Want to see maps of each day’s location? Click here for the Island Beach State Park set-up for Saturday, May 20. Click here for directions to Island Beach State Park. Click here for Sandy Hook/Sea Grant Consortium’s set-up for Sunday, May 21. (Subject to change.) Click here for directions to Sandy Hook.
Enter the 2023 Ocean Fun Days Jenkinson’s Family Fun Pack Sweepstakes here! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Begins May 10, 2023 and ends May 21, 2023. Open to Legal residents of New Jersey at least 18 years of age. Void where prohibited. Read the Official Rules here.
GET SOCIAL by using the #OFD2023 or #OceanFunDays2023 hashtags!
It’s official! The 20th annual Ocean Fun Days will take place on May 20 at Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park and May 21 at the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium headquarters on Sandy Hook – a perfect event for families and kids. With fun activities, eco tours, hands-on workshops, and much more, there’s something for everyone.
Click here for more info. Check out OceanFunDays.Org for some fun from last year!
It’s officially been over a month since our 19th annual Ocean Fun Days! Check out this video showcasing snapshots of all the activities and excitement that took place at Island Beach State Park and Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit on May 21 and 22!
If you couldn’t make the Ocean Fun Days Event, head to oceanfundays.org to watch informational videos and access handouts of various fun activities.
The warm weather and sunshine was not the only thing New Jerseyans were excited about last weekend, as the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC), in partnership with New Jersey Natural Gas, hosted Ocean Fun Days. On May 21 and 22, children (and children at heart) flocked to Island Beach State Park and Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook Unit to learn about our ocean, environmental science, and energy conservation.
The 19th annual Ocean Fun Days was back in person after two years of virtual programming. Smiles were contagious during fun events like crab races, seining for marine life, the energy scavenger hunt, guided walking tours, and other enjoyable ways to learn about our coastal environment and ways to protect it. For those unable to attend in person, NJSGC created OceanFunDays.org complete with videos, handouts, activities, and other parent and teacher resources for kids.
NJSGC Executive Director Dr. Pete Rowe reflects on the day, “New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium was as excited as our attendees to have Ocean Fun Days back in person. I am so proud of our incredible staff and partners for pivoting to virtual programming for the past two years. The sunny summer-like weather made this year’s event even more special. We (staff and attendees) all had big smiles and soaring spirits.”
NJSGC Executive Director Dr. Pete Rowe educates excited attendees about fiddler crabs.
Rosemary Higgins, College & Special Programs Coordinator at NJSGC, who has been coordinating Ocean Fun Days since its humble beginnings in 2003 couldn’t help but exclaim her excitement on this year’s success: “This event is the product of hard work and team collaboration. Our sponsors, along with the over 50 exhibitors at both locations, came together to make this event in its 19th year a big success. The willingness to share knowledge of marine and coastal topics and energy conservation with the public creates a unique free event fun for the whole family just in time for summer. I can’t wait for our big 20th annual Ocean Fun Days next year!”
Rosemary Higgins, College & Special Programs Coordinator at NJSGC teaches girl about seashell morphology.
“We had a fantastic turnout, and it was great to see so many friends, colleagues and visitors come out to support this event. The organizations that participated shared so many creative activities for people to learn about ocean sciences, and we hope that visitors left with increased understanding and a sense of caring for marine and coastal environments.” Says Diana Burich, Director of Education at NJSGC.
NJSGC Director of Education Diana Burich (right) poses with participant to show off arms painted with seahorses and starfish.
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium appreciates all the enthusiasm and bright smiles all our attendees brought with them for Ocean Fun Days. Ocean Fun Days 2022 was one for the books! Did YOU attend Ocean Fun Days this year? If so, they’d love to hear your thoughts! If interested, please take part in the 2022 Ocean Fun Days Survey. NJSGC would like to thank all our sponsors and partners for working together to make this event such a great success. “Sea” you next year!
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with New Jersey Natural Gas, will be hosting Ocean Fun Days 2022 this weekend!
May 21, 2022 at Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park
May 22, 2022 at New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium on Sandy Hook
Both locations 11AM – 3PM rain or shine
Free admission and free parking!
Enjoy hands-on marine and environmental programs and exhibits. There will be giveaways and plenty of excitement, plus fun ways to learn about our coastal environment and energy conservation for the whole family to enjoy.
