Beat winter boredom with these great indoor places for kids to play, have fun and burn off energy! Be sure to call the venue in advance to confirm hours of operation and tell them Macaroni Kid sent you!
FREE PLAYSPACES
BARNES AND NOBLE
The Children's Department of Barnes and Noble in Paramus has a nice area for children to roam, and play with trains and LEGO duplo. It also hosts regular storytimes. Check Macaroni Kid's calendar for local listings. Open Mondays through Saturdays. 767 Route 17 South, Paramus, 201-445-4589.
BERGEN COUNTY ZOO AT VAN SAUN
Admission to the Bergen County Zoo is free November through May. The zoo's Education Center has puzzles and LEGOs to play with along with snakes, lizards and frogs to check out. Open everyday. 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, 201-262-3771.
MALLS
Garden State Plaza and Paramus Park each offers a free indoor playspace for little children to climb, slide and play in. A word of warning - depending on the time of day, these could get crowded with older kids. Open Mondays through Saturdays when the mall is open. Garden State Plaza playspace is adjacent to the food court, near the garage entrance. Paramus Park's playspace is located near Sears.
PAY AS YOU GO PLAYSPACES
THE BIG PLAYHOUSE
The Big Playhouse offers endless imaginative play for kids under the age of 6 in a safe, clean environment. Open play available Tuesdays - Fridays. RSVP required. 316 Kinderkamack Road in Westwood, Westwood, 201-314-6341.
BILLY BEEZ
Fun for all ages, Billy Beez offers fast slides, trampolines, a toddler area, snack bar, and plenty of space for kids to roam and explore. Macaroni Tip: For little ones, arrive between 10-11AM before the big kids get there. Open everyday. Palisades Center Mall, West Nyack, NY, 845-535-9277.
BOUNCE U
Open bounce every weekday for kids who are at least 34" tall. Pizza and drinks included in admission Friday afternoons. 70 Eisenhower Drive, Paramus, 201-843-5880.
BRUNSWICK ZONE BOWLING
Bowl, play video games, eat, drink and have fun. Open everyday, with nightly specials. Ages 5 and up. 22-22 Maple Avenue, Fairlawn, 201-391-3400.
CHUCK E CHEESE
Enjoy arcade games, play games to win tickets for prizes. There is a small play area for children under 4, but best for ages 5 and up. Open everyday. 275 Rt 4 West, Paramus, 201-487-1088.
FASHION CAMP NJ
Create one-of-a-kind shirts, hats and accessories in Fashion Camp's Open Design studio. For ages 7 and up. Open everyday. 512 Livingston Street, Norwood, 201-768-3600.
FUN FORCE
Enjoy roller skating, laser tag, bounce houses, and airblasters. For ages 4 and up. Open to the public Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 551 Main Avenue, Wallington, 973-777-0767.
JUMPIN JAX
Enjoy a 2-hour session or all day open play in its new indoor playspace featuring a soft-play area for babies and toddlers, a LEGO building area, rock climbing, ball shooters, zipline and more. For ages 8 and under. Open everyday. 600 Winters Avenue, Paramus, 201-261-3000.
JW TUMBLES
A learning playground for babies and children under 6 years old, JW Tumbles offers a clean, safe environment for children to play their indoor playground featuring a rock climbing wall, gymnastics equipment, slide, and ride-on toys. Open gym for members and non-members on select days and times throughout the week. 321 Broadway, Hillsdale, 201-453-3010.
KIDS PARTY PLAY & TUMBLE
Bounce and play all day. For ages 7 and under. Open everyday, call ahead especially on weekends to make sure open play is available. 465 Old Hook Road, Emerson, 201-523-9495.
MICHAEL'S
For crafty kids, check out Michael's Kids Club classes. For around $2, your child can make a craft project to take home while you shop. Ages age 3 and up. Check Macaroni Kid's calendar if there are available classes. Open Mondays through Saturdays, 240 Route 17 North, Paramus, 551-497-4338.
MONSTER MINI GOLF
Play 18 holes of indoor glow-in-the-dark miniature golf and arcade games. For ages 5 and up. Open everyday.
49 East Midland Avenue, Paramus, 201-261-0032.
MONTVALE LANES
Montvale Lanes offers bowling and bumper bowling, and has a snack bar and bar. No credit cards or debit cards accepted. Open daily. 14 West Grand Avenue, Montvale, 201-391-3400.
SCREAMING PARTIES
Screaming Parties has inflatables, a 20' Shark Slide, an interactive video game floor, cannon airblasters, air hockey table, and a party room for pizza and juice for an additional cost. Open bounce for preschoolers is usually every Friday and Family Bounce is every Tuesday evening. Call ahead to confirm Open Bounce hours. Best for ages 2-14. 651 Route 17 South, Paramus, 201-444-8883.
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