Throughout the winters in New Jersey, the outdoors are typically the last place you want to be. It’s cold, it’s icy, and you don’t want to spend the next two hours wrapped in three layers of coats. Nonetheless, your child’s energy doesn’t stop just because the temperature dipped. If you could use some ideas to keep them entertained, I have covered them for you. As a New Jersey family photographer, I spend a lot of time working with families so they can have long-lasting memories. Here are the indoor activities for kids in NJ I always recommend!
Get The Family Out Of The House With These Fantastic Indoor Activities For Kids In NJ
Big Snow
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073
If you want all the adventures of the outdoors but you don’t want the commitment, Big Snow is the indoor activities place for your kids in NJ! Located inside the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, this center brings you real snow for skiing and snowboarding. Even if you’ve never been on a board a day in your life, you are still going to adore this center. They have programs for people of all ages and all levels to get you slope-ready. In addition to their skiing, you will find other activities, including sledding and playing in the snow.
Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07305
Liberty Science Center has a way of taking all your child’s favorite characters and using them to teach science. They have a constant rotation of exhibits that let your child learn through friends like Curious George and Big Bird. Outside of their pop culture favorites, they offer a climbing gym, a world-class planetarium, and a toddler space specifically created to tap into the minds of the youngest explorers. Older kids are going to adore the Touch Tunnel, where they will navigate an 80-foot pitch-black tunnel. Once they re-emerge, they will walk away with a renewed appreciation of their sight!
Imagine That!!!
4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, New Jersey 07932
Imagine That!!! is a NJ center that loves letting kids use their imagination to find their own activities and ways to learn. They offer open play from Tuesday through Sunday with interactive spaces where your child can create their own art, learn about STEM, build their own houses, or shop through kid-sized stores. They even have a three-story play place where your child can run around and get out all their energy. Across the 16,000-square-foot facility, you will find over 20 play areas. Trust me, your child is going to have no shortage of fun activities throughout their time here!
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey 08103
Adventure Aquarium has been around since 1992, but they keep finding brand new ways to remain exciting. The aquarium has been named the best in the entire East Coast. As you walk through each exhibit, you will learn about sea creatures from all across the globe. You can check out green and loggerhead sea turtles, jellyfish, stingrays, and two species of warm-weathered penguins. They have the largest collection of sharks in the entire Northeast, plus they are the only aquarium in the globe to have hippos on display! Throughout each visit, you are going to get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go behind the scenes of some of your favorite animals’ habitats.
Spark!Lab – Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Morris Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate in NJ that offers tons of fun activities for your child to explore. While the entire museum is definitely worth a trip, I suggest setting aside time for the Spark!Lab. You will need a separate ticket to access this part of the museum, though it is free with general admission. You will have a timed entry for a 30-minute session. During your time, your child will get to explore the invention workspace, where they can learn all about the history and the process of invention. This area was designed specifically for kids ages 5-12.
Exceptional Explorers
277 Eisenhower Pkwy, Unit 12C, Livingston, New Jersey 07039
If you have super energetic toddlers, Exceptional Explorers is going to be your new favorite spot! This indoor playground was made with toddlers in mind. It is bright and colorful, with wooden play ladders that lead up to aqua-blue slides. Your child will spend hours navigating the structure while building new friendships. Their open play is always a favorite, but I especially adore their classes! Whether your child loves science or the arts (or a mixture of the two!), this space has just the thing to get them excited! They also offer drop-off day camps for kids.
Planet Playskool
One Garden State Plaza Parkway, Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Planet Preschool is a NJ activities and play place that is unlike any other for kids! This center was created by Hasbro to give your child an immersive experience with some of their favorite toys and games. If you are a nineties kid, you are going to go wild over their life-sized version of Mouse Trap. Just like with the classic game, your child is going to get a chance to climb, crawl, and slide through a gigantic replica of the board game. There are STEAM activities along the way to keep their minds working! Next up is the Imagination Station, where your child can create anything they want out of Play-Doh. From the Easy Bake Cafe to the Spirograph Art Studio, both you and your child will find something to love across the 20,000-square-foot facility.
Skylands Ice World
2765 State Hwy 23, Stockholm, New Jersey 07460
Skylands Ice World is the perfect place to go for an ice skating session! They host daily public skating times where you can bring your family and enjoy a few rounds in the rink. In recent months, they have had to stop allowing skatewalkers and assists on the ice due to crowd concerns. Don’t let that deter you, though! They offer regular classes where kids of all ages can learn to skate! Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, you are going to have the best time ever trying out your skills here!
I Would Love To Know If Your Family Has More Favorite Indoor Activities For Kids In NJ
No matter the season, you need indoor activities for kids in NJ that can capture your child’s attention. With these New Jersey destinations, you can stop stressing about the forecast and just enjoy your day!
If you need more ways to make memories with your family, let’s chat! I am a New Jersey family photographer, and I adore working with parents to plan sessions so they can make the most of every minute. If you have been considering booking a session for your crew, I would love to connect! Send me a message today to find out more.
Sofia Ribeiro is a Summit NJ Family Photographer, NJ Newborn photographer, and NJ Maternity Photographer serving Elizabeth, Cranford, Westfield, Berkeley Heights, Mountainside, Clark, Rahway, Linden, and other Union County, NJ towns, as well as Essex, Sussex, Bergen, Morris, Somerset, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties in North and Central New Jersey. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram & Facebook!
Leave a Reply