Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey

Northern Jersey is teeming with awesome indoor playgrounds and play spaces, so local kids can always enjoy a day of play no matter the weather. From toddler play dates to teen outings, we've compiled a list of the best indoor playgrounds in Northern New Jersey where kids can drop in for play—no membership needed!

Read on for 40 indoor play spaces in the region, and find more places to play in our Indoor Fun Guide. 

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Note: Many facilities have socks-only policies or height requirements for entry, while others require waivers from parents before entry. Check with each facility about its rules and schedules for open play and reservation requirements. Also, many play spaces have limited open play hours on weekends due to party bookings.

Indoor Play Spaces in Union County

1. Lively Laser Tag – Springfield

This space has an upscale vibe and offers open laser tag sessions (reservations suggested) for kids ages 6 and up, along with an arcade and video games. Plan a laser tag party for your child from one of Lively's spectacular party packages.

2. PumpItUp – Roselle Park

This bounce spot offers daily open-jump sessions. There's your basic open-play jump as well as many special themed sessions, including character jumps and glow-in-the-dark jumps. In addition to two arenas full of inflatable fun, there's a ninja warrior course with hanging bridges, jungle swings, cargo tube nets, and more.

3. Sky Zone – Springfield

This 35,000-square-foot trampoline park lets kids jump on a huge grid of trampolines, play hoops on the SkySlam trampolines, or challenge a friend gladiator-style in a SkyJoust. Don't miss Little Leapers toddler times for ages 5 and younger.

RELATED: Play Spaces With Drop-In Hours in Central NJ for Kids

Play with magnetic tiles and robots at Genius Gems.

4. Genius Gems – Millburn

If your little one loves to build and create then this is the place for them! Genius Gems is said to house the world's largest collection of magnetic tiles and offers a special STEM experience for kids ages 3-12. In addition to the building area with tiles, Ozobots, Cubelets, and more, there's an adjoining room with daily engineering challenges. STEM classes and mini-camps are also available.

Indoor Playgrounds in Essex County

5. Exceptional Explorers – Livingston

This travel-themed play space is perfect for toddlers. There's a jungle gym and lots of fun equipment for practicing motor skills. You can also register for classes like music, arts & crafts, STEM, science, and more.

6. FunTime Junction – Fairfield

FunTime Junction invites kids to climb a multi-level, soft play climbing area with an enclosed jump pillow. The setup will keep little ones ages 4 and up occupied for a while. Other attractions include an interactive beam play floor and a toddler play area. Advanced pre-registration is required and the 90-minute time slot includes unlimited use of the facility. The helicopter ride, vest-less laser tag, and krazy cars are an additional fee. There's also an arcade with prizes.

7. Indoor Playground – Livingston Mall, Rockaway Townsquare

While you’re shopping at the mall, check out this gem right inside the shopping center. Located on the lower level, this playground allows kids to blow off some steam. There’s even comfortable seating for grown-ups and free Wi-Fi. There's also a play center for Morris County shoppers at Rockaway Townsquare on the lower level between JCPenney and The Cheesecake Factory.

8. Kids Empire – Fairfield

With locations statewide (including Paramus and Linden), this play center features an enormous play gym. We're talking fast slides, multi-layers of climbing, and even a toddler zone.

9. Sunshine Village – Rockaway

This indoor playground is located at Rockaway Town Square Mall near Lower Level Macy's. Sunshine Village is meant for ages 0-5 years old, and there's open play and classes. Buy tickets by the day or purchase a monthly membership. Birthday party packages are available.

Indoor Play Spaces in Morris County

10. Gravity Vault – Multiple Locations

Kids 5 and up can rock out at this indoor rock-climbing facility. No reservations are required for walk-in climbing, but reservations are needed for staff belays. Kids can work with one of Gravity Vault’s instructors for two top rope climbs.

11. The Funplex – East Hanover

With more than 100,000 square feet of attractions, there’s plenty to keep all ages busy at this family amusement center. The arcade features everything from boardwalk classics like Skeeball to the latest video games. Bowling, bumper cars, go-karts, and laser tag are perfect choices for older kids. Try out the interactive warrior obstacle course, designed for ages 6 and up.

