Kids Guide NJ | New Jersey Youth Sports | Instruction, Clinics, Teams, Parent/Child Play Programs

New Jersey's guide to places, events and services for children, teens and families
Pick up a copy of the Kids Guide FREE at libraries, stores, schools, real estate and professional offices in northcentral New Jersey and
at tourist info centers throughout the state for a complete calendar and guide to children and family events, programs and services!
See the print version of the Kids' Guide for information about local Recreation Departments and Team Sports in northcentral New Jersey.

See the Recreation category for listings for Ys, JCCs, Special Needs and Teen Recreation. See the Entertainment category for more indoor sports facilities.

Parent/Child Play

parent/child play

The Connection for Women and Families
79 Maple St., Summit, 908-273-4242. The Connection offers a wide variety of parent/child classes that provide children and their caregivers a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore, learn and participate in fun activities.

Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA
1340 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains, 908-889-8880. Parent/toddler gymnastics classes for children ages walking through 3 years old. Parent/child Swim Program for ages 6-30 months. Y Adventure Guides program for fathers and sons or daughters ages 4-12.

Kid Junction
Kid Junction of Branchburg, 3322 Route 22 West, Branchburg Commons, Bldg. 12, Branchburg, 908-252-0055 or Kid Junction of Mount Laurel, 16000 Commerce Parkway, Suite A, Mount Laurel, 856-273-9500. A new and exciting, parent supervised, play place, learning center, and birthday facility in Somerset and Burlington Counties, Kid Junction is the best place for your child's next birthday party, play date, educational field trip or just walk in for hours of open play fun! Kid Junction franchises are now available.

My Gym Children's Fitness Center
1100 South Ave. W., Westfield, 908-317-0888; The Marketplace, 3885 Rt. 27, Princeton, 732-422-3600; Coming soon to Glen Rock, Bergen County. Day, night, weekend classes and birthday parties. Children's fitness center, 6 wks.-13 yrs. 5/6 to 1 student/teacher ratio. Songs, dance, puppets, games, relays, sport skills, gymnastics and more. Birthday parties, Parent's Night Out, Summer, Spring and Winter Fun Days.

Olympika Gymnastics
250 Sheffield St., Mountainside, 908-514-0449. Mom-and-me classes. See complete listing under Gymnastics.

P.E.P. Club (Preschool Enrichment Program)
732-271-1007. Class locations in Warren, Lebanon and Bernards Twp. A parent & tot program for ages 6 mos.-4 yrs. that takes your child on imaginary adventures through music, tumbling, puppetry and crafts. Take a train ride, go to the zoo, farm and many other places. Also offer cooking class (3-7 yrs.), birthday parties and holiday theme parties. www.pep-club.com

Sunburst Gymnastics
565 Rahway Ave., Union, 908-810-1300. Parent and tot classes for ages 18 months-3 yrs. See listing under Gymnastics.

Hot Shot Tennis
Joli, 908-727-0011. Offering Toddler Tennis Together at many locations in Somerset, Middlesex and Essex Counties. Call for information.

sports

archery

South Mountain Reservation
Archery Field Cherry Lane & Northfield Ave., West Orange. An open field reserved for archery practice. Bring your own equipment.

Union County 4-H Archery Club
300 North Ave., Westfield, 908-654-9854.

Union County Archery Range
Oak Ridge Park, Oak Ridge Rd., Clark, 908-527-4910. Open to archery identification holders.

fencing

The Connection for Women and Families
79 Maple St., Summit, 908-273-4242. Coed, ages 8-17. All equipment provided.

Excalibur Fencing Club
Chatham Club, 484 Southern Blvd., Chatham.

Medeo Fencing Club
Springfield YMCA, 100 S. Springfield Ave, Springfield, 973-467-0838.

New Jersey Fencing Alliance
50-58 Burnett Ave., Maplewood, 973-763-5728.

Westfield Fencing Club
New Jersey Workshop for the Arts, 150-152 E. Broad St., Westfield, 908-789-9696.

fitness

Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA
1340 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains, 908-889-8880. Variety of programs for youth, tweens and teens including Youth Sports, Tae Kwon Do, Teen and Tween Wellness Center featuring workouts specifically designed for each age group, Tween Cycle for students in grades 5-7 who want to participate in group indoor cycling combined with strength training, and Tween Yoga which is geared for students in grades 5-7 to improve focus, concentration and flexibility.

