Playgrounds and zoos aren’t the only options when it comes to kid-friendly outings. Trust us, finding places to hang out with all ages in Hoboken + Jersey City is easier than it might seem. Crafting, museums, and bike rides are all fun activities for kids and adults to do together. Keep reading to discover some of the best kid-friendly activities in Hoboken + Jersey City, NJ.
Hoboken
The Gravity Vault | 1423 Clinton Street
Adventurous kids + adults will enjoy rock climbing together. The Gravity Vault is a 25,000-square-foot climbing gym with 100 rope stations and over 120 bouldering routes, so there’s always a new challenge to tackle. Kids who end up loving The Gravity Vault can even plan their next birthday party at this sporty venue.
The Hive | 1000 Park Avenue, Hoboken + 615 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City
The Hive is maybe the most kid-friendly place on this list. This women-owned cafe with the viral cinny rolls (yes, the ones Blake Lively raved about) is a welcoming spot dedicated to fostering community. Both the Hoboken + Jersey City locations have a play space where the kids can get some energy out while parents and friends catch up over a mocha or cold brew. The playspace costs $7 for each child over 12 months but reservations are not required.
Read More: 22 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Hoboken + Jersey City
The Hoboken Biergarten | 1422 Grand Street
The Hoboken Biergarten (yes, this used to be Pilsener Haus) has a large outdoor area where parents can park strollers and enjoy a cold beer with friends. This spot shows basketball games and is a popular spot for family-friendly brunches. There’s a kid’s menu with scrambled eggs and toast.
Hoboken Historical Museum | 1301 Hudson Street
Kids and adults can explore the Hoboken Historical Museum together to learn more about Mile Square City. It’s only $5 for adults to visit and kids can enter for free. There are art classes and storytime programs for families, just check the calendar for upcoming events.
Hoboken Public Library | 500 Park Avenue
The Hoboken Public Library hosts many kid-friendly events like storytime, STEM programs, and crafts. Adults can pick up a new book while they’re here, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Little Play Co. | 1400 Hudson Street
The Little Play Co. was voted “Best Kid’s Activity” in 2021 by The Hoboken Girl readers. Kids ages nine months to five years can let their imaginations run wild at this play space. The drop-in classes make it easy to pass the time on a rainy or cold day. Reservations are not required and it costs $35 for 2 hours of open play.
Pier 13 | 1301 Sinatra Drive North
Pier 13 is the place to go for a cold beer, an incredible view, and an easy spot to swap stories with other parents. This waterfront beer garden is a 21+ spot, but parents are welcome to bring their kids. Pier 13 hosts weekly events, including Family Fundays on Tuesdays from 4PM-8PM complete with ping pong and a bounce house. Please note that Pier 13 is currently closed for the 2024 season and will reopen in spring 2025.
Play! Hoboken | 1012 Grand Street
Play! Hoboken has a lot to provide for both kids and adults in terms of indoor gaming. The bowling lanes are kid-friendly — with the option for ramps or bumpers — and there’s also mommy + me bowling twice a week. Other kid-friendly options here include ping pong, board games (including a kid’s after-school board game club every Thursday), a lowered pool table and air hockey table made specifically for kids, golf, arcade games, pinball, and more.
Tipsy Tie Dye | 155 1st Street
Tipsy Tie Dye is an interactive crafting studio where kids and adults get to embrace their creativity and make some colorful clothing. Yes, this spot has “tipsy” in the name but kids are welcome before 5:30PM. New or soon-to-be parents can even tie-dye baby onesies and we love the idea of matching t-shirts and onesies for parents and babies.
Walk Along the Waterfront | Sinatra Drive
It’s hard to beat a low-key walk along the water, especially on a sunny day. And, don’t worry, the waterfront path is wide so strollers can easily fit. There are multiple playgrounds and grassy areas where the kids can run around, play, or take a break.
Jersey City
902 Brewing | 101 Pacific Avenue
902 Brewing is a kid-friendly brewery with plenty of tables and a large parking lot, so parents don’t have to stress about unloading strollers on the side of the road. There are a bunch of board games to keep older kids entertained. The brewery often has a food truck parked outside but everyone is welcome to bring in their own food.
Dream Vista | 177 York Street
Dream Vista is a charming cafe in the Paulus Hook neighborhood. The tea, coffee, and pastries are served on beautiful china plates so little ones can pretend they are having a tea party. The backyard has some toys for the kids and tables where the parents can sit and watch them play while catching up.
Hamilton Park | 25 West Hamilton Place
Jersey City’s Hamilton Park neighborhood has a huge park with a playground + tons of greenspace for picnics. The park is surrounded by restaurants with outdoor tables where parents can relax with strollers by their side. And, of course, kids and adults agree that Milk Sugar Love is a can’t-miss ice cream spot in the neighborhood.
Liberty Science Center | 222 Jersey City Boulevard
Liberty Science Center is a place where kids and adults can let their imaginations run wild. This museum has something for all ages, from little scientists to grown adults. HG tip: Liberty Science Center has free community nights for families from some local school districts. Check the Liberty Science Center website for more details.
Liberty State Park | 1 Audrey Zapp Drive
Liberty State Park is a nice option for bike riding, bird watching, or picnicking. Small groups can use the picnic area (which has a grill) without reservations. This park hosts family-friendly events like live music in the summer + outdoorsy programs at the nature center. Don’t miss the enormous playground located near the picnic area.
See More: The Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Montclair + Bloomfield
RPM Raceway | 99 Caven Point Road
Thrill-seeking kids and adults love RPM Raceway, an indoor entertainment center with go-karts, arcade games, and bowling. This high-energy destination has everything adventurous families need for a memorable outing. Kids who are at least 4’ tall and six years old are welcome to test their need for speed on the junior race track.
Torico | 20 Erie Street
There’s nothing that brings adults and kids together quite like ice cream. Hoboken + Jersey City are home to tons of top-notch ice cream options. Torico is a local favorite and this spot always has fun + funky flavors. Milk Sugar Love, Downtown Yogurt, Thomas’ Ice Cream Cafe, and Stack Creamery also deserve a shoutout. We won’t judge if an ice cream outing turns into an ice cream crawl.
City of Hoboken Warns Residents of Falling Rocks on Sinatra Drive
The City of Hoboken's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) warned residents about potential falling rocks on Sinatra Drive in the afternoon of Monday, February 3rd, 2025.
Per an X post, the OEM is investigating reports of falling rocks near the area of 9th Street + Sinatra Drive. Residents are encouraged to avoid the western sidewalk from approximately 8th Street to 9th Street along Sinatra Drive, which is temporarily closed at this time.
The Office of Emergency Management is investigating reports of falling rocks near the area of 9th Street & Sinatra Drive. Residents are encouraged to avoid the western sidewalk from approximately 8th Street to 9th Street along Sinatra Drive, which will be temporarily closed.
— Hoboken OEM (@HobokenOEM) February 3, 2025
Barriers are currently up on the Uptown bound side (per the photo above).
Marci Rubin, Hoboken's Senior Public Information Assistant, shared the following update with HG:
"The Office of Emergency Management responded to reports of falling rocks along Castle Point on Sinatra Drive near Ninth Street yesterday. Out of an abundance of caution OEM has temporarily closed about 40-50 feet of the western sidewalk along the cliff to allow for Steven's Institute of Technology, who owns the property, to have engineers inspect the cliffside and implement any necessary measures. The City and OEM encourage pedestrians to cross safely at the existing crosswalks ahead of, and on each side of, the closure."
Stay updated with any further Office of Emergency Management alerts on the website and X.
This is a developing story. This post will be updated with any further details.
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