roving reporter

Hudson’s House of Play is located in 40 Riverwalk pl, West New York, NJ, 07093

Website: link

NEW REVIEW for 2024 HERE!

Check out lilroamingexplorer’s video in this BRAND NEW POST:

 

 

HUDSON HOUSE OF PLAY

Guest Post by lilroamingexplorers

Jan 2024

VIDEO AND PHOTOS

Video for Hudson’s House of PLay from our collaborator, @lilroamingexplorers on IG she’s the coolest:

NJ Playgrounds is back in 2024 and we are collaborating with many friends across the garden state. I want to thank Sara Rall from all those years ago who helped me out and is the OG when it comes to covering new places to play.  It is because of our positive experience with her that we knew in 2024 that we had to branch out to a new generations of moms.  

For NJ Indoor places to play check out what we have covered so far-  some may be outdated but we are working hard to get new places represented on our site!

The Funplex, East Hanover, NJ

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!

Essex Environmental Center- Roseland, NJ

Essex Environmental Center is located on 621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ. From their website: " The Essex County Environmental Center is located in the western section of Essex County at West Essex Park. West Essex Park is 1,360 acres of wetlands preserve which...

Glow House Kids, Butler NJ

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.

Sterling Hill Mine Museum Ogdensburg NJ

@seek.discover.play shares her amazing photos of Sterling Hill Mine in Ogdensburg NJ. Thanks to her collaboration we have been able to see some of the most beautiful spots in NJ.

Kids Empire- Woodbridge NJ

Kids Empire- Woodbridge located in 465 Green St, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 Website: link We have not reviewed this place yet, if you would like to become a roving reporter and add your review please contact us. For now, check out one of their posts here:  

KidzZone, Green Brook NJ

Editor's Note: Another Guest Post from Karin! She visited the newest indoor place to play in Somerset County this past July! Check out her great pics! From their Facebook Page"KidzZone Indoor Playground provides a safe, clean and exciting environment for kids ages up...

Liberty Science Center, Jersey City NJ

Editor's Note: We are actively looking for new content. This is a post from 2015, and if you are a parent who has gone to LSC and wants to share your pics and videos, we would love to host them here. Please reach out to roving@njplaygrounds.com or tag us on social...

Jump On In, Boonton

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.

JumpNasium, Fairfield, NJ

204 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004. Tel 973-808-1700  website: http://www.jumpnasiumparty.com/ Open Jump Schedule ** RARE Open Jumps are 40 minutes in stadium A and then 30 minutes in stadium B** *All other Open Jumps are 55 minutes in Stadium B followed...

Kid Junction, Branchburg, NJ

**WAS JUST INFORMED KID JUNCTION IS CLOSED 7/4/2013** ** VERY SAD, WILL UPDATE IF I HAVE ANY DETAILS IF THIS IS TEMPORARY, RELOCATION or PERMANENT** *HISTORICAL INFO BELOW* 3322 Route 22 West, Building 12, Branchburg, NJ.  It's already November, and I admit I'm...

Imagine That!!! A Discovery Museum for Children, Florham Park, NJ

Editor's Note: We sent Karin and her friend to review Imagine That! She had a great time and shares a bunch of great pictures of this 16,000 sq. ft space. Imagine That was completely renovated, the only big item that remains is the Fire Truck, most of the rest is all...

Huckleberry Play, Morris Plains NJ

Huckleberry Play is a new play place in Morris Plains NJ!

Teaneck Speedway, Teaneck, NJ

Teaneck Speedway is located on 545 Cedar Lane, Teaneck NJ This is a great place to enjoy a variety of fun and classic Slot Car racing!  This is a unique way for your car-loving child to race with their friends! Highlights: Slot Car Racing on a 7-Track CourseLaser...

Tay & Te Imaginative Play, Northvale NJ

Editor’s Note: @lilroaming explorers on IG shared another gem, this time it's Tay + Te in Northvale NJ (Bergen County).About lilroamingexplorers- “Always seeking kid friendly, family friendly and dog friendly adventures in NJ/ NY/ PA. Hoping to inspire others to make...

