Have your kids caught cabin fever? After a year like 2020, they're definitely not alone. If your typical stash of crafts and board games just isn't cutting it anymore, fear not. From north to south, there are plenty of great NJ indoor play centers, obstacle courses, and trampoline parks that offer the perfect antidote to the winter blues. We've picked 16 super fun indoor play spaces that are sure to be a welcome break to your daily routines. All of the picks on our list are open and welcoming visitors now.
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Editor's note: Please click through to each venue's website for current safety protocols. Even if the venue doesn't mandate masks, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate distance. If a venue is too crowded, try using the "see all locations" option in this article or the "nearby" search feature on our Event Calendar to find something else to do.
Indoor Play Spaces Open Now in Northern NJ
Exceptional Explorers — Livingston
Be a globetrotter in this unique travel-themed play space. Younger children will love the indoor playground and a Lego board. The dedicated toddler zone is perfect for little explorers with lots of fun manipulatives. Also, check the class schedule for music, STEM robotics, arts and crafts classes. Book open-play sessions in advance online.
Hudson Play — Jersey City
Got an energetic little one? Book a spot in advance for open play, and get ready to climb the rock-climbing walls and speed through the obstacle course. Toddlers love the soft play area and giant foam building blocks.
Build sky-high structures with the magnetic tiles at Genius Gems.
Genius Gems — Millburn
There's incredible STEM fun to be had at Genius Gems, which boasts the largest collection of magnetic tiles in the world. Build amazing structures with these colorful tiles or check out the robots, like Ozobots and Cubelets. There's also a Slime Bar and 3D Design Bar where you can design your own keychain (for an extra cost). Call for reservations or to book a private family experience.
Imagine That! — Florham Park
Perfect for the younger set, this 16,000 square-foot space lets children's imaginations run wild. Build with giant foam blocks, play pretend on the fire truck, journey through the climbing structure, and get creative with a giant colorful pixel light board. Purchase tickets in advance.
Kid & Caboodle — Morristown
Naptime will be a breeze after open play at K&C. A crowd favorite at this venue is the enormous climbing structure with slides and tunnels. Kids love the themed play areas, a sensory play area, and the Hinoki bead box. Temperature checks are performed upon arrival, and reservations are recommended as capacity is limited. Open-play time slots are available Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-2pm.
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Village Play is a perfect play space for children 5 and under.
Village Play — Chatham
Slides, a pretend grocery store, play castle, climbers...if this sounds like your little one's idea of a good time, head over to Village Play, which is open with limited capacity on weekdays and Saturdays (max of 15 kids with one adult is allowed per open-play time slot). Reservations for open play must be made online in advance, and guests should expect touchless temperature checks and a COVID-19 health questionnaire upon arrival.
Liberty Science Center — Jersey City
This incredible kids' museum has it all. Educational animal exhibits, the Infinity Climbing structure suspended 35 feet in the air (yep, it's open!), the biggest planetarium in the Western hemisphere, and numerous engaging, hands-on exhibits that help kids explore the world around them in fun ways, including a brand new Daniel Tiger exhibit. Thursdays and Fridays are LSC Junior Days and feature special learning opportunities for kids 6 and under. Note that the facility is currently only open Thursdays through Sundays, and we recommend purchasing tickets in advance. Arrival times are staggered every 30 minutes.
Lily & Liam — Englewood
Younger children will love this sweet indoor playground with a huge climbing structure and slides and tunnels as its centerpiece. Little ones won't want to climb out of the wood cube "sandbox," ball pit, and soft-play zone. You'll also find plenty of options for an imaginary play like a large dollhouse and play market. This venue has a maximum occupancy of 25 people, so reservations are highly recommended.
The Great Story — Ridgefield, South Hackensack
Ball pit lovers, rejoice! Each location offers a ball pit. In Ridgefield, kids can fish in the ocean, hang out in the honeycomb house, shoot goals into the soccer net, or shop in the play grocery store. Active kids will love the climbing structure, raceway with climb-ons, and trampolines. Korean specialty foods, like dumplings and rice burgers, are offered at the cafe!
Xtreme Energy — Englewood
From toddlers to pre-teens, kids love burning off steam at this North Jersey gem. Scale the rock-climbing wall, jump on the trampoline grids, test your balance on the two-story ropes course, and beat your best time on the ninja course. And, don't forget the Playscape, a large climbing structure with slides and activities. The ball pit and foam pit have been temporarily replaced. This facility is open with limited capacity, so purchase your tickets in advance.
RELATED: Indoor Obstacle Courses, Ninja Warrior Training, and Aerial Arts for NJ Kids
The indoor/outdoor sports complex at Iron Peak Sports & Events includes a ninja course, rock climbing, and more.
Indoor Play Spaces Open Now in Central NJ
Iron Peak Sports & Events — Hillsborough
This brand new state-of-the-art center also boasts an impressive family entertainment area. Your pint-sized daredevil will have a blast exploring the ninja course, interactive climbing walls (weight minimum of 30 pounds), ropes course (height minimum of 52 inches), and redemption arcade with about 30 games.
ClimbZone — Howell
Feel like climbing the Statue of Liberty? How about scaling the keys of an enormous piano? If so, you'll love Climb Zone, which is as exciting as it is beautiful with its 68 uniquely decorated climbing walls. There's also a huge ropes course that reaches 30 feet in height (Kids must be 48 inches tall to ascend alone; 42 inches or taller with a paying adult). Little one not excited about heights? There's also a jungle gym area, good for ages 3-10, featuring slides, tunnels, small climbing walls, soft air balls, and more. Don't forget that there's a virtual reality center and small arcade on the upper level!
iPlay America — Freehold
You don't need the summer sun to enjoy a trip to NJ's largest indoor boardwalk. This amusement park has rides, boardwalk games, an arcade, bumper cars, restaurants, sweet shops, laser tag, virtual bowling, and more. Stick around for dinner, too, as it's recently debuted outdoor igloos at its Gametime Bar & Grill.
Sky Zone — Multiple Locations
Reach new heights on these huge wall-to-wall trampoline courts. Challenge a friend to a sky-high basketball game or dodge ball, or flip into the foam pit from swings and trapezes. Buy tickets in advance online as capacity is limited to 25%. Guests need to answer three COVID-19 questions and have their temperature taken upon arrival.
You can't beat the price at the awesome XL Sports World.
Indoor Play Spaces Open Now in South Jersey
XL Sports World — Cherry Hill
At $5 per kid, this smaller space is a great option for South Jersey families. At Tiny Tykes Town, kids 4 and under can play pretend in small themed rooms or hop in the ball pit. Older kids (under 10) will love crawling, climbing, and sliding in the Funzone Jungle Gym. Hours are 9:30am-2pm daily. What else is there to do? There's also an arcade, and Friday nights are family roller skating night (includes pizza buffet, Funzone, and Adventure Alley Inflatables).
The Funplex — Mount Laurel, East Hanover
This indoor amusement park has plenty of options to keep families busy, from amusement park rides to bumper cars to go-karts. Challenge some friends to a game of bowling or laser tag, or try XD Dark, a multi-sensory, 4D interactive attraction. While there's an arcade, note that options for toddlers under 36 inches are limited, but reservations aren't required for these little ones.
All photos courtesy of the respective venues