If you think back to why childhood was wonderful, you might be surprised to realize that your childhood has very little in common with childhood today. Today’s kids are very tightly scheduled. Sure, they get exposure to activities that many of us older folks never experienced when we were kids, but they often do not get any opportunity for the type of creative, unstructured outdoor play that fuels imagination and helps form friendships. Black Bear Lake, New Jersey’s premier outdoor fun space for children, hopes to introduce today’s kids to some of the forgotten joys of childhood: fresh air, the sunshine, unstructured play, physical challenges, and plenty of space to run and play.
Of course, while wide-open spaces are great, having equipment for play is even better. Black Bear Lake has plenty of challenging equipment that encourages cooperative physical play. From rock climbing walls to water trampolines, larger kids have plenty of opportunities to spread their wings and try new things in a safe and controlled environment. Littler kids love the pirate-themed playground, which encourages imaginative play.
Not every kid is an athlete and not all play needs to be physically challenging. For kids who want to enjoy a mellow moment, we have all types of entertainment available, from magicians to stilt walkers. These performers challenge kids to view the world from a different perspective, broadening horizons in a different way than traditional education.
Are the kids being exposed to something new? Not everything for kids needs to be educational, but it is great when fun and learning can come together. Magic shows, art, and even physical performers like stilt walkers can challenge kids to look at the world in different ways, encouraging creativity and curiosity without the kids even realizing they are being exposed to a broader world. In fact, a lot of Black Bear Lake’s structured or indoor activities are designed at two levels. The first level provides entertainment for the kids, while the second level focuses on engaging curiosity and imagination.