NJ Featured Sponsors for the Month- Indoor Play

We are thrilled to announce our featured January sponsor for NJ Paygrounds- The Little Gym- Lodi, NJ – They open this week!

Morris Museum, Morristown NJ

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.

Humdingers, Paramus NJ

Humdingers, located on 64 E Midland Ave in Paramus, NJ was recommended as a TOP indoor place to play from one of our readers.Tel: (201) 701-1900Website: https://humdingersnj.cominfo@humdingersnj.com Here is a video from their IG account that gives a great summary:...

Catch Air, Paramus NJ

Catch Air is located in 224 Rte 4, Paramus, NJ 07652 Open 7 days a week Sunday – Wednesday: 10am – 7pmThursday – Saturday: 10am – 8pm Admission &  details see website: link We have not reviewed this place yet, if you would like to become a roving reporter and add...

IKEA as an Indoor Place to Play (Elizabeth, NJ)

Editor's Note: Oh hi! It's Sheila, hope you are doing well this winter. I know I know I've not updated the site in a while, I've started other projects, and my love of playgrounds and places to play had to take a back seat in priorities, but I'm happy to write this...

Be Craftful, Fanwood NJ

NO LONGER HAS STOREFRONT!!! BE CRAFTFUL IS NOW MOBILE!!! THIS POST IS HERE FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES, PLEASE VISIT SITE HTTP://WWW.BECRAFTFUL.COM FOR MORE INFO. WE WILL MISS THE FANWOOD LOCATION! Editor's Note: This winter we are focusing on new indoor places to play...

Pump It Up, Secaucus

Sheila and I and my three kids enjoyed a great afternoon with owner Henry Lee at his new Secaucus location of Pump it Up.  Located at 301 Penhorn Avenue in Unit #5 in Secaucus, NJ 07094.  You can reach them at (201) 865-JUMP (5867) or find more information online...

Twin Monkey Playhouse, Lyndhurst NJ

Twin Monkey Playhouse. Located at 205 Stuyvesant Avenue, Lyndhurst, it’s a new place for imaginative play, learning, and endless fun.

Screamin Parties, Springfield NJ

275 Route 22, Springfield NJ. Howie Abraham, owner of Screamin Parties, was inspired by his special needs son to provide a great safe place for all children to play and have fun. His efforts have now resulted in 3 great indoor spots, including one in my neighborhood...

Community Children’s Museum, Dover NJ

**UNFORTUNATELY, THE COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IN DOVER NJ HAS CLOSED PERMANENTLY** **INFORMATION BELOW IS ONLY FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES** Have you checked out all our other indoor play areas? We have included a map of all NJ indoor playgrounds, NJ children museums,...

Gravity Vault, Chatham NJ

40 Watchung Avenue, Chatham, NJ Hours: Sunday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Monday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM Tuesday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM Wednesday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM Thursday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM Friday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM If you are looking for something...

Clown Around- Flanders, NJ

Editor's Note: We are ecstatic to start off 2012, with our NJ indoor playground tour! We had an awesome time at Clown Around, check out our review below. If you know of a great place to play in Morris County and it hasn't been listed, comment on our NJ Playgrounds...

Urban Jungle Play, Hoboken NJ

Cathie from Urban Jungle Play reached out to us this past weekend about her new place. We look forward to checking it out, but before we do a formal review we thought we'd share a sneak peek and give you some of the information. Update: Thanks to Karin and friends we...

Trailside Nature and Science Center, Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ

452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ. Update: Union county has a great video tour of Trailside check it out, they even repurposed one of our photos: Also our good friend @seek.discover.play shared this with us from her IG and beautiful updated photos from 2023: "...

Kidz Village, Kenilworth, NJ

Is your indoor play place covered?  Contact us for information on sponsoring your location. Special Coupon Offer from our Affiliate! $27.50 For 5 All-Day Play Passes (Reg. $54.95) Before the invention of indoor playgrounds, parents could be seen around town...

Maple Sugaring 2014 and A special look at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Chatham NJ

2014 UPDATE: Snowy days have not been great on my updating timeliness!  Want to know where the latest maple sugaring events are happening what's left of February 2014 and March? Here are a few links to some great nature/environmental centers: Bergen county: Tenafly...

