When our kids are little, there seems to be an abundance of programs that we can take them to. There is always mommy and me classes, music classes, dance, you name it, and there is probably a version of it for our kids. But as our children age and move into their teenage years, their interests begin to change, and sometimes it seems that there are fewer things to do. But there are hidden gems out there, we assure you! We’re sharing our top ten activities for teens to do in Sussex County. Who knows, maybe your teen will find a new hobby or passion to pursue!
1. Friday Night Ice Jam At Skylands Ice World - Stockholm, NJ
When Friday night rolls around, Skylands Ice World is the place to be! With an awesome rink, disco lights, and epic music by DJ Q, your teen will want to rock out every Friday! The ice jam runs from 8:30 PM-11 PM. They also offer public skating every day open to the public.
2. Saturday Yoga Club - Newton, NJ
Is your teen into fitness and/or keeping healthy? A great way to foster a mentality of self-care being important is to bring them to the Saturday Yoga Club at the main branch of the Sussex County Library System in Newton. It is held every Saturday (except for the third Saturday of each month), and is open to everyone who wants to learn yoga. It is totally free and no registration is required. All they ask is that you bring a yoga mat and wear loose-fitting clothing!
3. Rock N Bowl At Sparta Lanes - Sparta, NJ
Bowling is a sport that is fun for the entire family. On Friday nights Sparta Lanes have their Rock N Bowl events, which pairs bowling with free live concerts! A variety of different music is offered each week. They also have specials such as their “Beat The Clock” on Sundays, where the earlier you arrive to bowl, the less you pay!
4. Volunteer With Pass-It-Along
Pass It Along is an amazing opportunity for your teenager. According to their website, “Pass It Along is a non-profit organization committed to helping teenagers become confident, resilient and compassionate through volunteerism, leadership, and self-discovery.” They have various volunteer programs available, which you can find by clicking here.
5. Couch to 5K - Vernon, NJ
If your teen has expressed an interest in running but hasn’t done so before, then the Couch to 5K program put on by the Vernon Police Athletic League is the perfect program! There are many benefits to running, plus it gets them moving and outside! This season begins on February 29th! There is a one-time fee of $40. Click here for more information!
6. Teen Arts Festival - Newton, NJ
The Teen Arts Festival is meant to showcase the talents of children from 7th through 12th grade from all schools around the county. It will be held in different locations across the Sussex County Community College campus. In addition to an exhibition, there will also be art stations, performance critique sessions, and various demonstrations.
7. Free Equipment Training At The YMCA - Hardyston, NJ
If your child is interested in physical fitness but isn’t sure where to start, the YMCA offers a free class on equipment training. Children ages 11-15 will be taught proper fitness center etiquette, as well as learning about the cardio machines and the strength circuit line of equipment.
8. Open Gym At Skylands Ninja Warrior - Newton, NJ
Skylands Ninja Warrior isn’t like any other gymnasium you’ve been to. They feature some really fun obstacles. They always have trained staff on hand to answer any questions that you may have. They often have open gym sessions. It is $15 per person per hour. It is a wonderful way to burn off energy. Plus, adults can join in on the fun, too!
9. Tween/Teen Gaming Club - Newton, NJ
If you have a kid that absolutely loves tabletop or card games, then they will love the tween/teen gaming club at the main branch of the Sussex County library! They can bring their own games or use one of the libraries! The club meets every Wednesday from 5 PM to 7 PM
10. Sterling Hill Mining Museum Mine Tour - Ogdensburg, NJ
There is always something different when you go to the Sterling Hill Mining Museum Mine. You notice things that you didn’t notice before! There are so many cool things to do there, including their Zobel Hall Museum and Warren Museum of Fluorescence. They also offer mineral collecting and sluicing.
BONUS: Super Friends For Teens - Fairview Lakes YMCA Camp, Newton, NJ
Super Friends For Teens is all about having a blast and making new friends! It is hosted by Fairview Lakes YMCA Camp. On the second Friday of each month, youth and teenagers will be able to enjoy activities together with the Fairview Lake staff and volunteers like rock climbing, arts, and crafts, an animal farm, archery, and more! If you would like to register, you can click here for more information!
Macaroni Kid Sussex is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and things to do with kids in the Sussex County NJ area. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. Sign up for our newsletter and never miss another awesome event again! Subscribe here for FREE at https://sussexnj.macaronikid.com/subscribe