Murray Hill Health & Racquet Club
5593 Central Ave., New Providence, 908-665-1141.
Full service health club and classes. Student and family memberships.

golf

The Golf Academy at Basking Ridge
Basking Ridge Country Club, 185 Madisonville Rd., Basking Ridge, 908-766-8200 x143. Golf Academy classes instructed by PGA Professionals. Individual lessons and group clinics offered throughout the spring, summer and fall for children age two and up. Half day and full day summer camp for ages 6-17. Visit website for camp and clinic dates and to register online. Club membership is not required. See display ad on page 137.

Morris County Park Commission Jr. Golf
Pinch Brook Golf Course, 234 Ridgedale Ave., Florham Park, 973-326-7602. Applications for summer junior golf clinic for players ages 10-17 are available one day only in June for lottery. Youth tournaments are open to golfers aged 12-18.

Scotch Hills Country Club Golf Course
Jerusalem Rd., Scotch Plains, 908-232-9748. 18-hole miniature golf course and 9-hole course, operated by the Scotch Plains Recreation Commission, is open to the public, memberships available. Junior golf clinics for boys and girls ages 10-17 offered in summer. Registration in June is open first to residents, then non-residents if space is available, 908-322-6700 ext. 5. Miniature golf birthday parties..

Somerset County Learning Center and Golf Academy
At Neshanic Valley Golf Course, Branchburg, 908-369-1458 ext. 428. The Learning Center features a driving range, short game area, practice holes, and par 32 nine hole course. A Callaway Golf Performance Center is one of six in the United States offering state-of-the-art golf club fitting and swing analysis. Adult education programs are offered spring, summer and fall. Junior golf programs for ages 6-17 of all abililties start in early spring until the end of Aug. Programs include one-week sessions, free introductory golf clinics, parent child clinics and Junior Masters Day. See Camps for beginner to advanced level programs and summer leagues.

Hyatt Hills Golf Complex
1300 Raritan Rd., Clark, 732-669-9100. Public regulation 9-hole course, clubhouse, driving range, putting green and 18-hole miniature golf. Private lessons, Junior clinics, Junior camps and afterschool programs.

Somerset County Park Commission Putting Course
Colonial Park, off Mettlers Rd., Franklin Twp., 732-873-8585. Memorial Day-Labor Day: Daily 10-10. Apr. & May/Sept. & Oct.: weekends 12-8. Adults $6.50, children/srs. $5, 10 or more $5. One-and-a-half-acre 18-hole putting course offers players mini-gardens, natural landscaping features, and greens from 25-75 feet long. Park also features playground, picnic area, paddleboats and nature trail.

South Jersey Junior Golf Foundation
Blue Heron Pines (GSP exit 44), 550 W. Country Club Dr., Cologne, 609-965-1800 ext. 2. Summer golf clinics, junior golf tournaments and family clinics.

Spring Meadow Golf Course
Exit 98 GSP or Exit 31B Turnpike, adjacent to Allaire Village, Wall Twp., 732-449-0806. Part of the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, this 6,224-yard Par 72 layout is open year-round. Pro Shop, practice facilities and restaurant on site.

Union County Parks Pitch and Putt
Ash Brook Golf Course, Raritan Rd., Scotch Plains, 908-756-0550; Galloping Hill Nine-Hole Par 33, Boulevard, Kenilworth, 908-687-1990. Courses open at 8am. In addition to 18-hole courses, Ash Brook has a 9-hole par 3 pitch-n-putt and Galloping Hill has a 9-hole par 33 course which are well-suited for beginning golfers. , close 1/2 hr. prior to regulation course's closing. Equipment rental available.
New
Galloping Hill Golf Practice & Learning Center features a year round driving range and First Tee Program, offering lessons for all ages.

USGA Golf Museum
77 Liberty Corner Rd., Far Hills, 908-234-2300. Tues.-Sun. 10-5. Adults $7, ages 13-17 $3.50, under 12 free. Multi-media, interactive exhibits tell the story of golf's development in the United States, highighting the greatest moments and greatest champions in the game's history. Weather permitting, visitors are able to hit golf balls with modern and replica equipment on the Research and Test Center's driving range or use replica antique putters on the Museum's new putting course, inspired by the world-renowned Himalayas putting course in St. Andrews, Scotland. The nine-hole putting course is open April-Oct., call to reserve a tee time.

gymnastics

Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA
1340 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains, 908-889-8880. Gymnastics programs for ages walking through 12th grade. Parent/toddler classes, Progressive Preschool program for boys and girls, Kindergym for kindergarteners and Progressive Skills for girls in grades 1-12. Competitive teams available.