Catch Air Jersey City

Catch Air in Jersey City has become a recent favorite of Lisa’s. She took so many photos and it’s huge!

The Village Play Cafe

The Village Play Cafe located in 17 Watchung Avenue, Chatham NJ. From their website 6/2023: "OPEN PLAYCome when you'd like and play as long as you'd like within our two time slots on Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday is unlimited play time from...

Hudson’s House of Play, West New York, NJ

@lilroamingexporers shares photos and video of this indoor gem in West New York, Hudson’s House of Play.

Liberty Science Center for the Pre-schoolers

Liberty Science Center is located on 222 Jersey City Boulevard Jersey City, (GPS users may need to use old address 251 Phillip St. to get there). Click here for our newest post Dec/2015 For driving directions, check out their website here. We recently visited this...

Go Playland, Paramus Park Mall, Paramus NJ

Need to shop? Let the little ones stretch their legs on your next shopping adventure at Paramus Park Mall. Thanks to Michelle we have another sneak peek at a great indoor place to play in Paramus NJ, newly opened!

Jersey Gardens, Elizabeth, NJ

651 Kapkowski Rd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. www.jerseygardens.com In a bad economic time this indoor mall of outlets is doing fantastic. I was happy to meet with Denise Palazzo, General Manager of Jersey Gardens. I will be sure to do some of my Christmas shopping here,...

Pump It Up, Roselle Park NJ

Editor's Note: Hi friends, Sheila here, back with another indoor place to play. We arranged a trip with friends to visit Pump It Up in Roselle Park (158 Westfield Ave. East, Roselle Park NJ). Check out their event calendar here! Since it was a spontaneous trip we will...

Funtime Junction, Fairfield, NJ.

400 Fairfield Road. Fairfield, NJ.  See latest post here!  Flashback to lower prices- according to website as of 11/30/08- Price: $9.75/child; $1.25/adult

Cutie Patooties, Englewood NJ

***UPDATE****- Cutie Patooties has closed its doors at their current location, however to find out where they will reopen, check out their still active facebook page here. (You can also show your support too, it was a great space): From Dec, 2012: "Cutie Patooties...

Exceptional Explorers- Livingston NJ

Exceptional Explorers is located in 277 Eisenhower Parkway Suite 12-C, Livingston, NJ 07039.   Website: link We have not reviewed this place yet, if you would like to become a roving reporter and add your review please contact us. For now, check out one of their posts...

Fabulous Fun in NJ’s Winter Season

In late January, we asked our close to 4000 Facebook fans to tell us their favorite places to visit and things to do during Presidents Day Weekend and we got an overwhelming response full of local hot spots, fun and inexpensive indoor ideas and fabulous places not too far away.

Below is a wrap up of all the great suggestions plus some ideas of our own.

See what’s hot when the weather’s not!

Branchburg Sports Complex, Branchburg NJ

Editor's Note: Many thanks to Kim from BSC (Branchburg Sports Complex) for allowing us to visit and explore the BSC Play Maze. We had a great time. Check out all our pictures and video below. This place is a perfect spot to have a playdate, meetup or if it's rainy and...

Urban Air- South Hackensack

Urban Air in South Hackensack NJ at 69 Wesley St, South Hackensack is one of six locations in NJ. From over 3y to adults, you can definitely see this as a place to celebrate and have fun. (Photo above credit to Urban Adventure Park South Hackensack FB page.) From our...

We Rock The Spectrum- Paramus, NJ

We Rock the Spectrum is located on 11 Park Place, Paramus, NJ 07652 Website: https://werockthespectrumbergen.com/ We are thrilled to have We Rock the Spectrum-Bergen as our November Sponsor! Check out our write up below PLUS Bonus- one of our favorite bloggers has,...

Lily and Liam NJ

Lily and Liam is located in 250B S Van Brunt St. Englewood, NJ 07631 Website: link We have not reviewed this place yet, if you would like to become a roving reporter and add your review please contact us. For now, check out one of their posts here: