for years.

Cook Something Together in Your New Jersey Kitchen
Few things are more meaningful than cooking side by side. Letting grandkids measure ingredients, stir the batter, or decorate their own treats like cookies, personal pizzas, or homemade bread gives them a sense of accomplishment and keeps them engaged from start to finish. To this day, I remember the smell and joy of making homemade bread with my grandmother. In your New Jersey kitchen, you have the chance to do the same thing and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Create Something That Lasts: Family Projects With Staying Power
Some of the best summer projects stretch across multiple visits and give grandkids something to look forward to every time they come over. Planting a small backyard garden together, where grandkids pick their favorite plants and help at each stage, creates a long-term shared experience that keeps growing all summer long. My grandchild enjoys helping my wife with caring for her plants.

Another memorable project: creating a time capsule together. Have mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and the grandchildren contribute photos, drawings, letters, or small trinkets that capture the moment. Include answers to questions like "What do I want to be when I grow up?", things I enjoyed at school, or a list of favorite activities they enjoy doing with you. Pick a date in the future to open it together.

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