12. Huckleberry Play – Morris Township

This interactive playground has zip lines, a climbing wall, a jungle gym, ball pits, imaginative play, and more to keep toddlers and elementary school children occupied for hours.

RELATED: Indoor Activities for a Rainy Day in NJ

Imagine That has many themed areas for kids to explore, including a massive arts and crafts area. Photo by Margaret Hargrove

13. Imagine That – Florham Park

This hands-on children's museum features more than 50 exhibits and activities designed to spark the imagination of young children. They can shop at the grocery store, mail packages at the post office, and climb aboard the pirate ship. There's also an electronic sand table, an Everbrite board, and a large jungle gym with a 20-foot spiral slide.

14. Kid & Caboodle – Morristown

This indoor play space combines a shop, a modern cafe, and a play area. Grab a coffee in the parent lounge while your little one explores the hinoki bean box, themed play stations, sensory play areas, an indoor playground, and more.​

15. Spark!Lab – Morristown

Located in the back corner of the Morris Museum, the Smithsonian-founded Spark!Lab is filled with interesting and colorful raw materials with which kids can tinker, build, and experiment. It’s one of 10 in the country, modeled after the original that opened in 2008 in the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

16. The Village Play Cafe – Chatham

This local play spot—combining a gourmet coffee bar and kids' play space—is well-named. Parents can sit back and enjoy a cup of joe while the little ones toddle close by. Intended for ages 5 and under, there are small climbing structures, ride-ons, and padded play areas. There's also an infant area, a castle, a book nook, and more.

Indoor Play Spaces in Warren County

17. Riverside Kids – Hackettstown

This facility focuses on the physical development of kids ages 10 months through 10 years, with both morning and evening gym sessions. During open gym time, kids can practice their balance and gross motor skills on the mats, bars, rings, and beams. Toddler Times are available for children under 4. Note that children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult, but those over 3 can be left in the care of the facility.

18. Play Away — Hackettstown

The sweet space is perfect for the smallest play seekers. There are little slides and imaginary woodland playhouses. It's just the spot for a shorter outing.

Indoor Play Spaces in Sussex County

19. TagAlongs Play Space – Lake Hopatcong

Designed for crawlers and kids up to age 10, TagAlongs features a large, open play area, toddler zone, custom playhouses, interactive play mats, and a separate, calming sensory room. Open-play sessions are offered daily; check the website for times. Socks are required, and outside snacks and drinks are welcome.

Indoor Play Spaces in Bergen County

20. Legoland Discovery Center – East Rutherford

Calling all Lego lovers! Legoland's indoor playground at American Dream is jam-packed with fun, the play space features Lego models of NYC and NJ landmarks, a Ninjago indoor playground, interactive displays, workshops to hone your building skills, a 4-D movie theater, and a gift shop. Reservations are highly recommended.

21. Bounce Safari – Waldwick

Bounce Safari offers two rooms full of inflatables, games, and climbing structures for kids young and old. Visit during one of its open bounce sessions, where kids can play in the 3-story crazy maze, obstacle course, slides, or with the giant Legos.

22. BounceU – Paramus​

Known for its epic birthday parties, BounceU also offers open-play sessions as well as special themed events. Kids can enjoy 1.5 hours of bouncing in its two rooms—and parents are free.

23. CatchAir – Paramus, Hasbrouck Heights, Jersey City

This play spot caters to families with children up to 12 years old. There's a soft play area for toddlers and a Tiny Town for kids under 4 feet. There's also a 3-story play structure, ball cannon, and interactive dance floor for bigger kids. Find out what we thought about CatchAir's Hasbrouck Heights location.

24. The Great Story – South Hackensack & Ridgefield

The Great Story lets children use their imaginations with a costume closet, sandbox, props, a climbing structure with a small trampoline, a shopping area, a ball pit, and more. The cafe offers some Korean specialties like bubble tea, rice burgers, and noodles.

25. High Exposure Climbing – Northvale

Kids who like climbing will reach new heights at this indoor climbing facility. Scale the many rock-climbing walls, climb giant Rubik's cubes, explore the ninja course, or challenge a friend to a game in the Nerf arena.

RELATED: NJ Kids Get Aerial at Indoor Trampoline Parks and Bounce Houses

Kids will have a blast with foam ball shooters and the ball volcano at Jumpin' Jax.

