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Be sure to check with each venue for its COVID guidelines and requirements before heading out.

1. The Funplex – East Hanover

With more than 100,000 square feet of attractions, there’s plenty to keep all ages busy at this family amusement center. The arcade features everything from boardwalk classics, like Skeeball and air hockey, to the latest video games. Bumper cars, go-karts, and laser tag are perfect choices for older kids, and kids ages 4-12 can have a blast in the three-level Foam Frenzy play area, where air canons and blasters shoot thousands of colorful foam balls. The Pit Stop Cafe offers standard fare like burgers and pizza, as well as salad and vegetarian options. In 2019, Funplex completed a 37,000-square-foot renovation with a Jersey Shore Boardwalk theme, featuring 20 bowling lanes and a private bowling suite. In addition, Funplex is said to be the state’s first recreation venue to offer Hyper Bowling, an interactive set of bowling-related games designed around an innovative bumper system.

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Branchburg Sports Complex boasts a four-level laser tag arena that's perfect for big kids.

2. Branchburg Sports Complex – Branchburg

Branchburg Sports Complex is perfect for toddlers, kids, and adults. The PlayMaze, for children ages 3-12, boasts 82 different play elements including slides, tunnels, and bridges as well as an arcade where kids can collect tickets and win prizes—both of these attractions are currently only open for parties during COVID (as of January 2022), but BSC is hoping to open for drop-ins soon. BSC also has a four-level, 9,000-square-foot interactive laser tag arena, which requires a reservation for you and your group (15 people minimum). At drop-in Tod Squad sessions, kids ages 1-4 can enjoy bounce houses, soft play equipment, the PlayMaze, and more.

3. Funtime Junction – Fairfield

Winner of Mommy Poppins' 2017 Bestie Award for Best Romping Spot, Funtime Junction is a large play palace with a soft, two-story playground, a bounce house, arcade games, laser tag, and even a helicopter ride. It's closed on Mondays, but walk-ins are welcome every other day of the week. Pizza, drinks, and snacks are available for purchase. Socks are required, and adults are always free! Register in advance for open play.

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Work your way up the walls at ClimbZone.

4. ClimbZone – Howell

ClimbZone puts a whole new spin on wall climbing. Scale Mount Rushmore, climb an enormous piano, and try to run up a vertical ramp. The panels themselves are like works of art. There's also a giant indoor play maze for kids ages 3-10, a ropes course that goes 30 feet in the air, and a virtual reality arena.

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Parents can keep a close eye on little ones in the enclosed toddler area at CatchAir.

5. CatchAir – Paramus

This fantastical spot is an underwater-themed dreamscape filled with fun stuff for kids 12 and under. There's a soft play area for toddlers and a Tiny Town for kids under 4 feet, plus a three-story play structure, ball cannon, and interactive dance floor for bigger kids. Visitors can boogie at a bubble dance party, plunge into a ball pit, go for a spin in candy cane teacups, and more. Check out our review of CatchAir for more.

6. Kids Empire – Multiple Locations

If your child wants to climb, spin, and slide, Kids Empire is the place for you. These newly opened facilities feature floor-to-ceiling climbing walls and structures, a ball pit, bridges, and more. Play soccer high in the upper-deck arena, race on a motorcycle ride-on, use enormous blocks to build your own city, or show off your moves on the dance floor. When it's time for a break, visit the snack bar.

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Launch Trampoline Park offers high-flying fun for all ages.

7. Launch Trampoline Park – Deptford

It's OK to let your kids bounce off the walls at Launch. Play on a huge grid of tramps, as well as an extreme dodgeball court, slam-dunk area, ninja course, indoor jungle gym, arcade, rock wall, and cafe.

8. Xtreme Energy – Englewood

Kids from toddlers to teens will love the variety of Xtreme Energy. There's a huge three-tier climbing structure, ride-ons for little ones, a two-story ropes course, a rock-climbing wall, and a ninja course. If that weren't enough, kids have a blast on the enormous trampoline grid.

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Pump It Up is known for parties, but it also offers daily open-jump sessions.

9. Pump It Up – Multiple Locations

This bounce spot is known for its epic parties, but it also offers daily open-jump sessions (all 70 minutes). There's your basic open jump as well as many special themed sessions, including glow jump sessions. In addition to two arenas full of inflatable fun, the Roselle Park location features a ninja warrior course with hanging bridges, jungle swings, cargo tube nets, and more.

10. Jungle Jim & Jane – Atlantic Highlands

This high-tech, jungle-themed play center features a wide array of activities kids from crawlers through about age 10 enjoy. From slides and tunnels to a huge ball with interactive games, there's plenty to do to fill an afternoon. There are also some arcade games, air hockey, and even games projected on the floor throughout the playground.

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The lights go out at Urban Air for glow-in-the-dark fun.

11. Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park – Multiple Locations

Wall-to-wall trampolines, air basketball hoops, dodgeball courts, a climbing wall, and an obstacle course are just some of the highlights at this jumping spot. A Thursday family special bundles jumping, pizza, and drinks; a weekly sensory-friendly jump lets kids enjoy the park without loud music and flashing lights; and a weekly Jumperoo toddler time offers full use of the park to the 5-and-under set.

12. iPlay America – Freehold

This indoor theme park keeps kids of all ages happy. With rides, arcade games, mini-bowling, laser tag, and a 4D theater, iPlay is the perfect place to go when the weather outside is frightful. There's a variety of rides and attractions for children of all sizes, including ropes courses (both high ropes and kids courses). Both arcade and boardwalk-style games are available, as well as a variety of food options. iPlay offers unlimited four-hour ride bands, or you can buy credits to enjoy individual attractions. Coming soon is Ballocity, a four-level structure with tubes, slides, and obstacles that spits balls out at guests.

Photos courtesy of the venues

This article was originally published in 2019 and has been updated since.