Bergen County is one of those places that’s IYKYK–the densely populated county (it’s got the most people of any county in NJ) is a haven for fun, with everything from ski mountains to animal encounters to pro football and your fave concerts (Swifties—need we say more?). Spend the day and night going from roller coasters, waterparks, and skiing under one roof at American Dream, check out bison and mountain lions at the Bergen County Zoo, and hit the fairy trail at the Tenafly Nature Center. Scroll down for all you can do in Bergen County with kids. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
16 Family-Friendly Things To Do In Bergen County
Abma’s Farm
This family-friendly farm has the classic farm experience with a petting zoo, hayrides, and u-pick veggies, fruits, and flowers. They host seasonal events. weekly kids’ programs and festivals throughout the year and make everything from scratch, so stop by the market for fresh produce and baked goods.
American Dream
Where can you surf, ski, shop, or ride a roller coaster under one roof? American Dream, a mall and entertainment complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, that’s filled with over 3 million square feet (equivalent to 45 football fields–yup, you read that right) of fun. It provides hours (and days) of fun—try skiing indoors at Big Snow (the only indoor ski slope in the Western Hemisphere), get lost in the labyrinth of the Mirror Maze, or ride a roller coaster indoors at Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park. If that’s not enough, they have the largest indoor water park in the US, the world’s best views on the Dream Wheel, and the largest candy store on the planet with over 10,000 types of candy.
Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey
At this museum in Tenafly, it’s all about aviation. Explore the aerospace industry, including spaceflight, engineering, piloting, and research. You can also see various aircraft, helicopters, and airplane models, like the rocket engine that powered the X-15 for the military and the first American hovercraft. Don’t miss their custom-built “Fundamentals of Flight” exhibit, and be on the lookout for the Open Cockpit Day, where you can get a chance to experience being in the pilot’s seat.
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
This downtown Englewood theater hosts over 200 events annually—from concerts to stand-up shows to dance productions and family-friendly kids programming. They also provide arts instruction in dance, theater, music, and more via their performing arts school.
Campgaw Mountain
If you want to get your kids on the slopes in a family-friendly, beginner setting, Campgaw Mountain in Ramapo is the place to go. It’s got everything the big mountains offer, but on a smaller scale so littles (and adults new to skiing) can boot or board up and get acquainted with the sport. And it’s not just about skiing—the recently revamped snow tubing area is open day and night, giving families the ultimate chill thrill. Don’t miss the waffle hut for a warm-up before you go back to the slopes.
Demarest Farms
Named one of the best places to pick pumpkins in New Jersey, this farm also includes hayrides, farm market shopping, and a petting zoo. During the fall, you can reserve your picking spot online before you go and save the date for the Halloween light show, which typically starts in late September.
Fort Lee Historic Park
Historic reenactments and a reconstructed Revolutionary War Encampment bring history to life at this Bergen County park, with sweeping views from the cliffside perch of the scenic overlook. The entrance to Fort Lee Historic Park is on Hudson Terrace in Fort Lee, New Jersey, just south of the George Washington Bridge and opposite Bruce Reynolds Boulevard. The grounds and Visitor Center are open year-round.
Hackensack Performing Arts Center with Hackensack Meridian Health Theater
This new theater features top performers from Broadway and Hollywood on stage. Their lineup has performances for all ages and interests, including a mix of theater, comedy shows, and musical acts.
Mahwah Museum
At this Bergen County museum, adults and kids can view exhibits about people and events from Mahwah. Check out The Donald Cooper Model Railroad, an operating four-level high model railroad with a waterfall, subway, trolley, and logging station, and walk into The Old Station, which was once part of the Erie Railroad, and see the Erie Caboose. Music enthusiasts will want to visit the Les Paul exhibit, which features guitars and a recreated recording studio of the former Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Mahwah resident.
Medieval Times
Step back in time as you walk into a castle at Medieval Times. Watch six knights charge into epic jousts and clash in authentic sword fights as they battle for victory. It’s so much fun to cheer on your favorite knight while you feast on a four-course meal served during the show. Other highlights include Pure Spanish horses, authentic sword fights, and lots of jousting. 
MetLife Stadium
This East Rutherford stadium is the home of the New York Jets and New York Giants. It is one of the largest stadiums in the National Football League, and most recently, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final. It is also where you can see superstars like Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, and Kendrick Lamar.
Overpeck County Park
This park surrounds Overpeck Creek and is made up of land donated by Teaneck, Englewood, Leonia, Palisades Park, and Ridgefield Park. It’s over 805 acres, and it features athletic tracks and fields, picnic and fishing areas, playgrounds, a canoe/kayak launch, an amphitheater, and 5 miles of trails.
Palisades Interstate Park
The Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey is about twelve miles long and half a mile wide, with 2,500 acres of wild Hudson River shorefront, uplands, and cliffs, and it’s all minutes from midtown Manhattan. It’s the ideal place to hike, picnic, cycle, paddle, and fish while getting fresh air and taking in views of the Palisades.
Tenafly Nature Center has everything from maple sugaring events to a Faerie Trail. Photo Credit: NJ MOMTenafly Nature Center
Whether you are walking the trails, looking for wildlife, or discovering all the nooks and crannies of the Faerie Trail, Tenafly Nature Center will keep you moving. In the colder months, it’s the ideal place to identify maple trees, learn about the ideal conditions for collecting sap, and even do a little taste testing. The maple sugaring events typically run from January through March.
The Hermitage
A National Historic Landmark bordering Waldwick and Ho-Ho-Kus, it traces its history to the Lenape tribe and the Revolutionary War. It extends into the Victorian Era and the Gilded Age with Gothic Revival Architecture. Today, you can visit the historic Hermitage House, the John Rosencrantz House, and the gardens for historic house tours, garden visits, programs, and events. 
Van Saun County Park and Bergen County Zoo
Also known as the Bergen County Zoological Park, this park has a barnyard, wolf cabin, and an education center. This is the ideal place in Bergen County for the kids to see a Scarlet Macaw, American Alligators, and an Anteater. Or take a train and/or carousel ride, a pony ride, and enjoy free live animal shows in the zoo amphitheater. In the winter, Van Saun County Park lights up as a Winter Wonderland, with a skating rink that offers hockey lessons, public skating, and ice bumper cars.
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