Children know when spring arrives. They start to put away their heavy down jackets and pull out their windbreakers and crocs. Baseball gloves are dusted off and bike tires are pumped up. If you and your family have been cooped up over the winter and are looking for some great outdoor fun things to do, here are some great day trip ideas, especially as Lag B’Omer is approaching.

Ross Dock Park

Ross Dock Park is a little gem located right in our backyard in Fort Lee. Nestled right under the George Washington Bridge, with breathtaking views of the New York Skyline and the backdrop of the majestic Englewood Cliffs, there is a nice short bike path and a playground. The wind is always strong at the foot of the Hudson River so be prepared to bring a windbreaker on cool spring days. I have visited this park many times and always try to bring kites to take advantage of the steady breeze. Kids may need some help controlling kites as the winds can get strong at times. BBQing is permitted as well, so feel free to bring along a grill and some Ables & Hyman. The park has a per car admission between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but the rest of the year it is free to enter. For more information visit: http://www.njpalisades.org/rossdock.html

Rockland Boulders

Spring would not be complete without a baseball outing. If little league has your kids catching the baseball buzz and you don’t want to shell out $50 a ticket for the Mets or Yankees, a minor league game is a fantastic option.  With tickets starting at $8 and kosher hot dogs aplenty, the 30-minute drive to Rockland is well worth it. Check their schedule for dollar hot dog nights and fireworks. And yes, in years past, the kosher hot dogs were a dollar too! There is an onsite playground, batting cages, and pitching station for kids to use during the game—all part of the admission. Children also get to run the bases after day games and meet the players who are just as excited to meet the kids and sign autographs.  If you expect to stay till the end of the game and have your family meet the players, I would recommend you bring some plain old baseballs from around the house and a sharpie so your little troopers can get a more “official” autograph.  For more information visit: http://www.rocklandboulders.com

NY Botanical Gardens

Yes we all know about the Bronx Zoo, but how many of you have visited the fabulous New York Botanical Garden down the road? Yes, there are tolls and parking and admission costs. But if you are looking for a low cost, local outing, you can just keep going to Van Saun. If you are looking to bike or ride scooters, this is not the place for you. At the New York Botanical Garden you experience a serene escape amongst beautiful surroundings. Spring starts at the NYBG with the Orchid show, one of their most popular exhibits.  While smaller children might not appreciate the horticulture facts and descriptions, there are special activities for the little ones.  Be sure to visit the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Children can pot up a seed to take home, go on a plant scavenger hunt, and have fun spotting frogs and turtles. For more information visit: http://www.nybg.org/gardens/adventure-garden/

Dynamite Falls – Mini Golf

Forget those indoor mini golf places It is nice outside, and besides breathing in fake fog is not all that healthy.  About 20 minutes from Teaneck right off Route 46 in Fairfield NJ is a new outdoor mini golf place. Reminiscent of the NJ shore golf places of yore, Dynamite Falls offers an impressive visual of red rock boulders and rustic scenery. Great for all ages and is open Saturdays and Sundays in the spring until the summer starts when it is set to open daily. Children under 3 are free. For more information visit: www.dynamitefalls.com

by Benjamin Cohen