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Fun Spots Kids Can Play Indoors for Free in New Jersey

1. Barnes & Noble – Multiple Locations

Multi-level stores in Clifton and Edison have huge children's sections, and outposts in Bridgewater and Livingston have frequent storytime and kids' events to keep little hands occupied while you sip a latte. Check the website for weekly story times and events. Beware that these stores have pretty robust toy sections, so you may need to set expectations about what you will (and won't) be buying before you enter the store.

2. Apple Store – Bridgewater, Lawrence Township, Secaucus

Check the daily schedule and take a free kids' workshop on topics like "Make a Theme Song," "Code Your First App," or "Draw a Scene."

3. IKEA – Elizabeth and Paramus

Mega-stores may not be the first place you think of for passing a calm hour, but Ikea is in a league of its own. The Swedish home emporium's popular Småland has supervised play spaces with ball pits, and there's plenty more to keep kids engaged. Roam the store and let kids explore the bunk beds, tents, mini-tables, and toys scattered throughout the furniture displays. Visitors can enjoy the service for 30 minutes, but you can get an extra 30 minutes if you're a member. Follow up your play session with a healthy, kid-friendly lunch in the cafe. The Elizabeth location is near Newark Airport, so take-offs and landings may add some excitement to your outing.

4. Indigo Bookstore – Short Hills

This luxury bookstore, located in the Short Hills Mall, features a huge children's section with a cool train table, an oversized throne for reading, tables for coloring and creating, and even a foosball table.

5. Learning Express – Multiple Locations

At these jam-packed toy stores, you'll often find an activity table or train table tucked between toy shelves and stocked with demo toys for your play experts. In some stores with extra floor space, kids can take scooters around for a test drive. And check out these other great toy stores around the state for more small play areas, like the train table at Just Kidding Around in Montclair.

RELATED: Free Admission for Kids at Nearly 50 of NJ's Biggest Family Attractions

Dig through the bins to find all the perfect pieces for your own Lego Brick creation. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner

6. Lego – Multiple Locations

Little builders will love visiting this paradise of plastic bricks, and many stores have pint-sized Lego tables set up for tinkering. My kids could spend hours at the Minifigure bar, customizing their creations–even if they know there's no way they're coming home with us.

7. Toys R Us – East Rutherford

Housed in the American Dream mega-mall and entertainment complex, the retailer's only U.S. store is a two-level wonderland, complete with a twisty slide to whisk you from one floor to the other. Beyond the slide, you'll find 20,000 square feet of retail space complete with interactive experiences and product demos, plus photo-ops with Geoffrey the Giraffe.

8. Trailside Nature & Science Center – Watchung

Located on the Watchung Reservation, the Trailside Nature & Science Center houses several interactive exhibits, a children's discovery room, and several opportunities to learn about plants, animals, and Lenape Native Americans.

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9. Bell Works – Holmdel

This unique "metroburb" is open to the public 7 days a week. While the facility houses several businesses, the Holmdel Public Library, and a couple of restaurants, there's also an indoor basketball court that's open to the public on Sundays from 3-9pm, as well as a large turf field where kids can run and play. 

10. Freehold Raceway Mall – Freehold

Pass some time at the children's play area on the upper level next to The Carousel. Meant for pint-sized visitors, this spot is reserved for children under 42 inches.

RELATED: Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey kids

Take a seat while the kids play at the Disney Jr. Play Zone in Edison, NJ. Photo by Margaret Hargrove

11. Disney Jr. Play Zone – Edison

Toddlers and preschoolers love this spot in the Menlo Park Mall. Featuring all their favorite Disney Jr. cartoon characters, including Mickey Mouse and Friends, Puppy Dog Pals, and Muppet Babies, the play space is located on the upper level near Nordstrom's. Life-size Mickey ears, Minnie's Bow-Tique, touch-screen video games, a dance floor mat, and kid-sized roadsters keep kids busy, and there is plenty of bench seating for parents and a restroom nearby as well.

12. Chik-Fil-A – Multiple locations

Several locations have a small play zone that will keep toddlers busy while you grab a lemonade or a bite to eat. Search the restaurant directory for your local area and filter for "playground."

