Exciting Activities for Kids in Atlantic City
Finding Atlantic City kids activities can be easier than you think, especially when you know where to look.
Atlantic City is special because it gives families more than a beach day, it also has boardwalk fun, indoor options, and kid-friendly spots that work in every season.
- Atlantic City has kid-friendly options for beach days, rainy days, and year-round indoor fun.
- The strongest all-ages picks are the Atlantic City Aquarium, Steel Pier, Island Waterpark at Showboat, and Lucky Snake Arcade and Raceway.
- Families looking for quieter stops can add Lucy the Elephant, Absecon Lighthouse, or the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
- Indoor choices like the IMAX Theater, Tropicana Family Fun Station, and Rainforest Cafe help fill weather-dependent plans.
That mix makes it a smart pick for families who want variety without driving all over South Jersey. Start with the right options, and planning gets a lot simpler.
Family-Favorite Kids Activities and Attractions in Atlantic City
Atlantic City Aquarium
The Atlantic City Aquarium offers a compact but engaging marine experience, featuring colorful fish exhibits, touch tanks, and educational displays that highlight the wildlife of the Mid-Atlantic coast.
Families enjoy getting up close to stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and other coastal creatures, while panoramic views of the surrounding waterfront
It’s a relaxed, kid-friendly stop in Atlantic City, ideal for a short, hands on break from the boardwalk energy.
Central Pier Arcade and Speedway
The Central Pier Arcade and Speedway is a lively, old school boardwalk attraction packed with bright lights, classic arcade games, and the signature go kart speedway that loops beneath the pier’s neon signage.
It blends nostalgic boardwalk charm with high energy fun, offering everything from skee ball and crane machines to fast, family friendly racing that gives you a quick adrenaline hit right by the ocean.
It’s best for families, teens, and anyone looking for a casual, upbeat break from the casinos—an easy, all ages stop that feels like pure Atlantic City boardwalk culture.
Lucky Snake Arcade
Located in the family friendly Showboat Hotel, this massive 60,000 square-foot arcade features more than 300 action packed games including a state-of-the-art indoor electric go-kart, virtual reality, pinball, glow mini-golf, and a prize room with hundreds of items to choose from.
The Lucky Snake Arcade and Raceway is an awesome spot for kids in AC to have a blast.
Lucy the Elephant
Located in neighboring Margate along the beach in Josephine Harron Park. She is six stories high and is listed on the National Park Registry of Historical Landmarks.
The park is fenced and contained, making child supervision easy. Picnic tables are also on site for eating out-of-doors.
IMAX Theater
Located at the Tropicana Hotel, it offers IMAX DMR (digital media remastering), the most advanced film technology in use.
IMAX Theatre is the only Giant Screen Certified IMAX Theatre in Southern New Jersey and the only movie theater in Atlantic City.
The Island Waterpark @ Showboat
Located in the family friendly Showboat Atlantic City Hotel, is an enormous 120,000-square-foot water park that features slides, a lazy river and a surf simulator.
The waterpark has a retractable glass roof allowing visitors to use the attractions regardless of weather.
The retractable awning lets in the summer breeze while keeping winter's chill out, ensuring it's always a tropical paradise. Features 11 waterslides, 4 restaurants, and 3 bars.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center
Located in neighboring Brigantine, open year round The Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, is a vital rescue and rehabilitation facility dedicated to helping stranded whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles along the Jersey Shore.
Known for its hands on response team and educational exhibits, the center works year round to treat injured marine animals and return them to the wild whenever possible.
It's a meaningful stop for families, offering a close look at conservation efforts and the important role the center plays in protecting New Jersey's coastal wildlife.
Rainforest Cafe
Located in the mid-section of the Boardwalk , this is a great place to eat out with kids. A tropical rainforest with cascading waterfalls, lush vegetation, animated wildlife and live tropical fish.
They offer a large Kids menu with a special treat for dessert!
Steel Pier
Located on the North Beach end of the Boardwalk, the Steel Pier is 1000 feet of over-the-ocean, family-friendly, fun!
The Steel Pier offers rides, games, and fun attractions for the whole family.
Whether you want to enjoy Boardwalk food favorites like funnel cake and cotton candy or over-look the Atlantic Ocean from the 227 feet tall observation wheel, Steel Pier offers some kind of fun for everyone!
Tropicana Family Fun Station
Located in the Tropicana Hotel, The tower's Family Fun Station offers an arcade filled with fun options like air hockey, basketball, skeeball and other games for all ages to enjoy.
Atlantic City Miniature Golf
Located on the Atlantic City boardwalk across from Boardwalk Hall.
There are 18 holes of luxurious fun and realistic contours, elevated greens, and real waterfalls for you and your family to enjoy.
North Beach Mini Golf
Located on Atlantic City's newest section of Boardwalk adjacent to the Absecon Inlet Lighthouse.
They offer 18 holes of Miniature Golf, Bike Rentals, and Surrey Rentals.
Absecon Lighthouse
Absecon Lighthouse, standing tall in Atlantic City since 1857, is New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse and one of the oldest in the nation.
Its striking black and yellow tower offers a 228 step climb to sweeping views of the shoreline, while the restored keeper’s house and museum share stories of shipwrecks, coastal navigation, and local history.
Its location near the inlet makes it an easy, rewarding stop for visitors exploring Atlantic City’s quieter, more historic side.
Essential Atlantic City Visitor Resources for Food and Drink, and Concerts
Atlantic City makes trip planning easy with a handful of essential visitor resources that spotlight things to do, attractions, where to eat, drink, and catch the best live entertainment.
Together, these resources give visitors a clear, convenient snapshot of where to savor great meals and experience Atlantic City's great attractions, restaurants, and entertainment energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Atlantic City Kids Activities
What are the best kid-friendly activities in Atlantic City?
Atlantic City's best kid-friendly stops include the Atlantic City Aquarium, Steel Pier, Island Waterpark at Showboat, Lucky Snake Arcade and Raceway, and Atlantic City Miniature Golf. These spots give families a mix of outdoor fun, indoor play, and easy boardwalk stops.
What can families do in Atlantic City on a rainy day?
Indoor options include the Atlantic City Aquarium, the IMAX Theater at Tropicana, Lucky Snake Arcade and Raceway, Tropicana Family Fun Station, and the Rainforest Cafe. The Island Waterpark also works well because its retractable roof keeps the space usable in different weather.
Which Atlantic City attractions are best for younger kids?
Younger kids do well at compact stops like the Aquarium, Lucy the Elephant, mini golf, and the boardwalk attractions at Steel Pier. These places are easy to pace, and several give families a simple stop without a full-day commitment.
Which Atlantic City spots mix fun with learning?
The Atlantic City Aquarium, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, and Absecon Lighthouse add a learning angle without losing kid appeal. They give families marine life, conservation, and local history in a format that still feels easy to enjoy.
