Thanksgiving Weekend With Kids in Ocean City NJ: The Yard

Thanksgiving Weekend With Kids in Ocean City NJ

Coming down the shore for Thanksgiving? The beach is cold, the boardwalk is quiet, and by Friday morning the cousins have a lot of energy and nowhere to put it. That is where The Yard at 741 West Ave comes in. It is our outdoor Sky Net playground plus an indoor golf and sports simulator, and it is the one OCNJ Watersports spot that is open this fall.

Here is how we would plan a holiday weekend visit, from the people who run it.

Check holiday weekend times before you go

The Yard's site lists it as open 7 days a week, but holiday weekends can run on different times. Before you load up the car, check the online booking calendar for the day you want, or call The Yard at 609-398-3345. Booking ahead also locks in your spot on the busiest days of the weekend.

Burn off the turkey on the Sky Net

The Sky Net is over 3,000 sq ft of suspended nets and obstacles, and kids ages 2 to 10 have the most fun up there. It is an open-air playground, so dress for the weather and plan it for the warmest part of the day.

Sky Net: ages 2+, up to a 2-hour session. As listed on theyardocnj.com/the-yard right now, it is $25 per child.
Under the Net: ground-level yard games for ages 1+, listed at $15 for a 2-hour session. Good for the littlest cousin who isn't ready to climb.
Grown-ups: the site lists up to 2 parents or guardians included with each paid participant. Kids under 3 must have a parent with them in the net, so wear something you can climb in too.

First time at The Yard? Our Sky Net first-visit guide covers how a session works.

Move the Turkey Bowl indoors

If it is raw out, or the teenagers and uncles want their own thing, book the Full Swing golf and sports simulator. It is Ocean City's only Full Swing simulator, with over 50 golf courses and more than 20 other games, including football, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, and dodgeball. A friendly family football challenge is a lot warmer in here than on the beach.

Simulator bay: listed at $70 for 1 hour, $140 for 2 hours, or $210 for 3 hours, for up to 6 people.
Private space rental (BYOB): listed at $199 for up to 12 people from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. A good fit for the night after Thanksgiving when the whole extended family wants to get out of the rental.
The simulator is booked separately and does not include Sky Net access, so book both if you want both.

Want the rainy-day version of this plan? Read our rainy day at The Yard guide or the private simulator night guide.

A simple Thanksgiving weekend plan

Thursday: eat, nap, and check the booking calendar for Friday or Saturday.
Friday or Saturday late morning or early afternoon: 2 hours on the Sky Net while the grown-ups sit nearby.
Friday or Saturday night: a simulator bay for up to 6, or the private BYOB rental for up to 12.
Sunday: one more climb before the drive home, if the kids still have anything left.

What to bring

Sneakers kids can climb in, and a pair for any grown-up heading into the net.
Layers, hats, and gloves for the outdoor nets. November at the shore can be chilly and windy.
Water bottles and your booking confirmation on your phone.
No golf clubs needed. The simulator bay is already set up.

Black Friday gift idea

If you are already in holiday shopping mode, an OCNJ Watersports gift card works for The Yard now and for our boats next season. The Beachy Tiki is closed for the 2026 season and Shark Bait Charters reopens in May 2027, so a boat day makes a good "something to look forward to" gift. Our Ocean City gift card guide has more ideas.

Plan your visit

The Yard is at 741 West Ave, Ocean City, NJ 08226. Questions about The Yard? Call 609-398-3345. For anything else at OCNJ Watersports, call 609-398-9000 or visit ocnjwatersports.com.

Book The Yard online and give the kids a Thanksgiving weekend they will actually talk about at the table.