While the beach is a family-friendly activity in itself, sometimes your kids are looking to mix it up with other fun activities to fill their summer vacation days. LBI certainly has no shortage of awesome activities that your kids will love! Whether your kids are adventure junkies, or just love a good arcade, we’ve got you covered with a complete guide to all things kid-friendly on LBI!
Pick your activity 👇
🎡 Amusement Parks
Looking for a bit of extra excitement on your next trip to LBI? These amusement parks never disappoint. With games, obstacle courses, rides, and more, these amazing attractions will be the highlight of your kids’ summer!
Fantasy Island Amusement Park
If you and your family are regulars on LBI, you’re probably no stranger to Fantasy Island. With tons of games, rides, and even an arcade, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family to enjoy!
If you have some little dare devils in your crew, the Mainland Adventure Park could be the main event of your vacation! With a high ropes aerial course, go karts, zip lines, and more, there will be no shortage of extreme fun to be had!
🕹️ Arcades
On a rainy day on LBI, don’t give yourself cabin fever in the house with your kids all day! Take them to one of LBI’s awesome arcades!
-
Our Endless Summer
Ship Bottom – A classic arcade with skee-ball, claw machines, and retro games. Family-friendly fun right off the boulevard. -
Mr. Tee’s Video Arcade
Beach Haven – Located next to Mr. Tee’s Mini Golf. Pinball, air hockey, and classic prize games. -
Fantasy Island Arcade
Beach Haven – A large arcade within Fantasy Island Amusement Park, featuring ticket games, crane machines, and more. -
The Mainland Arcade
Manahawkin – Just off the island. High-tech games, VR simulators, and a large indoor game floor.
⛳️ Mini Golf
If you’ve ever driven up and down Long Beach Boulevard, you know there’s mini golf everywhere! From the North End to the South End, experience some of LBI’s best mini golf spots!
- Island Golf
Surf City – Classic Surf City spot with a relaxed vibe and clean layout. Family-friendly and perfect for all ages, tournaments on Wednesday mornings. - Flamingo Miniature Golf
Ship Bottom – Colorful 18‑hole classic since 1960, weekly tournaments on Thursday mornings. *The cheapest and most kid-friendly - Hartland Golf & Arcade
Ship Bottom – 18 holes plus an arcade; weekly tournaments on Wednesday mornings. - The Sand Trap
Ship Bottom – Challenging course since 1975 with waterfalls and gazebo features. - Adventure Golf at Thundering Surf Waterpark
Beach Haven – Two 18‑hole adventure courses with caves and waterfall features. - Jen’s Links at Lighthouse Cove
Barnegat Light – Newest 36‑hole waterfront course. - Mr. Tee’s Pirates Bay
Beach Haven – Pirate‑themed 18‑hole course at Mr. Tee’s Family Arcade & Mini Golf. - Mr. Tee’s Victorian Gardens
Beach Haven – Victorian‑themed 18‑hole course with pastel colors and water features. Mr. Tee’s Family Arcade & Mini Golf; tournaments Thursday mornings.
🌊 Water Activities
For the kiddos that you can never seem to drag out of the water, here are a few options to mix it up while splashing around LBI!
Thundering Surf Waterpark
If the beach just isn’t doing it for you, but you still want to splash around, check out Thundersurf Waterpark! They have awesome attractions for kids of all ages, such as their exciting water slides, Lazy Crazy River, toddler pools, and even an artificial surfing wave! You can even book a private cabana!
Parasailing
For your wild ones with no fear, parasailing is an unforgettable way to kill a couple of hours! With an incredibly peaceful Birds Eye view of the bay or ocean, your kids may even be able to see some wildlife from above! And, if you’re not a fan of heights, you can just watch from the safety of the boat if the tour isn’t full! There are parasailing tours on both sides of the island – LBI Parasail in Barnegat Light, and Beach Haven Parasail in Beach Haven.
Black Pearl Pirate Adventures
Ahoy, matey! Climb aboard the Black Pearl pirate boat for an interactive family adventure, where your children can dress up like buccaneers and be pirates for the day! They also have sunset cruises with refreshments and a DJ! This one is a hit for people of all ages!
Boat Rentals
Beach Haven Watersports is a great place to rent kayaks, jetskis, paddleboards, pontoon boats, and more!
