Free Daily Programs
Free Fun for the Whole Family!
Join Park Natural Educators and have some FREE fun as you explore the natural wonders of Island Beach State Park! Activities include our touch tanks, seining and interpretive talks. Children must be accompanied by an adult. These programs are free with paid admission into Island Beach State Park and are perfect for all ages and entire families! Reserve your spot early because these fill up fast! Sign up at the table near the fish tanks at Swimming Area #1.
Meet us at Swimming Area #1
Our Naturalists will be underneath the Pavilion everyday from 10am -4pm, starting mid June and ending Labor Day weekend. They can answer any questions you might have about our programs, the history of the park, or any natural phenomena you've noticed. They love it when you bring interesting things you've found on the beach and they'll help you to identify them!
Touch Tank Talk
Get close up encounters with creatures of the bay! Our Naturalists will describe the tank species and give you a changes to learn all about them! No pre-registration required.
Meet at the touch tank daily at 12:30pm & 3pm
Seining
Take a short interpretative native plant walk to Barnegat Bay and our expert Naturalists will teach you how to wield a seine net. You will get a chance to experience the Barnegat Bay in a whole new way and will get up close and personal with the Bay’s local species!
Daily at 11am and again at 2pm.
Shellfish Gardening 101
IBSP has partnered with ReClam the Bay, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental involvement and education. ReClam the Bay grows and maintains millions of baby clams, scallops and oysters in the Barnegat Bay.
The public is invited to visit IBSP’s upweller (an on-land shellfish nursery)to talk to our volunteers and learn how we care for thousands of baby shellfish. You can even help with cleaning, counting and measuring the shellfish!
Meet at the IBSP Marina, S. Bayview Ave & 24th Ave in Seaside Park every Monday at noon!