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Five Global Camdens Offer Unique Summer Activities for Families
From feeding goats in Australia to riding diggers in New Jersey, a roundup of family-friendly things to do across the world's Camdens this summer.
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Parents looking for summer activities with the kids don't have to look far if they happen to be in any of the five major Camdens around the globe. A new roundup of destinations-from London to New South Wales, Maine to New Jersey and South Carolina-shows that whether you're after canal boats, construction vehicles or cypress trees, there's something for every family.
The timing matters. With school holidays underway across the U.S., U.K. and Australia, families are searching for affordable, hands-on outings that can fill a morning or stretch into a full day. And these five Camdens each offer a strikingly different flavor of family fun, based on local landmarks and seasonal events.
Camden Town, London: Canal Boats and Crazy Golf
In London's Camden Town, families can take a canal boat trip from Regent's Canal to Little Venice, according to travel site MummyTravels. For indoor fun, there's Plonk Golf-an indoor mini-golf course rebuilt in 2020-in Camden Market. Water-based activities are available at Pirate Castle, and the nearby ZSL London Zoo, a 20-minute walk away, houses over 15,000 animals. Street food and street art tours round out the market experience.
New South Wales, Maine, New Jersey and South Carolina
In Camden, New South Wales, Australia, families can feed goats at The Camden Fruit Barn, cool off at Curry Reserve's water park, browse second-hand toys at Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, or shop fresh produce at the Saturday Camden Growers' Markets, according to shegoes.com.au.
Camden, Maine offers outdoor adventure: 30 miles of hiking trails at Camden Hills State Park, lobstering cruises from Camden Harbor, and visits to Aldermere Farm to see the Belted Galloway cows nicknamed "Oreo Cows." The town's Windjammer Festival features boat building and lobster crate racing. Families can also try climbing with Acadia Mountain Guides or book a lobstering cruise.
Camden County, New Jersey, near Philadelphia, goes big on construction-themed fun. Diggerland, the only construction-themed amusement and waterpark in the region, offers 40-plus attractions including wave pools, rock climbing and operating real machinery like diggers and cranes. The area also has an aquarium, a ship museum and Big Kahuna's waterpark.
In Camden, South Carolina, families can play at the Tennis Center of Camden & Pickleball Plaza, which has courts, walking trails and open play space. For younger children, Party Barn Play Adventure offers indoor play. History buffs can explore Revolutionary War sites, and outdoor enthusiasts can paddle among cypress trees.
Planning Your Trip
Most of these activities are available year-round, though seasonal events like Camden, Maine's Windjammer Festival and Camden, South Carolina's historic tours have specific dates. Families should check local event calendars for times and any admission fees. For the U.K. Camden, Plonk Crazy Golf and the canal boat trips operate regularly, and the Camden Lock Market is open by 10 a.m. daily. In New Jersey, Diggerland's waterpark operates during summer months.
No matter which Camden you choose, the range of options-from feeding farm animals to operating diggers to hiking mountain trails-means families can build a day out that mixes education, activity and plenty of fun.