Learn how to use a seine net to catch native fish, crabs and other marine creatures. Test your local coastal knowledge or become a sand sampler and search for natural treasures on a guided walking tour. Hear first hand from New Jersey scientists and researchers all about the inner-workings of the ocean and the coastline and how to protect them for generations to come.
Don’t miss out on these two days of FREE Family Fun!
GET SOCIAL by using the #OFD2022 or #OceanFunDays2022 hashtags!
Ocean Fun Days is returning this year as an in-person event. All attendees should follow all government guidelines regarding face coverings and social distancing and check with their own healthcare providers for advice if they have any concerns based on their own, or their child’s, medical condition.
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with New Jersey Natural Gas, has announced the official dates for Ocean Fun Days 2022:
May 21, 2022 at Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park
May 22, 2022 at New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium on Sandy Hook
Both locations 11AM – 3PM rain or shine
Free admission and free parking!
Enjoy hands-on marine and environmental programs and exhibits. There will be giveaways and plenty of excitement, plus fun ways to learn about our coastal environment and energy conservation for the whole family to enjoy.
Learn how to use a seine net to catch native fish, crabs and other marine creatures. Test your local coastal knowledge or become a sand sampler and search for natural treasures on a guided walking tour. Hear first hand from New Jersey scientists and researchers all about the inner-workings of the ocean and the coastline and how to protect them for generations to come.
Don’t miss out on these two days of FREE Family Fun!
With the pandemic still looming in our midst, this year’s family-friendly Ocean Fun Days was once again held virtually. The event was a whale of success celebrating 18 years of ocean discovery, coastal stewardship, and energy conservation with a month-long educational extravaganza.
Starting October 1st through the end of the month, Ocean Fun Days participants gained access to online video presentations from over 30 exhibitors, at-home activities, and educational resources to provide eco-friendly fun… right from home. Some videos focused on New Jersey’s most important local animals and their value to the ecosystem including horseshoe crabs, eels, and sharks, while others concentrated on anthropogenic themes such as micro-plastics, saving energy and water, and the environment. New this year, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium educators led LIVE presentations via zoom on topics like diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs, and ocean swimming safety.
Ocean Fun Days Goes Virtual
Rosemary Higgins and Mindy Voss teach students about sharks and rip currents.
Student learning about horseshoe crabs!
Rosemary Higgins, College & Special Programs Coordinator expressed “I just love coordinating Ocean Fun Days and working with many sponsors and exhibitors who help make the event a great success! The last two years Ocean Fun Days has been virtual with fun and exciting videos from our exhibitors for visitors online to enjoy. One of the most frequently visited pages the “Teachers Corner” gave teachers many resources with dozens of interactive classroom activities and lesson plans.”
From left to right: Diana Burich (NJSGC), Samantha Kreisler (NJSGC), Thomas Hayes (New Jersey Natural Gas), and Rosemary Higgins (NJSGC) celebrate the success of Ocean Fun Days.
Thomas Hays of New Jersey Natural Gas notes: “As a company committed to achieving a low-carbon, clean energy future that has built the most environmentally sound natural gas system in the state, we’re proud to have collaborated on Ocean Fun Days 18 years ago and thrilled with our partnership with the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and other participants. Next’s year’s event promises to make an even bigger splash!”
At New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, we appreciate all of the partners that made Ocean Fun Days possible. Thank you to our many exhibitors who took the time and energy to showcase their knowledge and expertise, especially Ocean Fun Days sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas. Most importantly thanks to all participants, whose desire to learn about our marine world makes events like Ocean Fun Days worthwhile. Although we loved seeing your smiling faces on our computer screens, we hope to see you in person next year! Stay tuned for more updates on Ocean Fun Days 2022.
Celebrating 18 Years with an Entire Month of Virtual Family Fun and Education
This year’s family-friendly Ocean Fun Days event will once again take place virtually starting this Friday October 1st and run for the entire month of October! Join New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and our partners as we celebrate 18 years of ocean discovery, coastal stewardship and energy conservation.