My Gym Children's Fitness Center
1100 South Ave. W., Westfield, 908-317-0888; The Marketplace, 3885 Rt. 27, Princeton, 732-422-3600; Coming soon to Glen Rock, Bergen County. Day, night, weekend classes and birthday parties. Children's fitness center, 3 mos.-13 yrs. 5 & 6 to 1 student/teacher ratio. Songs, dance, puppets, games, relays, sport skills, gymnastics and more. Birthday parties, Parent's Night Out, Summer, Spring and Winter Fun Days.

Olympika Gymnastics
250 Sheffield St., Mountainside, 908-514-0449. Gymnastics and tumbling, preschool, mom-and-me classes, summer camp, parents' night out, competitive and recreational programs, boys and girls, great birthday parties.

Summit Summies
The Connection for Women and Families, 79 Maple St., Summit, 908-273-4242. Girls USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic team. Ages 61/2 and up.

Sunburst Gymnastics
565 Rahway Ave., Union, 908-810-1300. Gymnastics classes for children ages 18 months to adults. Classes offered range from: parent and tot 18 months-3 yrs., Tiny Tot 3-4 yrs., Kinder 4-5 yrs. Recreational classes for beginner/intermediate/advanced children. Adult 21 yrs. and up. USA, USAIGC and JOGA competitive boys and girls teams. Tumbling and trampoline program. Tumbling classes for cheerleaders. Certified professional staff. Student instructor ratio of 8:1. Monthly kid's night out program and birthday parties on weekends available. www.sunburstnj.com

horseback riding

See listings under Hiking and The Great OutdoorsHorseback Riding.

multi sports

Get It Dunne
Get it Dunne offers a year-round schedule of field hockey and volleyball clinics for children in grades 3 through 9.
Check out our website for information on all our currently scheduled clinics. Summer field hockey camps are now
scheduled for the weeks of June 28 and July 19, 2010. Contact us at getitdunne@verizon.net or visit us on the web.

US Sports Institute
www.USsportsInstitute.com, 732-563-2520.
US Sports Institute offers boys and girls ages 5-14 yrs. of all abilities the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sports.
For 3-5 yr. olds, Sports Squirt programs are available.
See listing under Camps-Sports.

Westfield Area Y
220 Clark St.; 422 E. Broad St.; 170 Elm St., Westfield, 908-233-2700. Wide variety of recreation programs for children from babies to teens. Swimming, baseketball, soccer, t-ball, volleyball, track and field, fitness and more. Adult sport programs also available.

skatingindoor ice

Bridgewater Sports Arena
1425 Frontier Road, Bridgewater, (732) 627-0006.

Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain
560 Northfield Ave., West Orange, 973-731-3828. Call for public skating hours. Freestyle, dance, youth hockey, private and group instruction for ages 4 to adult with special program for Parents & Tots. Party rooms.
Nov
Professional Hockey Season opens at arena.

Floyd Hall Arena
One Hall Dr. (on Montclair State University Campus), Little Falls, 973-746-7744. Group lessons, hockey leagues, summer hockey and figure skating camps.

William G. Mennen Sports Arena
161 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Twp., 973-326-7651. Call for public skating hours. Recorded schedule: 973-326-7650.
   Three full-size rinks. Home to Colonial Hockey League youth hockey program and the NY/NJ Revolution, professional indoor football team (www.njrevs.com). Beginner skating instruction, house leagues and travel teams, spring & fall clinics, summer hockey school for ages 6-17, summer camp. Group and private skating lessons available age 4-adult. Power skating workshops. Birthday party packages. Pro shop and snack bar.
Jun 22-
Aug 17
     Summer Learn-to-Skate Classes, Tues. and Thurs. evenings.
Nov-Apr
     Hockey season, spectators welcome.
Dec-Mar
     MCSSIHL (high school) Hockey Games.
     County College of Morris Hockey Games.

Union Sports Arena
2441-A Rt. 22W, Union, 908-687-8610.
Union Sports Arena is Union County's "coolest" place for fun, featuring a year-round indoor ice skating rink
and two indoor soccer fields. Our skating, soccer, football and baseball birthday parties are the best!

