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8 comments on Indoor Family Fun In and Around Central NJ

Indoor Family Fun In and Around Central NJ

Rainy or cold? If you want to have fun indoors in the greater Lakewood area, here’s our master list of things to do with kids.

The kids are home and you want to have some fun together out of the house, but perhaps the weather is just not so inviting. If you’re in the Lakewood, NJ area, we’ve got a list of places you can go for some wholesome family fun! While some may require a bit of traveling, most ideas are right near by!

Click on the links for more information about any of the destinations listed here. 

Adventure and Active Fun

Climbzone – Indoor rock climbing with creative themes. Climbing walls are rated by difficulty level.

Recommended for ages 5 and up. Older girls might be uncomfortable with tznius compromise of harnesses.

5369 US-9
Howell Township, NJ 07731

732-813-8300

visit here

Adventure and Active Fun

Sky Zone – Trampoline park

Recommended for ages 3 and up. Wear lightweight clothing with leggings under dresses.

1001 New Hampshire Ave
Lakewood, NJ 08701

609-398-4759

visit here

Adventure and Active Fun

Urban Air – Trampoline park

Recommended for ages 3 and up. Wear lightweight clothing with leggings under dresses.

1256 Indian Head Rd
Toms River, NJ 08755

732-659-9060

visit here

Bowling and Ice Skating

Finnigan’s Lanes

101 Locust St
Lakewood, NJ 08701

732-364-8080

visit here

Bowling and Ice Skating

Ocean Lanes

2085 Lanes Mill Rd
Lakewood, NJ 08701

732-363-3421

visit here

Bowling and Ice Skating

Playdrome Lanes

821 Conifer St
Toms River, NJ 08753

732-349-5345

visit here

Bowling and Ice Skating

Howell Ice Arena

with a second location in Wall, NJ

269 Squankum Rd
Farmingdale, NJ 07727

732-919-7800

visit here

Bowling and Ice Skating

The Ice Palace

197 Chambers Brg Rd
Brick Township, NJ 08723

609-755-5885

visit here

Roller Skating

United Skates

Skates and rollerblades

2270 W County Line Rd
Jackson Township, NJ 08527

732-363-2222

visit here

Crafts

The Paintbrush

Very centrally located

1700 Madison Ave
Lakewood, NJ 08701

​732-385-3400

visit here

Crafts

Slime Light

1580 US-9
Toms River, NJ 08755
Jonathan Plaza, Unit 19

732-800-6007



visit here

Crafts

Slime University

Mix your own slime, add scents and charms, and play!

56 Chambers Brg Rd
Brick Township, NJ 08723

732) 475-9351

visit here

Slime World

3710 US-9
Freehold, NJ 07728
Freehold Raceway Mall

732-209-3991

visit here

Crafts

Hot Sand – Glass blowing

Recommended for 5 and up

550 Cookman Ave, Suite 103
Asbury Park, NJ 07712

732-927-5475

visit here

Arcades and Escape Rooms

iPlay America – arcades, laser tag, rides, ropes course…

110 Schanck Rd
Freehold, NJ 07728

732-577-8200

If you want a similar option in Northern NJ, check out Funplex with two locations.

visit here

Arcades and Escape Rooms

Chuck E Cheese’s – arcades and play space for younger children

56 Chambers Brg Rd
Brick Township, NJ 08723

732-262-9200

visit here

Arcades and Escape Rooms

Amazing Escape Room 

2 Monmouth Ave
Freehold, NJ 07728(Additional locations in other parts of NJ)

732–333–0448

 

visit here

Arcades and Escape Rooms

 

Escape the Puzzle

473 Broadway
Long Branch, NJ 07740

732-995-9004



visit here

Toddler and Preschool Fun

Magic Sky Play

165 Amboy Rd, Suite 706
Morganville, NJ 07751

732-970-6644



visit here

Libraries and Bookstores

Barnes & Noble

Nearby locations include Brick [44 Brick Plaza], Freehold [3981 US Hwy 9] and Eatontown [180 Route 35]

visit here

Libraries and Bookstores

Ocean County Library

There are a nice amount of nearby branches. Check website for planned activities.

library branches listed here

Destinations

Genius Gems

It’s the world’s largest collection of Magnatiles–so build to your heart’s content. 

There’s both a NJ (approx. 1 hour from Lakewood) and a NYC location.

215 Millburn Ave
Millburn, NJ 07041

973-376-2623



visit here

Destinations

Pier Village

There’s lots to do in Pier Village, even in the winter. For fun, there’s Arcades and Pier Pins (the cutest bowling alley), and take a ride on the Pier Village Carousel For crafty activities, there’s Little Words Project and Blue Skies Pottery. Then, choose from one of the kosher restaurants for lunch, including Pepe’s Kitchen (pizza), LBK Grill, and more. 

50 Chelsea Ave
Long Branch, NJ 07740

732-923-0100



visit here

Destinations

The Crayola Experience

This one is a trip away, but worth the travel once in a while, as the Crayola Factory offers activities that delight younger children. It’s a magical, colorful world. 

30 Centre Square
Easton, PA 18042

610-515-8000



visit here

Destinations

American Dream

See our post on all the activities you can explore at American Dream.



visit here

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Esti Waldman

Esti’s career has brought her behind the lens of food, fashion, books, and families as a leading photographer. Her talent and technical know-how make the photography you see on the site so appealing.

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8 responses to “Indoor Family Fun In and Around Central NJ”

  1. BF Avatar
    BF

    These are all great destinations and lots of fun but not cheap! Any free or cheap ideas would be appreciated. When paying admission for multiple family members it adds up!

    Reply
    1. M Avatar
      M

      To add to the library idea, in additon to being free the Tom’s river branch and possibly the jackson brach have a sensory room as well as a craft room with a cricket machine for use. You need to check times online.
      Another free idea if there’s snow on the ground, Holmdel park has an awesome sledding hill. Bring your own sleds.

      Reply
  2. R. Avatar
    R.

    I did Hot Sands with two adults. It is expensive, and they don’t really let you do too much of the actual work. Glass store in Morristown (I can’t recall the name) that does fused glass is so much more hands on.

    Reply
    1. Dana Berlin Avatar
      Dana Berlin

      Classwork in Morristown

      Reply
      1. Dana Berlin Avatar
        Dana Berlin

        Glassworks

        Reply
  3. AB Avatar
    AB

    The Ocean County Mall in Toms River has a play area for little kids outside of JC Penny & Old Navy that’s free.

    Reply
  4. RL Avatar
    RL

    The OC library website offers free museum passes to various museums in NY, NJ, and PA. You need a library card to get them.

    Reply
  5. Dena Avatar
    Dena

    We went to Pier Village today so I figured I’ll report back here for others benefit. Pier Village is an area of upscale shops and some attractions along a boardwalk right on the beach. There’s plenty of parking and you can easily park once and walk btwn your destinations. We had lunch at Pepe’s Pizza (something btwn a pizza shop and a proper restaurant), rode the carousel a few times, and went bowling in Pier Pins (they only have 4 lanes so definitely reserve in advance!). It was a nice low key day that wasn’t too exhausting for the moms (no crowds and not too much walking). It’s a very picturesque spot for just walking around, taking pictures or watching the ocean. Thanks btwn carpools for the recommendation!

    Reply

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