Online video presentations from over 30 exhibitors will provide eco-friendly fun focused on ocean discovery, coastal stewardship and energy conservation. Several presentations provide fascinating information about some of our most important local animals, including horseshoe crabs, eels, and sharks. There will also be informative videos on micro-plastics, saving energy and water, and the environment.
In addition, new LIVE presentations this year will feature topics from NJSGC educators such as diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs and ocean swimming safety. Teachers, parents, and students alike join new LIVE presentations, presented by NJ Sea Grant Consortium instructors. Click the links below to register:
October 1, 10 a.m. Terrific Terrapins: Meet New Jersey’s estuarine turtles, the Northern Diamondback Terrapin, in this fun program that teaches students why these animals are so unique and important to our coastal ecosystems. In this presentation participants will discover this reptile’s adaptations, anatomy, habitat, and virtually meet a realNorthern Diamondback Terrapin. Visitors and students will also learn about the impacts humans on terrapin populations. This 45-60 minute program is suitable for all ages especially grades K-6. Watch the webinar recording here.
October 6, 11 a.m. Horseshoe Crabs: Learn about these amazing East Coast natives with NJSGC educators as they take you on a virtual trip through the life of this “living fossil” species that has lived on Earth for more than 400 million years! Do you know why their blood is blue or what their telson is used for? Find out during this engaging presentation that touches on horseshoe crab anatomy, their role in the marine ecosystem and how they are helpful to humans. This 60-minute webinar is suitable for all ages, especially children in grades K-8. Watch the webinar recording here.
October 30, 1 p.m. Sharks vs Rip Currents – a Most “Spooktacular” Comparison: Just in time for Halloween, NJSGC educators will share the mysteries of two ocean “inhabitants”: rip currents and sharks. While both can seem frightening, the more information you know will give you a better chance of keeping safe around them. Learn how to avoid rip currents and what to do if you get caught in one. Also, discover how likely you are to ‘meet’ a shark and how all their adaptations make them important apex predators. This 60-minute webinar is suitable for all ages.
Bring #OceanFunDays into your classroom! There are also many online resources and activities. Teachers, and students alike are invited to dive in and join the fun by visiting OceanFunDays.org for #OceanFunDays2021 on October 1st.
Celebrating 17 Years with 17 Days of Virtual Family Fun and Education
This year’s family friendly Ocean Fun Days event (originally scheduled to be held at Island Beach State Park and Sandy Hook in May) will now take place virtually starting October 10th and run for 17 days.
Online video presentations from over 30 exhibitors will provide eco-friendly fun focused on ocean discovery, coastal stewardship and energy conservation. Several presentations provide fascinating information about some of our most important local animals, including horseshoe crabs and harbor seals. There will also be videos on boating safety and saving energy and the environment. In addition, you’ll find other fun activities like word searches, crossword puzzles, coloring pages, and more.
The new event platform includes a short “throwback” video from New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s famous Fiddler Crab Races, and a quick video on Diamondback Terrapin turtles recorded during our Virtual Summer Day Camp program – culminating in exciting turtle races!
Online experiments (including some from our member college professors and current research being done at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, Fisheries Lab) provide a great resource for teachers to share with students in their virtual classrooms. There are plenty of additional resources, including worksheets, and other learning tools for educators and parents alike.
So, what’s next? We’re hoping for an in-person event come 2021! Save the dates for May 22 at Island Beach State Park and May 23 at Sandy Hook.
Ocean Fun Days is presented by founding sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas, in partnership with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, National Park Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Please contact our Communications Specialist for more information.
Given the current situation surrounding COVID-19, the Ocean Fun Days (OFD) committee along with its sponsors have ultimately decided to hold an ALL VIRTUAL event in October 2020. All OFD partners take the health and safety of our exhibitors, guests, staff, and community very seriously. Therefore, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and New Jersey Natural Gas recently made the very difficult decision to cancel our annual gatherings at Island Beach State Park and Sandy Hook. Stay tuned for more information regarding this year’s virtual event as details continue developing.
Ocean Fun Days was originally rescheduled for Saturday, October 10 at Island Beach State Park and Sunday, October 11 at Fort Hancock’s Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook back in April.
We truly appreciate the hard work and cooperation of all partners, vendors, attendees, and volunteers during this time.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you back at the beach this fall!
Come to #OFD2020 and celebrate waves of discovery – please visit the official website for more information.