26. Jumpin' Jax – Paramus

This early learning center and indoor playground combo offers open play for toddlers on up to older children. Kids will have a blast with foam ball shooters, hand-pedaled cars, a rock-climbing wall, a Lego area, and imaginary-play areas.

27. Lily & Liam Kids' Indoor Playground and Cafe – Englewood

Kids 12 and under can climb, build, pretend, and explore at this sweet indoor playground. Attractions include a climbing maze, bubble ball pit, soft play for toddlers, a "sand" pit, a pretend-play area, and more.

28. Paper Street Play – Park Ridge

Paper Street Play is a delightful destination for little ones in the Pascack Valley area. This tiny town is modeled after real-world encounters—including a house with a fenced-in yard and soft-play structures for the youngest explorers—plus a diner, a food market, and more.

29. Tay + Te – ​Northvale​

Toddlers and small children can let their imaginations run wild at Tay + Te. Imaginary play stations include a grocery store, veterinary office, pizza shop, mechanic, firetruck, and more. Parents will love the on-site coffee and snack bar. ​

30. Urban Air – ​South Hackensack

Urban Air has locations in other parts of NJ, but this is the only one in North Jersey. Enjoy an array of impression attractions like the trampoline tumble track. the climbing hill, the tube playground, the warrior's course, and more.

31. Xtreme Energy – Englewood

This indoor playground has something for everyone. There's a 3-level climbing structure surrounded by foam and ball pits, a trampoline grid with a velcro wall, a ropes course, a ninja course, rock climbing, virtual reality, and more.​

Indoor Playgrounds in Hudson County

32. Liberty Science Center – Jersey City

Yes, it’s a museum, but the Liberty Science Center can definitely qualify as an indoor play space—and it's always a good bet on a chilly or rainy day. A favorite of kids of all ages, there are always new exhibits like the current Wobbly World, events, and, of course, the IMAX theater and state-of-the-art planetarium.

33. Funzy Play – ​Jersey City

This facility features a host of fun options from an interactive ball pit, an enclosed climbing gym, and a dramatic playroom. A variety of toddler classes are offered. Funzy Play also offers a flexible afterschool drop-off program as well as group and private piano lessons for older kids.

34. The Hive – Hoboken

This spot is as appealing for the kids as it is for the grown-ups! The Hive marries up an amazing coffee shop with a cute play space for small children. Toys rotate to keep the space fun and interesting every time. Now you can have your coffee and drink it, too!

35. Hudson's House of Play – West New York

A sweet little space for kids ages 6 months to 5 years, Hudson's offers a lovely, custom-built open play space created to replicate a traditional downtown city square. Each "building" has appropriate costumes, furniture, and toys. There is also a separate area for ages 2 and under, and a small cafe for caregivers with tea, coffee, and baked goods.

36. The Little Play Co. – Hoboken

This space is reminiscent of some favorite Hoboken spots, with each themed play area outfitted with costumes, decorations, and toys so your little one can explore, imagine, and play. Serve treats at Sebastian's Bistro, put out the fires at the Hoboken Firehouse, explore the Hoboken train station, shop at Luca's Italian Market, or build at the construction site.

37. Urban Jungle – Hoboken

This jungle-themed indoor play facility is packed with fun things for kids to explore, including a jungle gym, Imagination Playground blocks, a water and sensory station, arts and crafts, and a soft play area for toddlers.

38. Village Tree House – Hoboken

Cute, clean, and colorful, Village Tree House is the perfect place for your little one to strengthen their gross motor skills while having fun. Featuring a rock wall, rope swing, Pikler triangle, and more, kids enjoy this simple yet stimulating play space.

Indoor Play Spaces in Passaic County

39. Rack 'N Roll – Passaic

This family entertainment center occupies kids of all ages (and their parents) with more than 100 video games, foosball, kiddie rides, air hockey, basketball, billiards, and more.

40. Rockin’ Jump – Wayne

With wall-to-wall trampolines, a vertical climbing wall, dodgeball courts, basketball hoops, and a foam cube pit, kids burn off some serious energy at Rockin' Jump!

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the venues.

This post was originally published in 2016 and has been updated since.