If you have a toddler, you already know that the best family outings are the ones where they can run, explore, see animals, and burn off some energy. Luckily, New Jersey has no shortage of farms that are perfect for toddlers. From petting zoos and pony rides to pumpkin patches and plenty of friendly farm animals, a trip to a local farm can make such a memorable family fun day. Here are the best NJ farms for toddlers that you can put on your list to visit.
Johnson’s Corner Farm
Johnson’s Corner Farm is a family owned and operated farm in Medford. It is one of the best family-friendly farms in New Jersey. You can easily spend several hours here with little ones. They have a bunch of family activities and special seasonal events.
In the springtime, you can enjoy a wagon ride out to the farm to see their blooming tulip fields and pick strawberries. For Easter, they have a fun egg hunt that is great for kids of all ages. Your child can participate in a non-competitive egg hunt where they take a hayride out on the farm, hear of how Peter Rabbit lost all his eggs in the Farmer’s Forest, collect his lost eggs, and get a treat bag at the end. You can also enjoy story time with the Easter Bunny and sit down for a family style meal.
In the summer, you can visit to pick peaches, blueberries, blackberries, sweet corn, and more. They also have a sunflower celebration where you can go on a sunflower stroll and pick your own flowers. They even have a summer camp. In the fall, they have harvest festivals with gem mining, hayrides to pick pumpkins, musical entertainment, and a corn maze.
For toddlers, I would also check out the Discovery Barnyard and Animal Farm. They can feed their friendly farm animals and play at their playground where they can enjoy climbing rocks, a tractor tire sand castle, pedal go cart dirt tracks, and three splash pads to cool off on a hot day. They even have educational programs. There is a Little Farmers Class for 2-5 year olds where they offer a parent involved interactive class with farm themed topics and activities each week.
Alstede Farms
Alstede Farms in Chester is another great option if you’re looking for a fun farm day that has something for everyone. This is a particularly good choice for families because there are so many fun activities. In addition to seasonal picking, little ones can enjoy hay wagon rides, seasonal activities like their corn maze, and an evergreen adventure maze. They also offer lots of fun activities for just kids like pony rides, bouncy house, wagon train rides, giant hay pyramid, toy duck races, barnyard lasso, and feeding their friendly farm animals.
Parents aren’t left out either. There’s a farm store where you can stock up on baked goods, cider, and produce. The farm also has wine available from Tamasello Winery, where you can enjoy wine tastings.
Abma’s Farms
Abma’s is a family farm in Wyckoff that has a farm market, green house and petting zoo. Kids can meet barnyard animals like goats, sheep, alpaca, donkeys, ponies, bunnies, pigs and more! Little ones can also play at “Pepper’s Play House Village” – their playhouse and photo op area. In the fall, you can take a hayride to the pumpkin patch. There is also a farm market where you can pick up fresh produce, baked goods, and other treats. And a fun bonus for parents – there is even a Tomasello Winery tasting room inside the farm market and you can enjoy their farm to table dinner events.
Demarest Farms
Demarest Farms in Hillsdale is another classic North Jersey farm that’s especially fun during the fall season. In the fall, you can go pumpkin picking, apple picking, go on hayrides, and check out their petting zoo. For Halloween and Christmas, they have even have light shows! And make sure to visit their Farm Market. Demarest Farms is known for its fresh apple cider donuts, homemade pies, baked goods, and seasonal produce.
Brookhollow’s Barnyard
Brookhollow’s Barnyard is a family-friendly farm located in Boonton Township. It is one of my favorite NJ farms to visit with toddlers. I took my daughter there when she was two and she loved it! One of the highlights is getting up close with all the animals. They have goats, sheep, alpaca, donkeys, horses, pigs, ducks, chickens and even a zebra. You can purchase a cup or bucket of carrots to feed the animals. The farm provides little shovels for feeding, which it makes it such a fun and interactive experience while teaching children how to safely interact with the animals.
There are also other activities to keep little ones entertained. You can enjoy tractor rides around the farm or hop aboard the miniature train for a ride through the garden. They have play areas, sandboxes and cute little playhouses where kids can explore and play. They even have special events for the fall and Christmas season.
Happy Day Farm
Happy Day Farm in Manalapan is a great farm to visit wit lots of activities to choose from. The farm is known for its seasonal festivals, U-pick experiences, farm animals and a big fall celebration. In June, they have a gorgeous lavender farm. At the end of the summer, they also have sunflowers and zinnias. In the fall, they have pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and Pumpkinville which consists of their pumpkin houses.
Carm’s Farm
Carm’s Farm is a family friendly farm in Colts Neck that has a large petting zoo with an impressive variety of animals and there’s even a camel named Charlie. You can also enjoy barrel train rides, gem mining, a zip line, seasonal activities and so much more. During the fall, they have pumpkin picking and a corn maze. There is also a farmer’s market and picnic area.
Ort Farms
Ort Farms is located in Long Valley and is a great farm to visit for families with toddlers. In the fall, families can enjoy pumpkin picking, hayrides and exploring the corn maze. Toddlers can visit the friendly farm animals, enjoy the cow train ride and burn off some energy in the children’s play area. Visit the farm market for fresh seasonal produce, baked goods, and homemade ice cream! Throughout the year, Ort Farms also hosts special family events, which have included Mommy & Me sessions, farm-themed story time, crafts, and hands-on activities for younger children.
