With cold weather and snow on the horizon, families need fun day trip ideas to stay active this season. New Jersey boasts numerous indoor play destinations.
Burn off energy at iPlay America in Freehold or RPM Raceway in Jersey City; ignite light bulb moments at Liberty Science Center as well.
1. American Dream
The American Dream is a multifaceted concept that has evolved throughout time, yet remains consistent in terms of both individual elements such as upward mobility and global cultural dominance and diplomacy. Many embrace its notions, yet its dark underbelly can be seen among millions of American families living in suburban America. At The Great Indoors Theatre we present plays which address this topic from various angles.
2. Discovery Center
At the Discovery Center, visitors can learn about nature and wildlife through interpretive exhibits, workshops, events and a self-guided Nature Trail. Children’s programs, family friendly classes and activities are offered year round at this museum, along with an owl observational aviary, Delaware River Sturgeon sculpture by artist Kate Graves and an outdoor classroom equipped with an insect hotel and natural resources garden.
Visit American Dream Mall’s ultimate indoor LEGO(tm) playground and experience three hours of family-friendly fun – featuring a LEGO(tm)-themed train ride, 4D cinema experience, MINILAND(tm), which is an exact scale model of New York City and New Jersey landmarks constructed entirely out of LEGO bricks!
The Discovery Center features a LEGO store, NINJAGO Soft Play Area and Build Challenge Arena as well as virtual reality experiences via Xperiment VR. Monster Mini Golf provides fun for kids of all ages with climate-controlled hitting bays filled with music and silly monsters as they putt and play for hours on end in climate controlled hitting bays surrounded by lively music pulsing out pulsating music while playful monsters make appearances on every hole! Or skate around at local roller rinks for an active family day out!
3. Liberty Science Center
The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City features hands-on science exhibitions, 3D theater, an IMAX dome theatre and a planetarium. As a popular field trip destination, LSC attracts tens of thousands of children and their families each year; teachers particularly appreciate LSC’s extensive array of curriculum-linked STEM programs for preschool through technical school students.
Kids of all ages can climb, play and learn as they explore a fascinating world of science. Many exhibits challenge kids’ sense of sight as they navigate an 80ft crawl space completely pitch black while others offer virtual and augmented reality experiences for an unforgettable adventure.
Visitors to The Exhibit can experience a special exhibit featuring scenes and characters from the popular video game Minecraft for a limited time, no matter their preference of video games. You’ll put your problem-solving skills to the test while moving through its gallery, using puzzle blocks to construct digital creations of your own!
Wild About Animals provides guests with an opportunity to gain knowledge about the Hudson River ecosystem while meeting creatures such as cotton-top tamarin monkeys, naked mole rats and more. Meanwhile, The Building 2023 by Argentine conceptual artist Leandro Erlich explores how art and science connect. Guests will also find a full cafe, nursing room for moms as well as free live science shows as well as an impressive gift shop within this museum.
4. Jungle Jim & Jane
Jungle Jim & Jane is an excellent play area for kids of different ages. It strikes an excellent balance between features caretakers value (padded areas, tissues and hand sanitizer) and stimulating options for children themselves – such as treehouse climbing or rotating circular benches that mimic Magic Kingdom teacups – and exciting options such as fast slides with pictures projected onto them or shooting moving images like arcade games. There are even STEM toys and an adorable house where children can build their own walls!
5. Palisades Climb Adventure/Sky Tykes Adventure Course
Palisades Climb Adventure stands 85 feet tall, making it the world’s highest indoor ropes course. Offering five levels of challenge for adventurers of all ages to experience all year-round weather-proof fun. Children aged nine years or above can participate on the main course while there’s also a Sky Tykes ropes course for children 48″ or smaller.
At Tykes Tuesdays at the mall, children under 12 can take part in free activities that are specifically tailored for them. Jellio World provides the ideal place to capture memories with selfies; other activities may include learning about domestic animals at Hi-Tor Animal Care Center while making crafts to take home; an animal story session hosted by Barnes & Noble; or skating on Palisades Center Ice Rink with complimentary skate rentals!
Want to experience something completely new? WonderWorks offers six extraordinary wonder zones designed to give families hours of family fun. Experience high-speed laser tag battles, the exhilarating 4D Extreme Motion Ride XD theater ride or explore an inverted tunnel; there are even plenty of activities designed specifically for smaller kids like black-light mazes and 4D Interactive Dome theater rides!
6. Bounce! Trampoline Sports
Bounce offers everything you need for both cardio workouts and recreation at one convenient facility: trampoline courts where you can play organized sports like dodgeball and slam dunk basketball, aerobics classes, inflatable bounce houses, party rooms, and a snack bar – everything that will help you to burn calories or just have some fun!
At this facility, visitors will also find an extreme court that features a foam pit, three-lane bungee jump and ninja/obstacle course. To prevent injury, jumpers must either jump barefoot or wear special nonslip Bounce! socks available for purchase.
Rob and Mai Riley of Rockland County are franchisors for this local business that will open at Valley Cottage shopping center. After seeing potential in this brand while visiting its original New York location, the couple saw potential in expanding it with additional attractions, such as black light nights. Upfront investment for this franchise varies based on territory fees, construction costs and grand opening marketing costs; unlock your free guide to learn more.