13. Westfield Garden State Plaza – Paramus

The Westfield Family PlaySpace offers plenty of romping room for toddlers and preschoolers, but also activities for older kids. It's located near the food court on the lower level. There's a soft, padded area for little ones, as well as climbing nets and a wall, bridges, and tunnels, a faux ship to climb aboard, and sensory fun like fish tanks and bright blinking lights for kids to touch. It has a Jersey Shore theme with plenty of nautical touches.

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Livingston Mall's play zone features small climbers and puzzles, and there's a mini carousel next door. Photo courtesy of the mall

14. Livingston Mall – Livingston

This bright, carpeted play zone features small climbers and puzzles to keep toddlers happy for a while. Comfortable adult seating means you can enjoy a break while the kids romp.

15. Paramus Park – Paramus

Toddlers and preschoolers love the ABC-themed climbing structures at this enclosed play area on the mall's second level. There's a mini slide, too, and just outside of the enclosed lot, you'll find paid kiddie rides and a few games.

16. Rockaway Townsquare – Rockaway

This play area has soft play fixtures that make this space a fun and safe place for kids to play. 

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17. New Jersey State Museum – Trenton

Enjoy interesting exhibits featuring fine art, fossils, historical artifacts, and archeological collections. Little ones can read books and burn off energy in the Discovery Den. There's also a planetarium, but you need to buy tickets to see the shows.

18. Rutgers Geology Museum – New Brunswick

This museum features minerals, fossils, and geological specimens, plus other neat things, like a dinosaur fossil and an ancient mummy.

19. Zimmerli Art Museum – New Brunswick

See beautiful art at this museum located on the Rutgers campus. There's an entire collection of original illustrations for children's literature. Note that the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and throughout August.

20. Princeton University Art Museum – Princeton

The public can see over 2,000 works of art at this great free museum.

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21. Family Sundays at Tulpehaking Nature Center – Hamilton

Sundays, 1:30-2:30pm

Head to the Tulpehaking Nature Center to make eco-friendly crafts, feed animals, and hear nature stories every Sunday.

22. Bookscape Babies and Tiger Tales at Cotsen Children's Library – Princeton

Tuesdays at 11:00am-12:00pm for Bookscape Babies, Fridays at 11:00am-12:00pm for Tiger Tales

The Cotsen Children's Library hosts great programs for babies (Tuesdays) and little kids (Fridays) with fun activities for the little ones and stories for older kids.

23. Annual Snowfest at Wicoff House Museum – Plainboro

Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 1:00 to 4:00pm

Sign up to enjoy this great free event with inflatables, crafts, ice carving, storytime, and an Olaf appearance. Then, snack on hot chocolate, snow cones, and s'mores.

And Don't Forget the Library!

Libraries are packed with FREE, fun activities—kids can watch movies, build with Legos, read to a therapy dog, make crafts, listen to stories, and more. Check your local library's website for info!

Which Free Indoor Spots Are Best for Toddlers vs. Teens?

Toddler Pick – Disney Junior Play Zone

Elementary Pick – Trailside Nature & Science Center

Elementary school-aged kids will enjoy learning about the different plants and animals in the Watchung Reservation area.

Tween/Teen Pick – Zimmerli Art Museum

Bring kids to this free gallery to teach them how to observe and appreciate art.

Tween/Teen Pick – Bellworks

Teens can play basketball on the open indoor court on Sundays after 3 and grab a snack at Jersey Free ice cream afterward, which is open until 6 on Sundays.

FAQ: Free Indoor Places to Play in New Jersey

What can kids do indoors for free in NJ?
NJ has some fantastic free museums and art galleries to enjoy. And nearly all public libraries have no-cost playtimes, craft time, art workshops, and story time for kids. Some even host musical playtimes.

Are there free indoor playgrounds in NJ?
Yes! In NJ, many malls have indoor play areas that are open to the public for free. One especially nice one is the Disney Play Zone at Menlo Park Mall.

Where can I go on a rainy day with kids in NJ?
Some of the best spots are local libraries, free museums, or a mall playground.

What are the best free things to do indoors with toddlers in New Jersey?
Library and nature center storytimes are perfect for little ones. Mall play zones will also keep kids busy for a while.

Do museums in New Jersey have free days?
Yes, many museums in NJ have free days or free admission. The New Jersey State Museum is great for families. And Rutgers has both a Geology Museum and Zimmerli Art Museum.

Originally published in 2017, this post is updated annually.