CHILDREN’S MUSEUMS – IMAGINATION PLAYSPACES

The New Jersey Children’s Museum (Paramus)
This is the ultimate indoor playspace for imagination play, offering a real fire truck, real helicopter, a ballet studio with costumes, a medieval castle, a pretend grocery store, indoor sandbox, and more. On certain days there may also have storytelling or crafts, so check the daily calendar when you arrive. No food is allowed in the museum, so plan lunch and snacks accordingly. Open 10am-5pm on weekdays, 10am-6pm on weekends.

Imagine That! (Florham Park)
Like the NJ Children’s Museum, Imagine That! offers a wide range of imaginative play areas from a pretend doctor’s office to a pretend pirate ship. The bonus here is that kids can enjoy some really fun and interesting crafts projects offered every weekend and often during the week, all listed on Imagine That’s calendar and relating to the season or holidays. Imagine That! is open daily from 10am-5:30pm.

The Garden State Discovery Museum (Cherry Hill)
For indoor play with a bit of entertainment, the Garden State Discovery Museum is a good choice. In addition to imagination play areas like the pretend vet’s office and pretend diner, the museum often hosts performances and demonstrations for kids. A snack area, gift shop and plenty of free parking make this location even more appealing! Hours are 9:30am-5:30pm daily (until 8:30pm Saturdays from October through April.)

Community Children’s Museum (Dover) 
For a more educational slant to your indoor play, the Community Children’s Museum has a hands-on electricity exhibit; space capsule where kids can pretend to travel into space; a pretend lake house complete with rafts and a live fish tank; and a variety of art projects. Open Thursday-Saturday 10am-5pm.

INDOOR PLAYSPACES – JUNGLE GYMS AND MORE

Boro Kid Zone (Hillsborough)
Get ready to play on a three level jungle gym, a 36 foot climbing wall, a ball room, and a toddler village, among other fun activities. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 10am to 6pm, Friday 10am to 7pm, and Sunday noon to 5pm, but calling in advance to verify times is strongly recommended.

Bounce-U (Blackwood, Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Lakewood, Morganville, Paramus, Pleasantville, West Windsor)
Much better than little monkeys jumpin’ on the bed (and couch, and chairs...!) For an hour or two, your child can jump and bounce as much as they want on this chain’s array of inflatable structures; play games; and dance to the music. They offer preschool bounce sessions (which include snacks,) open bounce sessions, and family bounce nights (which include video games.) Pizza can be purchased on location after the session. Hours and prices vary per location and reservations are recommended. (And don’t forget to bring socks!)

Funtime Junction (Fairfield)
This family-run fun spot has a giant indoor jungle gym, ride-on toys and cars, a painting and crafts corner, playhouse, arcades, and games. What more entertainment do you need on a cold afternoon? Open Sunday and Monday 11am-6pm, Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, and Saturday 10am-7pm. Snack bar on location. 

Giggles Playstation (Rockaway)
The kids will literally have a ball on the two-story indoor jungle gym, ball pit (with a ball sanitizer!), bouncies, as well as the arcades, slot cars, carousel and the train ride at this indoor playspace. The toddler area is age restricted and enclosed to protect the little ones. The jungle gym and air bouncer are also reserved for younger children only. (However, if you’re planning a weekend visit, we recommend you head over early to avoid the the multiple, simultaneous birthday party crowds.) Snack bar available. Open Thursday through Sunday, from 10am-6pm with extended hours through 8pm on Friday and Saturday. Extra fees for the train and carousel rides.

IKEA (Paramus and Elizabeth)
IKEA offers what no other indoor playspace in New Jersey can: drop-off and FREE indoor play! During the week, you can score up to an hour of free supervised play for the kids, and during weekends and peak shopping times, 30 minutes. Only conditions: kids must be out of diapers and approximately 36 to 50 inches tall. IKEA also offers occasional, FREE kids special activities such as balloon artists and clowns (check websites for dates.) So go sit down in the cafeteria with a cup of coffee, slice of cake, and good book while the kids burn off some energy in the ball room!

Jellybean Jungle (Marlton)
Exclusively for kids five and under, Jelly Bean Jungle has a ball pit, climbing maze, jungle theater, and ocean center with pirate ship for unlimited drop-in play. An added plus for kids with allergies: the spot has a peanut-free policy. Open Monday-Thursday, 9:30am-4:30pm, Friday 9:30am-8pm, and Saturday 9:30am-5pm.

