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The Ultimate Guide to New Jersey Indoor Activities for Kids and Teens

It’s too hot to play outside in the sun. It’s too cold to be outdoors. It’s rainy! It’s snowing! While we love being outdoors nearly every other week or so it seems that the weather does not cooperate for outdoor play and exploration. Now that things are returning to a new ‘normal’ and our favorite New Jersey indoor attractions have reopened it’s time to share some great ideas for New Jersey indoor activities.

As you read through our guide, please know we’ve taken time to think about every age group. Whether your kids are little and just starting to toddler around or you have teenagers who are looking for adventurous activities or kids who just need to burn off steam consider this guide to New Jersey indoor activities your ultimate resource for NJ rainy day activities, snowy day activities, or just things to do when you don’t want to be outdoors.

Our guide to indoor activities in New Jersey includes over 100 activities and indoor attractions. We;ve made sure to include locations all across New Jersey. It’s a work in progress. As we discover new locations we think your family will enjoy we’ll add it to the list. Bookmark this, save it, or make a note to come back and check it often. If you have additions to the list please email [email protected].

Quick note

When possible we’ve included direct links to these indoor attractions to help you lean more about them. Some links will take you to our article about the attraction. Other links may take you to the business’ website. Others will be direct links to purchase tickets to some of these New Jersey indoor activities. Through our online ticket booth, we work with Ares Travel, Tripster, Goldstar, and other ticket partners as an affiliate publisher. With each of those ticket sales, we (Jersey Family Fun) earn a small commission that helps support this site and those we employ to help us provide the great content you’ve come to depend on us for. We thank you for your support.

The Ultimate Guide to New Jersey Indoor Activities for Kids and Teens for Rainy, Snow, Hot, or Too Cold Days

100 New Jersey Indoor Activities for Kids and Teens

In our research to find the best New Jersey indoor activities for kids and teens, we certainly found more than 100. We’re starting with our favorite 100 NJ indoor activities but read to the end to find more than 100 great suggestions for indoor fun.

Gaming at New Jersey Arcades

We all know kids and teens love gaming. So why not take them to the best New Jersey arcades? Your kids are sure to love and appreciate this indoor activity!

11 Awesome Arcades in New Jersey

  1. Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park, NJ
  2. Lucky Snake Arcade in Atlantic City, NJ
  3. The Funplex in East Hanover and Mount Laurel
  4. iPlay America in Freehold
  5. Game Vault in Morristown
  6. Starcade in Mays Landing
  7. Family Fun Arcade in Cape May
  8. Go Play Arcade in Belmar
  9. The Big Event in Cherry Hill
  10. Rack N Roll Family Fun Center in Passaic

A few more arcades in New Jersey

Silverball Museum Pinball Arcade in Asbury Park, New Jersey

Ride the rides at New Jersey Indoor Amusement Parks

What if I told you that you could find roller coasters and amusement parks that weren’t just outside? Well, there are in fact several, fun New Jersey indoor amusement parks to explore with your kids and teens!

Incredible Indoor Amusement Parks in New Jersey

  1. iPlay America in Freehold, NJ
  2. Nickelodeon Universe in East Rutherford, NJ – Get discount Nickelodeon Universe tickets.
  3. The Funplex Entertainment Complex in East Hanover, NJ, and Mount Laurel, NJ
Fun times on the Freedom Rider at iPlay America
Fun times on the Freedom Rider!

See the sea life at New Jersey Aquariums

One of the things that make New Jersey so special is that we are so close to the Atlantic Ocean. However, if you do not have a local beach or it happens to be a rainy day, I would implore you to check out the many fantastic New Jersey aquariums! Aquariums are great for kids and teens of all ages who want to learn more about sea life around the world.

Amazing Aquariums in New Jersey

  1. Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ
  2. Sea Life Aquarium in East Rutherford, NJ – Get discount Sea Life Aquarium tickets.
  3. SeaQuest Aquarium in Woodbridge, NJ – Get SeaQuest Aquarium tickets.
  4. Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant, NJ

These New Jersey Aquariums are currently closed

  • Atlantic City Aquarium
  • Seaport Aquarium in Wildwood, NJ
Boy-in-clear-tunnel-in-fish-tank-at-Sea-Life-Aquarium

Splash it up New Jersey Indoor Waterparks

For those of you who do not have a local beach, it can be hard to find somewhere to take the kids during those hot summer days. If this is the case for you, I would urge you to check out the multiple indoor waterparks New Jersey has to offer!

