Getting Out and About with Your Kids This Fall

As the warm days of summer fade away, it can be easy to slip back into the daily routine of classes, homework assignments, and school activities.  While some children are history fanatics and can page through book after book with great excitement, others find themselves beyond bored when reading about people who are dead, wars that are long over, and inventions that seem quaint by today’s standards.

Many children become more engaged in learning when they are surrounded by things they can touch and feel, places they can explore, and opportunities to look at their world in a new way.  Children who do not like competitive sports can still enjoy the outdoors through family activities.  The autumn weekends can be a great time to explore New Jersey together.

Located conveniently close to us is Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville.  As the names states, this is where Washington’s troops crossed the Delaware in 1776.  There is a Visitor’s Center Museum, where kids can learn about that fateful day in history and see plenty of artifacts. For demonstrations and tours, visit the Johnson Ferry House and the nature center with interactive exhibits.  Each year on December 25, there is a reenactment of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, which illustrates for children what it was like when these events really happened.

But Washington’s Delaware crossing was not his only contribution to New Jersey history.  The Continental Army traveled to Princeton, where they won Washington’s first field victory against the British.  The Princeton Battlefield State Park (500 Mercer Road in Princeton) is a great place to learn more, and imagine what this battle was like.  The Clarke House Museum has exhibits and artifacts from the Revolutionary War.  There is also the Princeton Battle Monument, as well as other statues within the park.

For history and living history lovers, the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton is a spot that should not be missed.  The Barracks provided a training space for US troops, as well as a hospital.  They also served as the holding cell for British prisoners.  There are demonstrations and tours which provide the flavor of the time period.  As with Washington Crossing State Park, Trenton offers exciting events and activities of an historical nature each December during Patriots Week, including reenactments of the Battles of Trenton (December 29).

If your child’s interest in history tends toward the life of the average person versus the travails of battle, New Jersey has several living history options.  One is at Allaire State Park, where you can travel back in time to the early/mid 1800s and visit a historic village, containing a carpenter's shop, blacksmith shop, manager's house, church, and foreman's house.  There are demonstrations and tours providing a sense of what life was like, and the month of October features Haunted Hayrides.

There are other options for children who like to learn about history and nature through observation.  Batsto Village in Hammonton has 33 historic buildings and structures where children can learn about the life of the village by touring Batsto Mansion, and seeing the old-time post office, gristmill, blacksmith, and general store. The Nature Center has displays on New Jersey Pinelands wildlife and plant life.

If your family has a budding politician or political science aficionado in your midst, a visit to the New Jersey Legislature might be in order.  Hour-long tours are offered on the first and third Saturdays of the month.

For parents who like to get the kids out of the house for some fresh air and adventure, the Sourland Mountain Preserve (421 East Mountain Road, Hillsborough) could be the perfect destination.  There are miles of trails for beginner to advanced, and your family can experience one of the highest elevations in the area.  Pack up a picnic and get ready to hit the trail.

With autumn just around the corner, it is a perfect time to take the kids apple and pumpkin picking.  Local orchards will frequently offer opportunities to pick your own, visit a corn maze, meet the farm animals, or attend a fall harvest festival.  Getting out into a field or orchard will give children a chance to experience why New Jersey is known as the “Garden State.”  Need help finding a farm or fall festival?  One of our librarians can assist you.

If your children are interested in learning more about New Jersey, the Mercer County Library System has many books available:

Washington's Crossing the Delaware and the Winter at Valley Forge — Through Primary Sources by John Micklos

George Washington and his troops fight the weather and the British and make history.

Heroes of the Surf by Elisa Lynn Carbone

In May of 1882, a large steamship ran aground off the coast of New Jersey. What was it like for two boys on that ship?  Waking up in the middle of the night, waves crashing over the side, the storm too big to lower the lifeboats? And then the flashing of light from shore
—the surfmen, true "heroes of the surf," come to rescue them!






I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 by Lauren Tarshis

In 1916, a great white shark is rumored to be attacking people in New Jersey.  Chet Roscow wants to know the truth.











New Jersey: The Garden State by John Hamilton

This book is filled with facts and information about the places, people, history, geography, and industry of New Jersey.









What’s Great About New Jersey? by Mary Meinking

Find out the top 10 things to do in New Jersey, plus state facts and trivia.

— Jeanne, Twin Rivers Branch