JerZJump (Monmouth Junction)
Jersey kids can do all the jumping they need at this 17,500 sq. ft. indoor playspace! The facilities include a special toddler room where your three-and-under can play without getting pummeled by the big kids. For older children, there’s a 15-foot tall jungle gym, huge bouncies, and inflatable slides. Bonus: Adults can enjoy arcade games, a snack bar, and a lounge with free WIFI and TVS. The toddler room is open Monday through Thursday from 10:30-7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-8pm, and Sunday 11am-6pm. Open “Jump” is Thursday 3-7pm, Friday 1:30-8pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, and Sunday 11am-6pm.

Jumpnasium (Fairfield)
Aside from their gigantic inflatables, this indoor playspace has a slippery rock slide, arcades, air hockey, hula hoops, bowling, little tykes cars, bouncing Rhody's, and more. There is even a special Open Jump for Preschoolers especially for kids 7 and under.  Hours vary and advance registration is required online (they sell out!).

Kid Junction (Branchburg & Mount Laurel) 
The highlights of this indoor playspace are the “kid-sized towns” and “toddler town” where kids can go to the grocery store, pizza parlor, animal hospital and post office, just like big people! There’s also a Kid Fit exercise room, the “KJ Theater” and a costume shop There are also arcades, and tubes and slides on the huge jungle gym. Snack bar on location. Open Monday through Thursday, 10am-6pm; Friday and Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm.

Kids Towne USA (Hamilton)
There is no shortage of play options at Kids Towne USA. Kids can strap on a harness and climb the 18 foot Mount Kidstowne, play in themed rooms, climb a three level jungle gym, play laser tag or explore a laser maze, play games in the arcade and even enjoy a snack in the snack bar. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm.

Kidz Village (Kenilworth)
One of our favorite indoor playspaces, Kidz Village is a cross between an indoor playspace with a big indoor climbing structure and arcades; and a children’s museum with exhibits including a play diner, play hair salon, tool shop, and even castle with ball launches for pretend battles. The best feature, however, is the centralized parent seating so you can actually sit down and relax and always have a view of your child. Throw in the snack bar and you have a great couple hours of entertainment! Designed for children 10-and-under. Socks required. Hours are Monday through Thursday 9am-7p; Friday and Saturday 9am-9pm; Sunday 10am-7pm.

Tiger Hall (Princeton)
Tiger Hall is a play zone and activity center that is mainly membership based, but also offers "parent and me" open play to non-members. Kids 0 to 8 can play in a mini kitchen, mini-house, a bounce house, trampoline, ride on trikes and scooters, or get creative in the art room.  Open play hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 10am to 1pm, Friday 10am to 3pm, and Saturday 10:30 to 1:30. Some Saturday and Sunday afternoon open play sessions are available, but you must call to confirm.

Unbelieva-Bills (Montclair)
Unbelieva-Bill’s playspace features a huge indoor playground, arcade games, laser tag, and a theater offering a range of weekend shows from magic and puppets to Spider-man, pirates and princesses. Open Monday through Thursday 11am-6pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-8pm, and Sunday 11am-5pm. Also, one Saturday every month from 6-9pm, Unbelieva-Bills offers a special "Drop Off Party" where parents can either stay, or drop off their kids for a fun-filled evening that includes entertainment, food, games and adult supervision. Drop-off option available for the first 40 registrants on a pre-registration only basis. Parents remaining with their kids can pre-register or pay at the door. Admission is $35./child and children must be at least 5 years old. And if your teen is feeling left out in the cold, check out the Teen Dance Nights–complete with a hot DJ and VIP Entrance!

Uptown Playaround (Kendall Park)
For kids 10-and-under, this indoor playground is great for its flexibility and variety of offerings. Be sure to check out the custom-made 150-square foot playhouse after the kids race around the 2 ½ story play system. For the tiniest visitors, visit Toddler Ave., a separate area with mirrors, tunnels and slides. The center also offers classes covering everything from gymnastics and yoga to crafts and “food art,”and are included either in admission or for a small fee. Open Monday-Friday from 10am-7pm. Call in advance or check website for weekend hours.