Indoor waterparks in New Jersey

  1. DreamWorks Water Park in East Rutherford, NJ – Get DreamWorks Water Park tickets (affiliate link).
  2. Big Kahuna’s Water Park in West Berlin, NJ
  3. Biosphere at Crystal Spring Resort in Hamburg, NJ
Biosphere at Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs Resort

Score a hole in one at New Jersey Indoor Mini Golf Ranges

Indoor mini-golf ranges are a terrific place to go with your kids and teens. Mini-golf is fun for the whole family and you are sure to enjoy your time at all the impressive indoor mini-golf ranges New Jersey has to offer.

11 Impressive Indoor Mini Golf Ranges in New Jersey

  1. Angry Birds Mini Golf at American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ (affiliate link)
  2. Blacklight Mini Golf American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ (affiliate link)
  3. Haunted Golf in Ocean City, NJ
  4. Monster Mini Golf has 5 locations in New Jersey: Cherry Hill, Eatontown, Edison, Fairfield, and Paramus
  5. Laser One in Wantage, NJ
  6. Dragons Lair Mini Golf in Wildwood, NJ
  7. DiDonato Family Fun Center in Hammonton, NJ
Blacklight-Mini-Golf-at-American-Dream

Avoid the Lasers at New Jersey Laser Tag Locations

Laser tag is very popular with kids and teens and can be a great way to get some exercise. Luckily for you, New Jersey has some of the best laser tag locations for kids and teens. All of the ones we’ve chosen to list below have indoor laser tag.

14 Laser Tag locations in New Jersey

  1. iPlay America in Freehold, NJ offers laser tag
  2. The Funplex Entertainment Complex in East Hanover, NJ, and Mount Laurel, NJ have laser tag courses.
  3. These Monster Mini Golf locations in New Jersey also offer laser tag: Cherry Hill, Eatontown, and Fairfield.
  4. Circle Bowl & Entertainment in Ledgewood, NJ offers indoor laser tag.
  5. Tac Ops laser tag has locations for indoor laser tag in Fairfield, NJ, and Florham Park, NJ.
  6. Laser One in Wantage, NJ.
  7. Bounce About in Toms River, NJ offers laser tag.
  8. Bullseye Lasertag in Edison, NJ.
  9. BB Grandslam in South Plainfield, NJ.
  10. Lively Laser Tag in Springfield, NJ.
iPlay America laser tag
My two teens insist on playing lasertag on every iPlay America visit.

Strap on the skates at New Jersey Indoor Roller Skating Rinks

Indoor roller skating rinks are a great way to get cardio and exercise on muggy and rainy days. If you are not a superb skater or just don’t know how to, many indoor roller skating rink locations also offer lessons on how to skate!

Indoor Roller Skating Rinks in New Jersey

  1. Young’s Skating Center in Mays Landing, NJ
  2. Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Center in Newark, NJ
  3. Inline Skating Club of America in North Arlington, NJ
  4. South Amboy Arena Rollermagic in South Amboy, NJ
  5. The Woodbridge Community Center in Woodbridge, NJ has its own indoor roller skating rink.
  6. Jackson Skating Center Rollermagic in Jackson, NJ
  7. Florham Park Roller Skating Rink
  8. Villa Roller Rink in Washington Township, NJ
  9. The Rink in Delanco, NJ
  10. Hot Wheelz Skating Center in Cherry Hill, NJ

Visit our guide to where to skate in New Jersey for more roller skating rinks in New Jersey.

Roller skates waiting on a counter at South Jersey roller skating rink

Avoid the Gutters at New Jersey Bowling Alleys

Bowling alleys are a great location for indoor parties and get-togethers on hot, cold, or rainy days. Kids and teens are sure to have fun knocking down pins at any of the numerous bowling alleys in New Jersey.

Bowling Alleys in New Jersey

We’re excited to share that we now have a statewide listing of bowling alleys in New Jersey complete with details about how many bowling lanes they offer, when they’re open, if they offer cheap bowling specials, and if they have free bowling games for kids.

Bowling-balls-line-up-in-rack-at-bowling-alley-near-me-in-nj

Make and Take a Project at New Jersey Art Studios

If you have kids or teens that love to paint, make pottery, or create mosaics, you should definitely take them to any of the art studios around New Jersey for a great indoor activity. You and your kids are sure to have fun using your creativity to make unique art.

Make and Take art studios in New Jersey

  1. Color Me Mine has several locations in New Jersey
  2. Glazed Over Studios in Ocean City, NJ
  3. Coming soon, more listings.

