WELCOME TO OUR INDOOR SECTION!
Rainy Day?
Do your kids need somewhere to run around and burn off some steam?
Check out the map below and the corresponding write-ups that review great indoor playgrounds, places to play and museums.
Press the + sign for Chuck E. Cheese and McDonalds if you want to see them on the map
Got a good place to share? Let us know!
Here’s our current Review List!!
North Jersey
Jersey Garden Outlets-Elizabeth
Liberty Science Ctr- Jersey City
Trailside Nature Ctr-Mountainside
Central Jersey
Woodbridge Ctr Mall- Woodbridge
Free Entertainment
Let’s face it, we’d love to take our kids to great playspaces everyday, but that can get expensive, especially in NJ. Besides our Free Places to Play listings, I’ve found that there are great places to go (or join) without having to spend any money.
- Libraries- Check them out, some have great areas for kids to do puzzles and computer games geared toward ages 3-6. Ours in Springfield has a great storytime. They also have resources to publications geared for local family activities (Kids guide, ____county family guide, flyers, etc.). I’ve heard very positive reviews for the library in Chatham as well.
- Malls- I recently visited a very family-friendly mall, Woodbridge Center a (Woodbridge, Middlesex County) and will be posting details soon. Other malls that have indoor play areas include: Garden State Plaza (by the Old Navy) (Paramus in Bergen County) Livingston Mall (by Sears) (Livingston in Essex County)
- Barnes & Nobles- Very kid-friendly. Barnes and Noble (Paramus, NJ) (thanks ira from city-data) and in Clark, NJ both have train tables for kids to play with. Definitely recommended! Menlo Park, Edison, NJ also has a train table (thanks Bob K. from city-data). Rumor has it that Riverside Square Mall does not have it anymore.
- Restaurants/Cafes- Well, not necessarily free, but some are kid-friendly, I’ll need your help to find some of these. A very popular one I had visited had closed recently in South Orange. Yeah I know, completely useless bullet point. Help a momma out, share your favorite cafe to hang out with the kids, I’m beginning to think they don’t exist in NJ.
- McDonalds Playlands- McDonalds has made strides to have more nutritious choices for kids, and they also have some fun equipment. Check out their site for which ones have playlands.
- Gym- ok really not free, but once you join, many of these places have babysitting and the kids can enjoy a change of pace. For example, I go to Connection in Summit (sorta like a YMCA). I volunteer and am a member at the gym, the babysitting there is friendly and will even hang out there for a little bit, using their playground outside their area.
Comment below if you have a new place to share, we will add it to our map!
Surprised not to see Clown Around in Flanders listed. Has open play multiple times per week (specializes in birthday parties). Very clean indoor play place for kids under age 7. We always have a great time there!
http://www.clownaroundinc.com/Home.htm
Baby Power Forever Kids has open gym times for member and non members. Please check the web site for schedule and prices. Great for children 6 months – 5 years.
What is the website Miss Lois?
Am looking for a place to hold my son’s 2nd birthday. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Hi. First of all, thank you for creating this wonderful site. We just moved to NJ from Texas about 6 weeks ago and your site is helping us find fun indoor places to visit.
I wanted to add 2 that we have fun in. Chick Fil A in Hamilton, NJ is a delicious fast food restaurant with nice clean play area. Also Pump-It-Up in Hamilton! NJ. Fun, fun, fun bouncing n jumping open play several days of the week. Great for birthday parties.
Hope this is helpful for someone.
Thanks again,
Joan
Just wanted to share a new indoor playground I found: iPlay in Freehold, NJ
And one that has been around a while, but not sure if it is still open: space odessy 2000 in Englewood, NJ.
I love this site! Thanks for sharing and making our family life richer!!!
Wonder Wing at the Monmouth Museum (Brookdale Community College Campus)
My kids love it!