📖 Educational Activities
School may be out for summer, but that doesn’t mean your kids can’t learn something new! Here are some great options to add a bit of education to your family vacay!
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
If you’re looking to tired out your kiddos before a nice beach nap, take them to climb to the top of Old Barney! With unbeatable views of the Barnegat Bay, Island Beach, and LBI, this is an activity your kids won’t forget! They also have lots of historical facts and wildlife to observe!
LBI Foundation Summer Camp
As all parents know, no matter how many fun activities there are to do with your kids, eventually you will run out of ways to entertain those little energizer bunnies. When that day comes, it may be a good idea to sign them up for a week of summer camp at the LBI Foundation! They have endless options from dance, to art, to nature, to marine biology! This is a great way for the parents to have a break while the kids learn something new and make some new friends!
New Jersey Maritime Museum
If you have a little explorer, you may want to check this nautical-themed museum out! It is packed with shipwreck finds, photos, navigation equipment, and more!
Lil Monsters Art
If you have a crafty little one, Lil Monsters Art is a great way for your kids to express their creativity! They offer lessons, parties, paint kits and more!
🍩 Sweet Stops & Treats 🍬
Some sweets, for your little sweets! We know giving your kids a sugar rush is far from every parents’ dream, but hey, they’re on vacation too! There are tons of options to satisfy your kids sweet tooth on LBI, from outstanding bakeries, to ice cream shops, to old fashioned candy stores!
Here’s where to satisfy your sweet tooth on the island:
- Baked On The Beach – Freshly baked goodness off the beach.
- Shore Good Donuts – Fan favorites; open Fri–Sun early!
- Sugar Planet – An oddly huge candy store.
- Stutz Candy Company – Old‑school charm & classic treats since 1938.
- Ferrara’s Island Bakery – Home of the famous jelly donuts.
- Candy Store at Schooner’s Wharf – Classic seaside candy spot.
- Skipper Dipper Ice Cream – LBI institution since 1978. Be prepared to wait in a line full of passionate fans!
- The Woohoo – Home-made cream – make‑your‑own creative ice cream.
- The Showplace Ice Cream Parlor – Live performances with your dessert! Reservations required. Click here to make a reservation.
🧸 Toy Stores
Sometimes sand toys just don’t cut it! Check out these awesome toy stores for a fresh take on fun & games!
-
The Haymarket Hobbies & Toys
Ship Bottom
A classic since 1976 — board games, puzzles, model kits, kites, and more. -
The Toy Store
Beach Haven
Beach-themed toys, kites, and even hermit crab supplies! -
Kitty Hawk Kites
Barnegat Light
Kites, wind art, and beach games — great for seaside fun on the north end.
🌳 Parks & Playgrounds
With the sun setting so late in the summer time, sometimes you need to give your kids a little extra play time to squeeze out that last bit of energy. These beautiful parks are some great places to let them run and play freely!
- Sunset Park – 1 W Salem Ave, Harvey Cedars
- Bayview Park – 6805 Long Beach Blvd, Brant Beach
- Nelson Ave Park & Playground – 2301 West Ave, Beach Haven
🏖️ Bay Beaches
If your kids aren’t the strongest swimmers, you may be more comfortable bringing your bunch to a bay beach. Here is a list of bay beaches on LBI that have restrooms and lifeguards on duty!
-
Surf City Bay Beach
West of Barnegat Avenue between 13th and 16th St, Surf City -
Long Beach Township Bay Beach
6805 Long Beach Blvd, Brant Beach -
Barnegat Light Bay Beach
25th St & Bayview Ave, Barnegat Light
As you can see, LBI is a child’s playground! There’s tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy, and as soon as you leave this beautiful island, your kids will be asking you “when are we going back!?”
About the Author
Andie Keefe has spent her summers on LBI for as long as she can remember. Throughout her twenties, she worked for several LBI businesses such as Daddy O, LBI Parasail, Kelly’s Old Barney Restaurant, and the Barnegat Witch Sailboat Charter. She has spent her last three summers as a concierge for a rental property in Beach Haven, and in 2025 launched a vacation planning and concierge business called LUX – bringing island goers an elevated way to experience LBI!