55+ Things to Do Indoors in New Jersey - NJ Family (2024)

Here are 55+ things to do indoors around the state to keep the brood busy when the weather keeps you inside.

1. Instead of climbing the walls at home, get them in a harness and have them do some rock climbing.

   

2. Enjoy the comforts of a heated pool at an indoor water park. Island Waterpark at Showboat Atlantic City opened earlier this year and is open year-round.

3. Try an indoor golf simulator where you can work on your swing and accuracy, but some centers have other screen-based games like dodgeball, baseball and football. Adventure Crossing recently opened its new sports and entertainment center, or try a place like 1776 by David Burke that has dinner offerings, too.

4. Get your skate on at one of these great roller rinks. Most will let you choose between in-line or four-wheel skates. Or learn to skate or show off your triple lutz at an ice skating rink.

   

5. Go stargazing at one of NJ’s many planetariums and observatories.

6. Don’t let the weather strike you out: go bowling!

7. Let the kids try for a hole in one at glow-in-the-dark mini golf. Don’t forget to dress them in whites or neons so they can get the full effect.

8. Paintball isn’t an option for really little kids, but they can get some target practice by playing laser tag.

9. Climb, jump, run and have a blast at any of these indoor play places.

   

10. Go “underwater” at Adventure Aquarium. The kids will love feeding stingrays, touching starfish and walking through the shark tunnel.

11. Spend the day at American Dream, where you and the kids can go indoor snowboarding at Big Snow, play minigolf, ride rollercoasters at Nickelodeon Universe, ice skate on their rink or enjoy some water fun at the Dream Works Water Park. Eat at MrBeast Burger or shop at Babies “R” Us.

    

12. Combine learning and fun at a Jersey museum. Learn about the prehistoric history of NJ at the Rutgers Geology Museum, or our overall past at the New Jersey State Museum. Looking for something new? Visit these off-the-beaten-path museums.

13. Spice up your culinary skills at a cooking class. Learn sweet and savory, cooking and baking techniques.

14. Yoga and meditation are super beneficial for kids, so look into taking a mommy and me yoga class at your local YMCA.

15. Catch a flick at an indoor movie theater, or go more upscale at a dine-in.

16. Head to your local library, where you can sit in on storytime, read to a therapy dog, play board games or rent something to take home.

17. If you feel like playing detective, seeing larger-than-life artwork or learning about history, an immersive experience is for you! Different rooms are transformed into scenes from your favorite artist, superhero or TV show so you feel like you’re in the middle of the action.

    

18. Lucy the Elephant is back! He (yes, Lucy is a male) is now open for you to tour inside after years of renovations. See this 90-ton historic landmark in Margate while you’re at the Jersey Shore.

19. Enjoy a few blissfully quiet minutes of pampering (along with a nice foot massage) by taking your kid with you for a mani-pedi, or even host your own spa party right at home.

20. Show off your artistic side by painting a winter scene on canvas. You can go to a studio or sign up for a virtual class, where you get the supplies to paint at home via video instruction.

    

21. Escape Earth (and the weather) at Liberty Science Center, and don’t miss the awesome suspended-in-midair infinity climber.

22. Fan conventions are a great draw for comic book lovers, Christmas movie fans and those who want to be scared out of their pants. Whether it’s Christmas Con, Horror Con or a sports card and collectibles show, there are lots of day or weekend expos you can visit to meet some beloved celebs, buy memorabilia and see props from your favorite shows.
23. Check your local YMCA or gym for open swim hours.
24. Play some pinball at an awesome NJ arcade, like the Silverball Museum in Asbury Park or Yestercades, which has locations around the state.
25. Put on an apron, wash your hands and start signing “That’s Amore” as you make your own personal pizza pies.

    

26. If your kid loves boats, don’t miss the Intrepid Museum in NYC or Battleship NJ in Camden.

27. See some impressive horse stunts, a full-on joust and falconry at Medieval Times.

    

28. Hit an indoor amusem*nt park. Head to iPlay America, which is complete with an indoor boardwalk inspired by the Jersey Shore. The Lucky Snake Arcade at the Showboat in Atlantic City has lots of attractions for kids, too.

29. Learn some self-defense and be on your way to becoming a black belt at a karate class.

30. Practice your swing at Topgolf in Edison or Mount Laurel.

31. Do some glassblowing down the shore to Hot Sand Asbury Park or make glass crafts in Morristown at Glassworks Studio.

32. Got antsy kids? Take them to Insectropolis!, NJ’s Only Bugseum.

33. Teach the kids the importance of giving by volunteering at a local shelter together.

34. Got a kid who wants to be a fireman? Head to the New York City Fire Museum.

35. She’ll feel like a secret agent when she tries cracking codes and solving puzzles in a NJ escape room.

    

36. Head to NYC for tons of kid-friendly funlike the High Line, Times Square, Sugar Factory or the Gazillion Bubble Show.

37. Let them bang on some real drums instead of pots and pans at a music class close to home.

38. After an hour-long bouncing session at a trampoline park full of flips and dodgeball, they’ll be pooped in the best way.

39. Snag tix to an awesome show at an NJ theater, like NJPAC, SOPAC, MPAC, bergenPAC, Count Basie Center for the Arts or State Theatre NJ.

40. There are lots of hidden and mysterious caves and caverns in the area, so it’s time to go exploring!

41. See an underground rainbow and watch rocks light up under UV lights at the Sterling Hill Mine Museum or go underground at the Franklin Mine Museum.

42. Grab some Betty Crocker mixes, a bunch of decorations (think sprinkles or M&Ms) and invite their friends over for a baking party. Want to avoid the mess? Get one of these over-the-top sweet treats.

43. Are your kids pros at being dramatic? They can try their hand at acting, music or comedy.

    

44. Little builders will go wild for these LEGO-filled at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center at American Dream.

45. Take to the skies (or rather, wind-filled tunnels) at iFlyin Paramus. You and the kiddos (ages 3 and up) can suit up and try your hand at indoor skydiving.

46. Celebrate a local sports legends at the Yogi Berra Museum.

47. Head to Zimmerli Art Museum for family activities on the first Sunday of every month.

48. Brighten your day with some animals at a local zoo, like Van Saun Park or Turtle Back Zoo and visit the indoor exhibits.

    

49. Let older kids channel their inner Jeff Gordon driving go-karts at RPM Raceway, or spend the day at Supercharged where not only can you drive on one of two of the world’s longest indoor karting tracks, but you can go on rides, play in two arcades, throw axes and ride on the bumper cars.

50. Take a trip to the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA, where kids can color, learn history and even create their own crayon. Better yet, make a day out of it and explore Lehigh Valley.

51. Everyone loves a good old-fashioned bounce house. Bounce U, Pump It Up and Jump On Inoffer inflatables galore for your kids to hop and slide on all afternoon.

    

52. Let the battles begin! Pups of War Arena in East Brunswick and Freehold is Nerf battleground where kids 4+ – and adults – can run around with their dart blasters.
53. Check out a traveling exhibit. Events like Jurassic Quest, Monster Jam and the circus come to NJ quite often throughout the year.

54. Northlandz is the world’s largest miniature wonderland, featuring more than 100 model trains running on 8 miles of tracks. Bring the kids for the one-mile self-guided tour.

55. At some point you have to eat. Try a cool concept like revolving sushi or hot pot, get yourself a bagel flight, or stay inside and order via the Wonder app.

56. Spend some quality time reading with your kids. Especially if it’s cold or rainy, it’s the perfect time to snuggle under a blanket for story time.

57. Visit a lighthouse along the shore and climb your way to the top.

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Read More:
60 Things to Do Outdoors in NJ