Indoor Playgrounds in NJ

Many schools shut down this week--leaving us moms with the dilemma of what to do with the kids when the novelty of new toys wears thin and the kids are destroying the furniture. 

Thankfully, my friend Sheila over at www.njplaygrounds.com has prepared for this scenario. She's provided the hours and events for a few playspaces this week (Link here). She also has a wonderful map and has started compiling various indoor play spaces (museums, gyms, etc.) with ratings and essential info (Link here). She could use some help, so let her know your favorite places and submit your review!

Here's the inside dirt, though, on what she recommends:

So, what's your absolute favorite place to take the kids?  I love Kidz Village in Kenilworth, wireless internet, great owner, tons for the kids to do, including the small movie theater, and they have plenty of benches in the center aisle. 

-What pay-per-play area is the best bang for the buck? I really like Unbelieva-bills in Montclair, (still need to do a review there) their admission is like $5 for the jungle gym, it's smaller than the one they used to have in Waldwick, but the kids had a blast.  If you sign up for their emails, they also have some free bagel/coffee Fridays once in a while...

-What's the best free place to take your kids? We love the Trailside Nature Center at Watchung Reservation.. We've met up with my son's friends at the McDonalds Playland on Rt 22 in Scotch Plains which has an air hockey table too.. For the little ones, the Livingston Mall has a really cute indoor play area in front of Sears... If you go a bit south, the kids also had fun in Tiny Town at the Woodbridge Center Mall.  Ikea is another great place to go, if your kids are 37"+  (my middle son had to sit out). 

-If you lived in Essex county, where would you go? Funtime Junction in Fairfield was pretty good.  the kids enjoyed themselves there, and I love the rocking chairs, esp. when you are trying to soothe a baby.. Also I thought the indoor Soccer dome in Montclair provides power wheels for the kids to drive around on Tues/Thurs from 12-1PM (closed during the winter break though)..

-If you live in Bergen County, where should you go? -Any places you are dying to check out? space odyssey! I have so much more to check out, I had great big plans to check out recommendations, but life happened, and the logistics with my 3 haven't given me much free time to do as much adventures as I can in the summer. I'm ultimately planning that if I can't get out as much, I'll reach out to some great moms in Bergen County to do some guest reviews. Mira??? :)

-What do you do while you are waiting at the playground?  I usually talk with other moms while the kids play, Since my little girl started becoming more mobile, I'm usually following her around... If she's napping on my lap, or stroller while the boys are playing in the jungle gym those are the days I wish I had a blackberry or IPOD. I have to say the most challenging thing is the bathroom, with 3, 2 still in diapers, we kinda take over the bathroom.. a little crazy, so I do take up my mom's offer sometimes to watch baby girl..

-What do you take with you in terms of snacks? I usually stuff the stroller with goldfish crackers, grapes, pretzels and capri suns...  I have to say the kids don't snack as much in the winter it seems, so sometimes we dont' even touch them.

MIRABEST Tips

As for me, I am a member of Space Odyssey (Englewood, NJ) and like their toddler area. The play structure is too dark and intimidating for my daughter but they both like the bowling. I also like Garden State Mall (the area near Old Navy) and Livingston Mall's play areas. I would like to check out Jersey Garden's play area as I've heard it is nice. 

I am dying to check out Kid's Kingdom in Northvale as I've heard lots of good things about it. Also, there's a new place in Jersey City called Wild at Play (only available to members).  Kids U in Paramus has open play for those who take their classes. But, you can see if they'll let you have a free tour and trial. 

JW Tumbles in Park Ridge has Drop Off Open Gym time this week. Can we say LIFESAVER?? Two slots are 10-12pm and 2-4pm. It costs $25/child. 

One tip I have on what to bring are antibacterial wipes. This season I'm obsessive about wiping down my kids hands after they play in these play areas. I used to use Wet Ones but I found the alcohol smell overpowering and they were a bit too wet. I LOVE this brand at Target called Up & Up. Their wipes are very soft and have just the right amount of wetness. Also, they smell nice! I now stock up when I visit because I know I'll go through them fast. So far my kids haven't gotten sick so I'm convinced it works :)

A little more about Sheila:

Inspired by a friendship at Greenside Park, in Scotch Plains, Sheila created NJ Playgrounds to fulfill the void of information on the internet of local play areas in the Garden State. Now featuring more than 100 of NJ favorite indoor and outdoor places for kids it boasts ample amount of pictures for each park/play space for parents to decide whether a park is a good match for their children.

  It is her hope that through NJ Playgrounds.com parents and caregivers can find a nearby playground to connect with others as well as have a safe place for their kids to release energy. 

Sheila Sayah lives in Springfield, NJ with her husband and 3 young children. Prior to motherhood, Sheila had worked as a program manager for Smiths Detection.   She is currently the treasurer for the MOMS Club of Springfield NJ and is also a contributor to the Patch, a hyperlocal news information platform (www.patch.com)  for Springfield and Cranford.  

Comments

[elley]

they have a children's museum in paramus too... kinda $ for admissions tho... shame. oh, and no strollers...

[coach purses]

Even when you feel as though there isn’t a lot you can do to change unhappiness or problems, you can always do a little—and a little at a time eventually makes a big difference.

[CelinaCASTILLO]

I would like to propose not to wait until you get big sum of cash to order goods! You should get the home loans or bank loan and feel yourself comfortable

[Coach outlet]

Usability and User Experience certainly has a larger scope than that.

[Supra Shoes]

we’ve not the one that others have to pretend is wearing an invisible smile.

[ugg ultra tall]

Beautiful picture of your blog! Picture is also very beautiful! And the combination of good articles and background @ I love your style of this style

[cheap timberland boots]

I am the first time see you blog,it is so great,and your blog is so beuatiful,but also helpful.Thanks for sharing.

[liss]

thomas sabo rings
thank you !

[cheap designer handbags]

These kind of post are always inspiring and I prefer to read quality content so I happy to find many good point here in the post, writing is simply great, thank you for the post!

[jordan 13]

I disagree with this approach to drafting requests for admissions. It is much easier to use the admitted requests at trial when the format is as you said.good post generally.

[authentic jordans shoes]

I love how you guys always change the mysterious voodoo into common sense tests.

Thanks SEOMoz for letting CRE tell your story so we could learn how to think like

human beings instead of bots.

[איפור ערב]

Nice post I like it. I never see such amazing post. Thanks for sharing this one. This is great for anyone who wants to understand this subject more. This is great stuff.