Warinanco Skating Center
Warinanco Park, Thompson Ave. (off St. George Ave.), Roselle. Recorded message: 908-298-7850. Pro Shop: 908-298-7847. Group and private skating lessons, hockey clinics for ages 4 & up, public sessions, family sessions at semi-enclosed ice arena. Skate rentals and snack bar available.
Nov-Apr
Open.

skatinginline
Many communities are dedicating space for skateparks for use by skateboarders and/or in-line skaters. Call your Recreation Dept. for information.

Somerset Hills Y Skate Park
140 Mt. Airy Rd., Basking Ridge, 908-766-7898. Call for hours. Users purchase punch card (16 punches). Supervised place for ages 8 & up to practice skateboarding and in-line skating.

Somerville Skate Park
Veterans Memorial Dr., Somerville, 908-704-6985. Smooth riding surface, ramps, jump boxes, grindable rails & ledges. Annual fee & insurance waiver required for use.

soccer

McLoughlin Sports
9908-393-5811. Soccer Kids classes for boys and girls 3-7 years old. Classes are held in the spring, summer and fall (with some winter sessions). Tom McLoughlin and his staff combine the skills used by international stars with lots of fun to help children fall in love with the world's most popular sport. Classes are held locally-Basking Ridge, Berkeley Heights, Bernardsville, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Chatham, Clinton, Florham Park, Hillsborough, Long Hill Twp., Madison, Mendham, Morristown, New Providence, Raritan, Somerville, Summit, Warren, Watchung and other local towns.

United Soccer
Academy
www.UnitedSoccerAcademy.com, 732-563-2525.
See listing under CampsSports.

swimmingcompetitive
Many Ys have competitive swimming programs in addition to the independent groups below.

Berkeley Aquatic Club
649 Springfield Ave., Berkeley Heights, 908-464-0574. Satellite location at Drew University, Simon Athletic Center, Madison. U.S. swimming organization works with all levels of swimmers who want to learn strokes to elite USA competitive and master swimmers. Tryouts in Sept.

swimmingindoor

Berkeley Swim School
649 Springfield Ave., Berkeley Heights, 908-464-1995. Year round American Red Cross swim lessons from first experience through competitive and lifeguarding. Classes for 4 years and older. All teachers are experienced instructors. Summer classes Mon.-Fri. 9am-7pm. Private lessons by appointment. www.berkeleyaquatic.org, click on "swim school."

swimmingoutdoor

Berkeley Swim Club
Plainfield Ave. (adjacent to Columbia Park), Berkeley Heights, 908-464-2125.

Brook Hill Swim & Tennis Club
18 Drift Rd., Watchung, 908-322-8825.

JCC Swim Club
775 Talamini Rd., Bridgewater, 908-725-6994. Multiple pools, including separate kiddie area with playground; snack bar; tennis courts, sand volleyball court and basketball courts.

Somerset County Park Commission Warrenbrook Pool
Warrenville Rd., Warren, 908-754-8404. Open daily June 27-Sept. 1: Weekdays 12-8, weekends 11-8. Age 3 & under free. Warrenbrook Pool offers seasonal and daily passes. Programming includes swim classes, aquacise, and special clinics such as lifeguarding and diving.

tennis

Hot Shot Tennis
Joli, 908-727-0011.
Offering tennis lessons year round for children ages 3 and up
and adults at many locations in Somerset, Middlesex and
Essex Counties. Call for information.

Murray Hill Health & Racquet Club
593 Central Ave., New Providence, 908-665-1141.
Adult and junior clinics, ages 3 & up. Season Court and Early Birds, Open Time and private lessons, Round Robins and Saturday night adult parties. Full service health club and classes. Student and family memberships.

Somerset County Park Commission Tennis Centers
Green Knoll Tennis Center, Garretson Rd., Bridgewater, 908-722-1303. Colonial Park Tennis Center, Franklin Twp., 732-873-8716. April-Oct.: daily 8am-9pm. Weekdays until 3pm, $4; evenings, weekends & holidays $5. The tennis facilities offer walk-on and reserve play, multi-ability instruction and tournaments. Colonial Park is fully accessible for individuals with physical disabilities and is now free for walk-on play. Lessons for adults and children of all abilities offered at Green Knoll Tennis Center and Colonial Park Tennis Center.