Jump for Joy at New Jersey Trampoline Parks

If your kids are anything like my brothers and I, we love to jump and move around. Indoor trampoline parks are a great way for kids and teens to let out their boundless energy and have an enjoyable time too. We have over 20 indoor trampoline parks in New Jersey that will have the whole family jumping for joy!

Today’s NJ trampoline parks are not just inground indoor trampolines. They feature sky ladders and battle beams over foam pits, dodgeball courts and climbing walls over trampoline floors, ninja courses, and bouncy basketball courts. You may find that they’re a great family activity any day, not just an indoor day.

Nj trampoline park boy climbing rope ladder over foam square pit
Photo Credit Lynn W.

Escape to one of the New Jersey Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are a unique way to test your deductive and problem-solving skills and you are sure to have a blast with your kids as you attempt to solve the challenging puzzles that escape rooms offer.

Start with these 21 Exciting escape rooms in New Jersey

  1. Escape Room NJ has 4 locations in New Jersey: Englewood, Madison, Pompton Lakes, and Hackensack. (Kids under 13 years old must be accompanied by an adult.)
  2. The Escape Game American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ (Kids under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.)
  3. The 13th Hour Escape Room in Wharton, NJ. (Must be 13 years of age or older to enter.)
  4. Puzzle Out has 3 locations in New Jersey: Hoboken, Jersey City, and Newark. (Most games can be enjoyed by children 8 and above, with adult supervision.)
  5. Escapology has 2 New Jersey locations: Garwood and Holmdel. (Families are encouraged to play together but anyone under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.)
  6. Escape Garden State in Fairfield, NJ. (Kids under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.)
  7. Escape Room Cape May in Cape May, NJ. (Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.)
  8. Solve it Sherlock in Neptune, NJ. (Kids under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.)
  9. Amazing Escape Room has 6 locations in New Jersey: Montclair, Green Brook, Cherry Hill, Edison, Freehold, and Princeton. (players under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.)
  10. Escape at the Shore in Northfield, NJ.
Puzzle Out has 3 escape room locations in New Jersey, great indoor activities in New Jersey.
Photo Credit Puzzle Out

Watch the Stars indoors at New Jersey Planetariums

If your kids love space, planetariums are a must-do indoor activity in New Jersey. Most planetariums offer shows that give their viewers a glance at the vast solar system we live in and your kids and teens are sure to love them. Additionally, NJ planetariums offer exciting laser light shows set to music of the past as well as today.

Planetariums in New Jersey

  1. Fredric and Jean Edelman Planetarium in Glassboro, NJ
  2. Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ
  3. New Jersey State Museum Planetarium in Trenton, NJ

Learn more in our guide to New Jersey Planetariums And Observatories to SEE Stars, Planets, Constellations, and More.

The Liberty Science Center Planetarium, named the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, is the largest in the Western Hemisphere.
Liberty Science Center’s planetarium is so large we can’t fit it all in one picture.

Catch a show at New Jersey Performing Arts Theatres

Going to see a show at a performing arts theatre is another fun way to spend a rainy day. Many theatres offer kid-friendly shows or children’s programming. Take a look at these theater schedules to see what they are offering in the days and weeks ahead.

Performing Arts Theatres in New Jersey

  • Coming soon.
New Jersey indoor activities for kids and teens, perfect for rainy day activities, snow day activities, or when you just want to be indoors. - Child looks out window at rain

More Fabulous New Jersey Indoor Activities for Kids and Teens

Explore a museum

Museums are another option to spend a rainy, cold, or especially hot day with your kids and teens. Museums are educative and fun for all ages and you are sure to have a delightful time. We’ve listed below some of our favorite NJ museums. With interactive exhibits, kids’ activities, and shows you can’t go wrong planning a visit to one of them.

Our favorite New Jersey museums

  • Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ
  • Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum in Tuckerton, NJ

Try out figure skating at NJ indoor ice skating rinks

Love to skate? Want to learn? Consider indoor ice skating rinks as another option for indoor activities in New Jersey. If you don’t know how to skate, some locations offer lessons and equipment to help new skaters.

Indoor Ice Skating Rinks in New Jersey

  • Coming soon.
Leaving after ice skating at Codey Arena in West Orange NJ - ice skating is a great indoor activity in New Jersey

Fly through the sky with indoor skydiving

Are you looking for thrills for you and your kids in New Jersey? Well, indoor skydiving may be for you. It’s definitely the most adventurous of these New Jersey indoor activities. Indoor skydiving is a safe way to have an extreme experience with your kids and teens. Check out the iFLY indoor skydiving website for details about indoor skydiving in Paramus.

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