The winter months can be a challenging time for parents. Keeping your kids busy when it’s too cold to play outdoors is never an easy feat. To help you out, we’ve rounded up 10 great indoor spots in Bergen County to bounce around, create art, play mini golf or make a museum visit—there are plenty of options to keep them entertained (and ensure your sanity). And check out our Indoor Play Spaces articles for Hudson County and Essex County!

There are tons of great parks in Hudson County, but once winter arrives, some days are better spent indoors. There are some great places in the area to play or dance or bowl or bounce inside. We’ve even included all the wonderful libraries in Hudson County for your little inside reader. Get your coats on, get out of the house and get into someone else’s indoors. And check out our Indoor Playspaces posts for Bergen and Essex counties!

Our family pretty much steers clear of New Jersey shopping malls from November through early January; we treat any holiday excursions like military missions, get in, get the job done and get out! But once the holiday shopping is over, I visit the malls with my husband and daughter again, where we enjoy leisurely browsing, relaxing late lunches, and even hop on a carousel or two. So load up the SUV, get out of the cold and gear up for an outing at these family-friendly New Jersey malls.

Now that the holiday season is behind us (and maybe the kids are already a wee bit bored with their presents), it might be time for adventure to keep everyone entertained in the chilly months ahead. And while it's fun to stay inside and build cozy forts, we all start to go a little stir crazy come January and February. How about an outing that promises fresh air, exercise and even some learning thrown in? Bundle up and check out these awesome winter classes at nearby outdoor centers and beat the January blues. And remember, you can find a full listing of New Jersey classes in our Enrichment Classes and Activities Guide.

If you think the bitter cold days of winter are restricting your family to a season of hibernation…think again. Bundle the kids up in their warmest winter gear for an adventurous day out ice fishing. It’s definitely a fun outdoor experience to share with a child of any age! Eagle watching is another fun winter activity and we've got some tips on where you can go to spot them.