Sheila and I (and Eddie!) just visited a brand new and incredibly unique place to play! It’s in Butler, NJ on Route 23 just off Route 287. Their phone is 973-850-6366 , e-mail is info@glowhousekids.com and you can find them at 1510 Route 23 North in Butler, NJ 07405. Visit their website here. Called the “Glow House” this indoor play and birthday party venue literally glows. The entire facility is lit with black light and most of the furniture, toys, murals, play things and items worn by the staff are black light reactive and GLOW! Eddie had SO much fun playing freeze dance and glow in the dark basketball, painting and doing glow in the dark puzzles.

The Morris Museum is a great spot to visit with family and friends on any given day or especially when the museum is hosting one of their special events. It is home to the Bickford Theatre which offers a children’s theatre series and hosts the Brightest Star School of Performing Arts.

The museum is conveniently located at 6 Normandy Heights Road which is just off of Routes 24 and 287. The main phone number is 973.971.3700. They are open Wed thru Sunday and admission is $10 per adult and $7 per child and they also offer an affordable family membership. For information on their current exhibitions, hours, admission, membership, special events, theatre schedule and special programs like camps and birthday parties visit their website. The museum also has a great little gift shop with unique items and specialty books.

There are several permanent exhibits at the museum that will appeal to kids of all ages. On the main floor you will learn all about rocks and minerals and mammals. Beware of the big bear in the mammal exhibit! You can also plan to spend a good amount of time in the Musical Machines & Living Dolls exhibition as little ones strive to create their own music and experience musical machines and mechanical dolls and toys from long ago.

When your kids (and maybe even you too!) need a place to burn off restless energy or are looking for some good healthy indoor fun, check out Jump On In in Boonton NJ. This facility is just a few years old and impeccably maintained. There are two rooms with fun inflatables. The first room has basketball, a cool horizontal ladder climb, a traditional bounce house, big slide and a double maze with their own fun slides. The second room has another maze with tunnels and slides that is geared more towards the younger kids, a very large basketball arena, t-ball, volleyball, air hockey and foosball.

The Funplex is an amazing indoor (and outdoor) amusement center with a little something for everyone. The center in East Hanover features a large arcade with skill-based full redemption games and win to play games for the younger kids. There are also indoor “rides” like a 4D movie theater (must be 40″ or taller) two sets of bumper cars (one for those at least 36″ tall and one for those 42″ and taller) and “Free Fall” (38″ with adult, 42″ solo. ) They also have Go-Karts, a Foam Frenzy, Magic Quest and indoor Lazer Tag! Not to mention a great outdoor pool and coming soon… the “Splashplex” an outdoor water park!